Christian Ethics Today A Journal of Christian Ethics Volume 22, Number 3 Aggregate Issue 94 Summer 2014

“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord’” Isaiah 40:3; John 1:23

ARTICLES

My Grandfather Was Undocumented Patrick Anderson, editor...... 2

A Small Step Towards Peace Tony Campolo...... 3

ESSAYS ON IMMIGRATION

Politicians and the Bible Conflict on Immigration Randall Balmer...... 5

Evangelicals and Immigration – 1940s Style Miles Mullin...... 7

Illegal Immigration of Children: The Underlying Problem Roger E. Olson...... 9

ESSAYS FROM EXPERIENCE

Living in a Changing World…Personal Reflections Carolyn Weatherford Crumpler..... 11

Apocalyptic Sex: Lest we forget Bill Leonard...... 14

Sexuality, Health, Faith and Healing Devon Dick...... 16

Deafen the Silence Robert J. Peters...... 19

What is Your Occupation? Joe E. Trull...... 21

Oh God, Please Let My Team Win. Please. Amen Joseph L. Price...... 22

Ferguson Letter from Black Clergy Adelle Banks...... 24

Euphemisms for Death Marion D. Aldridge...... 25

BOOK REVIEWS

Redeemer: The Life of Jimmy Carter by Randall Balmer reviewed by Darold Morgan....26

A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence, and Power by Jimmy Carter reviewed by Darold Morgan.....26 KUDZU by Doug Marlette My Grandfather was Undocumented By Patrick Anderson, editor

atrick Christopher Malone, my made a deal with the captain to keep and oppression back home. The tra- Pmaternal grandfather whom I him upon arrival in America. They vails they suffer while traveling from always called “Pop,” was born in took him to their ranch in Central Central America, through Mexico, Dublin sometime in the second half Florida, treating him a bit like an and into the arms of the representa- of the 1800s. He forgot, or perhaps indentured servant, where he spent tives of this Land of Opportunity never knew, his birthdate, so the exact the rest of his childhood and young sound as dangerous and uncertain as date is not clear. His listed age on the adulthood until he married my grand- my grandfather’s voyage across the marriage license in 1909 was 32, but mother, Ruby, from Cedar Key. Atlantic Ocean. I cannot help but that was just an educated guess. He labored hard as a skilled crafts- imagine a frightened little boy on a Whatever the date, he was born into man, working on ships in the port of ship, stealing food when he could, a very difficult time in Ireland. When Jacksonville. As an overseer, he had to keeping out of sight, snatched up both of his parents died he was sent calculate the wages of his workers and, from his hidey hole, and brought across the channel to Liverpool to live since he was illiterate, he would mem- before the captain. I see him hungry, with an uncle, perhaps around the orize and calculate the work product smelly, dirty, terrified, and hopeless. age of five or six. That uncle was cruel of his men and recite that data to his I also see a very brave boy, inspir- and abusive. Pop ran away and began wife (“Granny” to me), on Thursdays ing in his audacity. I cannot imagine to live on the docks along the port of so she could write it down for him to that he cried or begged. He probably Liverpool, making his way by singing, give to the paymaster on Fridays. He took swings at the crewman who dancing, and reciting limericks and built a house, raised two daughters found him. His advantages were that poems for whomever he could get to (my mother and her older sister); the he spoke English, had a great smile listen and smile and give him a coin. older sister (my aunt) earned a degree and personality, and knew how to He was part of a group of young boys from Columbia University in New make people laugh. His good fortune living unattended on the docks who York City. He had a wonderful repu- was that a family took him in. It is were considered vagrants and urchins. tation. my good fortune to have some of his I can only imagine what that life must When World War I broke out, the genes, to be part of his lineage, some- have been like. He never learned to shipyards became very active. He times to feel his spirit and to bear his read or write, but he did learn to took the opportunity to go to Cuba name, Patrick. fight. to work on shipbuilding, and all-in- I hear some heartless politicians The active ship traffic in and out all provided a very good livelihood pontificate about how we need to seal of Liverpool offered him a glimpse of for his family. The house he built our borders, ship those kids at our life beyond the port. He must have still stands. The flagpole he installed Southern border back to where they heard stories about the land of oppor- beside the back steps is still there. He came from no matter what future tunity called America, and observed was very patriotic. My mother said he awaits them, and to protect America the heavy flow of people toward that was incredibly happy when he became from the expense and trouble they place. Somehow, he and a friend a US citizen. Granny helped him bring with them. I see the pictures of sneaked aboard a schooner bound for study for the citizenship exam, and the young, dirty, frightened children, the United States and hid as stow- he relished memorizing documents of unable to speak English or to make aways. A few days out to sea, he was our history. I have the picture of him people laugh. I feel the little boy in discovered hiding in the ship’s hold, at the swearing-in ceremony, standing myself being found in a hidey hole, and was brought before the captain straight, looking at the camera with and brought before scary authorities. who told him he would work for his a proud smile. He must have erected My grandfather’s fellow stowaway passage and then be promptly sent the flagpole during that time, and I – his young friend -- was sent back back to Liverpool. remember him running the flag up in to Liverpool. We never learned what He must have been a charmer. I the mornings and down in the eve- happened to him. I wonder if young remember him as an old man telling nings. Patrick had also been sent back, stories, quoting poems and limericks, I think of my Pop when I see the whether he would have survived and occasionally shuffling into a pictures of the children intercepted either on the voyage or on the docks tap dance. A man and his wife from on the southern border of Texas, of Liverpool. ■ Florida were on the same ship and New Mexico, Arizona, and California took a liking to the young Pat, and who have fled hardship and danger

2 • SUMMER 2014 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY A Small Step Towards Peace from Red Letter Christians By Tony Campolo

esus once said that if we are faith- ment argues that it is not devoid of Secondly, Christians, Jews, and Jful in little things, He would humanitarian impulses and would Muslims working together in such a make us the ruler over great things be more than willing to sell such humanitarian cause would do much (Matthew 25:21). To that end, we essentials and use Israeli vehicles to to improve the image that many Red Letter Christians want to offer carry them in to the people in the secularists have of religion. With all a proposal of one small step towards Gaza Strip. The problem is that the the evil that has been done in the resolving the Israeli/Palestinian con- Palestinians living there are extremely name of God, a joint effort by the flict in the Holy Land. It’s a little poor, and the cost of buying these three major world religions could do thing that could have great conse- essentials is so high that they cannot the reputation of religion in general a quences. afford to purchase what they need lot of good. This small step toward peace which from the State of Israel. Recently, hostility has been grow- I am suggesting has to do with a way The proposal I am offering here is ing between Jewish and Christian of overcoming the dire effects of the that Christians, Jews, and Muslims Zionists and certain Protestant blockade of the Gaza Strip by the here in the United States raise funds to denominations that have condemned Israeli government and its army. I purchase the food, medicines, and other the blockade and have called for an suggest it is a way people of good will embargo on any goods produced by on all sides of this conflict might see Israeli companies based in Jewish as something they can do together. settlements in the West Bank. There Presently, we know that any This proposal would create a even has been a call for divestiture of attempts to break the blockade have win-win situation for almost investments in all Israeli companies been stopped by the Israelis because all parties involved in this as long as the blockade continues. they fear that shipments going The Pope, speaking for the Roman into the Gaza Strip from the out- difficult impasse. Catholic Church, has made pro- side, which they could not control, nouncements condemning both the might provide a means for militant blockade and the illegal settlements Palestinians and those who sympa- essentials that those who live in the in the West Bank. Too often such thize with them to carry war materi- Gaza Strip require for survival. This condemnation ends up being defined als into the Gaza Strip. The Israelis joint organization would then buy as being anti-Semitic. This has are afraid that rockets from countries the desperately needed things from harmed interfaith relations. Christian such as Egypt and Iran could easily the Israelis and have the Israeli gov- critics of Israel, working along with be smuggled into the Gaza Strip and ernment utilize its own trucks to ship other Christians, and joined by Jews lobbed over the wall that separates them into the blockaded area. This and Muslims, working to alleviate Gaza from Israel. An end of the proposal would create a win-win situ- the sufferings of the Palestinians in blockade might well mean a greater ation for almost all parties involved the Gaza Strip, would send a strong propensity for guns to end up in the in this difficult impasse. message about the altruism inherent hands of terrorists. First of all, the Israeli government in each of these groups. Working There is little question in anyone’s would be free from the accusation together, they would actualize the mind that there have been con- that it is inhumane in keeping essen- spirit of reconciliation. Zionist certed efforts by the pro-Palestinian tial food and medicine out of the groups, both Jewish and Christian, nations that surround Israel to make hands of needy Palestinians living in that have been unfairly vilified weapons available to such terrorist the Gaza Strip. The blockade of Gaza as being opposed to humanitar- organizations as Hamas. This would has earned the Israelis a very negative ian efforts that would benefit the encourage and support attacks on the image among the rest of the peoples Palestinians in the Gaza Strip would, Israelis, whom they have sworn to of the world, most of whom view with these efforts, do much to over- drive out of the Holy Land. the blockade as an instrument of the come the negative image they have in The blockade, however, has pre- Israeli government that makes the some quarters. vented essential medicines, food, Palestinians suffer. This bad image Muslims here in the United States and fuel for motor vehicles from would be somewhat overcome if would have an opportunity to reach getting to the Palestinians who live Israel cooperated in the implementa- out to their Islamic brothers and sis- in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli govern- tion of this proposal. ters who are suffering because of the

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • SUMMER 2014 • 3 blockade. Such an effort might even experience some deliverance from I suggest that this is one way to put be joined by Muslims of good will their present suffering. our money where our mouths are. ■ in the Arab countries that surround We all know that the privation suf- Israel, and contribute to the wellbe- fered by the Palestinians as a result Tony Campolo is professor emeritus at ing of those presently being victim- of the Israeli blockade has encour- Eastern University in Philadelphia, ized by the blockade. aged terrorists to respond with vio- and is a member of the Board of Finally, the people in the Gaza lence, and made it easy for them to Christian Ethics Today. He is founder Strip would be blessed by this effort, recruit young people for their radical of the website, Red Letter Christians, which might have a very positive organizations. This proposal might which is a forum for persons who take effect on the ways in which they help counteract all of that. Here’s the words of Jesus seriously, and try to relate to all the groups cited above. a chance, in the words of Jesus, “To relate them to contemporary personal The most important thing is that overcome evil with good!” and social problems. these desperately needy people would For those of us who want peace,

Ethics Bytes:

Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Views of the War in Gaza

Most Israelis blame the war in Gaza squarely on Hamas, though there are plenty who fault the Israeli government for not pursuing peace more aggressively. In the haredi Orthodox community, however, where practically everything is ascribed to the omnipres- ent hand of God in one form or another, the true cause of Israel’s troubles is seen as something else: sin, with the troubles Israel’s punishment. Which sin? Take your pick. One haredi rabbi thinks a gay pride parade in Tel Aviv is to blame for the kidnapping and murder of three Israeli teens in the West Bank. Rabbi Amnon Yitzhak, a Sephardic rabbinic leader, said “God brought Hamas because ‘the world has filled with hamas’ now,” according to the haredi blog Vos Iz Neias. The Hebrew word “hamas” means evil or corruption. Rabbi Aron Teitelbaum, one of the Satmar rebbes and a vocal anti-Zionist, blamed the kidnapped boys’ parents and the “desire for Jews to inhabit the entire State of Israel.” He told his yeshiva in Kiryas Joel, a Satmar community north of New York City, “(It) is incumbent upon us to say that these parents are guilty…They caused the deaths of their sons and they must do t’shuva [repent] for their actions.” Rabbi Shalom Cohen of the Sephardic Orthodox Shas party said Israel doesn’t need an army because “It is God almighty who fights for Israel.” While many haredim avoid guessing at the Divine reasons for catastrophe in Israel (at least publicly), there is universal consensus that prayer and the performance of mitzvot (fulfilling the Torah’s com- mandments) constitute the best ways to ward off further disasters. In a statement issued by Agudath Israel, Rabbi Avi Shafran wrote: “We must remember that… it is therefore to Hashem that we must focus our entreaties with special intensity at this critical time. Our prayers should include entreaties for the wellbeing of our fellow Jews under attack, as well as for those who are risking their lives to defend them and defeat those who wish us harm.” One of the more unusual initiatives to bring peace to Israel through the performance of mitzvot is Chabad’s Project EDEN (Eat ice cream Defend Eretz Yisroel Now), which rewards modestly attired female Chabad campers with ice cream. Organizers believe that having women dress modestly will bring Israel Divine protection.

Source: Miriam Moster at http://www.jta.org/2014/07/23/news-opinion/the-telegraph/the-israel- hamas-war-through-haredi-orthodox-eyes#ixzz39dl62ppW

4 • SUMMER 2014 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY Essays From Experience Randall Balmer: Politicians and the Bible Have Randall Balmer Conflicting Message on Immigrants

For the Valley News politicians ample opportunity for the United States.” Last November, Sunday, August 3, 2014 demagoguery. When Nancy Pelosi, Gohmert declared that American (Published in print: Sunday, August the House minority leader, asked foreign policy should be based on the 3, 2014) Americans to recognize “the spark of Bible. divinity” in these displaced children, Similarly, in an appearance on Fox he images are searing, the sto- reminding us that “we are all God’s News, Palin said: “Go back to what Tries nothing short of tragic. children,” Sarah Palin, the former our founders and our founding docu- Thousands of women and children governor of Alaska, mocked Pelosi. ments meant — they’re quite clear have been detained at the border Palin later expressed compassion for — that we would create law based between Texas and Mexico. immigrants in “horrendous condi- on the God of the Bible and the Ten They tell harrowing stories of tions,” although her solution was to Commandments.” harassment by gangs, of family ramp up deportation; she suggested I wonder what the “God of the members killed or simply “missing.” that President Obama had orchestrat- Bible” would have to say about the Assault. Grinding poverty. The condi- ed the crisis and used the issue once immigration crisis at our border. tions in such places as El Salvador, Let’s start with the Hebrew Bible. Honduras and Guatemala are so “Do not oppress a foreigner,” we read unbearable that these immigrants, in Exodus 23. “You yourselves know including unaccompanied children, But the crisis has also how it feels to be foreigners, because many of them orphans, have left provided politicians you were foreigners in Egypt.” The everything behind for a perilous ample opportunity for Hebrew Bible often instructs the journey north across Mexico to the Israelites to treat strangers with kind- United States. Some have acted on a demagoguery. ness and compassion precisely because rumor that the American government they were once aliens themselves. The has offered a brief window for asylum. corollary here is that United States They were apprehended at the border again to call for impeachment. has often been described as a nation and are now confined in facilities Texas Congressman Louis of immigrants, which suggests that across the Southwest, from Texas to Gohmert compared the influx of all of us (Native Americans excepted) California. Some are living in dog immigrant children to D-Day at once were foreigners. kennels, waiting. Waiting for what? Normandy and demanded that the Leviticus (one of the Religious Provisions. Rest. Safety. Reuniting administration “use whatever means,” Right’s favorite sources because of its with family. A glimmer of hope. The including troops and military hard- apparent condemnation of homo- dread of deportation. ware, to stanch the invasion. “Our sexuality) contains plenty of advice The Obama administration has continued existence is at risk with for dealing with aliens. “And if a asked Congress for several billion dol- what’s going on at the southern bor- stranger dwells with you in your land, lars to deal with the problem, which der,” Gohmert declared in a speech you shall not mistreat him,” Leviticus apparently means little more than on the House floor. He pegged this 19 reads: “The stranger who dwells accelerating the deportation process. “vast invasion” of immigrants at among you shall be to you as one The governor of Texas has deployed “hundreds of thousands.” born among you, and you shall love National Guard troops to the border Like Palin, Gohmert is a darling of him as yourself; for you were strang- and surveyed the area from a helicop- both the Tea Party and the Religious ers in the land of Egypt: I am the ter. Right. In 2011, Gohmert introduced Lord your God.” Further along, we This humanitarian crisis has a resolution that would designate find guidance for feeding strangers brought out the best in many the first weekend in May as “Ten in our midst: “When you reap the Americans. Various religious and relief Commandments Weekend.” The harvest of your land, do not reap to organizations have provided food and measure would encourage “citizens of the very edges of your field or gather medical supplies. Glenn Beck has dis- all faiths and religious persuasions to the gleanings of your harvest,” we patched truckloads of teddy bears and reflect on the important impact that read in Leviticus 23. “Leave them for soccer balls to detention centers. the Ten Commandments have had on the poor and for the foreigner resid- But the crisis has also provided the people and national character of ing among you.” Still later, Leviticus

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • SUMMER 2014 • 5 suggests that aliens should be treated of partisan rancor, a hobbled presi- prepared to welcome foreigners at our equally: “You are to have the same dent and a dysfunctional Congress. southern borders as the Israelites were law for the foreigner and the native- Should these youthful immigrants be enjoined to welcome strangers and as born.” considered intruders or refugees? Will Jesus called on his followers to show In the New Testament, Jesus beck- massive deportation solve the crisis hospitality to “the least of these”? oned his followers to care for “the and discourage others from attempt- We hear a lot of talk these days about least of these,” a description that I ing such a hazardous and uncertain the United States as a “Christian suspect would apply to the refugees journey? Is a return to violence and nation,” a time when politicians rant at detention centers on the border. gang-infested nations akin to turning about placing the Bible at the center Jesus later described those who would away Jewish refugees from the hor- of our public life, even to the point be admitted into the kingdom of rors of Nazi Germany? Finally, and of explicitly guiding our policies. heaven as those who demonstrated most fundamentally, are Americans As Palin said, we should “create law acts of kindness toward people in based on the God of the Bible.” need. Those gestures would be reck- Maybe, just maybe, before politi- oned as though they were directed to Are Americans prepared to cians make such declarations, they Jesus himself: “For I was hungry and should take a moment to consider you gave me something to eat, I was welcome foreigners at our just what the God of the Bible has to thirsty and you gave me something southern borders as the say. ■ to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and Israelites were enjoined to Randall Balmer, chair of the Religion you clothed me, I was sick and you welcome strangers and as Department at Dartmouth College, looked after me, I was in prison and is working on a documentary about you came to visit me.” Jesus called on his followers Orthodoxy in Alaska. His most recent The masses huddled at our south- to show hospitality to “the book is Redeemer: The Life of Jimmy ern border represent a humanitarian Carter. crisis as well as a formidable political least of these”? conundrum, especially during a time

A stranger you shall not do harm, neither shall you violently oppress, for you are no strangers to oppression. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Mitzrayim. Lev. 19:33-34; Ex. 22:20

6 • SUMMER 2014 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY Evangelicals and Immigration–1940s Style by Miles Mullin, II

Give me your tired, your poor, tioners and laypeople associated with returned to their home countries. Your huddled masses yearning to the movement. Others, who anticipated maltreat- breathe free, While neo-evangelical intellectuals ment in their countries of origin, The wretched refuse of your teeming worked to engage the scholarly cur- refused to do so. Many of these had shore. rents prevalent in Western culture, opposed the Nazis, were Jewish, Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to pastors, missionaries, ecclesiastical or were escaping from the com- me, leaders, and laypeople were confront- munist governments taking control I lift my lamp beside the golden door! ed by a world thrown into turmoil in Eastern Europe. Each DP that by World War II and its aftershocks. refused to return to his/her home hese words, ascribed on a bronze As the world grew smaller due to country violated numerous legal Tplaque affixed to the pedes- technological developments and strictures. Even so—and regardless of tal of the Statue of Liberty, were media advances, these laypeople the fact that he could not verify their penned by American poet Emma and ecclesiastical leaders regularly stories—General Dwight Eisenhower Lazarus. Originally written to help encountered suffering on the “other declined to forcibly repatriate them. raise money to fund pedestal con- side of the world” right in their As a result, three years after VE struction, “The New Colossus” Day, the United States passed the portrays the statue as the “Mother of Displaced Persons Act of 1948, tem- Exiles” whose “beacon-hand glows Seeing those in need, the porarily enlarging immigration quo- world-wide welcome,” encapsulat- tas in order to welcome such people. ing a vision of America as a land of words of a Jesus concerning The Act made provision for just over opportunity for immigrants. Lazarus the “least of these” spurred 200,000 of these people to immi- understood the promise that America them to address the spiritual grate to the United States. held for those wishing to emigrate. Barely four years old at the time, the A part of the migration of Sephardic and physical needs of the National Association of Evangelicals Jews to America, her own family suc- world (NAE) unhesitatingly agreed to the ceeded in the United States, rising State Department’s request that it into the upper class. sponsor 3,000 such displaced persons Like the “Mother of Exiles,” in homes and churches. Seeing those in (DPs). Leaders hustled into action, the mid-twentieth century neo- need, the words of a Jesus concern- raising monies and educating their evangelicals welcomed immigrants ing the “least of these” in Matthew constituency regarding the whys and traveling from some “teeming shore” 25 spurred them to address the spiri- hows of sponsorship. Even the aged across the Atlantic. Like Emma tual and physical needs of the world grandfather of neo-evangelicalism, J. Lazarus, they recognized the promise just as their heady coreligionists Elwin Wright, got in on the action, that America held for those wishing attempted to address the scholars in pressing for support in “Shall DP’s to emigrate from Europe. Embracing Cambridge, New Haven, Chicago, Have a Chance to Live Again?” the “activism” characteristic of evan- and Berkeley. To wit, they founded published in the February 15, 1949 gelicalism, after World War II, they several evangelical global relief agen- edition of United Evangelical Action, helped settle such persons in the cies, an evangelical child welfare the NAE’s official organ. By autumn United States. agency, and several other ministries 1949, NAE-affiliated evangelicals Recent books like histo- focused on meeting the needs of had sponsored nearly 500 DP’s. In rian Molly Worthen’s Apostles of the less fortunate “for whom Jesus that era, evangelical leaders wel- Reason (2013) and theologian Greg died.” As might be expected, when comed those who could not return Thornbury’s Recovering Classic opportunity came, they assisted to their home countries for fear of Evangelicalism (2013) emphasize those who wanted to immigrate to some sort of persecution or retribu- the intellectual aspects of the mid- the United States in order to escape tion. twentieth-century evangelical renais- deplorable conditions and persecu- Although consistency wavered, sance. However, just as intellectuals tion in their home countries. evangelicals intermittently demon- and elites fueled a more socially and World War II displaced millions strated that same attitude through- culturally engaged American evangel- of Europeans. After the war, most out the rest of the twentieth-century icalism, so did the evangelical practi- of these displaced persons (DPs) when similar humanitarian crises

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • SUMMER 2014 • 7 arose. Especially supportive of those Miles S. Mullin II (PhD, Vanderbilt) is Hyman, 1989. emigrating from Eastern Bloc coun- Associate Professor of Church History at Carl F. H. Henry Papers. Rolfing tries during the Cold War, many the Houston Campus of Southwestern Memorial Library. Trinity evangelicals also embraced the “boat Seminary. An earlier version of this International University (Deerfield, people” of Vietnam, helping them article appeared on The Anxious Bench Illinois). settle in the United States. In part (Patheos Evangelical Channel) on July Displaced Persons Act of 1948, 62 due to the compassion they were 30, 2014. ■ Stat. 1009. Available @ shown in the name of Jesus, many of http://library.uwb.edu/guides/usimmi- the “boat people” became Christians. References: gration/62%20stat%201009.pdf. Granted, there were some disap- Bebbington, David. Evangelicalism “Emma Lazarus.” National Park pointing features of the 1948 DP in Modern Britain: A History from the Service. http://www.nps.gov/stli/ Act, such as attempts to exclude 1730s to the 1980s. London: Unwin historyculture/emma-lazarus.htm. Catholics and Jews in favor of admit- Last accessed August 16, 2014. ting DPs that helped maintain the “Emma Lazarus.” Oxford Book WASP-y character of the United Especially supportive of those of American Poetry. Edited by David States, but the evangelical response Lehman and John Rehm. New to the State Department’s overtures emigrating from Eastern Bloc York: Oxford University Press, was not one of them. Rather, the countries during the Cold 2006. actions of the leaders and constitu- War, many evangelicals also NAE Archives. Wheaton ency of the NAE in the late 1940s College Archives. Wheaton College demonstrate something about the embraced the “boat people” (Wheaton, Illinois). ethos of mid-century American evan- of Vietnam, helping them Thornbury, Gregory Alan. gelicalism: it possessed an attitude of Recovering Classic Evangelicalism: expansive welcome towards those settle in the United States. In Applying the Wisdom and Vision of who were displaced. In our current part due to the compassion Carl F. H. Henry. Wheaton, IL: context, let us at least demonstrate Crossway, 2013. the same attitude as our compassion- they were shown in the name Worthen, Molly. Apostles of ate evangelical forebears. From the of Jesus, many of the “boat Reason: The Crisis of Authority in comments and actions I have seen, American Evangelicalism. New York: many of us are falling well short of people” became Christians. Oxford University Press, 2014. that rather mundane goal.

8 • SUMMER 2014 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY Illegal Immigration of Children: The Underlying Problem Nobody Seems to Talk About by Roger E. Olson ccording to news reports, about turn them back—to walk many miles of the children would be returning to A60,000 unaccompanied children through scorching heat to…where? locales where they would be snapped have arrived in the U.S. from Central They were probably dropped off a up by drug gangs to be used as slaves America via Mexico in the last one mile or two from the border, given a and eventually turned into gang to two years. Some have died in the crude map, and told they are now on members—probably to be killed at desert attempting to cross the border their own. If turned away at the bor- some point. Third, many of the chil- alone. Many are being smuggled to der, they (and remember we’re talking dren left their home countries because the border by “mules” who charge about eight to 12-year olds in many they were faced with utter hopeless- their families large amounts of money. ness—for a decent human life. They (Why this is not being labeled a form And what would they have were snared in endless hunger, lack of of human trafficking by anyone is medical care, no education and vio- curious.) Once the children arrive border officials do when they lence all around them. and are caught, they are warehoused see an eight-year-old boy A famous poem on a plaque inside in cramped, crowded facilities indefi- the base of the Statue of Liberty says nitely. or girls walking through the “Give me your tired, your poor, your These children have become the desert toward them? Shoot huddled masses, yearning to breathe ping-pong balls in a partisan battle free, The wretched refuse of your of words between Democrats and them? Simply turn them teeming shore, send these, the home- Republicans. Instead of banding back—to walk many miles less, tempest-tost to me, I lift my together to find viable, compassion- lamp beside the golden door.” Perhaps ate, humane solutions, both sides are through scorching heat to… this plaque should be removed or digging in and arguing ferociously where? replaced with one that says “The over who is at fault and what to do golden door is now closed—especially with the children. Pundits and writ- to poor Central American children.” ers of letters to editors (especially in cases) will have no one waiting for The underlying problem that (so Texas) have vented their spleens— them where they were dropped off. far) I have heard no one talking about even at the children as if they are They’ll simply die in the desert. is our American affluence, including vicious felons. One columnist sug- Many letters to the editors of conspicuous consumption and luxury, gested sending them all to the U.S. newspapers in Texas and other promoted to the world via movies and compound in Quantanamo Bay in Southwestern states express the most television as the result of “the American Cuba to be held there indefinitely. cruel, hard-hearted opinions about dream,” combined with our boast to be Obviously he meant that as a sign to these children—as if they are all gang- a “nation of immigrants.” While we do other Central American children of sters and criminals. Most are not. The have our own poor in the U.S., most what faces them if they come here most common “solution” proposed is of them are living in the lap of luxury illegally. (They will be stored in a con- “Return them to their home countries compared with many people in Latin centration camp previously reserved immediately—without any due pro- America. And we love to show off our for accused terrorists.) cess.” The problems with that are so prosperity and affluence, even our I’ve read all kinds of proposals for obvious these writers must be either luxurious possessions and lifestyles, to what to do with these children and stupid or cruel or both. the rest of the world—including our how to stop others from flocking into First, many of the children would neighbors. Then we expect them to the U.S. “Close the border!” people not be able to tell anyone exactly stay away. But we are like a magnet to cry. I would like to ask them how where their home is. They might be the poor next door. Who can blame exactly anyone can possibly “close” able to say what country they’re from, them for being drawn almost inexora- a border that runs more than 1,000 but returning them to their home bly to us? miles through deserts. And what countries would require permission My wife and I often watch a televi- would they have border officials do from those countries—unless we drop sion show called “House Hunters when they see an eight-year-old boy them from airplanes with parachutes International” on the Home and or girls walking through the desert (something I think many Texans and Garden channel. But my stomach toward them? Shoot them? Simply others wouldn’t mind). Second, many turns when I see U.S. rich people

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • SUMMER 2014 • 9 south of our border spend hundreds American children standing or sit- “invaded” them to enhance their eco- of thousands, sometimes millions, of ting on one side of our border or the nomic interests? What if we cut back dollars on mansions on beaches in other? our extremely bloated defense budget Latin American countries where just a Recently a Christian man in my and devoted the savings to creating a few miles away thousands of children town, very well known, a “pillar of corps of young men and women to are suffering malnutrition, infant the community,” purchased a par- go to Central America for only one mortality (that could be alleviated), tially built mansion on the edge of purpose—to build schools, housing, lack of education, and are living like town with 23,000 square feet of liv- medical facilities, etc.? Sure, we’ve animals in hovels. ing space. He is finishing it. By all made feeble attempts at that; but in You question that? A few years accounts he’s a very good man, a the past our investments in such proj- ago my wife and I took our one and respected family man, church mem- ects have been miniscule compared only vacation to Mexico. We stayed bers and philanthropist. But 23,000 to the need. And our government in a very simple, inexpensive “eco- square feet -- when not far away would need to tell those governments resort” on a beach south of Cancun. is a camp now inhabited by hun- that if they interfere by skimming the In the nearby town and surrounding financial investments in their coun- jungles we saw with our own eyes two tries intended for the poor to fill their shocking things. Lining the beaches These people “know” that own budgets we, the United States of near our extremely modest “resort” America, will invade them with armed (not even electricity in the cabanas) within reach is a paradise troops to overthrow them and replace were enormous, luxurious gated of affluence and luxury, free them with humane and honest gov- resorts inhabited almost exclusively ernments—just as we have invaded by Americans. In the nearby town universal education, health them many times in the past to shore we saw one neighborhood made up care, food and…hope. And up dishonest, cruel and dictatorial of what looked like animal barns regimes that would be our puppets— surrounded by mud with pigs and yet we who live in the lap of not to help their poor, but to protect chickens. These hovels were inhabited luxury expect them to stay the economic interests of American by women and children. The children away. corporations there. It is just as we were obviously malnourished (hugely invaded Panama just a few years ago extended, bloated stomachs typical of to overthrow a corrupt dictator. that disorder) and “playing” in mud But, ultimately, we need to “down- among the pigs and chickens. dreds, perhaps thousands, of Central size” our affluence in order to help These people “know” that within American children being held indefi- our neighbors to the South that we reach is a paradise of affluence and nitely because they crossed our border have throughout our history and theirs luxury, free universal education, without permission looking for a tiny regarded as our special “sphere of health care, food and…hope. And bit of that affluence—just enough to influence.” To a very large extent, our yet we who live in the lap of luxury live a human life? affluence is supported by their poverty. expect them to stay away. But the solution is not just indi- In many place in Central America, his- The problem is often framed as vidual charity; the only real, long- torically, we have treated their people “those bad Latin Americans who want term solution can be only a massive virtually as slaves of our corporations to come and take what we have” rath- rededication of our American ingenu- and backed that up with military er than as “we rich Americans who ity and productivity to solve Central might and with CIA plots. We must show off our luxury and want to keep America’s economic problems. Over begin to see ourselves as the “rich man” it all to ourselves.” the last century and a half we, the in Jesus’ parable and them as Lazarus. As a Christian, I ask my fellow United States of America, have Or else we will be judged. ■ Texans and others (many of whom directly or indirectly invaded Central consider themselves Christians) to American countries numerous times Roger E. Olson is Foy Valentine consider Jesus’ parable of the rich man (Look it up using Google or any inter- Professor of Christian Ethics at Truett and Lazarus. Who are we, America, net search engine!) to protect our eco- Seminary at Baylor University in Waco, in the parable? Who are the Central nomic interests. What if we instead Texas.

10 • SUMMER 2014 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY Essays From Experience Living in a Changing World By Carolyn Weatherford Crumpler

[Editor’s note: Carolyn Crumpler is a ity. Where I came from in the late missionary. So, for me, the Woman’s member of the board of Christian Ethics 1940s, integration was definitely a Missionary Union (WMU) was my Today and is one of the dearest friends “no-no.” way to be involved in missions. I I have. Her experiences in Baptist I had a life-long dream of becom- later became director of the Alabama life have spanned the seismic shifts in ing a missionary, but it seemed an WMU, and then director of the American society and in the Southern unobtainable goal. I took my col- Florida WMU. Baptist Convention, first in the area of lege degree in Library Science and I did not receive much opposition Race Relations and then regarding the became a school librarian in Eustis, during the 1950s and 1960s in all of Role of Women in the church. Finally, Florida and followed that by becom- those WMU positions because I was she confronted the shift within the SBC ing high school librarian in Tampa. a woman doing women’s work. My toward rigid, authoritarian, male-dom- But I still felt called to be a missionary challenges related mostly to inter- inated rule and became an early leader and enrolled at New Orleans Baptist racial relations. I led “mixed women’s of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Theological Seminary, choosing that meetings” with WMU and black Her grace and courage are inspirations seminary over Southern because I had women’s organizations, and faced to many of us. The following was writ- heard a missionary from there speak gigantic opposition each time I par- ten just before she was hospitalized in ticipated in a mixed-race meeting. June, 2013. Although she currently I tried to enroll in the School As statewide director of Florida resides in The Seasons, a nursing facil- Baptist WMU, I first began to face ity in Cincinnati, Ohio, she and her of Theology, but at that time challenges regarding women’s rights husband, Joe, celebrated their 25th women could not enroll in and feminism. Young women were Anniversary on August 16, 2014.] beginning to react against the limita- theology. tions placed on them in Baptist life, “Hope is the ability to hear the music of especially in ministry. Ordination was tomorrow; faith is the courage to dance denied to them. I had not really con- to it today.” That quote has been very and wanted to work with her during fronted that barrier before, but during helpful to me in my life. my “off hours.” a coffee break one day in the Florida I tried to enroll in the School of Baptist Building in Jacksonville, sev- was raised in a small citrus and cat- Theology, but at that time women eral younger women discussed this I tle farming community in Central could not enroll in theology. I was not with me. I said, “I am not too con- Florida named Frostproof. When I a musician and did not want to enroll cerned about all of this. I do not need graduated from the high school, I in church music, so religious educa- ordination since I have no fear of a took what for me was a courageous tion was the only option left for me, man wanting to take my job!” One of step when I got on a bus and traveled although I did not feel that was what the young women looked me in the the long distance to Tallahassee to I needed. I took all of my electives in eye and said, “But we are deeply con- attend Florida State University. theology, everything except homilet- cerned, Miss Weatherford, and you Soon after making this major move, ics which I really would have helped are our leader. You have to care!” I faced another challenge when the me a great deal since as it turned out In 1974 I was elected to succeed Baptist campus minister and the state I spent most of the rest of my life Alma Hunt as executive director of WMU youth worker asked me and preaching. the national WMU. When I was other students to sponsor a meeting Upon graduation I accepted a posi- introduced to the Southern Baptist with students at the all-black Florida tion with the Alabama WMU as their Convention in Dallas, the questions A&M University on the other side of first Young Woman’s Association from the press were largely related to Tallahassee. At that time in the 1940s, director. After three years, I accepted my stand on the issue of women in such an inter-racial event was unheard the challenge to move to Florida as ministry. In an effort to emphasize of in North Florida, and there was the Girl’s Auxiliary director with that I was for all individuals, male and considerable opposition. But, we did responsibility for directing the sum- female, I blurted out, “Oh, I’m not a it! At that time Florida was perhaps mer camp programs. It was during feminist; I’m a humanist!” the most racially violent state in the that time I discovered I had a physi- Later, in a warm and friendly South, with a great amount of lynch- cal problem, hypertension, which meeting with home missions per- ing, bombings, and other KKK activ- would limit my dream of becoming a sonnel, someone again questioned

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • SUMMER 2014 • 11 me about job security for women in and visioning conversations. In 1978 the officers of the Baptist Medical/ church-related and missions jobs. that group decided to sponsor a Dental Fellowship asked WMU to set As in any Baptist gathering in those “Consultation on Women in Church- up an organization for nurses. days, the audience was mostly men, Related Vocations.” I recommended But throughout the 1980s the role so I replied “I’m not worried about the event be called a “Consultation on of women became more and more my job as WMU director. No man Women in Ministry,” but only one or contentious in the SBC. Resolutions wants my job!” The audience laughed two of the men agreed, and we were on the role of women became a regu- and applauded, but that answer was outvoted. But the event turned out lar component at the annual meeting not satisfactory and would not satisfy to be a great success, with the staff of of the SBC, and criticism of vocal opponents of women’s ministry for WMU taking major responsibilities. women more strident. Unmarried long. In 1982, the year of the 75th anni- women leaders of WMU were falsely Not long after becoming head of versary of the WMU Training School labeled as lesbians. On two occasions, WMU, I was invited to speak in I was contacted by wives of big church South Carolina to an interdenomi- pastors who later became presidents of national conference on the role of So, for me, the Woman’s the SBC. The first call came follow- women in the church. At that time Missionary Union (WMU) ing the Total Woman speech. The wife a book by Marabel Morgan, The was my way to be involved in told me, “I have no problem bowing Total Woman, was very popular and to my husband. I’ve loved him since much discussed. Morgan’s book was missions. high school and I have no problem evangelical Christians’ response to being submissive to him.” I respond- women’s liberation. Morgan encour- ed, “But I have no husband. Must I aged women to surrender to, wor- at Southern Baptist Theological be submissive to yours?” ship, and revere their husbands, and Seminary in Louisville, two of the The second pastor’s wife visited me among other things, to wrap their speakers were Anne Davis and Sarah at the WMU office in Birmingham, naked bodies in saran-wrap and greet Frances Anders. Davis was a professor Alabama and offered to host a meet- their husbands that way at the door of social work at the school, which ing of other pastors’ wives during when they returned home from work. had become known as the Carver which they could personally discuss During my speech I made a brief but School of Missions and Social Work. my stance on women with me. I disparaging comment about the book. Anders was a professor of a Baptist assured her that I would be happy A few days later I received a call from college, Louisiana College, and had to host such a meeting in the WMU a friend of mine at the news organi- just competed research on Southern building so that the pastors’ wives zation, Baptist Press, and was asked, Baptist women in ministry. During could see what WMU was all about. “Carolyn, did you really say that?” My that meeting, it was evident that That meeting never happened. But response was, “Oh yes! But let me tell something needed to be done to during that conversation the wife told you about all the other things I said. me that during Bible study she had I made a really good speech!” But come to realize that it was alright for he replied, “But Carolyn, that is not Unmarried women leaders of me to head the WMU, since I did newsworthy….this is!” So the article WMU were falsely labeled as not have a husband. The pastor’s wife was published in all the state Baptist said that scripturally she herself could papers, “WMU Leader Smacks Total lesbians. not be in such a job because it would Woman.” place her in a position higher than her The negative responses really hurt. husband’s. I had never been the subject of such provide support for women. Several I was a frequent guest in church a barrage of anger. I sought counsel women gave their testimonies and pulpits throughout my 22 years as from my pastor, but what I learned inspired the people in attendance. WMU executive, first in Florida for was that I would be criticized if I con- The next year a group of women met seven years and then in the national tinued to speak boldly. And I knew in Louisville to discuss what kind post for 15. The church bulletin or that I would continue to speak boldly. of organization needed to be cre- order of worship often listed me as I would continue to be a target. ated, and the result was the birth of “speaker,” sometimes my topic would As national WMU director, I was a Southern Baptist Women in Ministry. be stated as “message,” but seldom member of the Inter-Agency Council “Southern” was removed from the was I referred to as “preacher” or my of the SBC which consisted of the name in 1993, and the organization presentation as “sermon.” My motto chief executive of each SBC insti- became Baptist Women in Ministry, became, “Call it anything you want tution. Of course, I was the only or BWIM. to; just let me do it!” woman in the group. I loved being Another important development for I often encountered opposition and with the men in planning sessions women in Baptist life occurred when criticism. On one such occasion, I

12 • SUMMER 2014 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY was approached by a young man after “those foolish women” who only went other leaders of various denomina- I had preached in a church service. to look at the tomb. When my time tions, was invited to meet with him in With his Bible open he stated his came I referred to the rest of the chap- South Carolina. I accepted the invita- objection to me being in the pulpit, ter and told how Jesus spoke first to tion while the other Southern Baptist “usurping the place of the pastor.” the women, that they were among the leader who was invited was forbidden I just kindly assured him that I had first witnesses to the Resurrection and by his board to accept the invitation. been invited by the pastor and was were alone among the followers of Among the letters written and public not taking his place. Jesus at the tomb early that morning. statements made against me was one I was once the keynote speaker at a It is difficult to say which actions I from a pastor who said, “What does Baptist state evangelism meeting. The took in Southern Baptist life brought she think she can do, convert him? presiding pastor introduced me to the There are a lot of men who could do a crowd that included many women better job of that.” by saying, “Brethren, my Bible says “But we are deeply Ironically, I discovered that women ‘Let the women keep silent in church. throughout the world were perform- If they have questions, let them ask concerned, Miss ing pastoral duties of preaching, their husbands.’ Our next speaker is Weatherford, and you are baptizing, and otherwise leading Carolyn Weatherford.” I stood and churches. I discovered both women went to the podium, looked at him our leader. You have to missionaries and national Christian and said, “Brother, my Bible says the care!” women serving in my travels to visit same thing, but I don’t have a hus- missionaries throughout America band!” The congregation laughed and and in almost 100 countries. I heard applauded, and I preached! lots of women preaching, everywhere On another occasion at a Baptist except in Southern Baptist churches state convention where I was the final I heard lots of women in America. speaker, the state executive whispered preaching, everywhere In 1989, I received invitations from to me, “Carolyn, I hate to tell you two very important men in my life. this, but a lot of folks don’t like it except in Southern Baptist The first was from Joe Crumpler who that I’ve invited you to speak to the churches in America. asked me to be his wife. The second Convention.” I assured him that I was from Daniel Vestal who asked me understood. The speaker/preacher to run for the position of First Vice before me read from Matthew 28:1, President of the Southern Baptist “After the Sabbath, at dawn on the the greatest negative response. Perhaps Convention. I said “yes” to both invi- first day of the week, Mary Magdalene it was when the Pope visited the tations, and my life took a new turn and the other Mary went to look at the United States and I, along with one in both roles. But those stories will tomb.” His entire message focused on other SBC leader as well as many have to wait for another telling. ■

Ethics Bytes: “We ought to say to these children, ‘Welcome to America, you’re going to go to school and get a job and become Americans’. We have 3,141 counties in this country. That would be 20 (children) per county. The idea that we can’t assimilate these 8-year-old ‘criminals’ with their teddy bears is preposterous.” Fox News Contributor, George Will, on Fox News Sunday.

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • SUMMER 2014 • 13 Apocalyptic sex: Lest we forget: By Bill Leonard

“Then the eyes of both were opened, and dent in two indigenous American property and acceptance of “the cross” they knew that they were naked; so they movements, the Shaker and Oneida of celibacy. (No “marrying” in the stitched fig-leaves together and made communities. Both offered new rev- kingdom.) Ecstatic worship produced themselves loincloths” (Gen. 3:7). elations regarding Christ’s return, continuing revelations from God, post-conversion holiness, male/female angels and spirits of the departed n the beginning: sex. These days egalitarianism and the community (spiritualism). Iwe might remember that when of goods (Acts 2:44). Anticipating With celibacy as norm, Shaker so many religio-ethical-theological- American exceptionalism, they insist- devotees came from revival converts, judicial debates seem focused thereon. ed that the U.S. was the apocalyptic sheltered slaves, abused women and The Hobby Lobby and the same-sex epicenter, an impending spiritual orphaned children, some of whom marriage folks didn’t introduce the realm with biological implications joined the order. Ultimately, nature controversy. Christian history suggests informed by multiple miscarriages took its course and membership that, try as it might, the Church can’t borne by their early female-founders. declined. In 1974 I spent a day with resolve the flesh/spirit dilemma, past the three remaining Shaker women at or present. Canterbury, N.H. They assured me If I knew enough about Scripture Gospel perfectionism that the kingdom was still at hand or sex, I might offer a course in Bible convinced Noyes that while even if the Shakers themselves disap- Earthiness, just to flesh out (forgive peared. me) the way the writers approached Jesus said there was no Converted in the Second Great sexual implications/complications marriage in the kingdom, he Awakening, John Humphrey Noyes, from the start. The briefest survey founder of the Oneida community, illustrates: did not say that there was no became convinced Jesus had returned “At my time of life I am past bearing sex. in A.D. 70, empowering the truly children, and my husband is old,” says sanctified to live in this world without post-menopausal Sarah, laughing her sin. Noyes claimed that the kingdom, head off at pre-Viagra Abraham when Their approaches to such apocalyptic long unheeded, was established by his a “stranger” predicts her pending sexuality, however, were radically dis- communitarian movement in 1847 at pregnancy (Gen. 18:12). similar. Putney, Vt. • “When morning came, it was Leah!” The United Society of Believers in Gospel perfectionism convinced And Jacob learned that even after Christ’s Second Appearing (Shakers) Noyes that while Jesus said there was seven years of premarital labor, you arose from the supernatural revela- no marriage in the kingdom, he did still can’t trust your father-in-law tions of Englishwoman Ann Lee to not say that there was no sex. Noyes’ (Gen. 29:25). a small band of “Shaking Quakers” doctrine of “complex marriage” • “It is better to marry than to burn” united around her belief — after mul- rejected “exclusive love” of traditional (1 Cor. 7:9), St. Paul wrote, touting tiple miscarriages — that sexual inter- marriage for the freedom of kingdom his own celibate prowess, reluctantly course triggered the fall of Adam and citizens to engage in sexual relations acceding to the smoldering saints Eve, the source of original sin. Lee led with other sanctified members. Noyes’ around him. the group to New York in 1774 and spouse, Harriet, sustained numerous • “In the kingdom of heaven there is by 1820 Shaker communities spread miscarriages, a reality that led him neither marrying nor giving in mar- from Maine to Kentucky. to promote “male continence,” man- riage” (Lk. 20:35), Jesus told the reli- Shakers proclaimed that God’s accountable birth control that enabled gious leaders taunting him about the nature encompassed both maleness women to enjoy sex without fear of apocalyptic status of the woman who and femaleness, traits revealed first unwanted pregnancy. Childbearing married seven brothers, all of whom in Jesus and a “second appearing” required communal approval, with died. (Why they kept marrying her in “Mother Ann.” Their communi- childrearing facilitated by the most after the third brother croaked still ties were thus the avant garde of the nurturing members. mystifies me.) kingdom, anticipating humanity’s Forced out of Putney because of Jesus’ effort to clarify marriage and eschatological future. Membership these controversial practices, the the kingdom intensified Christians’ required confession of sin to male and group moved to Oneida, N.Y., gain- speculation on faith and sex as evi- female elders, renunciation of private ing economic security through their

14 • SUMMER 2014 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY metallurgy, particularly manufactur- dish is exclusive.” century confession captured the ing animal traps. Although sexual Are the Shakers and Oneidaites challenge then and now: “Lord, give encounters were regulated by com- bizarre exceptions or intriguing illus- me chastity, but not yet.” World with- munity policy, Noyes was ultimately trations of the inescapable tensions out end. Amen. ■ charged with varying sexual impro- between flesh and spirit, justification prieties, forcing exile to Canada. The and sanctification, love and desire in Bill Leonard is James and Marilyn members abandoned perfectionist the world, the church, and perhaps Dunn Professor of Church History and practices and incorporated as Oneida even the kingdom of God? Amid our Baptist Studies at the School of Divinity, Community, Ltd., in 1879, known own fumbling and fussing over sex Wake Forest University. His “Can I Get today for its stainless dinnerware. and gospel we’d do well to admit that a Witness?” column appears biweekly Noyes summed up his eschatology others got there before us — even at ABPnews.com. This article first and sexuality in the classic line: “At blessed St. Augustine, whose pre- appeared in that column on July 17, the marriage supper of the Lamb, no conversion, post-pubescent, fourth- 2014 and is reprinted with permission.

Ethics Bytes:

Who are the Yazidis?

40,000 Yazidis were trapped on a mountain top in Iraq after a militant army of Sunnis called ISIS, seek- ing to establish an Islamic State, destroyed their village. President Obama ordered bombs from planes and drones to stop the ISIS from further genocide. But who are the Yazidis?

Yazidis are a small monotheistic religious minority, living primarily in northern Iraq, Turkey, Syria, Iran, Armenia…right where much of the world’s ethnic trouble is today. They speak Kurdish but consider themselves separate from Kurds ethnically. Their religion is considered pre-Islamic and contains parts of Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. They reject the idea of sin, the devil, and hell but worship one God and honor seven angels. Many Muslims consider them devil-worshipers and Yazidis have been targets of persecution throughout history, and now, along with Christians.

Source: Joshua Berlinger, CNN, 8/8/14

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • SUMMER 2014 • 15 Sexuality, Health, Faith and Healing By Devon Dick

ecently, the Ministry of the four elements is worth reflection. REducation in my home coun- Healing is firmly related to God’s has been saved. This salvation goes try, Jamaica, published The National will and purpose. Jesus the Messiah beyond physical healing – Matthew Policy Reintegration of School-Aged offers healing which includes and 9:20- 22 states, Mothers into the Formal School System involves the physical cure of individu- And, behold, a woman, which was which mandated that after pregnancy als afflicted by disease, disablement diseased with an issue of blood twelve school girls should be re-integrated and mental disorder. However, in years, came behind him, and touched into the public school system. the ministry of Jesus, healing was the hem of his garment: For she said Pregnancy remains the primary cause clearly more all-embracing in effect within herself, If I may but touch his for the drop-out rate of female stu- and reality. While the understand- garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus dents. Some estimates claim that ing of healing as physical cure must turned and when he saw her, he said, 84% of teen mothers do not return to be retained and embraced, it would Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith school to complete their education. be very much less than what it ought hath made thee whole. Therefore, this policy framework calls to be if this is how it is seen and no Salvation is a sign that the powers of for interagency involvement to ensure more. Christians believe that the gift domination no longer have the capac- the reintegration of teenage mothers of medicine is God’s provision and a ity to hold people bound and have to complete their secondary school form of healing. However, healing has things their own way. education. other dimensions which are deeper Luke 17: 12-14 states, This directive to re-integrate teen- and wider that physical cure. This has And as he entered into a certain vil- age mothers into the school system is been the witness of Jesus, the greatest lage, there met him ten men that were irrespective of how the girls used their of all healers. lepers, which stood afar off: And they sexuality to lead to pregnancy. The From Jesus we learn that healing has lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, pregnancy might have been the result to do with wholeness. This wholeness Master, have mercy on us. And when of sexual experimentation, it might be is absolutely comprehensive. Persons he saw them, he said unto them, Go due to esteem problems and trying to went to Jesus or were taken to Jesus shew yourselves unto the priests. And find and experience love, it might be for healing of a physical nature but it came to pass, that, as they went, a result of being sexually explicit and heard that their sins were forgiven. they were cleansed. illicit behaviour. It might be a result Physical wellness or restoration was Jesus sent the ten lepers to go and of using sexual enhancers and energy not the exclusive thing that the heal- show themselves to the religious drinks such as P---y Drink, which ing offered. In Mark. 2:5 we see authorities.This was for their reinte- remove all sexual inhibitions without When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto gration into society from which they a companion sexual enjoyment or the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be for- were alienated, their own sense of fulfilment. The Gleaner newspaper given thee. belonging and assurance that heal- reported Viagra parties for teenage The forgiveness of sins is a dimension ing meant more than leprosy gone. boys and it is possible that a teenage of human wellness. Theologian and Healing has socio-religious implica- girl attended one and a pregnancy psychiatrist, Tony Allen, states that tions for the sufferer as well as the resulted. The pregnancy might be a forgiveness heals the spirit which is whole community. result of sexual deviancy-seduction, demonstrated by healing of psychoso- Gillian Paterson, theologian, said incest, rape-but the call is for re-inte- matic, stress related, lifestyle disorders. if individual sickness is seen as the gration of school aged mothers into In John 5:14, we see product of a sick or sinful environ- the public educational system. We do Afterward Jesus findeth him (invalid ment, then the primary locus of not know and seem not to care. and impotent man of Bethsaida) in the healing must lie in the factors that I would like to use this recent decree temple, and said unto him, Behold, prevent human beings from living from the Ministry of Education that thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a ‘life in its fulness’. Those factors may school aged mothers should be reinte- worse thing come unto thee. be poverty, or oppression, or fear, or grated into the public educational sys- Healing is more than physical cure. It homelessness. They may be loneliness, tem as a case study and model for my is also wholeness- spiritual well-being. social rejection or lack of love Gillian discussion of sexuality, health, faith When a person has been healed Paterson. Healing confronts social ills. and healing because reintegration is and is assured that he or she has been Healing involves restoration, well- one facet of healing, and combining made well or whole means that he/she ness of the whole being, reconciliation

16 • SUMMER 2014 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY with God, self, others and the whole “at best colossally insensitive and at who we do it with. creation. Healing brings together worst outright racism.” Semenya was The Church has had an uncomfort- the spiritual, moral, social, political, treated as an outcast. She was alienat- able relationship with sex. According economic and environmental fac- ed from the athletic circuit. Semenya to dub poet Mutabaruka, the Church tors. Burchell Taylor, Biblical Scholar, should not have been prevented from believed that sex was evil so they said “Healing brings wholeness and running with other athletes. We devised the story about Virgin Birth. soundness in terms of well-being even should never allow any woman to suf- Jerome (347-420), early church if there is impaired physical function- fer like this again. Father, saw women as the gateway ing still in evidence.” Healing power The Faith Community becomes to the Devil, the way to evil and exceeds the power of those who create the place where barriers and divi- hence clergy did not marry and the disorder, dislocations and fractured sions that exclude, marginalize, define ascetic life was favoured. Then in the and fragmented human relationships. persons in terms of inferior and supe- Middle Ages (5th to 15th century) Christ Jesus took upon himself the rior. Therefore, we ought to affirm the attitude toward sex in marriage infirmities of human life and brought the humanity of persons rather than was restraint. Messer said Christians about salvation which is wholeness of defining them based on their sexual would not have sex on Thursday as a life – healing. It represents liberation practices or propensities. Therefore, it mark of respect that the first Lord’s from sin. This is open to all who are would not be ‘gay’, but rather persons Supper was held on a Thursday, willing to receive it by faith. who are in a homosexual relationship Christians could not have sex on a The people of faith, the members or persons who practise homosexual- Friday because Jesus was crucified on of faith community are called upon ity. A person is more that what he a Friday, No sex on Saturday out of to experience healing as well be or she does sexually. Everybody is respect for Mary who was mourn- facilitators of healing. In all of this somebody, first and foremost. The ing on Saturday, no sex on Sunday the presence and role of the Faith commitment is to take blessings into because Jesus was raised on a Sunday Community, that is the collective the world, embodied and expressed and none on Monday out of respect presence of disciples who ascribed as members of the healed and healing of persons who are poor. Hence the to certain doctrines and lifestyle, are community. The people of Faith must term “Thank God it is Tuesday”. pivotal. The Faith Community is the be committed to serve for the benefit How things have changed with a Flair community of the healed as well as a of all. Magazine stating that “based on a healing community. Health is more than physical survey, pastors make the best lovers in The Faith Community’s response and mental well-being. It has also the sack”. The day that story came out is therefore to be a mirror of the to do with how we deal with the there was a cricket match at Sabina wholeness of the healed life as well as environment. The World Health Park. So Rev. Karl Johnson, General ministering agent of it in the broken, Organization’s definition of heath is: Secretary of Jamaica Baptist Union, wounded, hurting community. How “Health is a state of complete physi- asked a lady he did not know who will this work out in practice? cal, mental and social well-being and was sitting beside us what she thought The quality of wholeness displayed not merely the absence of disease or of the Flair article which said pastors by the Faith Community becomes the infirmity”. scored high as best in bed. The quick pattern of wholeness to which it wit- Wholeness and heath are inter- retort from this lady was pastors are nesses in word and deed. Four years related. Allen argues that there are the best at sex because they get so ago, Caster Semenya of South Africa, three dimensions to health namely the much practice with the church sisters. the world champion 800 metres run- physical which deals with the person Later we found out that her father ner, had her private and personal as matter or as a biological aspect, was a pastor. Obviously, the attitude medical history public by the IAAF. the mental or psychological dimen- toward sex by the clergy has changed She was the eighth gender case target sion which deals with the person as a over the years. of the IAAF in four years. Semenya is thinking and feeling being and finally Elaine Storkey, philosopher, sociolo- a hermaphrodite with internal testes there is the spiritual which gives the gist and theologian, argues that the and no ovary nor womb. [This month person meaning and purpose and obsession with sex is part of a bigger Germany recognized inter sex gender addresses the ultimate questions of search “for personal identity, meaning when a person’s reproductive or sexual life-who am I and how do I get here and spiritual integration…Sexuality anatomy does not fall into the male or and what am I doing here. is a creature of God. Sex is not God female biological categories.] Sexuality describes the whole way a . . . Sex, then, is something which After Semenya won gold at the person goes about expressing himself God has breathed into creation; 2009 Berlin World Championships, or herself as a sexual being. Sexuality something God has placed close to she was humiliated and made butt is not just about SEX, although peo- our identity as humans”. It does not of jokes. Garnet Roper of the Faith ple often define sexuality in terms of mean we are not human if we do not Community wrote that the IAAF was genitals, what we do with them, and have sex. Sexuality is . . .The total of

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • SUMMER 2014 • 17 who you are, what you feel, and how of society. US President Thomas Sex should be mutual, respectful, you respond. Sexuality is expressed in Jefferson fathered children with his honouring and loving. the way you speak, smile, stand, sit, enslaved lady Sally Hemings and he is There are 17 agencies in Jamaica snicker, sob, dress, dance, etc . . . revered in US history. cooperating on the reintegration of Storkley claims that sexuality is However, it is alleged that Winnie School-Aged Mothers into the Formal about us as sexual beings in all our Mandela committed sexual indiscre- School System, but unfortunately relationships that make us human. tions while Nelson was in prison and the Church and Medical Council are We express our sexuality in friend- she is generally treated as an outcast. absent from this formal discussion. ships, marriage, parenting, neighbour- Olivia Pope character in “Scandal,” May I encourage both the Church hood and work relationships. There the hit TV show, is about a powerful and Medical Council to get involved are boundaries and different ways to political operative of African descent in the reintegration of School-Aged express that sexuality depending on in a relationship with a Caucasian Mothers into the Formal School who and the context. We say yes to president. She loses her powerful job System as part of the healing and hugs, warmth, and closeness with while the president is in place. Men health of the sexuality of school aged family, friends, neighbours and co- after sexual indiscretions are integrat- mothers. ■ workers but no to incest in family or ed in society fully while women are sexual harassment at workplace, or sex usually not so well treated by society. Devon Dick is a Jamaican pastor, with neighbour’s wife. School-aged mothers not only evangelist, writer, and journalist. This After sexual expressions have been should experience healing through re- essay was adapted from a lecture given corrupted and sexual exploitation integration into the school system but at the 40th Annual Dr. Ena Thomas there needs to be forgiveness, salva- during pregnancy should be allowed Memorial Lecture and Symposium on tion and wholeness and healing. to continue their education in the November 24, 2013. Men, generally, are treated dif- public school system just like the ferently after committing offences male student who got her pregnant. Bibliography against sexual norms and experience They should be accepted, affirmed healing quicker and reintegration into and appreciated in the community. Allen, E. A. Caring for the society perhaps because it is felt that They should be allowed to experience Whole Person. Kingston: Marc men cannot help themselves. Forty- forgiveness, salvation and physical Publications, 1995. four year old Mayor of Toronto, Rob cure. They should be helped to be in Messer, Donald E. Contemporary Ford, who admitted to buying and harmony with the natural environ- Images of Christian Ministry. using cocaine in the last two years, ment. This healing means that the Nashville, Abingdon Press, 1989. said crudely that he enjoyed enough offspring will be equal to all mem- Paterson, Gillian. Whose oral sex at home with wife, Renata, bers of the community of faith and Ministry? A Ministry of Health Care so that consorting with prostitutes humanity. for the Year 2000. Geneva: WCC was not a temptation for him. Police Part of the reintegration of teen Publications, 1999. documents quoted Ford’s associates as mothers in the education system is Torrance, David (Ed). God, saying that the mayor consorted with to inform them that sexual instincts Family and Sexuality. Handsel Press, a woman suspected of being a prosti- are not wrong in and of itself. Sex Scotland, 1997. tute and made a sexual proposition to urge is one of the strongest of all The National Policy Reintegration a female staff member. A couple days desires of the human body and has of School-Aged Mothers into the ago, Silvio Berlusconi, Italian Prime to be controlled based on their val- Formal School System. MOE, Minister, was found guilty of hav- ues and channeled towards healthy Kingston; 2013 ing sexual relations with an underage purposes. Part of the healing of our Taylor, Burchell, Healing in the prostitute. This and other sexual alle- young mothers is for them to realize New Creation, Bethel Baptist Church, gations has not affected his political that sexual instincts are God-given Kingston, Jamaica, May 30, 2008 power or economic influence in Italy. for their good, for the continuance (Unpublished) Similarly, American President Bill of human race, giving and receiving Taylor, Burchell, ‘Worship that Clinton was impeached subsequent love, affirmation and appreciation. Heals the Broken,’ Bethel Baptist to having oral sex with Monica An important lesson for school aged Church, Kingston, Kingston, June 10, Lewinsky. Lewinsky engaged in oral mothers is that sex has been given in 2013 (Unpublished) sex with Clinton several times in order that they could procreate safely, Witnessing to Christ Today. 1997. Clinton is still seen as an out- express intimacy, experience excite- Promoting Health and Wellness for standing person and is not an outcast ment and engage in mutual pleasure. All. Tubingen: WCC, 2010

18 • SUMMER 2014 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY Deafen the Silence: How Vocal Christian Opposition to Child Sexual Abuse Will Change the World Robert J. Peters

onsider this scene: Religious described themselves as religious. they would fill two and one-half Cleaders are in the courtroom to Sex offenders involved with religious Superdomes. support a father accused of sexually institutions “had more sexual offense Child abuse affects everyone. It abusing his 12-year-old daughter. convictions, more victims, and fuels suffering on a global scale. When the girl sees her mother, sib- younger victims” than offenders from Abused persons have high rates of lings, and church leaders, all seated other settings. Clergy manipulation alcoholism and suicide. They are far behind her father, she pulls on the is spiritually damaging to victims, more vulnerable to cross-border traf- prosecutor’s arm and whispers, “Does decreases church attendance and trust fickers of children. The evidence is this mean God is against me too?” in God, and in many cases perma- overwhelming. A Center for Disease It is not uncommon for a defen- nently harms people’s relationship Control study defined “adverse child- dant who is active and popular in a with Christ. hood experiences” (ACE) as child- congregation to receive overwhelming hood abuse, neglect, and exposure to support from religious people when other trauma. The study found that accused of behavior which seems out The fact that sexual abuse adults suffering one or more ACE of character. Typically, church mem- were at a substantially higher risk for bers and leaders side with the defen- among Protestants and other a variety of health problems, includ- dant against the victim. Defendants non-Catholic congregations ing illicit drug use, adolescent preg- and their family members, as well as nancies, intimate partner violence, defense attorneys, make every effort is endemic, is masked by suicide attempts, and several others. to exonerate the accused church lead- denial, underreporting, ACE-related research has been dupli- er and rally support, while victims are cated “more than 25 times and with so traumatized that they avoid public misplaced loyalty to abusers, more than 450,000 patients,” leading discourse. This trend is especially sin- gross misuse of Scripture, one scholar to remark, “It is perhaps ister in light of the spiritual rhetoric the most well-documented fact in the abusers often use to manipulate chil- and sometimes a callous history of medical science that child- dren into victimization. For instance, disregard for the wellbeing hood trauma dramatically increases Father Lawrence Murphy, who of the victim in favor of your chance for just about anything.” abused around 200 deaf or hearing- These health and behavioral impaired young boys, told one victim protections for the abuser. struggles are not without their costs. that “God wanted him to teach the Healthcare spending in the United boy about sex but that he had to keep States exceeds $2.6 trillion every year, it quiet because it was under the sac- and one study calculated the aggre- rament of confession.” The Church’s silence on the issue of gate burden of crime as exceeding $1 One survivor described similar child abuse is deafening. Even many trillion annually. Ignoring the role of abuse by a Baptist youth minister: who acknowledge child abuse as a sig- childhood trauma in these issues is “Eddie always said that God had nificant problem do not comprehend dealing with “the smoke and… ignor- chosen me for something special. I its scope. In a CDC study of 17,337 ing the underlying fire.” According guess I really wanted to believe that. adults, 27% of women and 16% of to former National Child Protection Doesn’t every kid want to think men report that they were sexually Training Center Director Victor they’re special? Besides, who was I to abused as children. In 2009, at least Vieth, “Every single social ill would question a man of God?” 1,676 children died from extreme go down if child abuse would go Many church leaders believe that abuse or neglect. “The average child down. Everything changes.” such misuse of religious authority in molester victimizes between 50 and But alarming social costs aside, sexual predation are isolated instanc- 150 children before he is ever arrested when the abuse occurs in religious es, but in recent years the evidence (and many more after he is arrested).” settings, and the abuser is a reli- has been developed to show that these The Abel study of 561 confirmed gious leader, a representative of Jesus tragedies are widespread. A study of sexual offenders revealed 195,000 Christ, how much more tragic is 3,952 sex offenders found that 93% victims; if the victims met together, the harm. The fact that sexual abuse

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • SUMMER 2014 • 19 among Protestants and other non- ing that potential. In fact, a survey munity, it is no accident that Christ’s Catholic congregations is endemic, of childhood sexual abuse literature two greatest commandments to the is masked by denial, underreporting, identified “being part of a religious Church were to love God and love misplaced loyalty to abusers, gross group,” and the social support that others. What if the prestige of indi- misuse of Scripture, and sometimes a this can provide, as developing the viduals and institutions was laid at the callous disregard for the wellbeing of resilience and healing for the survi- foot of the cross, and Christian lead- the victim in favor of protections for vors. In church congregations, among ers manifested a love for God through the abuser. friends and fellow believers, survivors a love for survivors? Imagine a different reality. What if can discuss problems and develop When this happens, everything Christian leaders immediately report- confiding relationships, thereby changes. May Aslan roar, and deafen ed abuse to authorities, educated increasing resilience. Spirituality and the silence. ■ their congregations, and developed “the ability to find emotional support support systems for the survivors who outside the family” have been identi- Robert Peters is a law clerk with the undoubtedly sit in their pews? fied elsewhere as important factors in United States Attorney’s Office and Survivors of abuse are capable of restoration. a third year law student at Liberty incredible resilience, and the Church In the face of tragedy crying out for University School of Law. He lives in can and must be a part of develop- love and support from the faith com- Lynchburg, VA with his wife Kristin.

Looking Forward....

The Fall Issue of Christian Ethics Today will be a special issue.

The subject will be “peace-making in global settings” written from a variety of international perspectives by former students of Glen Stassen. Stassen passed away earlier this year. His influence has reached far and wide, and the essays which will be published are written as a tribute to his significant contribution to peacemaking through a long and distinguished career.

Look forward to these special articles written from the Mideast, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe.

20 • SUMMER 2014 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY “What Is Your Occupation?” By Joe E. Trull

pagan sailor’s question to the ing of the ministerial vocation and me, that it is so much easier to pastor A runaway prophet Jonah came the ethical demands of ministry are a church that does not have business when he was fleeing from the call absolutely essential. Otherwise the meetings, budget hearings, or a vote of God (Jonah 1:8). The question overseer of the congregation of Christ to call a minister. Yes, dictatorships brought him back to his mission and will lead his or her flock astray. are very efficient. But over time, peo- his ministry. To current ministers who prefer ple tire of being puppets! And, by the Two current trends in pastoral titles that focus on rank, authority, way, the priesthood of believers is still ministry seem to indicate modern-day and chain of command, I ask, “What a biblical teaching. pastors may need to hear this same is your occupation?” Or, what is your Jesus’ call to discipleship is clear— question. One development is an vocation? Exactly how do you inter- it is exemplified in foot washing increasing shortage of ministers. Every pret your call from God? (John 13:5), self-denial, and cross survey indicates the number retiring Is your calling to be the “Chief bearing (Lk 9:23). How often Jesus far exceeds the number entering the Executive Officer” (CEO) of the had to remind his disciples that seek- ministerial profession. ing places of preeminence had no The second trend is the one I place in the kingdom of God (Mt wish to address—the plethora of new How often Jesus had 20:20-27). titles that church pastors prefer to The apostle Paul echoes Jesus’ identify their role: Senior Minister, to remind his disciples words. “We have this ministry . . . Chief Administrator, Executive Pastor, that seeking places of for we do not proclaim ourselves; we and even C.E.O. (Chief Executive preeminence had no place proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and Officer)—ad infinitum, ad nauseum! ourselves as your slaves for Jesus sake” The two trends may be related. in the kingdom of God (Mt (2 Cor 4:1, 5). Ministers and ministry have been 20:20-27). So my plea and my charge to fel- my life. After three decades of pastoral low ministers is simple—stop your ministry in churches ranging from flight to Tarshish (Jonah 1:3). Forget small student pastorates to fast-grow- church? Or to be the “Senior about titles and authority that give ing suburban and large downtown Administrator?” Do you prefer the you power, prestige, or preeminence. congregations, I then taught hundreds title, “Executive Pastor?” Why? Remember that the only time Paul of ministers for 15 years in an SBC Now please, don’t argue that in referred to himself as “chief” was seminary. (Also I have served as inter- the modern world, the church orga- when he called himself the “chief of im pastor in numerous churches). nization has to have structure. That sinners” (1 Tim 1:15). So are we all! ■ One of my special interests is has always been true. My question ministerial ethics. At teaching at the to ministers who desire a title that Joe Trull retired after 11 years as editor seminary, I developed a class (and a emphasizes their authority is this: Is of Christian Ethics Today. He was also textbook) in which the role of the your calling to be a servant or to be Professor of Christian Ethics at New Orleans minister was explored and the writing the ultimate authority in the church? Baptist Seminary and pastor of churches in of a Code of Ethics was a final task. I Must you always have the last word? Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia. am convinced that a clear understand- I know, as one former student told

When Jesus disarmed Peter in the Garden, he disarmed all Christians. Tertullian (c. 160-225)

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • SUMMER 2014 • 21 Oh God, Please Let My Team Win. Please. Amen. By Joseph L. Price

ore than half of Americans to pray for the safety of referees in Mbelieve that divine forces play a While most of the prayers are World Cup cities filled with passion- role in the outcome of sporting events ate Brazilians. (according to a survey by the Public brief, the shortest is specific Prayerful petitions are not limited Religion Research Institute conducted to English fans and players. to futbol. Organizations, churches, prior to this year’s Super Bowl). The two-word prayer, “Oh players, and fans offered public American sports fans are not alone prayers for their teams during the in seeking God’s help. Shortly before God…,” NBA season, the Stanley Cup play- the World Cup soccer competi- offs, and the NCAA World Series. tion began in Brazil, the Church of Whereas some of the Church of England issued a news release autho- focused on the value of sports, espe- England’s World Cup prayers exposed rizing several prayers related to the cially their challenge to overcome national pride, prayers can also betray games. For this year’s World Cup, the individuality, work as a team, and sectarian partisanship. On the eve Bishop of Leeds, the Right Reverend promote peace based on the expe- of the NBA playoffs, the New York Nick Baines, who is described as a rience of camaraderie. The Pope Times featured a story about the “die-hard Liverpool fan,” revised the concluded with a prayer asking that Oklahoma City Thunder who preface set of prayers ecclesiastically embraced the games “take place with complete all home games with an invocation, four years earlier for the World Cup serenity and tranquility, always with the only professional basketball team events in South Africa. mutual respect, solidarity and broth- that maintains this practice. Seventy The first of Bishop of Leed’s erhood among men and women who percent of Oklahoma residents, prayers implore the Lord “who played recognize themselves as members of according to a Gallup Poll, identify the cosmos into being” to guard and the same family.” themselves as Protestant Christians. guide the games’ participants so that More spontaneous than either Not surprisingly, although the team they might enjoy “an experience of the Anglicans’ crafted prayers or the asks prayer leaders (including priests common humanity” and “generous and rabbis) to deliver non-sectarian sportsmanship.” One prayer requests invocations, the prayers frequently support for the tournament’s 32 What kind of ecumenical resound with a Protestant tone. nations— especially for Brazil as the Ministerial leaders, devout practi- host nation; and another, intended dilemma might God tioners, and even agnostic fans often for use by Anglicans immune to face if Notre Dame and beseech God to intervene on behalf World Cup fever, petitions the Lord of their favorite teams, especially for for patience with those who are pos- Baylor should meet in a championship events. During the sessed with futbol passion. championship game? Stanley Cup playoffs, the Catholic Two other prayers manifest national diocese in Montreal encouraged the partisanship, beseeching blessings on faithful to support the Canadiens by the British team. While most of the Pope’s telecast message are prayerful lighting a virtual votive. And before prayers are brief, the shortest is spe- gestures by players, and petitions by the final game of the NCAA World cific to English fans and players. The futbol’s global fans. One American Series, ESPN began its telecast with a two-word prayer, “Oh God…,” ini- professor writing for The New shot of the Vanderbilt team huddled tially intended as a plea for England’s Republic’s World Cup blog reflected together with heads bowed. They advance, effectively served (with on his agnostic friends who implored then confidently took their places different intonation) as a lament fol- God to support their favorite team, on the field, beating Virginia for the lowing England’s early exit from the and he noted Neymar’s prayerful dis- championship. competition. play—crossing himself—moments As a passionate sports fan, I have In a manner akin to the Anglican before scoring Brazil’s go-ahead goal often wished that prayers for my news release, the Catholic News on a penalty kick in the opening favorite teams or players might influ- Agency reported on Pope Francis’s game. Identifying how prayer can ence their performance; yet I do not World Cup message. In a brief even bring out the best in some fans, believe that the Lord of heaven and address telecast throughout Brazil the blog also reported that one skepti- earth really cares about the outcome on the eve of the games, the Pope cal fan had gone to church specifically of games on the field. What kind of

22 • SUMMER 2014 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY ecumenical dilemma might God face The Church of England. http://www. Times. February 27, 2014. http:// if Notre Dame and Baylor should churchofengland.org/media-centre/ www.nytimes.com/2014/02/28/ meet in a championship game? news/2014/06/church-releases- sports/basketball/praying-for-the- Even so, it is possible that when world-cup-prayers-including-prayers- home-team-in-oklahoma-city. participants experience the freedom for-england-team.aspx. html?emc=eta1&_r=0. and joy of genuine play in sports, their efforts can be understood as a Hamilton, Graeme. “Montreal Price, Joseph L. “Playing and kinesthetic form of prayer to the One Canadiens Fans Paying Catholic Praying, Sport and Spirit: The Forms who “played the cosmos into being.” ■ Diocese $1 apiece to Light Virtual and Functions of Prayer in Sports.” Candles for their Team.” National International Journal of Sports and Joseph L. Price, (Ph.D. University Post. April 21, 2014.http://sports. Religion I (2009): 55-80. of Chicago) is the Genevieve Shaul nationalpost.com/2014/04/21/ Connick Professor of Religious Studies montreal-canadiens-fans-paying- Stavans, Ilan. “God Uses the World at Whittier College. He also serves catholic-diocese-1-apiece-to-light- Cup to Teach People Geography.” as the series editor for the “Sports virtual-candles-for-their-team/. The New Republic. June 13, 2014. and Religion Series” published by http://www.newrepublic.com/ Mercer University Press. This article Harris, Elise. “May the World article/118144/world-cup-soccer- first appeared on July 17, 2014 at Cup be a ‘feast of solidarity,’ Pope and-god. The Martin Marty Center for The exhorts.” Catholic News Agency. Advanced Study of Religion and is June 12, 2014. http://www. Survey. “Half of American Fans reprinted with permission. catholicnewsagency.com/news/may- See Supernatural at Play in Sports.” the-world-cup-be-a-feast-of-solidari- Public Religion Research Institute. Sources and Further Reading: ty-pope-exhorts-92547/. January, 16, 2014. http://publicreli- gion.org/research/2014/01/jaJune 13, “Church Releases World Cup Prayers Keh, Andrew. “Praying for the Home 2014.n-2014-sports-poll/. including Prayers for England Team.” Team in Oklahoma City.” New York

Ethics Bytes: NPR’s Fresh Air, host Terry Gross asked how Stephen Colbert explained complicated issues like God and hell to his own children.

“I think the answer, ‘God is love’ is pretty good for a child. Because children understand love … My son asked me one day, ‘Dad, what’s hell?’ … So, I said, ‘Well, if God is love, then hell is the absence of God’s love. And, can you imagine how great it is to be loved? Can you imagine how great it is to be loved fully? To be loved totally? To be loved, you know, beyond your ability to imagine? And imagine if you knew that was a possibil- ity, and then that was taken from you, and you knew that you would never be loved. Well that’s hell—to be alone, and know what you’ve lost.’”

Source: www.relevantmagazine.com/culture/6-times-stephen-colbert-got-serious-about- faith#TvOfBDTmqK954Qge.99

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • SUMMER 2014 • 23 Ferguson Letter from Black Clergy Becomes Interracial Call for Justice by Adelle M. Banks

s the Rev. Barbara Williams- the Rev. Otis Moss Jr. and the Rev. ranted means for perpetuating racism ASkinner collected signatures for T. DeWitt Smith, veteran civil rights and bias against ethnic minorities.” a statement by leaders of African- activists, calls on African-American Other faith groups have weighed American church groups about the churches to memorialize Michael in with statements, from the North Ferguson, Missouri, police shooting Brown, the unarmed African-American American leader of the Seventh- of Michael Brown, she found more teen who was shot and killed by a day Adventist Church to the World people wanted to join in. white police officer on August 9. It Council of Churches. The general secretary of the National also urges contributions to a national Thousands of people signed onto Council of Churches wanted to add fund to assist his family with pending a statement from Sojourners, saying his name; an Asian-American evangeli- legal expenses. they stood with Brown’s family and cal leader, too. “In light of the long and bloody trail friends. More than 300 leaders signed What started out as a “Joint of lynchings, deaths, and killings of a Faith in Public Life open letter to the Statement of Heads of Historic African African American youth from Emmett community of Ferguson, saying they American Church Denominations” has Till, to Trayvon Martin, to Michael were praying for the family of Brown become an interracial cry for justice. Brown, and scores of others through- as well as the police officer who ended It’s touching hearts of people who out our nation, we call for action, his life and the armed officers who have sons and who know that their justice, and the transformation of our responded to the protesters: “We love sons would not be treated this way,” society,” the letter reads. you, mourn with you, and pray for said Williams-Skinner, co-chair of the The statement calls for greater voter you all.” ■ National African-American Clergy participation and replacing elected Network, on Thursday. “They know officials with others who “represent Adelle M. Banks writes for Religion it’s wrong. They know it’s wrong the preservation of life in ethnic com- News Service. This post appeared 8-22- before God. And they are responding munities where a disproportionate 2014 on God’s Politics, A Blog of Jim on a human level.” amount of killings, unsubstantiated Wallis and Friends and is used with The statement, also spearheaded by sentences, and jail time, are unwar- permission.

Ethics Bytes: At the end of the day, the President mused, the biggest threat to America—the only force that can really weaken us—is us…we will never realize our full potential unless our two parties adopt the same outlook that we’re asking of Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds or Israelis and Palestinians: No victor, no vanquished and work together…”societies don’t work if political factions take maximalist positions. And the more diverse the country is, the less it can afford to take maximalist positions.” Interview with President Obama by NYT columnist, Thomas Friedman, 8/8/14.

24 • SUMMER 2014 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY Euphemisms for Death by Marion D. Aldridge

ast week I was speaking at a conference of Retirement Community Chaplains. My thesis was that people who deal Lwith the vicissitudes of life best tend to deal best with the reality of death. There are seventy-year-old men and women who seem to be surprised when their ninety-year-old parent dies. Death happens. Living beings have a 100% mortality rate. One of the sidebar conversations initiated by the chaplains concerned the euphemisms people use to distance them- selves from the certainty of death. I think I would prefer to kick the bucket or croak rather than merely to pass on or cross over. My list is not exhaustive, but long enough to demonstrate our resistance to acknowledging that human life has a termination point. Interestingly, medical and religious people may be the worst at avoiding the obvious.

Asleep in Jesus Breathed his/her last Came to his end Communing with the angels Crossed over Departed this life Didn’t make it Entered eternal rest Entered into his reward Expired God called him home His hour had come In Abraham’s bosom Laid to rest Lost her life Made her last curtain call Met his Maker Negative patient care outcome No longer with us Out of her misery Passed Passed away Passed on Resting in peace Slipped away Stopped breathing Succumbed Transitioned Went to the Happy Hunting Grounds With God now

[Editor’s Note: Randall Lolley tells of a group of friends who discussed writing their own obituaries and shared their own self-written obits. Some had glowing language about their deaths for the headline, but one simply stated “John Doe....Dead”]

Marion D. Aldridge is a popular public speaker, workshop leader and an award-winning writer. His blog is found at http://marionaldridge.wordpress.com

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • SUMMER 2014 • 25 Book Reviews

“Of making many books there is no end. . . “ Ecclesiastes 12:12 NRSV

Redeemer: The Life of fresh perspective, warts and all, of Jimmy Carter Jimmy Carter. It is a brilliantly writ- as they have toured the globe and left by Randall Balmer (New York: Basic Books, ten account of a recent period of in their wake remarkable and deep 2014) American life that needs understand- accomplishments. Through the Carter Reviewed by Darold Morgan ing and correcting. This book gives Center in Atlanta, they can point to us a fresh appreciation of a tough- their efforts and contributions with ublished almost simultaneously minded, compassionate, and involved real people. Pwith President Carter’s book, Baptist from Georgia. Carter adroitly weaves vignettes A Call to Action: Women, Religion, from his life and experiences which Violence, and Power, is an excel- demonstrate his values-based under- lent new biography by Dartmouth A Call to Action: standing of women’s mistreatment. Professor Randall Balmer, which He tells stories from his childhood, brings a unique approach to Carter’s Women, Religion, his time at the Naval Academy and life and values. Not only is this biog- Violence, and Power on the peanut farm as well as in local, raphy exceptionally well-researched by Jimmy Carter (NewYork: Simon & state and national political arenas. and written, it succeeds in the dif- Shuster, 2014) Those values are based in his basic ficult assignment of writing about Reviewed by Darold Morgan biblical and Baptist roots. But he was a person still very much alive and also deeply supportive of the United active. immy Carter, the nation’s 39th Nations’ “Universal Declaration of The two books should be read one Jpresident and one of Baptists’ most Human Rights” which was ratified after the other. This will provide a articulate spokespersons, has done it in 1948. That declaration advocates solid adventure in reading and will again. He has written another book of in part, “The equal and inalienable give the reader a fuller and deeper exceptional value about some subjects rights of all members of the human understanding of Jimmy Carter and deserving our attention and action. family (i.e. the equal rights of men his continuing contributions both as a The reader is made to be distinctly and women…without distinction of former president and as an individual uncomfortable by the verve, vitality, any kind, such as race, color, sex, lan- with deep religious convictions and and brutal honesty of Mr. Carter. guage, religion.”) determination far beyond that of the He takes us to the heart of one of Mr. Carter shows his strong bibli- average person in solving some of the the most important ethical dilemmas cal knowledge about Jesus, referring problems of this confused and plural- in the world—the mistreatment of to him as “…the great liberator of istic world. women and girls. women in a society where they had Balmer helps us to understand far That mistreatment, Mr. Carter been considered throughout biblical more graphically the religious dynam- demonstrates, is bred in and results history as inferior.” (p. 22) Again, ics of the 1970s when Carter was from prejudice, discrimination, war, Carter reflects wisely and know- president. This is the timeframe when violence, distorted interpretations of ingly on Islam’s Koran regarding the American evangelicals moved into religious texts, physical and mental sensitive subject. He connects both the political arena, sadly impacting abuse, poverty, and disease. Every ill Christianity and Islam to the long list in a negative way both the religious confronting the world disproportion- of problems facing women and girls and political structures of America. ately hurts women and girls. today: world-wide violence and abuse, There is the hint that this move may President Carter provides a fasci- sexual assault and rape, genocide, be a contributing factor in the gradual nating, heart-breaking sequence of abortion, slavery and prostitution, diminishing of American church life chapters which demonstrate beyond spousal abuse, child marriage and today. The author handles this area debate how serious and widespread dowry deaths, maternal health related with objectivity and a keen analysis, the unethical treatment of women is. to child birth. resulting in some fresh material to Sadly, many will disagree with some Carter focuses attention on the consider about Carter’s political career of his positions. But when one com- distressing use of several verses in the and the directions he and Mrs. Carter pletes reading the book, the inescap- Bible which are used to justify some have taken in the ensuing years. able truth is that Mr. Carter and his of these indefensible abuses. Catholic, Redeemer is perhaps a strange wife, Rosalyn, have made significant evangelical fundamentalists, Islamic title, but the book brings us a contributions to alleviating this evil militants and Hindu extremists all

26 • SUMMER 2014 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY come to Carter’s attention in his tell- Heroes.” What an amazing litany of the air. The gap between the sexes is ing of how their interpretations of lessons the Carters have gleaned from seen nowhere more distinctly than in holy texts lead to behaviors which are their firsthand encounters with major wage disparities, says Carter. exactly opposite to the declaration of world figures who have crossed their But even with tragedies reported the United Nations. This is not pleas- paths during and after their White daily, Carter sees light at the end of ant reading, but Carter gives us essen- House years. the tunnel of darkness and evil, com- tial perspective on the immensities Second, the final chapter, “The ing slowly and inexorably. Simply and complexities of these problems in Road to Progress,” gives us the prom- stated, this is a book that is essential cultural and religious contexts. ise of encouragement. All across the reading for concerned Christians, Two chapters are alone worth the globe there are positive developments and for Islamists and secularists and price of the book. One is Chapter regarding the rights of women and all others, young and old, male and Nine, “Learning from Human Rights men. The progress is slow, but it is in female.

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, par- don; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226)

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