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Pastor · Sunday Schedule · FBC
News
December
2004
From the Pastor
Joy To The World
How exclusive is our religion? How much does Christ belong only to us?
As we enjoy all the traditions, gift giving, and special events of
Christmas, the above questions help us reflect on the more serious side of
Christmas. What exactly does it mean that Christ is for the world? What is
the deeper, more profound implications of the Incarnation, the fact that
Christ came in human form and lived amongst us? When we sing “Joy to the
world,” what truth, exactly, are we portraying?
Ever since I was a young college student I have pondered these questions.
I was raised in a very exclusive, tightly boundaried Baptist Church. There
was little hope for those outside the narrow confines of our orthodox
beliefs. In college, however, my sense of grace and God’s mercy began to
expand. I began to see that Christ belonged to more than the Baptist. It
was an exciting discovery for me. The wider I understood God’s Love to
be, the more that Love opened up in my own life.
This search, this quest to understand the meaning of the Christ event for
the world and the significance of the Incarnation, Crucifixion and
Resurrection for all of humankind and creation, has been life long. I have
remained an explorer. The questions in me have been like the star the Wise
Men followed to Bethlehem.
A few months ago Rony Reyes gave me a book to read entitled, Beyond The
Impasse. It was written by Dr. Amos Yong, a member of the Assemblies of
God denomination and one of Rony’s professors in college. The same
questions I had been asking all my life, Dr. Yong was asking in this book
but pushing them into the realm of other religions. He wanted to know, is
it possible to see God at work in these other religions? The book didn’t
so much answer these questions but set up guidelines for such an inquiry.
In a time of increasing polarization, inflamed with rhetoric that is
contemptible, it was refreshing and hopeful to read a more reasoned and
compassionate approach to the issue of exclusivity in our religions and
any possibilities that might exist to bridge the gaps.
When we became aware that Dr. Yong was a visiting professor at Xavier
University for the semester we immediately set out to see if it was at all
possible that we might have him speak at our church. It has worked out and
he will be with us the weekend of December 11th and 12th. It is a
wonderful opportunity for our congregation to become involved and also
contribute to this important dialogue.
I also see it as a part of our advent/Christmas calendar. Amidst all the
festivities it represents a more serious aspect, seeking to understand the
world and all its diversity in the light of the One whose birth is the
reason for our celebrations. I hope there are other explorers in our
church who will take time out on Saturday and Sunday, December 11th &
12th, to participate in this additional Advent event at our church.
Making it possible for First Baptist to sponsor this event and to have
such a distinguished scholar present with us is the Wayne and Virginia
Kohn Education Fund, and I want to thank the Kohn’s and their family for
their foresight in establishing this fund for these purposes.
Lastly, to everyone, I pray this season for you will be a most joyous time
for you and your families. I believe, in the birth of Christ, God wills in
for all of us.
A Very Blessed, Merry Christmas!
Dr. David W. Andersen
          
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