Our Vision Statement is to “Proclaim the Love of God and Extend Hope to All People.” After working through the annual meeting exercise, praying, considering, and discussing, this is what the Vestry concluded fit our parish at this time. And, believe it or not, this new Vision Statement aligns rather well with our reading from 2 Timothy.
Today’s reading from that letter may be more relevant today than at any other time in history. I’m sure every age could probably look to this passage and see the times as unfavorable and/or see people turning from listening to the truth. But in this age of internet influencers and soundbite reporting, we are in the thick of it.
Much like Deuteronomy is seen as Moses’ farewell address to the Israelites and instructing them to keep the commandments and walk in the way of the Lord, this letter is seen as Paul’s farewell address to Timothy, urging him to keep the faith and hold to the truth of Scripture. As the Israelites were to follow the example of Moses, Timothy (and us) is to follow the example of Paul, maintaining faithfulness and perseverance.
Timothy is urged to proclaim the message of the gospel, whether the time is favorable or unfavorable, to endure suffering, to do the work of an evangelist, and to carry out his ministry faithfully. This sounds a lot like our Vision Statement: to proclaim the love of God and extend hope to all people.
Timothy is reminded to do these things always because there will come a time when people will not put up with sound doctrine but, having itching ears, will accumulate for themselves teachers who suit their own desires. This letter was written to Timothy anywhere between the years 50 and 120 CE, but it could have been written to us today.
As I alluded to earlier, we are in an age when people have turned from truth and sound doctrine to listening to people who suit their own desires and are following cleverly designed myths. And I’m not even talking about politics here, but about our wider society.
A 1998 medical paper claimed a link between vaccines and autism. That finding was later refuted, the paper retracted, and co-authors disassociated themselves from the findings. Nevertheless, with the rise of the internet and people’s desires for easy answers, a wave of anti-vaccine beliefs arose.
Because of these beliefs we are now seeing an increase in diseases which had once been controlled through vaccinations. Diseases making a worldwide comeback include measles, meningitis, yellow fever, and diphtheria, all because of people listening to anti-vaccination and pseudo-science rhetoric.
There is also a rise in internet influencers talking about health concerns and peddling ideas that have no scientific basis. Yet, because there IS a common concern about our health, these people have managed to create cleverly designed myths that make truthful-sounding, but false, claims. Thankfully, people like Dr. Jessica Knurick have begun publicly debunking the health movement’s misinformation with facts, evidence, and easily understood language.
Add to this people who claim the earth is flat, the moon landings were faked, Denver International Airport is the secret headquarters of the Illuminati, wireless services cause COVID, or any number of false claims boosted by the internet with a few facts taken out of context or twisted to fit their narrative, and you have exactly what Timothy was warned about.
These things begin and persist because people look for answers they want to hear. It begins with a willingness to let “both sides” present arguments even though it’s clear that one side is patently false. It’s also easier to believe a simple lie than the detailed truth, especially if that lie is repeated over and over again.
The rise of AI is also a problem. Even if we ignore the huge amount of resources it requires, the stealing of intellectual property, or the incorrect information it regularly provides, it has been shown that AI gives people what they want to hear. It’s built to be a self-affirming resource that is always positive, supportive, and complimentary. There are at least two cases of teenagers who died by suicide because they were chatting with AI which basically said, “That’s a good idea.”
Like most people I play games on my phone. Every so often I will get an ad for an AI companion or girlfriend who “is always there for me, will never say no, and will do exactly what I want.” It’s weird and it’s creepy. But it will draw someone in because it’s a case of not listening to the truth and fulfilling selfish desires.
This all comes back to our faith.
The message of the gospel is that Jesus Christ died for our sins. The message of the gospel is that Jesus Christ is resurrected from the dead into new life. The message of the gospel is to bring good news to the poor, proclaim release to the captives, and to let the oppressed go free. The message of the gospel is to heal the sick, welcome the stranger and alien, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and shelter the homeless. The message of the gospel is to bring hope to the broken-hearted and to those who feel hopeless. The message of the gospel is to shine the light of truth onto a world that lives by deception. The message of the gospel is rooted in love and hope, and our Vision Statement captures that perfectly: To proclaim the love of God and extend hope to all people.
We are not proclaiming a message contrary to the gospel. We are not changing doctrine to suit our own desires. We are not turning away from the truth of the gospel. We are not following myths designed to gain followers and increase our influence. And because of that we may indeed be attacked by those who want to hear something different, something that reinforces their personal beliefs, prejudices, and desires.
Despite everything going on out there, let us be persistent in proclaiming the true message of the gospel. Let us continually carry out our ministry and do the work of evangelists. Let us always proclaim the love of God and extend hope to all people. Let this place be the place where love, truth, and hope live.
Amen.
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