In the Eyes of a Hare Krishna Devotee

On the night before my wedding in August 1977, I had to pick up a friend at the Pittsburgh International Airport, just before the rehearsal dinner. I was in a rush, and en route through the terminal I paused for a moment to check where I was going. As I did, a Hare Krishna woman devotee tried to pin an old flower on my lapel and ask for money.

I knew the routine and had engaged in discussion with Hare Krishna devotees before. But I did not have the time, so I gently put up my hands to prevent her from pinning on the flower, and she tried to persuade me otherwise. So I said simply, “No thank you. I am a believer in Jesus.”

She replied, “I believe in Jesus too.” It was an invitation to a long discussion, but then the Holy Spirit spoke through me in a clear fashion, and as I watched it happen, saying “No you don’t.” As I did, I saw demons jump back in her eyes, and she began to utter her mantra and turned away.

I would never presume such certainty for someone I do not know, apart from a good discussion where I had the evidence (see Matthew 7:1-2,15-20). But here the Holy Spirit knew, and he gave me for the right words at that moment. And as with my last post from Ohio State, I pray that such clarity led the young woman to consider the Jesus of the Bible.

The Freedom to Say No the Gospel

Do we love people enough to let them say “no” to the Gospel? Only if we are secure in our faith can we do so. In February, 1974, while I was an undergraduate student at Denison University, a group of us decided to go to the campus of Ohio State University. Our purpose was to pass out Christian tracts to people attending a meeting of Guru Maharaj Ji’s Divine Light Mission.

However, there were “guards” posted at the auditorium doors, running interference so we could not talk with anyone going into the meeting. After speaking with the guards for awhile, we had time on our hands. Thus we agreed to split up in twos and walk around the campus, seeking people with whom to talk.

A new Christian, Roger, accompanied me. As we headed for the main quad, a young woman walked toward us, and I extended a tract in her direction. As I did, she quickened her pace to get past us. I intended to leave it at that. But surprisingly, I watched as the Lord literally turned my head, and I heard myself speak these words, “Well, don’t you care for Jesus?” This young woman turned around, looked at us, threw her long hair back with a thrust of her shoulders and neck, nose in the air, and said bluntly, “No!” She requickened her pace.

I was devastated. I knew it was the Lord who had literally put these words in my mouth, but I was chagrined at her response. I resolved then and there never again to confront someone in such a manner, and indeed, I was ready to call it a night. It was a very cold evening, and a warm dorm room back at Denison was appealing.

But Roger was eager to continue. A few minutes later, a tall young man approached us. I told Roger we should pass on this one, but he said we should share a tract with him, and who was I to say no to a new Christian? I extended the tract, but in like manner as the young woman, he also quickened his pace away from us. That settled it for me, but not for the Lord. As Yogi Berra says, “Déjà vu all over again.”

I witnessed the Lord again turn my head, and again I heard myself pose the exact same words, “Well, don’t you care for Jesus?” This time, the result was the opposite. The young man stopped in his tracks, and forty-five minutes later committed his life to the Lord Jesus in prayer. I then made sure he became plugged into a campus ministry group.

As for the young woman, the saying of "no" is closer to later saying "yes" than an up front lukewarm response (cf. Revelation 3:16). And this I pray is what came to pass.

###

College Baptism into the Homosexuality Debate

In the spring of 1974, when a student at Denison University, there was a forum at which a male homosexual and a lesbian spoke. The man was student president, and the woman was from Columbus, Ohio. This was the first such “coming out” event the homosexual-rights movement had on our campus - as across the country this effort was then initially underway. It was held in the auditorium in the Student Union, a modest sized room, but packed out for the event (some 120-150 people). At that time I had about zero knowledge of homosexuality.

The man and woman each gave their “testimony” about how they came to “realize” they were “gay,” though I remember few details. I was struck by many intellectual inconsistencies, but most of all I asked myself why they were going public about it. I knew of no homosexual-rights agenda, but I could discern that there was some agenda at play. There was a substantial interaction period with the audience, and every question or comment was supportive of this “coming out,” whether from students or faculty. As I observed this phenomenon, I felt a sinking sense in my spirit, wondering if I were the only one there who disagreed.

The homosexual man spoke at one point about his need to “love” men, and that he could not fulfill this need until he embraced homosexuality. So I finally mustered the courage and raised my hand and asked him if it were possible to “love” a man without it being sexual. And after all, I continued, didn’t Jesus love all men accordingly? And what did Jesus mean when he said “Love your neighbor as yourself?” I was greeted with what seemed to be universal derision, laughter and caustic mockery. How dare I raise such a question, and especially, how dare I raise the name of Jesus in such a setting? I do not remember exactly how the man answered my question, except to say that he avoided its intent.

When the forum was over, I left with the crush of people up the jammed aisle, into the hallway, some down several flights of stairs and others into the elevator. It was a case study in eye avoidance. No one wanted to talk to me or look at me. But the next day a fellow classmate, and not a Christian to my knowledge, went out of his way to thank me for asking the question. He thought it hit the mark, and that others who were there also thought the same way.

My first public address on the subject was not until 1994 at my Mars Hill Forum at Yale with Episcopal Bishop John Spong. It was not the subject of the evening, but he brought it up,and I had to give perspective. So I got drawn into the need to address it biblically, in seeking to affirm the image of God in all people, rooted in the prior supposition of the goodness of man and woman in marriage. The goal of the Gospel, always, is not to win a debate, but to win honest relationships in the face of real debates.

###

College Baptism into the Abortion Debate

In the fall of 1972, I was baptized into the debate over human abortion.

In a college religion class -- just several months before the U.S. Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision -- we read several articles on the subject, which was new to me.


The class had about thirty students, and when it came time for discussion, I was the only one who spoke against human abortion. As I did, I was met with overwhelming opposition and even derision from my classmates. The most serious challenge was from a guy who asked me what I would do if my wife were raped -- would I “force” her to keep the baby? The classroom was hushed, and I gave answer, never having thought about it before.


First, I said that any woman I would marry would share my faith in Jesus Christ, and that I also believe in the power of prayer to protect her from such an evil. I do even more so today, knowing the territory of spiritual warfare as I now do.


Second, if such an evil were theoretically possible (cf. Daniel 3:16-18), any woman I would marry would also share my belief in the inviolability of the unborn. I then said it would be easier for me to argue for the abortion, since the child would not be mine, but nonetheless I would support my wife, love her more than ever in the face of such trauma, and raise the child as my own with her.


The class broke out in a caustic and mocking laughter. As it did, the professor, Dr. Lee Scott, interjected. Prior to that moment I was not his favorite student. I was one of those “Jesus people,” long-haired and bearded with wire-rimmed glasses, theologically nascent, and forever asking questions that challenged various of his assumptions (in retrospect, I probably asked some good questions, and undoubtedly asked some stupid ones too).

When I gave my answer and the class started its derision, Dr. Scott said something pretty close to “Shut up.” He probably did not use those words, as he was a gentle and gracious man, but his emotions carried the same force. He rebuked the class and told them to be quiet unless they were willing to be as consistent as I was, or able to make a better argument. This was my baptism into the abortion debate. And, no one gave further comment.


###

When You Are Invited to a Same-Sex Wedding ...

I have been asked a number of times by fellow Christians: How do I respond when a family member or friend invites me to his or her same-sex wedding ceremony? These are people we love, yet how can we affirm what we do not believe in? Here is a sample letter I recently developed (in the singular case that can be made plural as need be). I am seeking a) to be clear in terms of biblical conviction about human sexuality, and b) hospitable to the humanity of those with whom we disagree. The truth is, that in time, hospitality always wins out over rejection.

As well, and this is key, we give hospitality on the terms of the Gospel, which is open to all people (e.g., Matthew 11:28 where Jesus says: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest"). But we do not participate in receiving a hospitality that requires us to compromise our convictions. The truth is, also, that the invitation of the Gospel touches eternity in the hearts of people; whereas an invitation to a same-sex marriage wedding serves only a fading and broken hope. Feel free to send this along to others, and I am glad for your input.

___________________________________

Dear ____________:

Thank you for your kind invitation.

It presents me with a need to share the central essence of my Christian faith. I am thinking of when Jesus summed up the Hebrew Bible with the Golden Rule – “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

As you may imagine, I believe that marriage is given by God as a covenant between one man and one woman for one lifetime. And though many of us have experienced broken promises in this regard, most of us still pursue it. When guests attend a wedding ceremony, they are called to be witnesses who affirm the vows taken.

But what happens when I cannot affirm certain vows? I hope you can see the situation I am in. I fully affirm you as created in the image of God, sharing the same humanity we all have. But if I were to attend your wedding ceremony, it would require me to affirm same-sex marriage, contrary to my faith in the God of the Bible.

And this is where the Golden Rule comes into play. I would never wish to place you in a situation where you felt compelled to affirm something you do not believe in – especially when it comes to matters of core identity or beliefs. And I am sure you do not wish to do the same to me.

Thus, I pray you can understand why I must decline your invitation, and that regardless of our differences in this matter, my hospitality to you always remains the same.

Most sincerely –

____________

Three Simple Questions for Muslim People

1. Do you believe that all people are equal in the sight of the one true Creator?

2. Do you believe in religious, political and economic liberty for all people equally?

3. Does Muhammad's life serve such a pursuit of liberty?

I am delighted for any Muslim response.

Muhammad and the Jews of Khaybar

In "The Real Muḥammad: In the Eyes of Ibn Isḥāq," I seek to summarize the most ancient biography of Muḥammad accurately. Muḥammad imposes Islam by any means possible -- this is reality. But, is there room for religious liberty to make place for itself?

From the prologue: "Muḥammad, at one point in speaking to the Jews of Khaybar, says to them: 'Do you find in what He has sent down to you that you should believe in Muḥammad? If you do not find that in your scripture then there is no compulsion upon you.' As we will see, this is an exception among all the words and deeds of Muḥammad. Yet, hopefully, these words can serve the freedom for Jews, Christians and Muslims as we look at the nature of Moses, Jesus and Muḥammad each on their own terms. And also, in helping us all grasp the nature of the Hebrew Bible, Christian New Testament and the Qur’ān."