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CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) There is another host on another radio station in town who regularly reads and talks about these Conley Commentaries. I’ve never mentioned him before because his audience is so small. The listenership on WSAU is in the tens-of-thousands. His audience is in the hundreds. He and I disagree on politics; that’s not uncommon. But he also doesn’t like these Friday On Faith chats. He points out, I’m no expert on religion.
And he’s right.
So, who am I to talk about matters of faith?
There are many members of the local clergy who listen on Friday mornings. They have studied holy scriptures and have dedicated their lives to faith. I suspect some ministers find my theology imperfect, but I suspect they find talk about religion on a secular radio station refreshing, or at least novel.
I go to church every Sunday. I read the bible daily. I pray each night before bed. None of that makes me an expert. In fact, it doesn’t even make me a good person. I have all the shortcomings and sins of any man. I don’t, for a moment, think I’m better than anyone else.
I know one man at church who reads through the entire bible each year. He has a much better reading discipline than I do. And I can tell that he takes away more knowledge and deeper meaning each time through the scriptures. At The Cross, my church on Schofield Avenue, we’re in the middle of a sermon series on the Book of Acts. I’ve heard many of the weekly passages before. But, for instance, I didn’t know until now that Acts was written by Luke. His gospel contains all of the good stuff – the shepherds and angels, the manger scene of the first Chrismas, detailed accounts of Christ’s ministry, and a beautiful account of His resurrection.
When I write these Friday on Faith messages, I reflect on the Book of Acts. Churches were founded and the faith was spread because of nobodies. Paul hated Christians and wanted to kill them until his conversion. St. Peter was a fisherman with no interpersonal skills of note. Mathew was despised… a tax collector who conspired with the Romans. Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, and John were not prominent people, but they all had a role in planting churches and winning souls for Christ.
So who do I think I am? I’m nobody particularly important. I am in need of God’s grace and forgiveness. I don’t have any special training. I’m not any more qualified than you. But talking about the Christian faith is how the faith spreads. I encourage you to do it too.
Chris Conley
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