Good stuff! I have a podcast guest on tomorrow that talks about being anti-racial and similar things about not diving people but focusing on commonalities.
The main problem I see in the way this works itself out in the Mainline is theological. There is no forgiveness. It is all guilt and wallowing and repentance and confession and self-examination and accepting everyone else’s judgement and NOT ONCE have I ever heard a church leader or seminar speaker or anyone else pronounce the absolution. These things are all attempting to drive confession of complicity in Sins Against DEI, and some people are genuinely moved to repentance and begin to see things in a different light and cultivate more love for our neighbors and the only result is that we get more lectures and more seminars and more guilt. Nobody ever says “At the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins. Go in peace.” Maybe we Christians could try that, and see how it goes?
I’m not clear what the DEI or identity politics of church you are talking about. Is there a specific program that you are referring to? Or like putting up a Black Lives Matter flag or something? Or anti-racism training/reflections?
No, none of the above. I’m trying to articulate, perhaps poorly, that I think it’s essential to operate from a posture of grace and unity rather than difference.
Okay! I’ll re-read. BTW, along these lines, I have been using the response that Rev. Barber’s Moral Mass meeting used on January 20 during worship. It’s been simple and unifying in this strange, chaotic time.
Great article! St. Paul’s body and parts comes to mind as well. While it’s important to recognize the diversity of individual body parts, it’s their coming together as the One Body of Christ that’s of greatest importance.
I appreciate your nuances and willingness to ask questions. There are many shades of gray here.
Good stuff! I have a podcast guest on tomorrow that talks about being anti-racial and similar things about not diving people but focusing on commonalities.
The main problem I see in the way this works itself out in the Mainline is theological. There is no forgiveness. It is all guilt and wallowing and repentance and confession and self-examination and accepting everyone else’s judgement and NOT ONCE have I ever heard a church leader or seminar speaker or anyone else pronounce the absolution. These things are all attempting to drive confession of complicity in Sins Against DEI, and some people are genuinely moved to repentance and begin to see things in a different light and cultivate more love for our neighbors and the only result is that we get more lectures and more seminars and more guilt. Nobody ever says “At the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, I forgive you all your sins. Go in peace.” Maybe we Christians could try that, and see how it goes?
I have another post coming to this point.
I’m not clear what the DEI or identity politics of church you are talking about. Is there a specific program that you are referring to? Or like putting up a Black Lives Matter flag or something? Or anti-racism training/reflections?
No, none of the above. I’m trying to articulate, perhaps poorly, that I think it’s essential to operate from a posture of grace and unity rather than difference.
Okay! I’ll re-read. BTW, along these lines, I have been using the response that Rev. Barber’s Moral Mass meeting used on January 20 during worship. It’s been simple and unifying in this strange, chaotic time.
We are called to unity.
We are called to justice.
We are called for such a time as this.
With faith, we unite.
With hope, we persist.
With love, we journey toward justice.
Great article! St. Paul’s body and parts comes to mind as well. While it’s important to recognize the diversity of individual body parts, it’s their coming together as the One Body of Christ that’s of greatest importance.