My “status” on Facebook states, “Christy should get paid for how well she wastes time.” Tonight was no exception. I had every intention of writing a quick background summary regarding my leave of absence. However, I have spent the last five hours reading blogs, news articles, and (literally) hundreds of responses regarding Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama, and his speech last Tuesday on race. Some of those articles were:
- “Dr. Jeremiah Wright and preaching in the Black Church”, (A Debtor to Mercy)
- “Reformed Blacks on Black Liberation Theology, Wright, and Obama”, (Between Two Worlds)
- “Does Obama Have a Prayer”, (Reconciliation Blog)
- “Black Power from the Pulpit”, (Christianity Today)
- “Huckabee Defends Rev. Jeremiah Wright”, (Huffington Post)
- “The Audacity of Rev. Jeremiah Wright”, (Out of Ur)
- “The Audacity of Hope”, (Rev. Jeremiah Wright)
I didn’t plan on writing a mini-diatribe when I started reading tonight. However, I think my job compels me to understand these issues. The reality is that all of us come to any event (speech, book, activity, etc.) with a particular bias due to our heritage, culture, traditions, education, socioeconomic status, religion, denomination, and yes … race. To assume otherwise would be naive. Few people even attempt to understand or appreciate different points of view within any of these categories because it will:
- require effort,
- make people uncomfortable,
- cause both internal and interpersonal conflict,
- challenge the status quo (whether personally, familial, church, or otherwise),
- require a willingness to admit error,
- provide an opportunity to offer or receive grace, and
- involve change.
My post is not timely. The last several weeks have been distracting. The articles above will be difficult, frustrating, or even maddening, for some to read. However, it is never too late for both individual Christians and the church to consider our relationships, and to acknowledge the pain or fear of others. Too often Christians have trivialized similar issues as “merely” a political shenanigan, a ploy, an excuse or relegated these issues to particular churches, conferences, coalitions, etc.
Rather becoming embittered (on either side), the church must be willing to use political and social events as opportunities to study Scripture, reflect, and challenge our biases; especially when those opinions align more closely with a political or social party rather than Holy Scripture.
My question: What will it take for the average Christian in every neighborhood and community to speak and act as though all men (and women) deserve dignity as created images of God, that Christ’s death is sufficient for all creation, and that all fellow believers are family, brothers and sisters, in Christ (c.f., 1 John, Matthew 12:48-50, Matthew 22:37)? Will we even when it’s difficult, uncomfortable, or requires a huge amount of forgiveness or courage? Or will we get tired and return to our default mode of operation? Will I (or you) be the one to take a deep breath and hold out a hand?
How do we begin? …
… Borrowing the words of a friend … start small, start smart, but start now.
March 28, 2008 at 8:08 am
Hmmmm…when I heard Obama’s race speech, the thing that really struck me was that he understands covenant relationships. That just because you have a deep connection to someone that has impacted your life, doesn’t mean that you agree with them fully or expect them to be perfect. That you don’t abandon someone who has been significant in your life because of some of his viewpoints.
How many of us have had role models or “spiritual parents” that disappointed us by something they said or a stand they took on an issue? Would Jonathan have “disowned” David because of the incident with Bathsheeba? Should the Israelites have shunned or judged Solomon and rejected him as a king because he was the son of this atrocious sin and “must agree that’s it’s ok” by association?
What Rev. Wright has said was terrible, but I commend Barack for judging the man as a whole, while not agreeing with the entirety of what he says. Walking away would have been the easy thing to do. Having mercy and grace is the hard thing to do. I have to believe Rev. Wright is someone that Jesus would have “loved through this.”
The woman who led me to the Lord is someone very dear to me. But she has many views that I don’t ascribe to and has done some horrible things to her family in the past. These specific incidents have made me sad for her, but have not changed the impact she has had on me or the fact that I love her for leading me to the Lord. By getting to know her, many might want to assume that because of her influence on me, I must agree with her or approve of what she’s done, but that’s not the case. It’s just a covenant relationship–loving a person through their failings.
I’ve never commented on a blog before! Kinda scary exposing yourself for all the world to see! I could NEVER run for political office……
March 28, 2008 at 8:15 am
Maria,
… you have honestly touched on an aspect of the issue that I have not heard discussed. You are so right … mercy and grace is the hard thing to do. It’s funny how we crave it from others but have a hard time dispensing it. [Pot (me) calling any other kettle black!]
I really appreciate your post (and vulnerability)
Love you! Christy