"He has shown thee, O man, what is good and what the Lord requires of you; but to do justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8). I like that Old Testament verse (praise chorus, too, but that highlights my age and advancing years). In its context, the prophet is speaking of how he should come before the Lord on behalf of the wayward people. Burnt offerings, calves, rams and rivers of oil are not really adequate. What the Lord desires is a changed heart; one that does what is just, merciful and walks humbly with its Creator. The prophet in this text, I believe, is speaking of genuine faith as opposed to its common counterfeit, shallow or superficial faith.
I have heard and read quite a bit lately about a resurgence of spirituality. It seems to cut across geographic and denominational lines. I am always excited when people are motivated and inspired to live Godly lives and I hope to do that as well as I am able. My concern, you knew it was coming, is about what is motivating this renewal of spiritual passion.
I have been reading and have almost finished Sinclair Lewis' novel Elmer Gantry. I am sure that many of you have seen the movie with Burt Lancaster. It is a classic in American cinema. The concept of "Elmer Gantry" has been around since the novel and the movie. Whenever someone attracts a large crowd; is perceived not to have much substance; and is questioned about his/her motives; the label applied to them is "Elmer Gantry." I understand that. Certainly a large part of the book and all of the movie focuses on Elmer Gantry and his amazing ability and his dumbfounding hypocrisy. There is, though, in my opinion, a different message in this controversial novel. It is clear to me that Sinclair Lewis was an unbeliever who wrote this novel to ridicule and mock evangelical Christians of his day (possibly most directly Dwight L. Moody). It was interesting that Lewis did research for the book in Kansas City and set the fictional Bible College that Gantry attended in Kansas. The book, when it came out in the 1920's, generated much controversy and churches derided it from the beginning. As I read it now, nearly ninety years after it was penned, I am stunned by two things. First, Lewis does an amazing and painfully accurate job of describing the hypocritical and mean things that Christians do to each other and to the "non-Christian" world. He writes scathingly of hypocrisy, double-standards, stirring passion through emotion without any real substance, greed, indecency and just plain ugliness. It is obvious to me that he can't stand Christians (of that stripe anyway). I would dismiss it as the writing of an atheistic individual if there wasn't so much truth in it. I am convicned that many in the church today are being caught up in the same "show" that produced "Elmer Gantry." Second, Lewis misses what really ignites renewal and revival. It is never a part of the novel because, I think, Lewis never understood it. What is this "it?" Real change and the ability to live in it come from Jesus Christ. Lewis seems to view God and Jesus as creations of man to advance a scheme. He doesn't consider the possiblity that they may be real. As I see it, that's where we find the power to live effective Christian lives. Christians have, continue to, and will continue to do hypocritical things. Do not, though, measure Christ through the Christian. Though we fail from time to time, he remains what he is and the more that we are connected to him, the greater our chance of success.
I can hear you as you are reading, I get that. So what? Let me respond by sharing with you an observation. About a month ago I attended the Washington Fair and Fair Parade. It is a pretty big deal here in Franklin County. As I watched the floats go by, I noticed how the kids were excited for candy. One of the most popular treats on that hot, August day was cotton candy. It was pink or blue. It looked soft, fluffy and, well, delicious. No, I didn't eat any; I just looked at it. I thought about cotton candy again recently. Reading about Gantry's "stirring, emotional revivals" and about how the people were "carried away with him in the spirit" made me think of cotton candy. Gantry was excellent at stirring up the crowd and creating a moment of excitement, passion and ministry. Looking at what he actually said to the crowds, well, that was less than inspiring. For Gantry it wasn't what was said that mattered, but simply how it was said and what was generated from it. Cotton candy looks pretty and tastes sweet but it has no lasting nutritional value. I pray that the spiritual renewal that seems to have hit many people across the nation has substance to it. I pray that it is rooted in something deeper than emotion and passion. I pray that we, as a people, will return to Jesus Christ and become people of the book. In my opinion, that's when we'll be renewed.
Thanks for reading....
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