Thank you, Paul. It's definitely a challenging time for pastors - and all of us! - to be both kind and respectful while yet courageous enough as we stand for the true and the beautiful. Appreciate you.
I simply cannot tell you how much I agree with this. Unfortunately, I have always been smart enough to recognize and affirm the truth you write here, but so weak that at the first push back I get when talking about theses issues, it becomes easy to give up. I feel like my whole life has been one of losing arguments like these with folks who are emotionally stronger than I, or more clever than I, or more dogged than I. I have lost arguments, and therefore votes, on the floor of my (PCUSA) presbytery and General Assembly related to some of the issues you reference. But now, especially related to Donald Trump, I'm unable to convince folks of the very issues you write about. Part of it is the disinformation that makes up the culture we inhabit (as Steve Bannon has advised, "fill the zone with shit"), but part of it is still my old familiar weakness. Literally my only hope is that where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more, and that Jesus is still on the throne. Thank you for your wonderful essay and your faithfulness to the Kingdom whose coming we both hope in.
Jim, thank you for your example. Like you, I've lost more votes and arguments than I can cost - from both "sides" of me. The disinformation problem is very real, but also helps me have some empathy with those who disagree - they are simply buying into another set of "facts" and there is little I can do about that. My only hope is that the Spirit within them will help them pick up on the angry tone and the slander often present in those circles, and seek to do better. But I mostly appreciate your own humility - we come with our own weaknesses, and often fail. Much prayer is needed re. when to speak and when to remain silent, "living to fight another day." And yes, one day the Kingdom will be here in fullness, and we can finally sigh a long breath - and rest. Every blessing, brother.
Spot on, but one criticism: MLK isn't a paragon of moral virtue, especially in sexual matters. But he continues to be lionized by many of the same people, the same Christian leaders (not including you), who courageously opposed Trump and chastised Christians who overlooked his sins. My criticisms of MLK have not been appreciated by people who loathe Trump. It's almost as if there is some relative scale, or some grading on a curve.
I've considered that. But this article is discussing courage - including the courage to confess one's own sins. It's a good prayer, and MLK was nothing if not publicly courageous. He has other prayers (e.g. the Kitchen Prayer) in which he confesses his fearfulness and need for strength. There have been many political leaders with flaws (esp. in sexual ethics), but few that have been as openly amoral as Trump. There is a difference, especially when Trump is attempting to normalize amorality, threats and violence. MLK was insistent that his movement remain non-violent. Thank you for reading and commenting!
BTW, it's interesting that others quoted the Holland poem (e.g. during Watergate), but most (like MLK) left out the last four lines about distrusting the masses. I left that in the poem at the beginning, both for integrity and because I think it is relevant to our day. Again, thank you!
Marvelous essay, Chris. Several standout statements leap from the virtual page as talismans for our times. But before I share the post, I wanted to check about fixing a pair of Kevin DeYoung spellings. In the subtitle and Graph 2 of the Author's Note, there is what I believe to be the incorrect spelling of "Keven," while in the first text-spelling below the second-section subhead, "DeYoung on Cheney," "Kevin" looks kosher again. A mere trifle, though, in a trenchant and triumphant essay. Many thanks for your courage and eloquence.
I appreciate that. Extra eyes always help and I want to be as respectful as I can to all involved. I will edit (since it does not change content). Thank you for your encouragement!
I added a sentence at the end of the fifth paragraph of the section, "Courage in our Place and Time" - "And even if it never effects us personally, what ever happened to the Christian ethic of loving our neighbor and caring for the “least of these” among us, those who will be hurt by a lessening of civil rights safeguards?"
I added this because I realized I fell into a utilitarian, and self-oriented form of argumentation in the sentence before.
I came across this post belatedly but even so, several months ago—it’s now September 2024. I was inclined to comment then but thought the better of it. Nevertheless, I find myself so inclined again with an even greater sense of urgency and grief.
There is much more to hear and to say on this subject but let me say only this: I fear the “problem” amongst evangelical (including Reformed) pastors (and laity) vis a vis our socio-political posture, words and deeds is even greater than that of a lack of courage, greater even than rank cowardice.
I fear we are afflicted with the inability to SEE! Our moral and spiritual vision is so distorted and impaired, we are in such an intoxicated stupor, symptomatic of a most disabling malady, that we are not only blind to what is wrong in our hearts and in our midst but we actually call what is wrong, RIGHT and vice versa!!
Have mercy O Lord! Please don’t leave us in our blindness too much longer,. Awaken us, please! Heal us that we might see— and repent and repair. For the sake of your Name, for the sake of your Body and for the sake of the wounded, wary, watching and needy unbelieving neighbors in whose midst you have put us.
Courageous, God bless your eloquent defense of a Holy backbone.
Thank you, Paul. It's definitely a challenging time for pastors - and all of us! - to be both kind and respectful while yet courageous enough as we stand for the true and the beautiful. Appreciate you.
I simply cannot tell you how much I agree with this. Unfortunately, I have always been smart enough to recognize and affirm the truth you write here, but so weak that at the first push back I get when talking about theses issues, it becomes easy to give up. I feel like my whole life has been one of losing arguments like these with folks who are emotionally stronger than I, or more clever than I, or more dogged than I. I have lost arguments, and therefore votes, on the floor of my (PCUSA) presbytery and General Assembly related to some of the issues you reference. But now, especially related to Donald Trump, I'm unable to convince folks of the very issues you write about. Part of it is the disinformation that makes up the culture we inhabit (as Steve Bannon has advised, "fill the zone with shit"), but part of it is still my old familiar weakness. Literally my only hope is that where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more, and that Jesus is still on the throne. Thank you for your wonderful essay and your faithfulness to the Kingdom whose coming we both hope in.
Jim, thank you for your example. Like you, I've lost more votes and arguments than I can cost - from both "sides" of me. The disinformation problem is very real, but also helps me have some empathy with those who disagree - they are simply buying into another set of "facts" and there is little I can do about that. My only hope is that the Spirit within them will help them pick up on the angry tone and the slander often present in those circles, and seek to do better. But I mostly appreciate your own humility - we come with our own weaknesses, and often fail. Much prayer is needed re. when to speak and when to remain silent, "living to fight another day." And yes, one day the Kingdom will be here in fullness, and we can finally sigh a long breath - and rest. Every blessing, brother.
"As Martin Luther King Jr. prayed...."
Spot on, but one criticism: MLK isn't a paragon of moral virtue, especially in sexual matters. But he continues to be lionized by many of the same people, the same Christian leaders (not including you), who courageously opposed Trump and chastised Christians who overlooked his sins. My criticisms of MLK have not been appreciated by people who loathe Trump. It's almost as if there is some relative scale, or some grading on a curve.
I've considered that. But this article is discussing courage - including the courage to confess one's own sins. It's a good prayer, and MLK was nothing if not publicly courageous. He has other prayers (e.g. the Kitchen Prayer) in which he confesses his fearfulness and need for strength. There have been many political leaders with flaws (esp. in sexual ethics), but few that have been as openly amoral as Trump. There is a difference, especially when Trump is attempting to normalize amorality, threats and violence. MLK was insistent that his movement remain non-violent. Thank you for reading and commenting!
Fair enough.
BTW, it's interesting that others quoted the Holland poem (e.g. during Watergate), but most (like MLK) left out the last four lines about distrusting the masses. I left that in the poem at the beginning, both for integrity and because I think it is relevant to our day. Again, thank you!
Marvelous essay, Chris. Several standout statements leap from the virtual page as talismans for our times. But before I share the post, I wanted to check about fixing a pair of Kevin DeYoung spellings. In the subtitle and Graph 2 of the Author's Note, there is what I believe to be the incorrect spelling of "Keven," while in the first text-spelling below the second-section subhead, "DeYoung on Cheney," "Kevin" looks kosher again. A mere trifle, though, in a trenchant and triumphant essay. Many thanks for your courage and eloquence.
I appreciate that. Extra eyes always help and I want to be as respectful as I can to all involved. I will edit (since it does not change content). Thank you for your encouragement!
I added a sentence at the end of the fifth paragraph of the section, "Courage in our Place and Time" - "And even if it never effects us personally, what ever happened to the Christian ethic of loving our neighbor and caring for the “least of these” among us, those who will be hurt by a lessening of civil rights safeguards?"
I added this because I realized I fell into a utilitarian, and self-oriented form of argumentation in the sentence before.
Dear Chris
I came across this post belatedly but even so, several months ago—it’s now September 2024. I was inclined to comment then but thought the better of it. Nevertheless, I find myself so inclined again with an even greater sense of urgency and grief.
There is much more to hear and to say on this subject but let me say only this: I fear the “problem” amongst evangelical (including Reformed) pastors (and laity) vis a vis our socio-political posture, words and deeds is even greater than that of a lack of courage, greater even than rank cowardice.
I fear we are afflicted with the inability to SEE! Our moral and spiritual vision is so distorted and impaired, we are in such an intoxicated stupor, symptomatic of a most disabling malady, that we are not only blind to what is wrong in our hearts and in our midst but we actually call what is wrong, RIGHT and vice versa!!
Have mercy O Lord! Please don’t leave us in our blindness too much longer,. Awaken us, please! Heal us that we might see— and repent and repair. For the sake of your Name, for the sake of your Body and for the sake of the wounded, wary, watching and needy unbelieving neighbors in whose midst you have put us.