Questions about faith, practices always welcome

I recently wrote a column headlined “True meaning of Christmas,” published Dec. 26, 2010, in the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman. I received no blog responses; however, I did receive one letter in response to the article. The writer of the letter asked me to respond to some questions, but did not provide a return address. The Frontiersman has graciously accepted my request to publish the response to the questions, and for that I thank them.

Dear Ms K:

You asked, “Your assembly celebrates a pagan holiday, which originates from ‘traditions of man.’”

While this question carries several different connotations, I’ll answer it from the aspect of how Christmas is celebrated at Lighthouse Chapel. There are no elves, Santa Claus, Christmas trees, wreaths, or any other decoration on the chapel grounds. I am fully aware of the controversy surrounding the date of Christmas. To me, the exact date is irrelevant. I am happy that one day a year, Jesus is thought about. For many it is the only day of the year that they think about Christ.

The column was intended to have people stop and think of the impact they had on the world as a whole and maybe even make them recognize that he was indeed very different. The date is irrelevant to me. As a side note to this, there will be no “Christian” decorations either — not crosses or paintings in the chapel. Jesus taught that we are to pray to him and him alone, not to idols, crosses, or any other physical structures; Lighthouse Chapel will have no golden calves.

You mentioned the last supper and the impact of communion. That column will be written for the Easter holiday. For the moment, I will settle for the most celebrated day in the United States as a forum to write about the life of Jesus. Yes, his death was important for Christians — far more than his birth; yes, without his death salvation would be impossible for the gentile. But again, that will wait until Easter.

You asked: “Did three wise men go to the manger the night Jesus was born?”

The short answer is the Bible doesn’t fully explain. Mathew 2:1 only states that wise men came. Most assume there were three because of the number of gifts that were given: gold, frankincense and myrrh. However, the number of wise men is never stated. There could have been only two or three or there could have been dozens. I do not put a number on how many, as the Bible doesn’t. The number is irrelevant to me. The fact that the event happened tells me that miracles were occurring early in the life of Jesus. Exactly when the wise men arrived at Bethlehem is also not stated. Jesus is only described as a “young child.” In as much as Herod ordered the killing of all children under the age of 2 (Mathew 2:16), it is understand that Jesus was under the age of 2 at the time of the event.

You mentioned how some clergy are only in it for the money. I do not judge what the motives others to be in the clergy, that is not my job. But I will tell you how Lighthouse Chapel functions and let you decide for yourself.

There is no offering plate passed at any time in Lighthouse Chapel. We do not have one, and as long as I am the teacher, we never will. There is no place in the Bible where it is recorded that Jesus passed an offering plate at any time.

In fact, originally I did not want any money given to the chapel; however, through prayer and consideration I changed my mind, only from the aspect that if someone wishes to give money to God I will not stand in the way either of love offerings, gifts or tithe. Also know that the Chapel pays local property taxes.

To not have this method in place is to cheat the congregation of the offering. Nobody is paid at Lighthouse Chapel for anything — anything a person does for the Chapel is for the love of Jesus, not personal gain. This includes the chaplain. We do not solicit donations. Jesus did not beg for money to support his message, and neither will I (Mathew 6:30). Any money given to the church will be used for construction or expansion (if needed) or to help those in need. There is no membership to Lighthouse Chapel, nor are there any entertainment events. The chapel is for worship. If the congregation wishes to have events outside that chapel, that is fine, I have no objection, but Lighthouse Chapel does not sponsor them.

I agree with you on the point of celebrating the life of Christ as it is written in the Bible. The Bible should change us, not the other way around. When I was called to the clergy, I came with the understanding that I would teach and preach exactly what the Bible teaches, to follow as closely as I can in the footsteps of Christ and the method and message he preached.

There is much more to how the Chapel will be operated; however, space prevents me from explaining more. I am always happy to discuss through e-mail, phone or letter how Lighthouse Chapel operates, but the Frontiersman made a exception for this response and I will need a method to respond directly to you in the future. Please provide a return address, or phone number, on further correspondence.

Mike Blodgett is chaplain at Lighthouse Chapel. Contact him at 373-5866 or e-mail lighthouse_chapelak@yahoo.com.