Don't be deceived by the swirl of news. What happened to Shirley Sherrod in our nation this week is deeper than race. I do not minimize the racial component and I pray that I never under estimate the damage that racial prejudice does in this world.
At the same time, I see this same dynamic at work in the church and in the world all the time when there is no racial component. Here's how it goes:
1. Somebody has an agenda/a point to make. They don't care how they make it or who gets hurt in the process. In fact, the way they go about making their point is designed to hurt someone -- often someone innocent.
Those with an agenda are so caught up in their hurt feelings, their cause that they willing to violate every basic constraint of honesty, common respect and integrity. That's step #1.
2. Step #2 is gullibility. People are so gullible that they will believe anything. News/sensation-saturated people will believe a lie in a heartbeat.
3. Step #3 is fear. Constant criticism takes a toll on even the best leaders in the church, in the nation and in the world. Keeping perspective is a constant challenge and a climate of constant criticism eats away at the core of people. At a certain point, they react instead of act. And a reaction is almost always misguided.
That's what happened in the case of Shirley Sherrod. Someone had an agenda. They carefully, deliberately crafted and distributed a video clip that was designed to distort and deceive. Christians of ALL political persuasions should rise up and say that this was wrong. And then, instead of calling out the malicious slandering for what it was, people believed it without getting the whole story. The rush to judgment -- made on all sides--was like a stampede of stupidity. Caution and careful thinking evaporated. And, fear only complicated and deepened the sins that were being committed in this situation to an innocent person.
Lest anyone think that this dynamic is something to criticize in any one political administration, let me say that I see this same dynamic regularly in churches. Someone has an agenda. It is often hurt feelings, a power dynamic or a personal grudge. They have a point to make and, by golly, they are going to be heard. They forget completely about the Golden Rule, the teachings of Christian faith and they go after an audience. (Often it is the District Superintendent! :) ) The fundamental dishonesty of people hell bent on making a point is mind-boggling. And yes, I am talking about people in church. There's a reason the Bible cautions over and over against dishonesty, gossip and slander.
The gullibility of people is also astonishing. People will believe anything. I don't have an explanation for it. This defies rational definition. Time after time, as a pastor and as a District Superintendent, I have had people come to me with tales that, without any research, I know are not true. Once a salacious rumor starts, it's like people throw every teaching of sober judgment out the window. Amazing. There's a reason that much of Scripture is devoted to guiding people to be thoughtful, careful and wise in decision-making.
And then, there is the fear -- fear of what others will think, fear of being attacked, fear of what malicious people will do. Only God knows how many people have compromised their witness and how much faithful ministry has been destroyed because of this fear. There's a reason the Bible teaches over and over "Do not be afraid". Fear leads to sin and very poor decisions.
When people have an axe to grind, hurt feelings to express, a point to make, people ought to say: STOP. Don't do the wrong thing for the wrong reason. When people attack others with lies and innuendo, people ought to say: STOP. Think about it. Get the whole story. When people are afraid, people ought to say: STOP! Fear is an almost certain sign that another mistake is about to be made. Make decisions from faith, not fear.
The cycle we are witnessing on the news is a parable I see played out in churches all the time. I watch it and weep. I watch it and pray that we will learn to rise above it in this horribly antagonistic, contentious world.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
I think this is progress...
Let me be clear: no one from the Obama administration or the NAACP or Tea Party or conservative commentators have called to ask my opinion. (I have that problem a lot). I think I could help people if they would just call and ask my opinion before they make statements or take action. The situation of the accusations/firing of Shirley Sherrod is one I am pretty sure I could have helped.
The pressures and immediate reactions of our culture are traits that lead directly to false accusations and shallow thinking. My parents told me to think before I speak. Now people make a name for themselves -- and many make a living--by speaking before they think. My parents taught me to get the whole story before making a judgment. Now people make headlines and often financial profit from taking a slice of a story and deliberately distorting it. My debate coach taught me to make my best presentation with the facts but never falsify the facts. And now, people regularly falsify the facts without blinking. And, most importantly, my Christian faith taught me to do unto others what I would want others to do unto me...and to love others the way Jesus loved. Every day the media blasts -- and some specialize in--doing exactly the opposite. The worst of it all, in my opinion, is that some of those people who behave in overtly unchristian practices like to claim the name Christian.
At the same time, I have to savor some delight in hearing the vehement denials of Tea Party people that they are racist. As messy as this incident is, I can't help but see that as progress. 25 years ago in Mississippi, my experience with people who shared the same political anti-big-government philosophy of the Tea Party members was that they were racist and proud of it. Claiming to be a racist was a badge of honor--not only a common way of living in the world, but a proud, patriotic way to be citizens of this country. I am horrified that there are still elements of that philosophy -- people who openly, defiantly, unapologetically claim that they are white supremacists. But one interesting thing that this current flap points out is that even very politically conservative people in this country seem now to understand that being racially prejudiced violates the core values of our country. That's a big shift.
I still see a lot in our nation that tells me that racism is still eating away at our character and working its destructiveness in our society. But if we have come to a common, acknowledged recognition that racism is wrong, we have taken an essential step that---- just in my lifetime --is a giant step forward and something to build on.
The pressures and immediate reactions of our culture are traits that lead directly to false accusations and shallow thinking. My parents told me to think before I speak. Now people make a name for themselves -- and many make a living--by speaking before they think. My parents taught me to get the whole story before making a judgment. Now people make headlines and often financial profit from taking a slice of a story and deliberately distorting it. My debate coach taught me to make my best presentation with the facts but never falsify the facts. And now, people regularly falsify the facts without blinking. And, most importantly, my Christian faith taught me to do unto others what I would want others to do unto me...and to love others the way Jesus loved. Every day the media blasts -- and some specialize in--doing exactly the opposite. The worst of it all, in my opinion, is that some of those people who behave in overtly unchristian practices like to claim the name Christian.
At the same time, I have to savor some delight in hearing the vehement denials of Tea Party people that they are racist. As messy as this incident is, I can't help but see that as progress. 25 years ago in Mississippi, my experience with people who shared the same political anti-big-government philosophy of the Tea Party members was that they were racist and proud of it. Claiming to be a racist was a badge of honor--not only a common way of living in the world, but a proud, patriotic way to be citizens of this country. I am horrified that there are still elements of that philosophy -- people who openly, defiantly, unapologetically claim that they are white supremacists. But one interesting thing that this current flap points out is that even very politically conservative people in this country seem now to understand that being racially prejudiced violates the core values of our country. That's a big shift.
I still see a lot in our nation that tells me that racism is still eating away at our character and working its destructiveness in our society. But if we have come to a common, acknowledged recognition that racism is wrong, we have taken an essential step that---- just in my lifetime --is a giant step forward and something to build on.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Loving the questions
Oh, how I miss the theological exchanges that come in the course of pastoral ministry!
While I was raise in a church that valued the ANSWERS, I have grown to value the place of QUESTIONS and making room for questions.
This week, I called into a doctor's office with questions about an upcoming procedure. The receptionist said, "I'll have the nurse call back with the answer." To which I replied, "But you don't know my question!" The church of my life has often been like that -- giving an answer before knowing the question. Sometimes, it's the questions that make us grow most.
I've been thinking all week about a heartfelt and sincere question that was asked to my father by a young adult who has a very bright theological mind. The context was following a funeral of a wonderfully committed, devout Christian father, grandfather, great-grandfather. The funeral service included The Apostle's Creed...which led to my friend's question: "I've always wondered why the Creed jumps immediately from the birth of Jesus to his suffering and death, leaving out his life." I had to say it again to myself, kind of like I sing the songs with the disciples' names or the alphabet song to get the order right. But right there were the familiar words that made his question jump out: "born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried." I've repeated that creed thousands of times.
Now, because of the thoughtful question, I found myself asking the same thing: What about the LIFE of Jesus? What about the TEACHING of Jesus? What about the EXAMPLE of Jesus? Where is our affirmation of THAT?"
My view of the church from this post led to the immediate observation that, basically, church folks celebrate Christmas, sometimes remember the Passion, celebrate Easter and live as though the life, teaching and example of Jesus didn't mean a thing. Too many people's lives seem to indicate that the birth and death/resurrection are Sunday celebrations and everything in between is neglible. Just skip over the example of Jesus' love of sinners and forgiveness for all. Just ignore Jesus' clear warnings about the spiritual seduction of riches. By all means, don't get serious about loving others the way Jesus loved us. To hear some people talk -- people who quickly label themselves as Christians--care for the poor and welcome to the stranger are anti-Christian strategies to appeal to political correctness.
I doubt that a movement to enlarge the Apostles Creed would gain much traction. But maybe we could learn to remember that when we affirm the birth, suffering, death and resurrection of Christ that those are the bookends to a life that each of us are called to emulate. Thanks, dear friend, for the question. I, for one, will never say the Apostles Creed again without thinking about the life of Christ. We make our affirmation of the life of Christ in the way we live.
While I was raise in a church that valued the ANSWERS, I have grown to value the place of QUESTIONS and making room for questions.
This week, I called into a doctor's office with questions about an upcoming procedure. The receptionist said, "I'll have the nurse call back with the answer." To which I replied, "But you don't know my question!" The church of my life has often been like that -- giving an answer before knowing the question. Sometimes, it's the questions that make us grow most.
I've been thinking all week about a heartfelt and sincere question that was asked to my father by a young adult who has a very bright theological mind. The context was following a funeral of a wonderfully committed, devout Christian father, grandfather, great-grandfather. The funeral service included The Apostle's Creed...which led to my friend's question: "I've always wondered why the Creed jumps immediately from the birth of Jesus to his suffering and death, leaving out his life." I had to say it again to myself, kind of like I sing the songs with the disciples' names or the alphabet song to get the order right. But right there were the familiar words that made his question jump out: "born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried." I've repeated that creed thousands of times.
Now, because of the thoughtful question, I found myself asking the same thing: What about the LIFE of Jesus? What about the TEACHING of Jesus? What about the EXAMPLE of Jesus? Where is our affirmation of THAT?"
My view of the church from this post led to the immediate observation that, basically, church folks celebrate Christmas, sometimes remember the Passion, celebrate Easter and live as though the life, teaching and example of Jesus didn't mean a thing. Too many people's lives seem to indicate that the birth and death/resurrection are Sunday celebrations and everything in between is neglible. Just skip over the example of Jesus' love of sinners and forgiveness for all. Just ignore Jesus' clear warnings about the spiritual seduction of riches. By all means, don't get serious about loving others the way Jesus loved us. To hear some people talk -- people who quickly label themselves as Christians--care for the poor and welcome to the stranger are anti-Christian strategies to appeal to political correctness.
I doubt that a movement to enlarge the Apostles Creed would gain much traction. But maybe we could learn to remember that when we affirm the birth, suffering, death and resurrection of Christ that those are the bookends to a life that each of us are called to emulate. Thanks, dear friend, for the question. I, for one, will never say the Apostles Creed again without thinking about the life of Christ. We make our affirmation of the life of Christ in the way we live.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Dreaming of a Christian Nation
The birthday of our nation -- like the birthday of a life--is the time to remember the wonder and the dreams and the ideals of purpose. A few weeks ago, a letter to the editor in the Statesville Record and Landmark was slamming President Obama for just about every problem in the nation. The writer closed the letter by saying, "And, by the way, Mr. President, this is still a Christian nation."
Since reading that, I have been thinking about what that phrase might mean: "A Christian nation". This is what I am sure about:
A Christian nation would be a nation that followed the life, teaching and example of Christ. Christian = Christlike. And when I look at the life, teaching an example, these are the characteristics that I would say reflect Christ:
A welcome to all. You can't look at the life of Christ and miss his open heart to everyone: fishermen, tax collectors, zealots, women, lepers, demon-possessed, Roman centurians, Sanhedrin members... Someone (or nation) who is Christian (like Christ) has an open heart and love for all.
Perspective on wealth. While it is true that Jesus taught more about money than any other subject, his teaching was all geared to help people detach from money; to recongize that true security doesn't come from money; to warn about the seduction of money. Someone (or nation) who is Christian (like Christ) would trust in Christ for security and keep wealth in perspective.
Love for all--including all enemies-- and forgiveness for all those who do us wrong. God's love shown in Jesus was uncompromising good will and forgiveness for everyone. Someone (or nation) who is Christian (like Christ) would love their enemies as well as their friends and extend forgiveness to all who wrong them.
Concern for the poor. Jesus' New Commandment in John 15 becomes the high standard of Christian life: love one another the way Jesus loved us. He unfailingly taught that concern for the poor was inescapably linked with pleasing God. Jesus plainly taught that helping the least, the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the imprisoned were acts serving Christ himself. Any one (person or nation) who is Christian (Christ-like) would be devoted to concern and care for the poor.
A predisposition of grace. Jesus was graceful and extended grace to very human, fallible disciples. With the exception of the religious caught up in self-righteousness, Jesus didn't spend his time condemning others. He extended mercy, grace and second-chances. Any one (person or nation) who is Christian (Christ-like) would be graceful and merciful.
When I think about what it means to be a Christian, I have to disagree with the writer of the Letter to the Editor. We may have Christian roots, but across the country, we are not acting like Christians. Hostility to strangers, absorption with money as a source of entitlement and happiness, expressed hostility in every area of our national life, a disdain for the poor and resentment toward help for the poor, constant criticism, attacks and unforgiving spirits: there's no way the United States I observes qualifies as a Christian nation. Jesus said, "You are my friends if you do what I command you." (John 15:14)
I love this nation. I celebrate and revel in the freedoms we enjoy. It is my prayer today that we would rearrange our practices to reflect our ideals and become a nation that is Christ-like.
Since reading that, I have been thinking about what that phrase might mean: "A Christian nation". This is what I am sure about:
A Christian nation would be a nation that followed the life, teaching and example of Christ. Christian = Christlike. And when I look at the life, teaching an example, these are the characteristics that I would say reflect Christ:
A welcome to all. You can't look at the life of Christ and miss his open heart to everyone: fishermen, tax collectors, zealots, women, lepers, demon-possessed, Roman centurians, Sanhedrin members... Someone (or nation) who is Christian (like Christ) has an open heart and love for all.
Perspective on wealth. While it is true that Jesus taught more about money than any other subject, his teaching was all geared to help people detach from money; to recongize that true security doesn't come from money; to warn about the seduction of money. Someone (or nation) who is Christian (like Christ) would trust in Christ for security and keep wealth in perspective.
Love for all--including all enemies-- and forgiveness for all those who do us wrong. God's love shown in Jesus was uncompromising good will and forgiveness for everyone. Someone (or nation) who is Christian (like Christ) would love their enemies as well as their friends and extend forgiveness to all who wrong them.
Concern for the poor. Jesus' New Commandment in John 15 becomes the high standard of Christian life: love one another the way Jesus loved us. He unfailingly taught that concern for the poor was inescapably linked with pleasing God. Jesus plainly taught that helping the least, the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the imprisoned were acts serving Christ himself. Any one (person or nation) who is Christian (Christ-like) would be devoted to concern and care for the poor.
A predisposition of grace. Jesus was graceful and extended grace to very human, fallible disciples. With the exception of the religious caught up in self-righteousness, Jesus didn't spend his time condemning others. He extended mercy, grace and second-chances. Any one (person or nation) who is Christian (Christ-like) would be graceful and merciful.
When I think about what it means to be a Christian, I have to disagree with the writer of the Letter to the Editor. We may have Christian roots, but across the country, we are not acting like Christians. Hostility to strangers, absorption with money as a source of entitlement and happiness, expressed hostility in every area of our national life, a disdain for the poor and resentment toward help for the poor, constant criticism, attacks and unforgiving spirits: there's no way the United States I observes qualifies as a Christian nation. Jesus said, "You are my friends if you do what I command you." (John 15:14)
I love this nation. I celebrate and revel in the freedoms we enjoy. It is my prayer today that we would rearrange our practices to reflect our ideals and become a nation that is Christ-like.
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