FIRST LINES
by Roger Paynter
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Austin

My friend, Bob Setzer of First Baptist in Macon, Georgia recently wrote some very insightful thoughts about the chilling episode of the Heaven’s Gate cult. He commented that in watching the video of them contemplating their suicide they all spoke of how happy they were. They spoke of this with the conviction that happy feelings were proof positive that their twisted perspective on life was valid and real.

This does not fit with the truth of Scripture, does it? Nowhere does the Bible indicate that happiness is a reliable index of religious truth. In fact, there are numerous places where the Bible is simply not a happy book. The Psalms encompass the full range of human experience, from ecstasy to despair. But with so many “Psalms of Lament,” it is clear that the Psalmist knew sorrow almost as much as he knew faith.

Job was not a very cheery person when he lost his health, family and fortune in one fatal stroke. Indeed, he vented his rage to God in full fury.

And as the specter of Jesus’ cross drew near, he did not pretend to be happy about it. Committed to Divine vocation? Absolutely. Happy? Doubtful. With beads of sweat scattered across his forehead, he prayed earnestly, “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass…” And from the cross that anguished, haunting cry, “My God, why have you forsaken me?”

No, the Bible is not the source of the notion that happiness is the litmus test of true faith. More than likely, that comes from a culture that insists we be happy by purchasing something. In Bob Setzer’s words, “Happiness is the feel-good god of consumerism run amuck.”

The word happiness doesn’t even appear in the King James translation of Scripture. Regardless of translation, the Bible just doesn’t talk much about it. What is DOES talk about is “joy.” Happiness is tied to the circumstances of our life. Joy, however, is an abiding quality that springs from the underground stream of God’s love that cannot be affected by disturbances at the surface. Joy is what enabled Paul to write, while in a Roman prison, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I will say, REJOICE!” (Phil. 4:4). Paul was not waiting for God to “beam him up” but rather, trusting that in every circumstance of life, God is faithful.

In John’s gospel, Jesus promises that if we abide in his love, then his joy will abide in us and our joy will be made complete. That is not delusional thinking. Rather, that is the kind of solid faith that causes one to look reality square in the face and say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Grace and peace, Roger

*Editor’s Note: Roger is pastor of First Baptist Church, Austin. “First Lines” is his regular church newsletter column.

June 1997