CYPRESSWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST

March 20, 2005 

 

PRAY FOR THE FOLLOWING:

Our congregation Our college students 

 

Our nation, military and leaders Various friends, relatives and co-workers 

 

David and Leon in the Navy and James in the Army The Mearns are traveling to Tulsa 

 

 

 

STEREOTYPES 

 

"Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment" (John 7:24). 

 

If there was one word that came to mind at the ACU Lectures this year it was stereotype. While it was mentioned in only one class, the idea was behind several lectures. It is something we should consider. The word itself means to be cast into a form. For instance, books and newspapers are stereotypes, that is, a form was cast in which the print was made to then make the items. That is fine for metals and paper but not for people. Jesus saw stereotyping in His day in which the way a person talked or dressed was a determining factor in relationships. God wants us to go beyond that, or more importantly, ignore that aspect, in order to build a relationship. 

 

The first and only lecture I heard the word used concerned a forum that happened last year and the events that have occurred since. In the 1970s a campus ministry program out of Florida became a dynamic presentation and encourage others to follow their example. They were known as the Crossroads church of Christ. They took a strong view of discipleship in which requirements were made in order to remain with this group. Out of this group came a fellow who moved to Boston, and through his efforts, it became known as the Boston Movement. He became the sole leader and build a pyramid organization that became cultic like. Some from mainline churches of Christ joined them but found difficulties with a number of their teachings. People left hurt both psychologically and spiritually. Families were split and had little to do with each other. It was an extreme form of legalism that grew more so. As things moved along, both groups disassociated themselves from one another. The leader of the Boston church moved to Los Angeles and a new name came up, the International Churches of Christ (ICOC). In 2003, this strong leader suddenly resigned, confessing sin, and threw the ICOC into confusion. Through the efforts of some local ministers, beginning in Princeton, New Jersey, each group began talking to each other building first a friendship. Then last year, ACU invited three ICOC members along with three mainline ministers to a forum to discuss likenesses and differences. One of minister of the ICOC admitted that they had misinterpreted scripture and sought forgiveness for it. Over the last year, others from both groups have joined this discussion.  

 

One of the things to come out of this was the concept of stereotyping. Both groups mentioned that they had stereotyped the other and were wrong in a number of ways. They found out that they had much in common, and had misunderstood much as well. They also realized that both groups had something to offer to the other. The ICOC began to understand that they were a part of what is called the Restoration Movement and found some of the basis for their existence. The mainline found that in the ICOC assemblies one would find a racially mixed group because of the attitude that all people are created by God. Each found out that the other wasn't what they thought or were taught that they were. May God be glorified for such discussions. 

 

In another lecture, the speaker mentioned the number of e-mails he received for the above, as well as for other things, in which a mean spirited, hateful, judgmental attitude was displayed, even the use of foul language. He asked why people who claimed to follow the Bible never personally talked with him, but used what someone else had said and was passed along in e-mails as true. Does the Bible teach such judgmental attitudes? Or is this a form of stereotyping. If one attends a lectureship or workshop that some disagree with, then a label is made and put on that person. According to some there is nothing to learn at such an activity because of all the supposedly false teaching and teachers. I have been labeled this way because I have gone to the Tulsa Workshop and Jubilee. No one asked what I learned, if I agreed with everything there (the very presence at such was assumed agreement), or listened to any of the tapes that I brought back. They just heard some one condemn them and agreed by appearance. 

 

The third example of stereotype fell into the political area. A comment was made on the recent election. One party emphasized as moral values the opposition to abortion and homosexuality. The other party emphasized social justice; helping the poor, non-violence, race, and opposition to war. I submit that this is a clear example of stereotyping. It is easy to listen to politicians talk in opposition to their opponents and make claims that are not accurate. I believe that the disagreement isn't between helping the poor or not, but how that should be accomplished. I believe that both opposing the war vs. supporting the war has legitimate Biblical grounds. I believe that respect for life begins in the womb and that if that is ignored, then helping the poor will be as well. One way to help is through the government taxing its citizens. This is one way but not the only way. The recent tsunami saw many complaints because our government only helped with a small amount of its tax revenue. What wasn't taken into account was the private donations, the individuals many who were missionaries, and the religious organizations on the ground in the effected areas that brought in manpower and money to help the victims. Combined with other efforts, the United States contributed over a billion dollars alone counting military personnel and other relief organizations. To stereotype one party because of press reports and political speech is very misleading. 

 

The final example came on the last night of the lectureship. Randy Harris, a professor at ACU had one of the most pointed and clear messages I've heard in a long time. He said that he dreamed that one day in an assembly he would see two blue headed people sitting side by side, one eighty year old lady with blue hair because of age and the other a sixteen year old because purple dye wasn't available. He said that he dreamed of two bald headed men sitting together, one naturally and one a skin head. He dreamed of two people sitting together wearing jewelry, one with nice earrings and a necklace and the other pierced in places one would not want to know. He went on to say that there are groups of people the normal members of the church could not reach because they were different. Surfers, bikers, and a host of others would be in this category. But while the ordinary members could not reach them, there are others who can because they know the culture and can enter it. The ordinary members should be willing to send those who can. If they do they will establish churches that will be different from the mainstream but so what. The message will get out. We should ignore the stereotype and see people.  

 

We are told several times that God looks at the heart, not the physical appearance. Someday maybe we will do the same. Then bikers and little old ladies, theology students and military personnel, extreme sports enthusiasts and rednecks can worship together as one the way God intended and Jesus prayed for (see John 17). 

 

George B. Mearns