Category: Theological Rant
A Time and a Place
Some of my colleagues struggle, as do I, with addressing the issues of the day, particularly political polarization and other social issues from the pulpit. There are some “safe” topics depending on your setting. Some argue that ministers can’t help but be political because Jesus was. That’s an act of interpretation when dealing with ancient texts and applying them to time outside of their own. It is the work of determining what is exegesis and what is eisegesis. As the gospel writers gave Jesus a backstory, they projected their own contextual issues onto Jesus and into the pesky peasant from Galilee life’s story proclaiming the empire of God. I should note that certain forms of fundamentalism and evangelicalism within Christendom and other religious traditions, don’t have a problem with being political as their sense of the Holy’s blessing and certainty of their righteousness requires them to evangelize, organize, and dominate the world. The Crusades is an example. There are modern examples that you can name.
I was educated for ministry in a time when the roles of a minister were described as preacher, teacher, priest (pastor), and prophet. Like so much of 21st century living, these have been compartmentalized and as such lost the wholeness of Jesus’ example, and that of the early followers of the Way, as a counter-cultural existence. My companion, the Hebrew bible scholar, is amused and frustrated with the idea that someone is now going to “be prophetic” from the pulpit or in some other setting as if that is different from the ministry to which one has been called. Said another way, Jesus proclaimed the good news of God. Sometimes he used words.
Speaking of words, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington D.C. offers a good example for those who dance the tango of speaking on behalf of the community of faith and on behalf of the Holy in their context. Situational listening always happens no matter the time and no matter the place.
A day of contrast in the story of these United States
In times like these it is one of those rare days when the contrast is clear about a great many things.
The inauguration of the 47th President, President Trump. He is a flawed human being. There has been a lot of reflection about this last election cycle. I think it is pretty simple. Trump ran a WWE style campaign and will continue to do it with rallies during his Presidency. That’s what his Chief of Staff knows best. He embraced the bad boy character and played it all the way to the Whitehouse and the GOP claimed both houses of Congress that way. They told a religious story about Trump, Vance, and are doing the same with some of those wanting to serve in the Cabinet who are unqualified, and yet, will be confirmed. They flexed in the ring by packing the court, outside the boundaries of tradition beginning with Senator McConnell withholding a SCOTUS seat vacant from former President Obama. All the things the GOP and Trump accuse the Democratic party of doing in private, Trump and the GOP simply do in public and dare anyone to hold them accountable. They will claim all kinds of unfairness and injustice. He will and they will send the mob for you. Does that sound like America?
A majority of my neighbors and family, small as it may be, voted for a candidate and party that governs by reign. Many or most claim Christian faith. It began with Newt Gingrich fueled by a religious group that called itself the Moral Majority. The next President fancies himself a strongman, like Putin, and desires that kind of absolute power and wealth. On SiriusXM the amount of ads for Trump stuff has increased in the last month. Cologne and a crypto coin are being pushed from President Trump’s voice. A step up from hats and t-shirts. He introduces his ads with, “This is you favorite president, President Trump.” I laughed out loud when I first heard it. Now, I look for another channel, but it’s all over SiriusXM. It’s just simple greed. President Trump will promise a lot and deliver on many of those promises through fear of making him mad at you. He will use social media, Musk, and anyone else that enriches Trump like every strongman in any Western movie. Who knows if, like in the movies, some enablers feel regret and do the right thing in the end for the common good. That’s in contrast today.
The celebration and remembrance of Martin Luther King Jr. day. He worked to expand rights and freedom. He was a flawed human being. As I think about times like these, I return to MLK’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.” Does that invitation sound like America?
Oh, and the National Championship game in college football is tonight. A nice distraction or something else?