Father, Son and Holy Rift

This morning's LA Times features a fascinating front page essay on the rift between the well known founder of Calvary Chapel, Chuck Smith, and his son, Chuck Smith, Jr. The father is best known for being the father figure of the Jesus Movement that erupted in the late 1960s. His church was the model for the contemporary worship and music movements. From the church emerged a major music industry -- Maranatha Music. Praise music has its origins in his church. Music groups like Love Song, The Way, Mustard Seed Faith, and many more were sent forth across the country spreading the word that Jesus is coming back soon.

The Chuck Smith featured in the article is that, but he's also a classic Fundamentalist, who rails against the sin of homosexuality, preaches hell fire and brimstone sermons and is sure that Jesus is coming back soon. This is a preacher who has no doubts and sees no ambiguities in life.

The son is very different. Until recently a pastor in his father's network of churches, he has broken free of the Calvary Chapel movement -- more like he was forced out. As pastor of a large church (but not as large as his Dad's) he offers a gentler and kinder message of welcome and ambiguity. He's not so sure about homosexuality and welcomes gays and lesbians into the fold. He's also not sure about the hell fire message either. In fact, he's not sure about the rapture theology that has been a hallmark of his father's theology. His relationship with his father on a personal level is strong, but they have agreed to part ways. Some of Dad's followers though think he's a heretic and if not for being the founder's son, would have been purged long ago.

Chuck, Jr.'s journey is influenced by his own experience. He has long suffered from depression -- something his father doesn't think is a reality -- has been divorced and struggled with his identity as the son of a famous father. He won't be the successor to Dad's empire, nor does he wish to have the mantle. Though in many ways Chuck Jr. sees himself as continuing the original work of his father -- that of reaching out to the young and spiritually disenfranchised. Remember the earliest members of Dad's movement were hippies. The son dresses in shorts and flip flops and welcomes all who'll come.

I take this whole thing as a hopeful sign. Assuming we survive the perilous times at hand, the church -- the evangelical church -- is in for much change. In many ways the message of Chuck Smith Jr is similar to that of Brian McClaren. This is an emergent trend -- interest in icons, meditation, breathing exercises, learning from Catholic and Orthodox mystics. It's a message of openness rather than certainty. If he's the leader of a trend, then good things may be ahead!

Note, to find the article hit the title of the post and it will take you to the story. You may have to register, but its free and will be worth it!

Comments

Anonymous said…
Capo Beach Calvary Executive Pastor Craig Whittaker read a brief statement from Chuck Smith Jr. to those in attendance at the 9/2/06 Saturday night service in response to that article.

The video link is:

http://www.calvarychapel.com/capobeach/video/090206article.htm

The audio-only link is:

http://www.calvarychapel.com/capobeach/audio/090206article.mp3

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