reply to mark steyn

Mark Steyn is a colunnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. He recently wrote an article regarding people of Muslim faith (click on Facing Down a Culture Link below to read his article). I then wrote a reply to him, which you can read below.

Facing Down a Culture

Dear Mark,

My name is Michael Hidalgo, and I am an evangelical pastor from Michigan. I recently read your article in the Chicago-Sun Times entitled, Facing down a culture where they talk like crazies on March 26, 2006. I must say that I could scarcely believe what I was reading.

You completely disrespected and spewed venom on the religion of Islam. If nothing else respecting those of Muslim faith as men and women who are in the image of God is, at the very least, a basic rule for living. Referring to their holy month, as “Ramadan-a-ding-dong” is rather immature, coupled with your open ridicule of al-Azhar University who are teaching their students things that make “the average Ivy League nuthouse look like a beacon of sanity.” I wonder, could you tell me exactly what those of Muslim faith are learning there? Are you able to articulate this? Surely you would not write something so mean spirited without knowing what you were attacking!

You then attempt to strengthen your argument by using General Sir Charles Napier as an “impeccably multicultural” example. He decided that when he did not like what those of another culture and faith were doing by killing widows, he would kill them for doing it. Is this really a good idea? Don’t kill or I will kill you? Nothing changed their hearts, rather they stopped because they did not want to be killed. My prayer is that we would not become a monster in order to defeat a monster.

How can we be angry with those of Muslim faith who became angry that the West has mocked their holiest figure? Have you forgotten the ugliness of the Christians in America when the film The Last Temptation of Christ was released? You accuse thousands of Muslims “around the world” of protesting “in the usual restrained manner: rioting, torching, killing, etc.” However there are more than 1 billion Muslims worldwide, and if a few thousand became angry and did what you said they did, then I would say that millions acted in a civil manner. You also suggest that we are always civil, even though they are some who label themselves Christian who murder abortion doctors. Should we characterize Christianity by those who do such things? I would suggest that we do not characterize ourselves like this, neither then should we characterize those of Muslim faith by the actions of a few.

One of Aesop’s Fables that seems worth sharing is the story of the sun and the wind. They agreed to a contest as to who could influence the shepherd to remove his cloak. The wind went first and blew as hard as he could, but the shepherd pulled the cloak tighter to his body. It was then the suns turn, and she shined brightly and warmly on the shepherd. He removed his cloak, and basked in the sunshine. Mr. Steyn I ask you, is this article a gust of wind, or a ray of sunshine on the cloaks of people of Muslim faith?

Sadly your article contained much ignorance and little grace. From the beginning your blind fear of the Islamic faith set you up only for unnecessary ridicule resulting in the demonizing of millions of good people (your accusing Islam of being an extremist and violent religion is tantamount to saying the Christianity is predicated on White Supremacy). It is articles like these that give understandable reason for Muslims to feel as though the West hates them. The next time, you decide to write anything about the Islamic world, I would suggest listening to a person of Muslim faith. Hear their thoughts and their hearts, rather than soaking up the latest biased report on television

Sincerely,
Michael Hidalgo

renovation

Wrecking things is fun. I remember years ago my parents bought a skanky lake house in New York. We had to gut the thing. We spent an entire day, smashing everything from plates to televisions. There is nothing quite like when David Letterman decides to throw something off the top of the Ed Sullivan Theater. Especially when he has the slow-mo camera down at the street level. This joy of destroying seems to creep into the church, and honestly into my own life.

With the onset of post-modernity, neo-everything, and emerging this and that, many have set out to destroy. Honestly, this is the easy part. It is easy, and even fun to mock what others have done, and are doing in an attempt to express their faith. Often times, we feel good about ripping it apart because we claim that it is doing more harm than good. Perhaps it is, but what is or arrogant destruction doing? So we write about people, preach about people, and belittle people who are our brothers and sisters.

While renovation is good, often inclusive of destruction, it speaks toward building something new within the old. Anyone can tear down a wall, few can build one. Many can criticize, few can create. For example, my kitchen needs renovating (really it does, my dish washer is at a 12 degree angle). I could start on this by ripping out everything, in this case including the kitchen sink, but I could do nothing to bring newness to it.

Likewise, I have been blessed with a quick mind and quicker mouth, I can rip on what any church has done, but bringing newness is more difficult. As the Church continues to navigate this morphing philosophical landscape we must do so together … all of us. We cannot be reckless as we rebuild, but we must be meticulous. We are renovating making new in the confines of the old. We have to stop bashing those who are building new, and those who are building have to stop destroying everything in their way. We are one.

The Church has been, and will be far beyond us … let’s make it more beautiful for those in the future, after all that is what renovation is all about.

midwest drivers

I am the son of a Cuban immigrant who cut his teeth on driving in and around New York City. He was 18, had a small car and was always angry when he drove because the horn on his car didn’t honk in Spanish. So he drove fast, crazy, and angry. His bride, my Mother so I am told, grew up in New York City in an Irish Catholic neighborhood. Her reflexes and instincts were sharpened as she learned to drive through the neighborhoods and city streets of the City while smoking Viceroy cigarettes. Needless to say, they believe in “defensive driving” which I have learned is quite offensive to most people. As I learned to drive I have memories of a lot of yelling (not at me but at the guy I cut off), my Dad being angry (I drove an Isuzu, the horn was in Japanese), but thankfully my Mom had stopped smoking.

This driving pedigree has now given me the ability to stand as judge over the entire driving world. I am the supreme judge of all drivers, from the car they drive, how they drive, and I am even able to deduce what kind of husband and father they must be by how they drive. Danika who?

It is with this absolute apprehension of all things automotive, that I can now officially speak toward what it is that I have learned from Midwest Drivers. I am done yelling at the woman three cars ahead of me in January while we both have our windows up. So I have resorted to writing about what gets under my skin.

I am working in Holland, MI and living in Grand Rapids, MI. The drive is 33.1 miles, almost all highway, and usually is somewhere around 27 minutes. During my drive I most often pray. People drive by me and see me talking out loud while no one else is in the car and think I am crazy. I don’t mind though, most people who know me intimately think I am crazy too, so at least there is consistency of opinion. I also listen to a lot of music, and sing really loud, and pretend that 27, 863 people have come out to Madison Square Garden to see my third farewell tour. I have learned a lot of lyrics to a lot of songs. I listen to NPR, and laugh at Garrison Keillor and his news from Lake Wobegon where “the women are strong, the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average."

With all of this going on I still have to remember that 33 miles of pavement lie between my home and work, and I have three people at my home that really want me to navigate that pavement well both ways each day. So I pray, sing, laugh, think, and get really mad at people who drive while they don’t pay attention.

During these times of driving I have learned some remarkable things about driving in the Midwest. I realize that I am in Michigan, but I feel as though I can speak about the Midwest due to the large amount of Illinois and Indiana license plates that I see on the stretch of highway on which I plod each day, which eventually leads to Indiana, and further on to Illinois. So without further ado I will now list “Six Things I Have Learned From Midwest Drivers.”

1. DRIVING IS SECONDARY
When one starts their engine, and pulls out of their driveway, the act of driving is subservient to whatever else that person may wish to do. From talking on the phone, putting on mascara, eating a doughnut, playing solitaire, using their computer, shaving, sleeping, taking a shower, or any other thing they may think is more important … driving is always second. It is this attitude toward being behind the wheel that leads to the most problems, and is directly connected to the next five problems.

2. THE FAST LANE
Most of the nation’s drivers know that there actually is something called, “the fast lane” and that it is not just a really bad show starring Tiffani Thiessen (she will always be Kelly Kapowski to me). However in the Midwest, both lanes exist simply to offer the driver more choices. Right lane a little bumpy? Please try the left lane. Now you may think, “Who cares? Pass on the right!” That is where the frustration wells up inside of me like red hot magma. I did. I passed a person who opted for left lane driving while going 55 MPH in the right lane. As I did I saw lights behind me, red and blue lights. I was told by the officer that I could not pass in the right lane. So I asked him if he knew what each lane represented, and how each had a distinct purpose, and that he could by a book about his purpose. He said he knew about all of that, and then charged me $45.00 for asking a few simple questions.

3. TURN SIGNAL
This little invention was created so drivers would no longer have to stick their arm out the window to alert the other drivers around them what they were about to do. However it has more recently become relative. However you wish to use your turn signal (or flashy thing, or whatever you want to call it) is cool. If you want to leave it on for 18 miles while driving in the left lane as you go 55 MPH, that is cool. If you want to turn it on after you have slowed to a crawl, and are in the middle of your right turn and not 200 feet before, that is cool. And, by the way if you don’t ever want to use it, that is cool too. The turn signal has become more like air conditioning. It is nice to have on certain days, but using it all the time doesn’t make sense.

4. FOUR-WAY STOPS
Four-way stops are a chance for passive people who have trouble making decisions to attempt to work through their issues in the anonymous comfort of their own car. When one comes to a four-way stop the their decision making capabilities are stretched. It seems good to the average Midwesterner to wave the car that arrived 30 seconds after they did on ahead of them. Then they wait for cross traffic to stop. Then they drive out to the middle of the intersection before checking traffic again. They then turn on their left-hand turn signal, and make a painstakingly slow right hand turn. Off they go to another four-way stop to continue to work through their issues surrounding indecision.

5. CONSTRUCTION
If there is a sign in the Midwest that says RIGHT LANE CLOSED AHEAD 3 MILES you can bet that that everyone just thinks it better to get in the left lane immediately. The first time I witnessed this phenomenon I thought, “Wow, I have the whole right lane ahead of me for 3 miles!” So I started cruising, and singing to a crowded Madison Square Garden. Suddenly ahead of me another person got the same idea I did. Except, this pick-up truck towing a boat, only pulled out half-way and puttered along with the rest traffic. He was actually policing me. The absolute scorn I received for driving around him on the shoulder was amazing. The horn honking, fingers, and shouts I heard come through my windows, were more than happen in a month in Manhattan.

6. BUMPER-STICKERS
Midwest people are generally polite, and often not too opinionated. They do not want to start an argument with anyone. I used to think it was because they were generally nice, until I realized that their aggression comes out in their bumper-stickers. You would not believe what I have been told, called, and asked to do by these little stickers on people’s cars. I have been told about hell, and why I may be going there. Others tell me that the person driving the car actually thinks they own “the whole d*mn world.” Some are suggestive asking me to HONK if I am … you can put anything here. Some people just want to tell me about their dog, cat, or about their honor student. Whatever offensive political, religious, or intensely personal thing you can think of, I have seen it.

While this list is by no means exhaustive, this is only a taste of what I drive past in the right lane everyday. I love Michigan, but could really do without the drivers to be honest. If you are reading this and you are not in the Midwest, count your blessings, and do not think for one second that your drivers are worse. This problem is an epidemic. If you are reading this and you are from the Midwest, please do not just laugh and nod. I implore you to change your ways.

fringes

The talit is a common garment that has been worn by Jewish people for 1,000’s of years. Some call it a prayer shawl, however its origins are not connected to prayer, rather a command that God gave to his people in the book of Numbers.

The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by chasing after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. Then you will remember to obey all my commands and will be consecrated to your God.

The question then became, “On what garments should we place the fringes?” As a result of this question the talit was created. Talit simply means “little tent” -- some believe this name was given as a reflection of the tabernacle, “the big tent.” The rabbis teach that when Balaam looked down and saw the Camp of Israel in Numbers 24 and said, “How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel!” He was speaking about the talits that were worn by the people.

The talit became a regular garment for the Jewish people, and was worn at all times by the observant. The most interesting thing that I learned about all of this was from the Jewish Book of Why. When a person died, they were buried wrapped in their talit. However, before they were buried one of the fringes was cut off, the corner of the garment was cut off. The reason behind this, is that as a dead person one was no longer bound to keep the commandments.

I read this, and immediately thought of David and Saul. In 1 Samuel 24 David cuts off a corner of Saul’s garment. Then David is conscious stricken. I have always wondered why … could it be that David was telling Saul, “You are a dead man! You are incapable of obeying the commandments!” David was letting Saul know, “I could have killed you, but I did not, but you are going down that road anyway.” This is a chilling thought in many ways.

It made me think about the way I have always thought of David. I always saw him as this victimized kid, who was never got pissed-off at Saul … rather when he got mad he smiled, held it in, prayed and never told his men how at that moment, maybe he even hated Saul. This gives me a picture of David when he was running for his life that I have never had. Moreover, it makes me realize that he was human … a person. Even with these feelings that would creep up from time to time God never withdrew his anointing from David.

This story gives me hope. Knowing what rolls around in my brain sometimes ... it is comforting to know that although like David, I must be conscious stricken that God continues to have his hand on me.

schemes

Os Guiness (yes he is related to the wonderful makers of the Irish Stout), has a brilliant insight on the Church. It is not the first time I have read this, but it sturck me today for some reason. In his book the The Gravedigger File he says this,

"One of the most powerful schemes to undermine the Church is to make it privately engaging, but socially irrelevant."

As I think through this, I ask myself what are we, the Church, spending the most time doing? How hard are trying to engage those on the "inside" ... is this scheme succesful. I pray that it is not, but it has caused me to do some soul searching today.

arrogance and knowing

Another email ... another question that I wonder if I am able to engage well ... I was asked, "How can I look at Jesus as the only truth without being arrogant?" So here was how I answered this one:

I think that in our embracing Jesus, we do so from a position of humility. It is interesting to me that people become arrogant in their knowledge of who God is, being that Jesus is the antithesis of arrogance, and the apex of humility. It would be like someone who needs immediate medical attention for a rare disease, becoming arrogant because they know about thoracic treatments and surgeries in a better way.

That person would more than likely be grateful to the doctors and nurses whose knowledge helped her to heal. She would be thankful that she had one more day to live. As she reflected on what it was like to receive the news of her disease I imagine it would be through tears … she would remember the dark nights of worry when she could not sleep waiting for the results of the tests that were performed. She may reflect on sitting with the doctor as he gently spoke about what was wrong. Her mood would subtly change as she transitioned into the story of healing. She may smile, and say something like, “I will always have this scar to remind me, and I will be on medication the rest of my life, but I will get to see my daughter grow.” At this point the tears would no doubt return.

I have not met someone who has gone through a sickness or disease like this who sits with me and says, “Well I am sure you are not aware of the complexities of the diverticulum as it relates to the sensitivity of the abdominal cavity. However, when edema of an abnormal pouch in the intestinal wall occurs, the threat to the auto-immune system is dire.” (Having cut and pasted the last sentence from Wed MD I need a doctor to translate, thank you). Would it make sense for a person to speak like this? Of course not!!!

So why when we speak of spiritual life do we become arrogant wanting people to hear all about what we know about God and Jesus? Is it because we believe deep inside that someone who believes differently could not possibly have a clue about truth? We must be approaching all people with humility, love and respect.

I believe that if we could have sat with Jesus when he ate with the “sinners” we would have been amazed at how much he listened. Here is the Son of God listening to mere mortals … and why? So that he can speak love, care and wisdom into their lives.

What?!?!? Only love, care and wisdom?!?!?! I want the truth!!!!!! (I could put a famous movie line here about “Not being able to handle the truth” but I will resist quoting it). I would contend that when we speak in the love of Jesus, in his caring heart, and with the wisdom of the spirit, that we are indeed speaking the Truth. When done in this way, it is not only humble … I believe it is attractive to others.

So then, how do we arrive at knowing the truth perfectly? Can we really articulate all the finer points of theology authoritatively and hold that we have God figured out? The short answer is no, we cannot. He is infinite, and we are finite (I stole that one from John Calvin). We can however, know about what he wants to know by being students of the Text. It is through study that we begin to realize that the God we worship is eternal and mysterious, and it is His very essence that will occupy our minds for eternity. It is this very thought that keep us humble … that this mysterious, massive, eternal God is the one we worship ... and the one who has come to us.

a loving dad

As a pastor I receive a lot of emails asking for advice, thoughts, opinions, etc. Most of the time I read the email, and think to myself, “I have no clue.” I feel so inadequate to speak into the lives of some who are hurting, confused, or doubtful. The other day, I received an email from a college student from our faith community. She asked the question, “How can God love me if I do not love myself?” I thought for a time, and then saw the picture of my daughter on my computer screen, and chose to answer with this reply …

As for you not loving yourself. Let me try to give some thoughts. I have a one year old daughter. (she is the cutest girl ever ... Her older brother of course is the cutest boy). She crawls and drools on everything, and has little or no understanding of who she is as a person, let alone what she will be as a woman someday. I however sit and watch her climb unsteadily on the couch, smile baring the only two teeth in her mouth, and talk gibberish to no one. My heart fills with such deep love for her, and I know that with a moment's notice, I would gladly give my life for her. She still has no clue. It would not be fair to say of her that "she loves herself" however it is my job as a dad to help her along with this.

So as she grows, If I treat her poorly, ridicule her, and criticize everything she does, inevitably she would grow up not believing in herself, and maybe even hating who she is. Over time her condition would worsen and she would have a tough time even functioning. Seeing no value in herself she may go on to make any number of horrible decisions with her life.

But this, God willing will not happen. As I love her deeply I will help her understand, that I think she is beautiful, that she is a person of worth and value, that she is a woman in the image of God. I will also help her to see herself that way. Not to be arrogant but to understand that she is a lovely and that her very life is valuable. I will teach her self-respect and respect for others. But as for now, the only thing I know is I love her ... and she still drools. As she grows and I grow as a dad, this relationship will gain more depth.

So you ask. “How can god love you?” Well, maybe you are like his baby. Maybe you are this woman that he deeply loves, and already has given his life for. Maybe he smiles when he sees you walk to class, and he cries when he sees your pain. He knows that as you grow he will teach you about your worth and beauty, and will show you that you are made in his image. For now you are crawling around, as his baby daughter ... There is nothing wrong with that. Part of growth is reading the bible, and being in community, and you are doing that ... brilliant. I pray that you can begin to understand God as this kind of Father, for I know that he looks at you like that kind of daughter.

something new

Last night at the Oscar’s John Stewart had a hilarious opening monologue. One of the things he joked about was how out of the mainstream Hollywood is. He spoke about it being a “den of ill repute, a bastion of liberalism, the Gold Coast of Sodom and Gomorrah …” He then finished this with his typical wry grin by saying, “I really don’t have a joke for you, I just thought you should know what the rest of the world thinks about you.”

Shortly after this he finished his monologue the first award of the evening was presented by Nicole Kidman, for the Best Actor in a supporting role. And the Oscar went to George Clooney. I was delighted to see this as I myself loved the idea behind Syriana . He strode up to the platform, and began his acceptance speech. He joked a little bit, and then said,

“You know, we are a little bit out of touch in Hollywood every once in a while. I think it's probably a good thing. We're the ones who talk about AIDS when it was just being whispered, and we talked about civil rights when it wasn't really popular. And we, you know, we bring up subjects. This Academy, this group of people gave Hattie McDaniel an Oscar in 1939 when blacks were still sitting in the backs of theaters. I'm proud to be a part of this Academy. Proud to be part of this community, and proud to be out of touch.”

I wanted to jump up and cheer for what he said. I thought “Yes you are right George you do pave the way!!!!” Directly on the heels of my being excited however was the disappointment of realizing that the Church is not able to say the same thing. You see we are out of touch, but not because we are leading, rather we are so far behind that we are in gross danger of becoming irrelevant. If Hollywood are the ones walking around with the next generation of iPods then the Church are the ones who are whooping and hollering about their new Sony Walkman screaming, “… look it plays tapes!”

I know I sound cynical, and I think it is because when I do see followers of Jesus leading the way, I see them get stuff thrown at the back of their heads. When the Church thinks she is doing something “really cool” it generally is a cheap imitation of the real thing.

Take the world of “Christian” music (Christian by the way serves as the worst of all adjectives). Why is this music so far outside the norm? Why are so many artists who label themselves “Christian Contemporary” said to sound like such and such a band. I have actually had people say things like, “Oh if you like Coldplay then you will like _______________(name of some Christian band here).” Why are there so few groundbreaking artists who are following Jesus?

Take the world of politics. We have all of our bumper-stickers lined up on our cars so that everyone knows where we stand (the other day, I actually saw someone with one of those yellow ribbon magnets on their car. They had it turned sideways so that it looked like the “Jesus fish” that was also on their car). What is that saying to everyone behind them? Are they really saying that this war and Jesus are somehow connected? Some say that they are “pro-life” and some of the same people are savagely vengeful in relation to the death penalty, and were cavalier about the war in Iraq. So a follower of Jesus stands up, and says, “Wait, maybe there is another way …” He is yelled at by the right, and viewed as a liberal socialist living in an ideal world.

Take the world of film. Two words “Left Behind.” I am aware that Kurt Cameron really wanted to make a comeback, but he would have had better luck as an extra during a battle scene in Lord of the Rings. Those movies were an embarrassment given from the poor quality of production, to the poor acting, to the poor story line (no Tim LeHaye’s view of end times, may not be exactly right). Then there is an executive that goes to work everyday to the Fox Studios Lot in Hollywood. He is passionate about following Jesus, and makes great films. He is approached by major studios to produce films. Yet he is chided by other Christians for being in the “den of ill repute.”

Have we ever stopped to think that maybe the reason this world is so screwed-up is because the Church has given up its right to speak as a valid voice in our world. We have shut ourselves up and held on to all of the light. Maybe that is why things have gotten so dark, all the light is inside, and it has gotten so bright we are blinding ourselves with it. We are so dated in our viewpoints on cultural issues that people have stopped listening. Bono (who by the way is a prime example of a follower of Jesus who is out there leading) in speaking about the aids crisis in Africa commented, “I could not believe that the evangelical church, one of the most powerful organizations in America, was not doing anything. That less than 13% of churches were doing anything for the lepers of our day.” (Kudos to Rick Warren who is leading the change in the Church in regard to Africa).

What on earth are we doing? We are very good at throwing cheap shots at things that scare the crap out of us, but we are more like guerillas in that respect than we are gallant soldiers. We run out strike, and retreat back to the perceived safety of our enclaves. The Church must become a respected voice in our world if we are ever to change it. This does not happen, by imitating something that exists. This does not happen by making crappy films. This does not happen by jumping on the republican (or democrat) conservative (or liberal) political bandwagon. This does not happen by putting bumper-stickers on our car. This does not happen by inviting people to our turf, forcing them to sit idle for an hour and having to sing and listen with no other option.

This happens by our being students of our culture, (think Paul in Acts 17). This happens by asking God to see the wisdom and power that he has for us. This comes by engaging in the arts and sciences. This comes with an absence of fear, knowing that God is more powerful than evil. This comes by cheering on the Bonos, the Switchfoots, and the Jim Wallis’ of our world. This comes by standing up and challenging the staus quo that is getting worse each week in our pews. This comes by calling the American Church to an uncomfortable place … renewal. Understanding that we have to stop putting so much into ourselves, and that we MUST begin putting more into the lives of those who do not follow Jesus.

Serving, loving, showing mercy, aiding, sacrificing, thoughtful discussion … all these things are more powerful than anger, bombs, or protests. I believe that the Church has her work cut out for her. But, like Hollywood I believe we can become out of touch, and lead our culture and world toward peace, hope, joy and ultimately ... Jesus. This is my heart, and I beg God that I will see it in my lifetime, I ask him all the time, “Do something in my day that I would not believe even if I were told.”