December 26, 2015

“Stephen replied: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me. You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are forever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it.”

When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen. But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.” Acts 7:1a, 51 – 58

“Dietrich Bonhoeffer is famous for the statement “Christ bids us come and die.” It’s not a particularly uplifting-Joel-Osteen understanding of the Gospel. Up With People likely would not adopt this as their mission statement. Still, it stares us in the face. Bonhoeffer is speaking of dying to self as well as the knowledge that where God calls the believer to stand might be a dangerous place. His own life would reflect this reality. Yet, he dies not for his faith but because of his participation in a plot to assassinate Adolph Hitler. Many still disagree on whether or not he was a martyr. Perhaps he was a hero, but a martyr?

Is Stephen a hero or martyr? He is killed because of what he professed. He is not a violent man and poses no real obvious threat to the powers that be. He simply states something that they do not want to hear: their own culpability in systems of violence. Yet he cajoles them. Is he looking for trouble? He almost appears to be grandstanding. Is Stephen really a martyr? Do we know a martyr when we see one?”             (Stephen the Martyr May 15, 2011, Do we know a martyr when we see one?, by Tripp Hudgins, The Hardest Question)

Prosperity Theologians like Joel Olsteen do not know what to do with realist theologians like Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Prosperity theology will tell you that if you have enough faith, if your faith is strong enough, then riches and blessings will fill your life. Here is what “Wikipedia” says about: Prosperity theology (sometimes referred to as the prosperity gospel, the health and wealth gospel, or the gospel of success)[A] is a Christian religious doctrine that financial blessing is the will of God for Christians, and that faith, positive speech, and donations to Christian ministries will increase one’s material wealth. Based on non-traditional interpretations of the Bible, often with emphasis on the Book of Malachi, the doctrine views the Bible as a contract between God and humans: if humans have faith in God, he will deliver his promises of security and prosperity. Confessing these promises to be true is perceived as an act of faith, which God will honor.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, however, was a man filled with faith. He lived, and he died, living a life of suffering for Christ. So, would his life be considered “not successful” according to a prosperity theologian? I think I know, but I would like to hear Joel Olsteen address this question.

Pastor Dave