Year of Biblical Literacy: A Creative Minority: What is A Creative Minority? (Part 1)

Jeremiah 29:1-14 A Creative Minority What is A Creative Minority? Introduction: If it is your first time joining us - Welcome! We have dedicated this year to Biblical Literacy; meaning we as a church are reading the Bible for ourselves to know first hand what it teaches and in order to be shaped by the story of God. And along with that we are teaching through the Bible on Sunday mornings - the main themes and characters. We are currently doing this mini series called A Creative Minority using the book of Daniel as Catalyst for how the people of God live faithfully as a religious minority. Jonathan Sacks the UK's chief Rabbi, coined the term Creative Minority to describe the way the Jews have existed throughout history - beginning with the exile - they maintained their distinction but not by just surviving, but contributing to the flourishing of the world through redemptive participation. He writes, "To become a creative minority is not easy because it involves maintaining strong links with the outside world while staying true to your faith, seeking not merely to keep the sacred flame burning but also to transform the larger society of which you are a part. This is a demanding and risk-laden task.” - Jonathan Sacks, On Creative Minorities When the people of God were taken into exile as found in the book of Daniel they refused to go into the actual city of Babylon and instead had settled outside of the city walls by the river. Two reasons for this: One they did not want to be corrupted by the Babylonian pagans and the second is because they believed that it would only be a short while and the captivity would soon be over. God spoke to the Prophet Jeremiah and instructed him to write the letter we just read to these captives. The instruction - Go into the city, cultivate life in it, seek the peace and prosperity of it, for in it’s peace you will find peace… This is what Daniel and his friends did. Though they were Babylonian in the sense that they worked for the Babylonian government. They dressed Babylonian. They talked Babylonian. They succeeded in Babylon. They had jobs/careers in Babylonian government that they succeeded at. Yet they were very much still faithful as Jewish people. Even in the face of persecution, and death they did not move but stood firm in their jewish faith and identity. So, part of what the book of Daniel has taught the people of God for centuries – and I hope that it will teach us – is how we live Faithfully to Jesus in a culture that has a competing vision of what it means to be human. That has a competing vision of human flourishing. A competing vision of freedom. A competing vision of life. How do we live in a culture like this and not just exist, but LIVE, work, cultivate a kingdom of God counter culture?? Jon Tyson has adapted David Augsburger’s definition of community and put’s it this way - “A Creative Minority is a christian community in a web of stubbornly loyal relationships, knotted together in a living network of persons who are committed to practicing the way of Jesus for the renewal of the world.” - Jon Tyson, A Creative Minority This morning I want to talk about this vision of a creative minority and how God might be directing our church and community to practice the way of Jesus for the renewal of our city. 1. The Light and Salt of the World 1. When we think about what it means to be a creative minority we should be thinking in terms of Jesus radical vision of the kingdom of God and it’s people as seen in the sermon on the mount - A people who’s whole world, and life is radically different - a kingdom tuned people. “What is taught here (In the sermon on the mount) is symptoms, signs, examples of what it means when the kingdom of God breaks into the world which is still under sin, death, and the devil. You yourselves should be signs of the coming kingdom of God, signs that something has already happened.” - Joachim Jeremias 1. We do that by living out the vision of the sermon and in that way we are salt and light. 2. Karl Barth said, “The church exists to set up in the world a new sign which is radically dissimilar to the world’s own manner and which contradicts it in a way that is full of promise.” 1. This means that our kingdom witness isn’t just about critiquing or deconstructing culture but about living out a new, kingdom of God vision for human identity, purpose, and flourishing. This will include a radical dissimilarity and new incredible hope and potential. 2. How do we actually do this? - Covenantal Community; Compelling Narrative; Counter Cultural Ethics; Counter Formational Practice; Kingdom Allegiance; And Redemptive Participation.. this morning we’ll consider the first 3 today and the latter 3 next Sunday. 1. Covenantal Community 1. If, as we discussed last week, the civic religion of America and our culture is radically individualism and the pursuit of individual happiness then the NT call to radical community is such a powerful disruptive witness of a creative minority… 2. I don’t think it’s a mistake that the story we looked at last week is not about one man who will not bow to the image set up by the king, but a community who does not bow. Even if they are very small, only 3, it’s still a community. It is a community collective effort to be faithful witnesses… Which is one reason why all of the NT Epistles are written to a community - that community must give faithful witness to the kingdom of God..It’s a community effort to image the God who is himself a community Father, Son and Spirit.. 3. A Covenantal community is committed to regular presence and investment in one another… 1. John Stott writing almost 40 years ago said, “It is difficult to imagine the world in the year A.D. 2000, by which time versatile micro-processors are likely to be as common as simple calculators are today. We should certainly welcome the fact that the silicon chip will transcend human brain-power, as the machine has transcended human muscle-power. Much less welcome will be the probable reduction of human contact as the new electronic network renders personal relationships ever less necessary. In such a dehumanized society the fellowship of the local church will become increasingly important, whose members meet one another, and talk and listen to one another in person rather than on screen. In this human context of mutual love the speaking and hearing of the Word of God is also likely to become more necessary for the preservation of our humanness, not less.” 1. Just the fact that Christians take time out of their week to gather with people that are different - different in age, different in career, different in political views, different in a myriad of ways to meet face to face, for mutual encouragement and love, to gather around word, and sacrament, to worship Jesus our king - this is hugely counter formational in our day and age .. 2. Another aspect of disruptive witness in the face of individualism would be - simply practice the N.T. “One another” commands and you will be living a counter cultural existence. The Jesus way of living - The command to love one another, as Jesus has loved us. The command to bear one another’s burden’s. The command to put the needs of others before our own needs…A community that says - your burden is my burden…etc. This can be a radical disruptive witness for the kingdom of God 3. A consumer community breaks apart as soon as there is drama and hardship - it pulls back into individualism. But the NT call is to covenant community - Covenant - is unfailing commitment to one another as seen in Jesus and that community (Just like Jesus) doesn’t exist only for itself - but is to be a force in the greater community for the kingdom of God. 4. “Because the early Christians believed that resurrection had begun with Jesus and would be completed in the great final resurrection on the last day, they believed that God had called them to work with him, in the power of the Spirit, to implement the achievement of Jesus and thereby to anticipate the final resurrection, in personal and political life, in mission and holiness.” - N.T. Wright, Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church 1. When you look at the early church and all that they did and how they stood out among the Romans Pagan, how they shook the known world - you see that it was a communal effort and life of following Jesus and implementing his achievement of salvation in all of life… 2. I think about our efforts as a community to collectively fast and pray once a month for specific needs in our wider community - seeing it as our communal responsibility to pray for and intercede for the needs and brokenness of our city. This is a work of disruptive witness. 3. I think about our efforts as a church along with other churches to address foster care, and to support these children through RFK. In what other ways might the Spirit be calling and leading us to work for the renewal of our city.. This the work of disruptive witness. 4. Can I also add that simply being intentional about discipling your children is a part of this creative minority. The Family is a potential force of radical disruptive witness in our day and age where so many are being farmed out to school’s, youth group, or even iPads and Internet - Parent stay at home mom or dad, children’s ministry worker, church - the work that we do to disciple the next generation matters greatly - train your children to be a disruptive witness for the kingdom of God… 5. Patrick McGrath sent this to me this week - so good! I mentioned last week that Daniel and his friends grew up during a time of great revival and renewal in Israel - this was right before the exile, all lead by Josiah the king.. 1. “The kind of resolve we see in Daniel and his friends comes from the rich, fertile soil of a childhood under a great and godly king. People of resolve are fashioned. They are made. They rarely simply appear. This prompts us to ask ourselves: What kind of young people are we raising in our churches? Let us realize, or be reminded of he truth that raising children for God is one of the most important businesses done on earth - and all Christians, whether parents or not, are involved in this business, because we are all part of a church family. We need a generation of Daniels, so let us commit to growing them.” - David Helm, Daniel for You 6. God has used such covenantal communities many times in history. One example is through the Clapham Sect (William Wilberforce), they were committed to the liberation of slaves, the abolition of slavery, and penal reform in the UK. Though it took decades, through their efforts they brought about these reforms that witness God’s kingdom principles.. 1. “Committed Christians run to the place of pain to bring service and comfort at cost to their own comfort, and go away being incredibly fulfilled.” - Gerry Breshears 1. We need to reclaim this fundamental identity as a covenant community 3. Narrative - A compelling alternative story (A story of redemption. 1. ”Narrative (or story) is our culture’s currency; he who tells the best story wins” - Bobette Buster 1. We talk about this all the time Refuge - but there are so many narratives, stories, worldview's (through politics, companies and products, guru’s, self help, religious leaders, etc) that are competing for our allegiance - Everyone is telling some kind of redemptive narrative.. (Creation) how the world should be, (Fall) what is wrong with the world, (Redemption) how it can be put right, (Restoration) and the utopian vision of flourishing 2. We mentioned this last week - America’s civil religion of Liberty and the Pursuit of happiness is a redemptive narrative. 2. Secular Redemptive Narrative: 1. Eden or Creation - Inner self 2. Fall or Sin- busyness, responsibility, cultural/life demands, marriage, any responsibility put on me by others, Life trauma of some sort: Marriage, divorce, responsibilities - low self and unhappiness 3. Redemption - camping, outdoors, yoga, etc - anything that gets me back in touch with my inner child, inner peace freedom from restraint…the cleansing of the inner self 4. Restoration/new creation - pleasure and self realization 1. This has turned into a totally self determined quest that cannot actually deliver on its promises of fulfillment. 2. And Christians know that there will be an inevitable breakdown in this redemptive narrative - because we are made by God, made for God, made in his image made for creativity, to rule, and made for relationship and self-giving love - on top of that - we live in God’s world. When you live out this secular redemptive narrative it is ultimately unfulfilling… It offers incredible freedom but little meaning and fulfillment. 3. Church we need to tell the True and Better story! 3. The Biblical Redemptive Narrative: 1. Eden or Creation - Humans are Made by God for God, Made to rule over the earth as God’s image bearers and representatives Our identity and purpose has a cosmic scope! We were made for greatness 2. Fall - we rebelled against God wanting to be our own authority and make the world in our image.. we are out of touch with our 3. 4. 5. 6. true identity, our true self, and our true purpose which has brought breakdown and chaos, and evil to the world and our own lives. Redemption - Our cultural narrative tells us the only way to experience true peace, freedom and happiness is if we are fully in charge of our lives. We are even taking that further now believing that any responsibility put on me by any authority religious, familial, sexual, moral, societal - is a curb on my freedom and me becoming my true self. But in Christianity I don’t discover or find my “true self”. It’s teaching says, I am in fact a long way from Home - from who I was created and intended to be by God. In the biblical narrative God comes to rescue me at the cost of his own life, in the person of Jesus Christ. He rescues me from myself and from what sin has worked in my life, in order that I can be who he created me to be. 1. This is what you were made for. You were made for God, for his love, for his friendship, for His fatherly care, to know him, to serve him, and when you surrender to him all these things come together to give you a whole new way to experience life. You were made to rule as his image bearer and in and through Jesus God is restoring you to that person and place. Restoration - the kingdom of God - Restored people - healed relationships, healed self. Restored creation - Heaven and earth filled with righteousness peace and joy, the earth filled, happy and whole … where we will reign over the universe with God, as he intended from the beginning forever and ever Every human is made in God’s image, and our purpose is to join him in the renewal of all things…. Sadly even in the church we have failed to tell this whole narrative and to tell it in a compelling way - we often lift up pastors, evangelist, and missionaries as doing the real work of God and doing kingdom work and everyone else supporting them - we should see it the other way around - Ephesians 4 Where the leadership supports the rest of the church as they do Kingdom work out in every corner of culture 1. A creative minority has an alternative vision of faith and work that encompasses everyone’s life, not just an elite christian class.. 2. Christians then should see the Bible as protest or subversive literature - A Creative minority is fueled, driven and framed by a compelling counter narrative - the full biblical story of God’s loving relationship with his people. Out of that flows a substitute vision for the economy, education, human sexuality and many other areas - all of these larger issues fit into this all encompassing story. How we view God’s relationship to humanity and his desires for us changes everything. 1. “An essential part of our theological and missional task today is to tell this story as clearly as possible, and to allow it to subvert other ways of telling the story of the world.” N.T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God 2. The opportunity for the church then is to engage in this cross section - where worldview and reality breakdown.. Engage there! I’ve just finished reading Alan Noble’s book Disruptive Witness. He really helped me clarify some things I’ve been thinking through for some time. Like, where is this cross section of culture now? If stories are how a culture tries to make sense of the world where is that happening now? I think for my parents generation music was a medium that brought so many people together to share ideas and perspectives - it was a cross section of that time. Noble points out that the prevalent way we are telling stories now as a culture is through movies and TV - and everyone is engaging with it. 3. Our culture is producing really good stories right now powerful, shaking, stirring stories through tragedy, some powerful, stirring stories of redemption. Because film is one of the most popular mediums for story telling in our culture everyone is engaging in these stories … and the good one’s are grabbing at the hearts of our culture, and causing disruption - the cross section - a breakdown of worldview and reality… The problem is, in our distracted age, NO ONE sits long enough with them for it to bring any lasting effect. We tweet, post to IG, check facebook and move along to the next show to binge watch.. We’ve become addicted to the disruption rather than leaning into the disruption to discern what is causing it…. Christians can seize this moment by engaging people with the stories our culture is telling through Netflix, Amazon prime, HBO and some of the most provocative films of the year.. What if we had viewing parties, or TV show clubs - where we talked about the movies and what we thought and how we were moved and pressed into those moments where we felt the tension of our worldview and reality collide? 1. Alan Noble says, “Give priority to stories that haunt us, unsettle us, and expand us whether through beauty, delight or tragedy.” - Alan Noble, Disruptive Witness 4. What if we were the ones to host these evenings with our neighbors - mutually sharing our perspective, thoughts, affirmations, or objections to a film, to it’s message and it’s characters - not so we can slam them with the superior narrative of the Bible… but so we can help facilitate this ambivalence and use this as a way to stir up hunger for a worldview that makes sense of the real world - a tension that we believe is only found through Jesus and the good news. 4. Ethics - Counter Cultural Ethics/ A Distinct Moral Vision 1. As mentioned last week the people of God or a Creative Minority are not formed by the culture around them but by the ethics and principles of the kingdom of God -Think Sermon on the Mount Jesus’ kingdom vision of life and flourishing 2. We see the distortion of God’s good creation all around us - In sex, money, power, - it is the job and calling of God’s people to use the worlds resources and goods and use them properly and in their proper place so people around us can see God’s kingdom way of flourishing…. It’s not that we stop doing these things; but it is how we do them - not our sameness but our difference.. all of this being shaped by the self-giving love of God supremely displayed in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus... 1. Tim and Kathy Keller, in their book the meaning of marriage talk about the radical ethics of the NT church - The church was strikingly different from the culture around it in this way - the pagan society was stingy with it’s money but promiscuous with it’s body. A pagan gave nobody their money and practically gave everybody their body. And Christians came along and gave practically nobody their body and they gave practically everybody their money.” - Tim and Kathy Keller, Meaning of Marriage 2. I mean, if the church simply lived this way now it would radically stand out in our culture - Sexually conservative And Financially liberal 3. We witness the kingdom of God when we value people over profit - whatever their color, creed or class; when we love and serve the worthless person, when we forgive and love our enemies, when we sacrifice our own comforts for the sake of serving and blessing others, when we care more about truth, honesty and right doing in the work place rather than popularity and praise. When we live out kingdom ethics that is when the kingdom of heaven and the gospel are affecting the social fabric of our world. When we live this way we are a colony of heaven in the country of death.. 4. This is Peter’s vision in the epistle of 1st Peter. What Peter presents us with is a “Christian Faith” that works itself out in everyday occurrences. He brings the good news of God’s salvation and hope of a healed creation upon our citizenship, our work, our marriages and family, relationships with hostile people, community relationships. It’s God’s kingdom ethics or the way God’s world works - in everyday occurrences. 5. Closing: The focus of a Creative Minority is not economic systems, sexual morality or maintaining positions of political power. Rather, the tangible focus is on creating disciples of Jesus in radical community who are financially promiscuous, remarkably faithful and humbly in the service of those around them, who not only tell but live by their ethics a powerful and more compelling narrative than the culture around them 6. …And in this way God uses us as Salt and Light in the world, as a community that is disrupting the natural order, and status quo of things around it - we will be right in line with our spiritual parents and family of whom it was said - “These (people) who have turned the world upside down have come here also… and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. - Acts 17:6-8“ 1. The Christian says, 'Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists.… If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it, that does not prove that the universe is a fraud. Probably earthly pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing. If that is so, I must take care, on the one hand, never to despise, or to be unthankful for, these earthly blessings, and on the other, never to mistake them for the something else of which they are only a kind of copy, or echo, or mirage. I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that country and to help others to do the same.” - C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity