Latin Tattoos and 24 Hours of Televangelism (by Nadia Bolz-Weber)
While working on my upcoming book for Seabury Press - Salvation on the Small Screen? 24 Hours of Christian Television, a theological and cultural commentary based on my experience watching 24 consecutive hours of the Trinity Broadcasting Network - I faced the issue of sanctification, sin, and leadership in the church. TBN preacher Paula White said the following on her show: "Sanctification is a progressive process you go from glory to glory to glory." (And by "progressive," I don't think she means Jim Wallis.)
I have no idea what she means when she says we go "from glory to glory to glory." I think I need an English-to-evangelical parallel dictionary, but I do know how I feel about progressive sanctification -- namely that it's hooey. And here's why: I believe we are all (watch me get all fancy on the Latin here) simul iustus et peccator – simultaneously saint and sinner. (As a matter of fact, I have this tattooed in Latin around my right wrist because I'm just that much of a theological fancy-pants.) While perhaps not perfect, this doctrine is one of the most useful things about my Lutheran theological camp. We hold that we are all 100% sinner and 100% saint. "But wait, Nadia," you say, "that's 200% percent." Well, yes and no; you see, the two are simultaneous. There is no process of sanctification, good works, prayer, yoga, recycling, Bible study, or holy living that makes us even 99% sinner and 101% saint, much less like 10/190.
The really liberating thing about this is that when we all come to the table fully aware that we are sinners, that we are broken on some level and never perfect, then the temptation to pretend otherwise is greatly diminished. To embrace your sinfulness and saintliness is not the same as being intentionally immoral. It is to be realistic that no one can possibly be 100% honest all the time, to always think of the neighbor before the self, to always honor God in everything you do, to at all times decrease in self so that others may increase. Even if our actions come close to this (they never do but if they did), we still are stuck with the reality of our minds and the thoughts of our hearts. You see, the spiritual poison of our own righteousness, of saying here are the rules we must follow to please God and to be sanctified, and I follow those rules so I have good reason to be prideful about my sanctification because I earned it is problematic. The moment we try and maintain our holiness, the moment we try to appear to be without sin, that junk just comes out sideways.
These televangelists and mega church personalities fall hard when they fall. When I fall, which is pretty much every day (including this moment as I write unkind things about these folks), I don't fall too far. Is this because of some sort of reverse righteousness? That could be a fair critique. I just know that as a Christian leader people are drawn to me not because I'm some sort of spiritually arrived person, but because I'm a pretty transparent one. Don't get me wrong: there are some icky parts I keep to myself, but for the most part I don't make too much of an effort to appear a whole lot better that I am. There's not a sin pressure valve that's building up ready to blow into a national crack-smoking, sex-for-money scandal. (Note to self: Avoid national crack-smoking, sex-for-money scandals.)
Nadia Bolz-Weber is a Lutheran vicar living in Denver, Colorado, where she is developing a new emerging church, House for all Sinners and Saints. She blogs at www.sarcasticlutheran.com.
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Associated Press – NEWS FLASH
Local Emergent Church “Leader” Dismissed After Found Reading Creed
March 7, 2012
Seattle - Sonia Raven Jergesen-Al Hazir, unofficial leader of a Seattle-area emergent church, was dismissed from her unofficial position after being caught by several church members reading the Nicene Creed. “Frankly, I was disappointed, “said fellow Emergent Will Brown-Stevenson. “While we try to be tolerant and open-minded and accepting of all faith traditions, there are limits. The next thing we know, she’d probably be reading the black letters too,” he added, sitting in his desk, behind him a wall-sized framed photo of Brian McLaren.
“I’m deeply, deeply sorry for any pain I’ve caused to my fellow believers, but I just was looking for some sort of foundation for our weekly gatherings,” said Jergesen-Al Hazir after hearing the news of her dismissal.
Jergesen-Al Hazir founded the “One World, Many Faiths” emergent church in 2006 and it had grown large enough that she had to move the meetings from her living room to the local coffee shop in 2008.
One local Christian was quick to pounce on Jergesen-Al Hazir. “This is clearly an indictment of their entire philosophy, their movement, and the way they choose to worship” said local mega-church pastor Slick Wallace. “These emergents fall hard when they fall. But I guess when there are no underlying standards to which to hold yourself and your congregation, you have to look somewhere. When I fall, which is pretty much every day, I don't fall too far. Is this because of some sort of reverse righteousness?” Wallace is in the middle of writing a book about several prominent emerging church leaders who have been forced to resign in scandal recently.
Another was more tempered. “We shouldn’t judge all emergents by the actions of one or two,” said Pastor Phil Smith, a local Baptist minister. “Even if it is tempting to criticize those with which me might have a disagreement.”
After being pressed by other Emergents, Jergesen-Al Hazir also admitted to owning a copy of the Book of Common Prayer and reading from the Old Testament. “I told them it was the 2010 prayer book, which had purged the 39 articles, but they didn’t seem to care,” Jergesen-Al Hazir added in her defense.
Posted by: Ross | March 7, 2008 8:11 PM
You know, I had a theological problem with this post -- we often don't know our position in Christ separate from our behavior. Those who have received Christ as Savior and LORD are, by definition saints and no longer sinners; it has nothing to do with our behavior. That said, we still have the bent toward sin but don't have to cooperate with it because of our relationship to Him.
Posted by: Rick Nowlin (the real one) | March 7, 2008 10:21 PM
Great post Nadia
I think what turns off those who are not Christians are Christians who think they are better than those who are not. In reality, in the words of Will Campbell "we are all bastards but God loves us anyway."
Posted by: Rich Kidd | March 8, 2008 9:31 AM
Wow you watched Trinity Broadcasting for 24 hours straight? Chapeau! ("Hats off to you" as the French would say). I would try it but I'm afraid that it would cause me to regress back to childhood. How? You might ask. Well my sister used to play with Barbie dolls and one of the frequent hostesses looks like 60 year-old Barbie doll and the host looks like the puppet maker in Pinnochio. I just can't take them too seriously.
Posted by: JamesMartin | March 8, 2008 9:46 AM
Ross,
That's hysterical! Yeah, as a deeply confessional, creedal Lutheran with a high Christology I can be an oddball in the "emerging church", but I'm not the only one. Church of the Apostles (apostleschurch.org) in Seattle (kind of a big sister community to ours), rather than having some rambling long thing they made up on their "what we believe" tab on their website, when you click on it, it's just the Apostle's Creed, which I think is perfect!
If you're a bit of a creed geek like me, you may enjoy Luke Timothy Johnson's book The Creed.
Blessings,
Nadia
Posted by: Nadia | March 8, 2008 9:54 AM
Nadia, why are you so angry and jealous of the conservative Christians?
Posted by: The Patriot | March 8, 2008 12:20 PM
Rick,
I can't imagine a worse fate than not knowing our position in Christ separate from our behavior. Consider it along the lines of a more conventional relationship-- can I ever really say she loves me based on the things I do? I need her to tell me and show me, and not infrequently. So with Christ, who does not leave us guessing: "This is my body, given for you," or even, "Your sins are forgiven." So of course we are saints because he says so, completely, and for no other reason--we are saints, therefore, in him alone. Considered in ourselves, we're exactly the sinners we look like.
Nadia,
Now I'm upset with you for adding another to the list of blogs I have to read. Don't you know I'm busy?
And, if you read this and haven't heard of it already, pray for a certain professor we both admire, and especially for the health of his wife. The cancer has been removed, but there's a lot of healing to do.
Adam Morton
Posted by: Adam Morton | March 8, 2008 12:44 PM
I can't imagine a worse fate than not knowing our position in Christ separate from our behavior.
If you're a true believer your behavior has nothing to do with it -- to use some big words, it's the difference between "justification" and "sanctification." The former declares you righteous because God sees Christ, no longer you; the latter, however, is ongoing -- a continual transformation of attitude and action.
Posted by: Rick Nowlin (the real one) | March 8, 2008 2:43 PM
Behavior does matter. If we claim to be a "true believer" and yet when we sin, it is not followed-up with "true repentance" then how are we a "true believer?"
John 8:30-31
Then said Jesus to those Jews which Believed on him, If ye Continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
They believed in him-- yet had to continue to obey his word. Even the righteous must continue in his word- or they are no longer righteous.
Matthew 4:17
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mark 1:15
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, And believe the gospel.
Believing and repenting go together. Repenting is part of believing. And if I truly repent--I am certainly changing my behavior. God knows we are not perfect--but we must truly repent, as well. Our behavior must change by giving up that sinful behavior.
The Bible guides us. If we say we "believe" in Christ, but cherry-pick than that is hypocrisy. And he will call us on it in the end- no matter what label we have attached to ourselves.
I'm telling you the truth--we are a continual transformation, because we are sinners, and will be until our last breath.
There is no quick fix-- we must obey and repent until the end.
Elizabeth Daniele
Posted by: Elizabeth Daniele | March 8, 2008 8:50 PM
If we claim to be a "true believer" and yet when we sin, it is not followed-up with "true repentance" then how are we a "true believer?"
It could be that we're ignorant of certain things. There are sins I've committed that I wasn't even aware of until years later, and I went back to try to make things right. Please understand that I'm not trying to excuse sin; I'm saying only that God's acceptance of us does not depend on what we do -- but if we don't have any desire to get it right, chances are we don't belong to Him in the first place.
Posted by: Rick Nowlin (the real one) | March 9, 2008 3:52 PM
I enjoyed your posting and for the most part agree. I think of sanctification like this, to use theological framework, we are "positionally" saints at the moment we place our faith in Christ. Like a legal declaration, God the Father sees us through the blood and sees the righteousness of His Son, not our imperfections.
Practically we are still sinners, 'oh retched man that I am the things I do not want to do I do, the things I want to do I do not do' something like that, Paul wrote. Even Paul was in practicality still a sinner, but in the eyes of God, positionally he was a saint.
The thing about this that I love is to realize that the only difference between me and a "reprobate" is the blood of Christ. I am no more qualified to call God my daddy then the worst, most disgusting individual, except that I have, by faith claimed the atoning blood of God's scape goat as my righteousness.
That's it. We are declared saints because because of Jesus' blood but we still children of Adam, living in the flesh...for now.
Posted by: Bill Blancke | March 9, 2008 7:37 PM
I think all this "positional" theology is exactly what non-believers react against. The dichotomy smacks to them of something very far from authenticity.
Pastor Jeff
Posted by: Pastor Jeff Staples | March 9, 2008 9:36 PM
I think all this "positional" theology is exactly what non-believers react against. The dichotomy smacks to them of something very far from authenticity.
You may be right about that -- that's why I'm no longer one for systematic theology right out of the box. But it's the only way I can make sense out of soteriology -- the idea that a spiritually-dead person can "choose God" makes no sense to me.
Posted by: Rick Nowlin (the real one) | March 9, 2008 9:45 PM
Rick (real one): I was meaning to ask -why the appendage to your moniker?
Amen to the "systematic theology" thing! Do we dare venture into "soul competence" and the whole "image of God" question?
(Baptist) Pastor Jeff
Posted by: Pastor Jeff Staples | March 9, 2008 9:54 PM
"It could be that we're ignorant of certain things. There are sins I've committed that I wasn't even aware of until years later, and I went back to try to make things right."
Fair enough, well said, and I certainly understand and have been there too. I am a repented sinner, as well.
King David is a good example of true repentance- Psalms 51. I believe God loved him so dearly because of it, despite the severity of his sins. God is incredibly merciful. No one loves or forgives like him. He is awing.
Blessings to you and yours, Rick.
Elizabeth Daniele
Posted by: Elizabeth Daniele | March 9, 2008 10:10 PM
Pastor Jeff -- Some crank was using my name on the Huckabee thread to make cutting comments, which I don't do, toward someone else and thus blame it on me; it was a way to distinguish me from the poser.
Anyway, keep in mind that I come from a Calvinist background; thus, I've had systematic theology from my childhood. But John Eldredge (think "Wild at Heart") has said that it cut out the life of the Word of God, and I understand what he means by that.
Posted by: Rick Nowlin (the real one) | March 10, 2008 12:06 AM
Rick-understood. I almost went to a Presb. seminary because I was impressed with the correctness of their doctrine. I have to admit that Calvin is right about much but life isn't always about being right. I find it mostly about grace -both God's and ours toward each other. Thanks for responding-see you again on other threads.
PJ
Posted by: Pastor Jeff Staples | March 10, 2008 12:20 AM
The "I watched TBN for 24 hrs" line makes me smile--but it really isn't all that funny. Gotta be careful sister. When "The Other" looks wierd to you--remember you look just as wierd to them.
Jesus did not look like folks thought he ought.
We get very caught up in forms, styles, language and culture as the basis for judging.
I would not be surprised if an encounter between Jesus and TBN included some stuff at TBN being burned up. But it might not be what we think.
So, please do help us all be discerning; but please do so with humility and wisdom.
And if you are going to bring a theological critique, just a kind reminder, to fist step into the theological framework you examine. Don't just stand outside of it and bring pieces of it under the examination of your own system.
Posted by: letjusticerolldown | March 10, 2008 8:17 AM
You know, I had a theological problem with this post
Posted by Rick Nowlin
Rick I often agree with your understanding of scripture strange enough . Galations is a good book in helping many understand who we are in Christ . TBN sure has some weird stuff on it , but I think the writer looses her ability to speak to it by promoting self and not the Power of God .
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"[d]
Posted by: Mick | March 10, 2008 2:01 PM
Anyone notice that TBN has been widely denounced as "The Blasphemy Network" for all of the nonsense they preach and promote?
Posted by: Ngchen | March 10, 2008 3:53 PM
"I have no idea what she means when she says we go "from glory to glory to glory." I think I need an English-to-evangelical parallel dictionary, but I do know how I feel about progressive sanctification -- namely that it's hooey."
I must say that had you checked your bible on this phrasing you would have encountered this passage:
2Co 3:16-18 But when they shall be converted to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away. (17) Now the Lord is a Spirit. And where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (18) But we all, beholding the glory of the Lord with open face, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, as by the Spirit of the Lord.
You progressives who major in the social aspects of discipleship namely " loving our neighbor' bring a dutiful and proper sense of social responsibilty to us conservatives. However your lack of devotion to the first part of the great commandment " to love the Lord our God with all ourt heart, soul mind and strength" is displayed by your ignorance of so many precious passages contained in the scripture. If we behold the beauty of the Lord the scripture promises we are changed into the increasingly more radiant image of God. There is a progressive revelation of Christ that is completely allied with loving our neighbor. I am afraid your journalistic exercise showed more about your ignorance, than of TBN's foolishness on this occasion.
Posted by: Ken Peters | March 10, 2008 5:52 PM
One of the problems with "glory to glory to glory" is the extra "glory". Conservatives usually react to "adding to scripture". Others may recognize an inherent gnosticism being embraced by those who believe in "progression" in God to "higher and higher"levels as a result of our "conjuring" or special "revelation". Be careful to not underestimate the scriptural knowledge of the "liberals". Many are alienated "fundamentalists" who have seen the Scriptures molded into the image of man. So what might "glory to glory" mean absent gnosticism? I'll bet Sojourner Truth has some insight here. Something perhaps along the lines of law and grace and former and latter glory?
Pastor Jeff
Posted by: Pastor Jeff Staples | March 10, 2008 6:39 PM
Apart from a single sentence, I'm with you. Though I doubt that the televangelist cited drew upon my faith tradition, I still have to disagree with your first broadside. As a dyed in the wool Arminian, a birthright Methodist, I can not agree that the process of sanctification is hooey.
Wesley, the Arminian I know most about, understood that grace moves in stages throughout the believer's life--roughly analogous to the five original verses of Amazing Grace (Not, in fact, written by Willy Nelson or some 19th century Baptist). C.S. Lewis wrote that only a perfect person could perfectly repent--that a completely evil person would have no idea that repentance was even needed. For both Lewis and Wesley, the believer is gradually convicted of sin and led to repent and remove that sin from his/her life. We are led, also, to perceive more clearly and more often the needs of others and to feel led and empowered to address those needs. This is not a matter of following a set of rules and bragging about it (as one might brag about following a diet) but a matter of maturing in Christ.
Posted by: Sarah Caldwell | March 10, 2008 7:05 PM
If we behold the beauty of the Lord the scripture promises we are changed into the increasingly more radiant image of God. There is a progressive revelation of Christ that is completely allied with loving our neighbor.
One of the reasons why God pulled me out of the Calvinist orbit was because of its failure to "love neighbors" the way it should. I subscribe to the theology, but the churches I know do so little with it they basically became irrelevant in the greater culture.
Posted by: Rick Nowlin (the real one) | March 10, 2008 11:21 PM
I agree with the writer and I also agree with the televangelist 100%. How can that be? The same way it is possible to be both saint and sinner 100% or that Jesus could be fully human and fully divine.
Truly, I do go from glory to glory. For me, it is the experience of the presence of God, feeling God's love, hearing God's voice. I do believe that I am becoming a better person every day through this experience.
You can have it,too. Just ask God. That is the type of prayer that God always answers in the affirmative.
Posted by: Gloria Poe | March 11, 2008 6:51 AM
Great fun, Nadia! Thanks for injecting some Lutheranism into the conversation. Sanctification is a foreign concept for those of us grounded in the Solas - as a Lutheran, Sanctification sometimes strikes me as a sort of "holiness infection" to which some people are, unfortunately, "immune." The implication is that we who have been sanctified must somehow overcome the defenses of those who haven't, and thus spread the infection.
On the other hand, there's a certain inevitability communicated by the logic of sanctification that is consistent with Sola Gratia - God loves us all no matter what, and our response to God's love is to share it with all regardless of the consequences. (Sort of a Sancto-Justi-ficificational theology?)
Best wishes on your book! Now change that channel and go watch some Six Feet Under reruns. pax
Posted by: Mark Douglass | March 13, 2008 3:26 PM
I think many have the idea of repentance wrong.First what is true repentance? If I repent from smoking or drinking it means I quit them, but who truly quits sinning? "He who says he is without sin is a liar.", No repentance is a change of mind or direction. The only unforgivable sin is blasphomy of the Holy spirit, or denying his restinony of The Christ. Christ took care of all our sin issues at the cross, the only sin that needs to be dealt with is the sin of un-belief.John 16:9 We all continue to sin in the flesh, but we must continually thank God for his on-going grace (undeserved favor) and mercy.
Posted by: scott h | March 14, 2008 12:14 PM
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