There are three concerns about religious people that always need to be addressed and the Gospel of Matthew helps us address them. They are as follows:
1. Religious institutions aren't what they ought to be. Sometimes religion does more harm than good. Sometimes you might think it would be best for humanity if there were not churches. Wars and killing and general societal problems are often made worse by the religious institutions that seems to make things worse and often justify bad behavior.
Matthew tells us the church is of God and it will withstand the gates of hell. Matthew implies a permanence to the church but I think the Gospel writer is implying an imperative to the church suggesting that "if" the church is of God it will prevail. If it is not it will not prevail.
2. Moderate religious people are so timid they allow the extremists to hold their positions that actually hurt people. Therefore, moderate religious people are accomplice to the dangerous extremists.
If you look at the Gospel as implied in Matthew you see that we are given imperatives and that our job is not to sit back but rather to get up and take our stand and often we must take our stand against the extremists who are giving us a bad name.
3. So much religion is myth and therefore beyond belief. For example, did Jesus rise from death or did the disciples steal the corpse. Matthew tells us the rumor, to that effect, is false. Beyond that we have to say that mystery is one of the most important aspects of life and it is the unexplained that inspires us. We don't have to accept the unreasonable to realize that some of the most important truths in life are beyond reason.
How would you answer the challenge to religion or the church posed by many who are critics?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
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