First United Methodist Church - Fort Collins, CO

“Let’s Hear It From the Snake” or “What’s Original About Sin?”

I have wanted to do a sermon from the Jahwistic story of creation; the story of Adam and Eve and the Serpent and the Tree of Life and the fruit of the tree that was forbidden.

It is an important and much misunderstood tale. It takes us back to the source of our guilt as human beings and, in some ways of thinking theologically, it promotes the idea that Jesus died for our sins in order to reestablish our relationship with God I(that had been broken as a result of the Original Sin).

Who gets blame for the “Fall” and how that interprets into our day is very important.

Is it Adam’s fault. He took the first bite?

Is it Eve’s fault. She offered a rationale to take it?

Is it the serpent’s fault. The snake tried to trick them?

Is it God’s fault. God provided the paradise into which the couple was placed and the serpent and the tree that was the cause of the problem?

How does this story speak to us today?

Sunday, August 5th, we will consider one of the most quoted stories in the Bible. We will explore something about our human nature and we will consider the meaning of the idea of Original Sin.

Finally, just a few thoughts about the story in Genesis 3. It is in the Bible as a part of the first book in the Bible but it was written very late. In fact, if it were put into the Old Testament in the order in which it was written it would be in the back of the Old Testament. Secondly, it was never intended to be viewed as an actual story of actual people. It is a parable on the nature of the human spirit. Thirdly, the Hebrew word for Adam is “dirt”. The Hebrew word for Eve is “life”. Finally, it is never suggested the creature in the story was a snake; it is named a serpent — there is a difference. Also, the Original Sin is not sex. The Original Sin is two people thinking they are God. The Original Sin in the story is pride or hubris.

Do you have some thoughts about this subject. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your response click on the ‘comments’ box below.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Charles Schuster

The sermon has come down to three expressions of the way I can imagine God creating. Here are the three points to the sermon:

1. Sometimes we think of God as the great “decider”. God is the one who comes to determine and to judge us. God is the power separates the goats from the sheep, and the way we interact with God “the decider” is to negotiate with God; to beg God for favors; to bargain with God for advantage.

2. Sometimes we think of God as the good “Provider”. God is the one who graces us with life and God’s creativity comes in the form of the gracious gifts that surround us, and the way we interact with God “the provider” is to appreciate; to approach all life as if it were a gift from God and to live our days feeling as if we were part of the God’s creativity.

3. Sometimes we think of God as the subtle “Instigator”. God is the intimation to us that something needs to be done and, having a grasp of that we find ourselves doing it knowing we had a choice and we chose to act in response the the creative God who is within the matrix of life and the flow of experience. Our response to God, the instigator is we find ways to participate.

God is the “decider” and we negotiate.

God is the “provider” and we appreciate.

God is the “instigator” and we participate.

So far I like the direction of this sermon although I’m not sure how to end it. It has flow and rhythm but I can’t really say it has destination. If you have suggestions write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your responses click on the ‘comments’ box below.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Charles Schuster

“How Does God Create?”

There was a message on the board in the Conference Room where we meet for staff that got my attention. It addressed the difference between philosophy and religion. Do you agree with this statement?

“Philosophy asks questions that are never answered.”

“Religion provides answers that are never questioned.”

I have a problem with that. I refuse to think that of religion. Sometimes I think there is an image religions acquired that implies we provide answers that are not to be questioned, but I don’t think that’s what healthy religion is about.

I think healthy religion raises important questions that may produce answers but the answers it produces need to be questioned. Healthy religion never stops asking good questions. Healthy religion involves a growth in spirit and it is hard to grow in spirit unless we are willing to pursue our faith beyond the comfort zone.

The issue of the ‘Creator God’ is as important issue as we face. To believe in God requires we address how it is God creates and our understanding of how God creates must align itself with our basic understanding of God. There must be consistence and congruence. Is God a coersive force? a supportive presence? a motivator toward good?

How does God create?

The sermon will take a look at the idea of a destroying God and a creating God. I will try to sort out the concept of God as creator.

Do you have thoughts about this? If God can create, in some way, is it possible for God to destroy? How does it work.

If you have thoughts write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have your opinions shared with others in the community click on the ‘comments’ box below.

See you Sunday.

Charles Schuster

Sermon for July 29th

“How Does God Create of God and the Lifely Hallows”

The latest Harry Potter book is entitled Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. One of the most difficult aspects of Christian Theology is the spelling out in some cogent detail precisely how we think the “Creator God” creates. Much of our theological language is fuzzy at best. We speak of God as “Creator” but we do not explore what we mean when we say that.

It is my task this Sunday to try to speak of God as Creator and to show how, I think, that happens.

While I haven’t been much of a Harry Potter fan (I read one of the books and saw one of the movies), I have much admired J.K. Rowling. This young woman has captivated generations of young people with her imagination. She has taken the world’s collective mind off its problems (her books are translated into over 60 languages), and has given us a way to think of come of the large struggles of our day in the context of fantasy. She has encouraged young and old to talk together on the challenges Harry faces and she has reminded us what happens to us when we grow up but do not grow old.

I think there is something of the “Creator God” in this. Sunday I will try to lift up examples of Divine Creativity.  I will be looking for things as subtle as the birth of a baby in a world of death and war to the, seemingly, miraculous interposition of God into the matrix of our living.

How do you think God creates?

If God “created heaven and earth” did God stop creating (set the universe on its course and step back)? Do you see examples of the Creator God?

I’d love to hear from you. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your response and respond directly to you click on the ‘comments’ box below.

See you next Sunday.

Charles

PS

At 12:15 we will have the second of our summer contemporary worship service. A light lunch will be served at 11:30 in the Fellowship Hall. Pam Everhart and I will preach a dialogue sermon on Luke 16:19-31 and the story of Dives and Lazarus. I will explore the role of Dives and Pam will have us look at Lazarus

Sunday, July 22nd

Reverend Joel Kershaw will be preaching on the 22nd. He will be performing the baptism of his son Paul. He just returned from the youth trip and I imagine he will be posting his sermon as the week progresses.

In the meantime I’d, if you have some suggestions for sermon themes for me; topics; Biblical texts; or controversial issues; or if you would like to pass on to me some of your ideas about religion, theology, the Bible, Christianity, or anything else, please write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net

I look forward to hearing from you.

If you would like others to respond to your ideas click on the ‘comments’ box below.

Charles Schuster

“What Do You Tell An Atheist?”

In dealing with anyone whose views differ we have to be careful “how” we try to “tell” someone anything. On the other hand it was D.T. Niles who said, “Evangelism is simply one beggar telling another beggar where to get the food.”

I have found that theism (belief in God) has a centralizing function. It forces us into a lifestyle that encourages congruence. Theism requires a kind of consistency in all levels of life. Monotheism is difficult  but important. It allows us to confront the fragmentation life brings to us.

Therefore, if in a position to share thoughts about God with someone who didn’t believe or understant about God I would suggest they look at three areas of their lives.

1. Look up! See the cosmos and the beauty and order of the universe and realize that behind creation there is s creative force (a Creator). Haven’t all of us looked up at the stars at night and thought, “This is a wonderful and awesome sight.”

2. Look around! The Christ-event happens as we interact with strangers. The incarnation of God in Jesus is prototypical of the way in which God appears in the people around us. Haven’t we each had the experience of the ministry of other people and haven’t we witnessed the God-likeness of strangers in their acts of caring and compassion.

3. Look within! There is a touch of the eternal in every person. Where we are least able to see it in within ourselves. Haven’t we had the experience of looking back on something we said or something we did and thought to ourselves, “I wonder where that came from?” and then to realize, it came from God. Amos the prophet of Israel was reluctant to speak for God as God’s prophet because he said, “I am but a tree trimmer. How can I speak for God?”

There are many, many ways we experience God to which we might point an atheist in a search for God. I can think this sermon might have many other areas toward which to point people in the search. Do you have suggestions? Where would you look? If you have thoughts write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to others to read your ideas click on the ‘comments’ box below. Other people will be able to see your ideas and respond directly to you.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Charles Schuster

“What Do You Tell An Atheist?”

Part of the problem a non-theist has is not about a lack of faith and it isn’t that they have missed the mark as far as religion is concerned. People who do not believe in God, for the most part, are not people who are spiritually depleated. Actually, many atheists are very spiritual in the way they live their lives. Many of them are wonderful people.

The basic problem for a non-theist, or atheist, is they are not looking in the right places to see God. They are looking back to some place they have been and are hearing voices of others who have conveyed a belief system that seems impossible for them.

To see God there are a number of places one might want to look. Here are some of those places:

1. How can you miss seeing God when you look into the universe. I have a book introduced by Sharon Begley and edited by Michael Reagan entitled, The Hand of God; Thoughts and Images Reflecting the Spirit of the Universe. What I found interesting in this book was the dedication at the end. The book is filled with picture taken from the Hubble telescope, and at the end of the book the dedication reads, “To Alan Shepard a genuine hero, who looked back at Earth and wept.”

In the wonder and beauty and power of creation you can begin to see the hand-print of the source of creation (God). If you look high enough you can see it. If you lift your eyes beyond the concerns of the day and glance into the power that is Love made real, you begin to see what God is; that God is; and where God is.

2. For us Christians we can see God personified in the life and teaching of Jesus. James Mackey wrote a book entitled, Jesus, the Man and the Myth. It is his conviction that the power of Jesus (the divinity) lied in the fact that as he lived, he produced a shadow that outlived his crucifixion and that his legacy created the church that continues to interpret the very brief words he spoke. People like Jesus, who demonstrate a level of greatness that is healing and wholistic, give us the sense that there is something important and someone important in our midst. Having seen that and having witnessed the ongoing witness of his word and life we realize that there was something more going on than just this person in history. There was God acting in and though him. There was a high degree of God-consciousness in him.

There are other places we could look to see God. In the next few days I will be exploring God in the neighbor/the stranger and God in ourselves.

Where would you tell someone to look to see God? If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read you thoughts click on the ‘comments’ box below.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Charles Schuster

“What Do You Say To An Atheist?”

Sermon for July 15th

This is one of the most difficult questions we face. What can we say to someone who does not believe in God? How do we interact with those who seem to have no understanding of what God is, or how God is, or where to experience God?

Atheism is often presented to us by people who are very sincere and very logical in their understanding. They have well developed arguments against the idea of God and will tell us they cannot accept the fact that there is something beyond us.

Some will suggest that religion is one of the most dangerous aspects of human life because it encourages a subservience to something greater than ourselves and that, in turn, supports an attitude that does not allow us to take control of our lives. It leads to a life of irresponsibility.

Some will be quick to point out how much pain has come into the world because of religion. They will point to the Crusades and to the current evidences of terrorism brought forth by Islamic radicals who are willing to die for their belief in God.

Where do we begin? How do we answer the question of atheism and how do we talk theologically to someone whose thinking does not include the possibility of a belief in God?

We begin the only place we can begin with our experience of God and how that has helped us. We can acknowledge the difficulty of belief in God by pointing out that faith does not begin with a sense of certainty. We, as the atheist, have doubts. We acknowledge our doubts, but we move beyond them. Where do we experience God and what does that do for us and for the way we live our lives? That’s the place to begin.

Secondly, we begin to pursue with an atheist what kind of God they disbelieve. They may have rejected a God concept that we would reject as well. Many atheist have a distorted idea of what God is and haven’t been able to see God in ways other than what they have rejected.

The issue of atheism is important. It pushes us to seek to understand more clearly what we believe and it challenges the way we talk about God so as to maintain a greater consistency with what we believe and how we speak about that belief.

How do you talk to an atheist about God? Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your comments click on the ‘comments’ box below and other members of the community can answer you as well as respond to my ideas. I look forward to hearing from you.

Charles Schuster

“What Do You Say To a Fundamentalist?”

This is the way I have changed with regard to that question:

1. I once was a Mealy-mouthed Methodist who was timid when it came to being around religious people and I would say to them, “leave me alone”.

2. Then I became a “let-biting liberal” who looked to irritate them and would seek out opportunities and I would say to them, “Do you want to fight?”

3. Finally, I have come to a point in my life that I am neither a mealy-mouthed methodist nor a leg-biting liberal, and am trying to be a “stand-up” Christian and what I want to say to fundamentalist, “Do you want to talk?”

I think we, Christians, have come to a time in our lives when we have to start working together and stop working against each other.

I don’t always achieve the ideal. At times I lapse back into a timidity of walking away, and sometimes I still get into the competitiveness of the certainty of my own conviction. But I am trying hard to become a “stand up” Christian who is able to speak what I think with conviction and listen to what others think with respect for their opinion.

Where are you in this evolution? I’d love to hear from you. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your response click on the ‘comments’ box below.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Charles Schuster

“What Do You Say To a Fundamentalist?”

Harry Emerson Fosdick was a guest preacher of First Presbyterian Church in New York City. In 1923 he preached a sermon entitled, “Shall The Fundamentalists Win?” The sermon was reprinded and sent around the country and William Jennings Bryan succeeded in having the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland condemn it. He was put o

n trial and the verdict was to compell Fosdick to express his loyalty to the Westminster Confession. The result of all that led Fosdick to leave the Presbyterian Church and led to the building of Riverside Church and the installation of Fosdick as pastor.

The following is a portion of the sermon he preached that day:

“There are many opinions in the field of modern controversy concerning which I am not sure wheterh they are right or wrong, but there is one thing I am sure of: courtesy and kindness and tolerance and humility and fairness are right. Opinions may be mistaken; love never is.”

The controversy between liberals and conservatives has seemed to divide us. Sometimes the differences we have threaten to destroy us. Sometimes whole denominations threaten to split over some phase of theology or some form of liturgy. Churches have divided over the manner of baptism or the use of wine or grape juice in communion, and there is an equal amount of animosity created by different interpretaions of doctrine.

Is it possible to agree to disagree?

Is it necessary that we all must agree or are our theological differences helpful and necessary?

I am convinced that the differences between people of faith is healthy and the dialogue is important.

What do you say to a fundamentalist? There are many in our denomination who believe the United Methodist Church ought to have creed that we all agree is foundational. I don’t think that’s a good idea. What do you think? Should there be a creed for United Methodists? What should that creed be? What do we do with the people who cannot accept it? Should we throw them out of the church?

If you have ideas on this subject please write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net.

If you are willing to have others read your response click on the ‘comments box’ below.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Charles