An Imperfect Vehicle of Truth
When BMW introduced its now-legendary 2002 in 1968, it was carbureted. BMW reserved fuel injection for its performance special: the 2002 tii, with upgraded suspension, wider wheels (a whopping five inches wide), a close-ratio 4-speed gearbox, and, curiously, mechanical fuel injection.
Mechanical fuel injection is sort of a Rube-Goldberg approach to engine timing. While electronic systems draw data from a variety of sensor inputs, the tii’s Kugelfischer mechanical system makes air and fuel decisions using exactly three inputs: engine speed, temperature, and throttle position. It was relatively crude, with lean cold starts and a rough idle, but it screamed above 4000 RPM. Peak output of 140 horsepower and 130 lb-ft of torque were stunning for a 2-liter engine in 1972. The tii’s 16.8-second quarter mile (within a fender of a 2.6-liter V6 Ford Capri) and balletic agility on windy roads made reviewers embarrass themselves with lyrical praise, and it helped move BMW from its 1960s comeback into its 1970s dominance.
The 2002 tii wasn’t perfect. Its mechanical fuel injection was buggy, and its post-1973 impact bumpers added 10 inches of ugly to its overall length. Yet it launched a movement and established an important foundation for all future BMW products.
Its Biblical counterpart is Amos, a somewhat unlikely prophet who left his sheep and fig groves in his small town to deliver a message from God to the pious and powerful elite. He sought to restore some regulation to a wayward people who were growing in size and power. He probably lacked the formal education reserved for religious leaders, but he spoke in plain truth using three points of data that showed the sinfulness of the people: extravagant materialism, disregard for the poor and oppressed, and lack of sincerity during worship:
“Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:23-24)
Sometimes God uses unconventional means to remind people of his truth. Sometimes something so correct about the truth and rightness of God’s love tugs at our heartstrings and draws us closer to understanding the heart of God. Amos, like the 2002, was a bit unconventional, but his word and work didn’t deviate from God’s truth. Words he spoke were so compelling that they inspired countless Christ-followers to have a heart for broken people in the world, and to inspire people to follow.
When a 2002 tii driver nails a heel-toe downshift, clips the apex, and powers out of a turn, she isn’t worried about mechanical fuel injection. Likewise, the hungry person receiving a sandwich you made isn’t asking about your perfect track record of battling sinful desires. The friend receiving your encouragement and hope doesn’t care that you don’t have a theological degree.
If you feel unconventional, look how God uses people like you to fulfill his work. If the finer points of deep theological understanding evade you, you can certainly feel social causes (like prejudice and inequality, housing insecurity, and people who suffer under a broken judicial system) tugging at your heartstrings. That’s God, working in your heart to desire an understanding of his heart, and to motivate you to speak out and live out his truth and love. You aren’t perfect, which makes you the perfect vehicle for God’s movement. So move, and don’t be surprised if people start moving with you. After all, Amos’ legacy was more monumental than the 2002’s; Stephen’s last words included a quote from Amos that condemns false piety in religious elites. God was still tugging at heartstrings, urging people to love other people with sincerity and humility.
BMW would have a checkered history with new technology. Sometimes it would be problematic (like more technology than authenticity in their modern cars), and other times it would be surprisingly seamless (like their introduction of electronic throttle control in the E46, which wasn’t as laggy as other cars of the era). Ultimately, fans would learn that technology and prestige alone couldn’t determine if a BMW would be good or not. To find out, you had to drive one, and see if it pulled at your heartstrings.
