Welcome to this month's "Shofar." Every military member who has taken the oath of office has promised to fight against all enemies "both foreign and domestic." We often talk about the Taliban and Al Queda, but somehow miss the slow and often subtle death march happening in our domestic culture concerning spirituality and spiritual truth. It is in this genre this months' feature article comes to us. "Is There No Truth in Beauty" discusses the need for military Chaplains to confront the prevailing secular and religious PC culture in the Military. We are in a spiritual "11th hour" for the hearts and soul of those we serve and hopefully this article will be a clarion call for us in the Military to be instruments in the hands of Almighty God for good.
This months' book report is on "Trusting God" by Jeffrey Bridges.
Trusting God is a clear, no nonsense book which demonstrates how we as believers need to take God more serious in living our lives in faith. The book report was written by LT John Freiberg. May the Lord use and bless you in all your endeavors for our Lord and Savior.
Is There No Truth in Beauty?
By
Chaplain Stephen Elliotson
In the Old Star Trek episode of the same name, a being of great intelligience caused blindness to anyone who saw him because he was so hideous to look upon. Ironically, the only one who could communicate with this entity was a woman who was physically blind. Her physical blindness allowed her to appreciate the subtle, yet provocative powers of the individual. One in which saved the day for the USS Enterprise and it’s Captain at the end of the story.
The analogy of the story was obvious. While most of us need our senses to understand the world around us, there is another dimension of reality which surrounds and permeates our lives. It is a world where scientist, philosophers and the materialists despise because no one can control or measure it. This world cannot be sensed by our rational and empirical minds. It is for this reason that many often ignore it as if it doesn’t exist or try to explain it in empirical terms.
I am of course, referring to the spiritual realm. Sixty years ago, the Chaplain for the United States Senate gave a sermon “Research Unlimited.” In this sermon he told of how even though technology in the 20th century had invented marvels such as the radio, nuclear weapons and medicine, people didn’t have the moral knowledge to handle these things. Peter Marshall was a prophet because he understood that no matter how advanced science and technology becomes, we are still children lacking the means to make good decisions on how to live. The reason is obvious: the natural man understands nothing of the things of God.
Our nation is coming off the longest war in our short history 200 + years. Furthermore, the greatest minds of our country still cannot solve problems of war, finances, employment, poverty and cancer. In our arrogant wisdom, we still believe that we can solve all of our shortcomings. There are more problems, but even though humankind in their wisdom thinks they have the solution, we are no more closer to solving these things than in Peter Marshall’s day. One only needs to read a newspaper or newsreel of the past to understand this basic axiomatic truth: Nothing has really changed.
With such a bleak outlook and a terrible track record, one would seem to think maybe there is another, better solution. A rational person would investigate many different possibilities and keep an open mind on how to find an answer for today’s problems, even if the solution was found in something a person personally disagreed with. At least that is what David Hackett Fisher suggests in his book “Historical Fallacies.”
In Romans 1:22, it tells us “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools!” Perhaps this old Scripture has something to tell us “enlightened” individuals about what is true in this life. Perhaps some truth in the past is still true today and has something worthwhile to hold onto in order to solve some problems which cannot be empirically corrected. Perhaps we as a society and in the military need to embrace new truth claims which point out that the spiritual realm does hold value in order to solve empirical problems in our people and society at large.
Gone are the days when we as a culture and society think in what is known as Christian “categories.” That is the world view that there is a personal God who oversees everything and controls reality in both physical and spiritual domains. It’s not a separate dualism where two separate truths exit and are mutually exclusive, but one which is related to the other. It is in this dualistic world that the Military Chaplain has to minister. The beauty is that there is a God who is interested in the affairs of men and the truth will set us free.
The Challenge:
Given the nature of humankind, the military actually has no use for spiritually minded clergy. IN this climate, the Department of Defense no longer values Christian spirituality because it doesn’t fit into the current business model of the bottom line or the god of Political Correctness. Our political and military leaders always talk about taking care of our greatest asset which they claim is our people, but they only do it for physical aspects like medical benefits, mental health and salaries. This is needed, but long has this country forgotten that “Man does not live by bread alone, but by the Word of God.”
It is in this genre that we as Chaplains serve. In other words, how do we as the gatekeepers of our flocks’ spiritual health minister to a flock that really doesn’t want us? Given this paradigm of humankind and our sin, it is no surprise that there is now open hostility towards those of us who present the Gospel of Christ. This is a huge dilemma. It is like selling ice to an eskimo. In this article, I have some tried and true ideas of ministry tested over the years which hopefully will work for the novice Chaplain in overcoming this dilemna.
Things to Consider:
As Bible believers, our theology tells us that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom 3:10,23). As we have offended a perfect God, His justice demands some sort of a payment and He offers the sacrifice of His Son as a means of reconciliation (Heb 9:10-15, Rom 3-8). This is an axiomatic truth, but the problem is a majority of Chaplains no longer believe this and have become “clinicians” and speak in psychological terms which follow Marxist categories of social, political and economic concepts. They no longer talk of “redemption,” “sin,” and “guilt.” In short: pluralism and diversity are the politically correct terminology while “religious” talk is taboo. Just last week I was rebuked by my Commanding Officer because I always interject “religion” in my comments.
This is a hard sell in today’s world, especially in the military. So how do we as “Ambassadors for Christ” proceed in the proverbial minefield of “Military Ministry?” After 24 years as an active duty and reserve Chaplain, let me offer the following insights and ideas:
1) Be present and available:
Most denominations who have embraced theological liberalism have lost their identity and hence have adopted a more clinical approach towards ministry. They are counselors and facilitators rather than pastors. These are those who sit in their offices and wait for “the client” or “patient” to come to them. While office hours are indeed needed, it is where a Chaplain uses the Biblical model to be more effective with the Soldier, Sailor, Airmen or Marine.
Contrast this human model with the Biblical Model of Christ and Paul. Instead of waiting for people to come to them, they went to the people. This is not profound, but often overlooked. Christ went to the temple, synagogue and other places and confronted the other side with an audience. Paul often went to the shopping malls of his day (known as “agoras”), synogogues and even set up a debating school in a major city (Acts 19:9) to get the Word out. In other words, get out and get engaged with your people. Personal interaction is crucial!
While some may not like what you stand for, they can grow a respect and even a personal appreciation for what one is trying to do. Who knows? Maybe this will even open up doors for future ministry. I send out an email ministry to my command. One of the things I could do was find out who was reading it and who was deleting it. When I checked on who was deleting it, I noticed it was a whole platoon of Sailors. When I started doing more visitation in that area and made friendships, I noticed that many started to read them. It opened up a lot of dialogue and eventually led to some professions of faith. Be available and present.
IN our ministry, we have plenty of opportunities which most Chaplains feel are a waste of time. Remember, our ministry is not about us, but about our availability to God for Him to work through us. As pastors in a Church, we are the center and focus of all preaching and teaching. WE expect the same in the military. If we are not the focus of a brief, we conclude that our time is too valuable to waste sitting in on other person’s briefs or meetings. Nothing is more boring than staff and military meetings. Yes, the meetings are inane and boring, however, that 5 minutes before or after when you talk to that key person or that comment one says at an opportune time is priceless and precious and can accomplish much.
Need I say anything about doing space visits where the “flock” is or even the chances to do what the troops are doing. Many a counseling session was made while I did 20 mile humps with the Marines and 4 mile runs. Many a class I sat through was thoroughly boring, but my being there was definitely notices and appreciated. Of course there will be chances to do briefs and it is this venue one can really shine. Practice your brief and don’t let it be the most boring time of your life. Revitalize it, make it interesting and you will become noticed in your battalion. Indoc briefs for the most part are the first and only impression some folks will ever have of the Chaplain. Be someone of distinction and not “another Power Point.” Be humorous or poignant. Cleverness works! The choice is yours, but it takes WORK and TIME. Be present and available.
One last thing on this aspect. Get qualified! Take classes, sit in briefs, get noticed. Interact in all things. Make acquintances and give yourself opportunities to make bridges with not only the junior enlisted, but also with the senior leadership. Your CO and XO will soon find out that you are taking care of their people and they will love you even if they personally are pagans. Some of my favorite CO’s were those who were self-professed atheists who while disagreeing with your theology, still respected your work.
2) Be an Expert Admin Weiny!
Too often Chaplains are too heavenly minded to be any earthly good. Chaplains are notorious for getting into some sort of legal problem due to their lack of knowledge of DOD policies. While many clergy exceptions apply to the civilian world, many do not apply in the military. Do not be an administrative burden to your command. Take the time to read the instructions and policies and procedures. We serve in a legal minefield and unfortunately it is the nature of our world now.
One way in which you can help those at your command is to know and understand all of the command resources. They are numerous and it seems that new services seem to spring up every day. Many of these once used to be the domain of the Chaplains office, but with the increased secularization of our society we must learn the new paradigms in order to serve our people more effectively. As people come to you, be able to know if the individual has a spiritual related issue or something that can be better served with a financial counselor or the local foodbank. Learn to network and be part of the team rather than a lone wolf expecting everyone to come to you for each and every problem.
Learn to do forms and put your people in for awards and if necessary, disciplinary action. Our evaluation and fitness report instruction in the Navy is the equivalent of a Gideon’s Bible, but it is something that a good officer needs to know for both personal and departmental leadership. Get to know the admin officer and he/she will take good care of you. Never be afraid to ask for help and/or clarification on an admin procedure before you give it to your chain of command. It is accepted and understood that you have the skills to be a Chaplain, however, promotions often are done by your ability to follow administrative procedures and military paperwork.
In Conclusion:
There are many other ways in which a Chaplain can minister to His flock, but this article covers only two. The idea of this article is we as a modern society do not appreciate spiritual things much like the world of Jesus Christ. Both Paul and Christ brought light into the world by confronting many of the secular and twisted spiritual views of the culture and society in which they lived. This article has given some ideas in which a Chaplain can meet people where they are at and create opportunities to serve God and Country.
One may criticize the fact that this is an indirect way to present the Gospel of Christ. Trust me, if one is actively pursuing helping people, many opportunities to preach, teach and counsel others will definitely happen. Some Chaplains have protested this approach because they pontificate and say “this is not evangelism as Christ, the Disciples and Paul practiced.” To this criticism I reply “the key is to be with the people first and then take every opportunity that God opens up.” May I respectfully also remind my fellow workers in the Lord that one must go before the Lord of the Harvest first before any of this must be attempted. After all, this is God’s work and not our own.
Beloved, we live in perilous times where not only the enemy looks to whom he may devour, but a lost and sick world which sees no value in what we offer. As I write this there are some in higher parts of government which would like to see the Chaplain Corps disappear. Not only that, but some fellow Chaplains of other religious persuasions would like to see those of us who still believe the Bible disappear. The time is late and the shadows are no longer on the horizon, but close at hand. It is in our human despair in which we need to look for our Savior for the answer is not found in flesh and blood, but in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
"TRUSTING GOD" by Jeff Bridges. Reviewed by John Freiberg. LT. USN
I finally made enough 10 minute drives back and forth to work to finish this audio book version of Jerry Bridges classic.
That said, Trusting God was an immensely encouraging listen. In it Bridges takes the clearly taught, yet so often misunderstood or denied, Biblical doctrine of God’s sovereignty and shows how the simple act of trusting that God is who He says He is will profoundly change your life.
Perhaps the phrase that sticks with me the most and was oft repeated in the book was, “God’s will is not in competition with our good”.
This book helped expand my view of God’s greatness and goodness. In addition, it helped me see how the Big God of Scripture is involved with every detail of my life, and how that knowledge can give me strength in the midst of trial and uncertainty.
Read (or listen) to this book to help your Theology inform and transform your worship of and walk with King Jesus.
The good that God works for in our lives is conformity to the likeness of His Son. It is not necessarily comfort or happiness but conformity to Christ in ever-increasing measure in this life and in its fullness in eternity.” p. 120.
God’s unfailing love for us is an objective fact affirmed over and over in the Scriptures. It is true whether we believe it or not. Our doubts do not destroy God’s love, nor does our faith create it. It originates in the very nature of God, who is love, and it flows to us through our union with His beloved Son.” p. 155.
