Christian Ethics Today A Journal of Christian Ethics Volume 23, Number 1 Aggregate Issue 96 Winter 2015

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

ARTICLES

The Struggle for Justice in Latin America Raimundo César Barreto Jr...... 2

…On CIA Interrogation Methods Senator John McCain...... 9

Mary Louise Valentine: Blessed Memories Darold Morgan...... 11 A Debate on Fracking

Safer than you think Dr. Joe Cartwright...... 12

Too risky by far Dr. Jeremy Leggett...... 13

Remembering a More Generous Economy Rick Burnette...... 14

Three Lessons from Christian Bale’s Moses Jennifer Danielle Crumpton ...... 15

The Theo-Politics of Near/Far K. Jason Coker...... 17

Texas Baptists and Usury Aaron Weaver...... 19

The Beginnings of the Texas Baptist CLC Bill Jones...... 22

Theodicy in Providing Holistic Healthcare Ryan E. and Howard K. Batson....25

Voting Rights in Texas Terry Austin...... 26

BOOK REVIEWS Faith-Rooted Organizing: Mobilizing the Church in Service to the World By Alexia Salvatierra and Peter Heltzel Reviewed by Justin Phillips.....28 The Christian Consumer: Living Faithfully in a Fragile World by Laura M. Hartman Reviewed by Ray Higgins...... 28

IN MEMORIAM Memorial Reflections About Carolyn Weatherford Crumpler Catherine B. Allen....29 Holy/Unholy Alliances: Taking Sides in the Struggle for Justice in Latin America Raimundo César Barreto Jr. he intent of this paper is to neither authoritarian nor merely pri- tively “witness[es] to the sovereignty Thonor the life and work of Glen vatistic?”1 of God or the Lordship of Christ Stassen by looking at him as a tactical In the past four decades, Latin through all of life.”3 Glen was not ally for public ethics in Latin America America produced a very influ- satisfied with witness that does not – more particularly in Brazil. ential public theology: liberation take risks. Instead, he moved beyond As a white North American evan- theology. Different versions of lib- an ethic of ideals and found a voice gelical, Glen engaged the world as a eration theology have influenced in the midst of many other pub- Christian ethicist from a particular Christian thought in Africa, Asia, the lic voices. He called us to critically location. He was faithful to the way Caribbean and North America, par- engage ideologies in the public arena, of Jesus and careful in his treatment ticularly among minority groups. making “tactical alliances” with other of the biblical witness. He resisted In addition to some Protestant languages spoken in public discourse the temptation of the privatization antecedents, liberation theology in the context where Christian ethics of Christian ethics imposed on it by “makes its witness.”4 secularization. And he resisted any In his introduction to Yoder’s The authoritarian version of Christian eth- It is wrong to make God War of the Lamb, Glen says, “We need ics that did not take seriously the plu- into an infinite, universal to understand and assess society’s lan- rality of voices in the public sphere. guages in order to develop antibodies Glen could be found in the abstraction. against being manipulated into sup- Revolution of Candles that contrib- porting unjust ideologies of the pow- uted to the fall of the Berlin Wall, was for the most part developed by ers and authorities.”5 In my view, in the Civil Rights Movement, and and among Catholic theologians Glen’s Christocentric, incarnational in the anti-nuclear movements. As in Latin American countries. Jose ethics can help evangelicals in Brazil the Director of the Baptist World Miguez Bonino, Rubem Alves, Elza critically and faithfully respond to the Alliance’s Division on Freedom and Tamez and Julio de Santana represent challenges they are forced to face. Justice, I shared his involvement in minority Protestant voices among the Latin American liberation theo- peace processes in Burma/Myanmar, leading Latin American liberation logians have long argued for the his- Northeast India and other places. theologians. But most Protestant – toricity of God’s action in the world. He worked in the Baptist World especially evangelical – Christians still Glen’s incarnational ethics, instead of Alliance’s Commissions on Peace and emphasize individualistic and privatis- affirming principles or ideals, empha- on Baptist-Muslim Relations. He tic approaches to Christian theology sizes the incarnated work of God in presented papers and engaged Baptist and ethics. a particular context. Glen advocates peacemakers, pastors and scholars In the case of Brazil, Paulo de that it is wrong to make God into an from different parts of the world. His Góes and Rubem Alves denounce the infinite, universal abstraction. For incarnational approach to Christian individualistic nature of the domi- him, God gets very particular. Thus, ethics respected the historical nature nant kind of Protestantism in that for him biblical faith affirms God’s of Christian responses to particular country.2 That approach to ethics disclosure in specific historical drama, challenges. He offered himself as a emphasizes rules and norms regard- particularly in the Exodus and the partner and an ally to Christians seek- ing individual or personal behavior drama of Jesus. This approach reso- ing to effectively witness in different of the believer, and neglects the need nates with the historical approach contexts. for effective Christian witness and taken by many theologians and ethi- Sadly, Glen’s approach to Christian response to the social maladies affect- cists in Latin America. ethics has not been engaged by many ing the larger Brazilian society. Those Glen’s approach to Christian Christians in Latin America, particu- maladies systematically privilege a ethics, like that of many Christians larly in Brazil. In this essay, I want to small elite to the exclusion or mar- in Latin America, is one that takes review some of the responses offered ginalization of many on the basis of sides with the marginalized and the by Latin American Protestants to the social class, race, gender and sexual oppressed against “ideologies of greed question that drove Glen’s concern orientation. and domination.” It is in this context for Christian ethics: “How do we find Glen Stassen advanced the call for that Glen warns us against approaches the solid ground for an ethic that is a public Christian ethics which effec- to public ethics and theology which

2 • WINTER 2015 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY actually lead to “unholy alliances” from the rich. Migration on any great with the emergence of evangelicals with such ideologies. scale is impermissible. There is no and Pentecostals in the past 50 years. “Only by showing how a more systematic redistribution of income. As Wesley Gramberg-Michaelson historically located and realistic While there is ethnic strife among the has noted, “by 2010, Latin America understanding of Jesus opposes some well-to-do, the strife is more vicious was home to nearly 550 million ideologies and affirms connecting and destructive among the poor.”9 Christians, and 20 percent were from with some other strands in public African descendants and the non-Catholic expressions of Christian ethics, such as covenant, community, indigenous Latin American peoples faith. These are growing at three times common good, and human rights, are among the poorest among the the rate of Catholic growth.”12 can we articulate the Lordship of poor. In Brazil, a study conducted That considerable growth has led Christ through all of life. But the between 1999 and 2001 showed that to greater participation of evangeli- challenge is to get free from unholy 63 percent of the poor in Brazil are cals and Pentecostals in public life, as alliances with ideologies of greed and black and 61.2 percent of the black sociologists such as Paul Freston have domination.”6 population is poor or indigent.10 noted.13 Such a sudden move from According to Luis Rivera-Pagan, The authors of the study reached the the private realm to participation in the history of Christianity in the inescapable conclusion that to be the public square has provoked some Americas began with an act of expro- born mulatto or black significantly contrasts. Whereas Protestant groups priation, a political and religious increases the likelihood of a Brazilian more identified with the cause of the conquest, which he properly called “a being poor.11 poor seem to be able to ally them- violent evangelism.”7 This was one of The control of oligarchies, disregard selves with other social movements the initial unholy alliances in the his- for the poor and systemic violation of without losing the distinctiveness of tory of Christianity in Latin America. human rights continue to impact the their own voices, those groups which The pain of that suffering is still felt lives of many in Latin America. In have suddenly moved from a previ- particularly by the native peoples. response to this history of more than ously “apolitical” attitude of non-par- Enrique Dussel has shown that five centuries, which formed struc- ticipation in the public square tend the invasion and conquest of the tures that protect the privilege of a to hold to a perspective of dominance Americas has intensified over the few and the exclusion and the suffer- and conquest of the public space. past centuries, taking the form of a ing of many, in the past two decades, This has produced a predominant hegemonic globalization. According different Latin American countries mentality of Christianizing the politi- to Dussel, modernity—the first have made attempts to promote dem- cal realm, which mainly implies the world-system ever in the planet his- ocratic models. They seek to advance election of evangelical/Pentecostal tory – was born along with “the myth popular participation and economic representatives to political offices and of a special kind of sacrificial violence programs with the intent of at least the promotion of particular agen- which eventually eclipsed whatever reducing the levels of extreme poverty, das which are important for these was non-European.” 8 This myth of infant deaths and other related prob- churches on issues such as abortion sacrificial violence, which justifies the lems. Brazil has developed one of the and equal marriage. An ostensive suffering of some people on behalf of most successful initiatives, the Zero discourse against the LGBT com- the happiness of others, can be associ- Hunger Program. It has also devel- munities and against people of other ated with a certain kind of Christian oped programs of affirmative action religions, particularly Afro-Brazilian theology, and has contributed to the in the attempt to correct the correla- religions such as Candomble and marginalization and exclusion of mil- tion of race and poverty noted above. Umbanda, has elevated tensions lions in Latin America. On top of that, greater attention to among these communities and evan- In his analysis of the current global issues such as violence against women gelical churches. situation, Richard Falk calls attention and children and equal marriage can Brazil is still a young democracy. to the connection between forced be noticed in public debates. The Brazilian Republic emerged in poverty and racism as the outcome of All these things take place at the 1889 through a military coup d’état a dehumanizing global order: same time in which Latin America against the monarch. It took more “We live in a world that is one-fifth also experiences great religious effer- than 20 years for Brazil to elect its rich and four-fifths poor; the rich vescence. In fact, Latin America first civilian president. Throughout are segregated into the rich countries has long been a very religious con- the 20th century the country alter- and the poor into the poor countries; tinent. In 1910, 95 percent of the nated periods of elected governments the rich are predominantly lighter Latin American population was with coups and dictatorships. The last skinned and the poor darker skinned; Christian – only one percent of it military dictatorship lasted 21 years most of the poor live in ‘homelands’ was non-Catholic. The continent is and ended in 1985. Since then, Brazil that are physically remote, often sepa- no less religious these days, but the has had seven consecutive presidential rated by oceans and great distances scenario has become more pluralistic elections, experiencing one of the

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • WINTER 2015 • 3 most stable periods of its history. and non-governmental organizations. an important role in this move toward Nevertheless, when tensions are From the four corners of the globe, a greater Protestant involvement with elevated, soon one can hear voices all these initiatives have mobilized the social problems surrounding the calling for order, which means mili- to fight against the social exclusion, Christian communities in Brazil.18 tary intervention. Brazil has just had destruction of the environment and Those movements, though, hap- its tightest presidential election, biodiversity, unemployment, human pened at the margins of ecumenical which led to the reelection of Dilma rights violations, pandemics, and Protestantism, and did not find Rousseff of the Workers’ Party with inter-ethnic hatreds, directly or indi- institutional space to survive the a little more than 51 percent of the rectly caused by neoliberal globaliza- repression faced within the churches, valid votes. In the days following the tion.”16 and the crack down from the military election, some middle and upper class This kind of political project regime after the 1964 military coup citizens dissatisfied with the results involves popular mobilization and d’état. of the election took the streets of mass movements through consensual In the 1970s, however, another Sao Paulo to call for the President’s social control ‘from below’ rather than small group of Protestants, now with- impeachment. Some of them held by coercive means ‘from above.’17 If in evangelical circles, in an attempt signs calling for the return of the Sousa Santos is correct, in order for to offer an evangelical response to military to bring order back. Thus, the present politico-economic order the effervescence of liberation theol- Brazilian democracy is being tested, to be democratized and reach a bal- ogy, took seriously the challenge of and although it is so far showing ance of power that will allow for real responding to the demands brought progress, its progress and success can- competitiveness, grassroots move- by the historical, political and social not be taken for granted. ments that promote alternative mod- contexts in which they were inserted. Boaventura Sousa Santos has noted els to the current course of capitalist Although Brazilians such as Robinson that the model of democracy which globalization must be strengthened Cavalcanti and Waldir Steuernagel became hegemonic by the end of the through the creation of larger social were among the founders of this two world wars implied a restriction networks. Those networks can pro- movement known as Teologia de la in the ample forms of participation duce an antithetical force, capable of Mision Integral de la Iglesia, its main and of sovereignty, favoring “a con- putting limits to the power of preda- theological articulators were Rene sensus about the electoral procedure tory globalization. Padilla from Argentina, Orlando in the formation of governments.”14 The need for deepening the roots Costas from Puerto Rico and Samuel He also discusses the issue of com- and understanding of democracy in Escobar from Peru. patibility or incompatibility between the continent calls for Latin American Padilla diagnosed the situation democracy and capitalism. According Christians to develop sound public in Latin American evangelicalism to him, if the tension between capital- theologies which can equip them to as being the problem of “a church ism and democracy bends in favor of speak in the plural public square, out without a theology.”19 For Padilla, democracy, it ends up putting limits of the particularity of their own reli- Latin American evangelicalism has to property and results in redistribu- gious traditions. failed in regard to its responsibility tive gains for the disfavored social Evangelicals and Public Ethics to “reflect, from the perspective of sectors.15 Is not this the democratic The privatization of faith identi- God’s revelation, on the meaning model being advanced in countries fied in the 1970s by Rubem Alves no that this revelation has here and now, such as Brazil, Bolivia, Uruguay and longer seems to be the major chal- vis-à-vis the obedience to Jesus Christ Ecuador? As Sousa Santos points lenge faced by Brazilian Protestants. as Lord in this situation.”20 These out, in the context of this debate the In fact, since the 1950s one can emerging evangelical voices called for discussion turns to democratic alter- observe a consciousness rising among the contextualization of the gospel natives to the liberal model: participa- some Brazilian Protestants concern- in the Latin American context. The tive democracy, popular democracy ing their involvement in the social, theological pillars of this contextual and developmentalist democracy, political and economic problems of evangelicalism are: (1) The founda- among others. Brazilian society. At least since 1955, tion of theology is the Word of God; “Although neoliberal globalization a small Protestant movement began (2) The context of theology is a con- – the current version of global capital- to take a stand in the struggle against crete historical situation; and (3) The ism – is by far the dominant form of poverty and social injustice in the purpose of theology is obedience to globalization, it is not the only one. country. As I have documented else- the Lordship of Jesus Christ.21 With Parallel to it and, to a great extent, as where, the emergence of a dynamic an evangelical and incarnational theo- a reaction to it, another globalization Christian Student Movement among logical agenda, these Latin American is emerging. It consists of transna- young Brazilian Protestants and the evangelicals experienced an awaken- tional networks and alliances among foundation of the Sector of Social ing concerning their responsibility social movements, social struggles, Responsibility of the Church played towards the surrounding society.

4 • WINTER 2015 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY In Brazil, military repression, along it live, is a defective evangelization, Protestants back together again.”32 with the conservative turn in most which betrays the biblical teaching While embracing much from Protestant denominations in Brazil,22 and does not follow the model pur- what had been proposed by both created a vacuum concerning the posed by Jesus Christ, who sends the liberation theology and ecumenical Protestant struggle for social justice in evangelist.”28 [translation is mine] Protestantism concerning the social the late 1960s, although progress con- Despite its external origins, CLADE responsibility of the church, these tinued to be made among Catholics. I created the opportunity for those radical evangelicals also were critical With the dismantling of the progres- Latin American evangelical leaders of both. In order to distinguish them- sive initiatives developed by ecumeni- who were concerned with the rela- selves from those two movements, cal Protestants, the struggle for social tionship between the evangelical faith they opted for the paradigm of con- justice was taken by the emergent and the Latin American social real- textualization instead of the paradigm liberation theology, mostly a Catholic ity to come together and share their of liberation to speak about their movement. inquietudes. Thus, as David Stoll theological action.33 The first Latin American Congress affirms, CLADE I was not a complete In spite of that emphasis on its dis- of Evangelization, known as CLADE success for its North American orga- tinctiveness, forums such as CLADE I, took place in Bogotá, Colombia, nizers, since the Latin American evan- ended up opening spaces for conver- in 1969.23 That meeting gave birth gelical leaders “discovered that they sations between different Protestant to the elaboration of an evangelical were all tired of North Americans tell- streams in Latin America. Speaking response to the Latin American situa- ing them how to think.”29 It issued of CLADE III, Tomás Gutierrez says tion.24 This congress was the bedrock that it was a forum for all Protestant of the Latin American Theological groups in Latin America, for conser- Fellowship (FTL), which would Both evangelization and vatives and liberals, with more than develop a contextual evangelical the- social action are necessary a thousand representatives from the ology in Latin America.25 whole continent.34 It created dis- One of the main Latin American for the Christian witness to cussion groups around the debates evangelical theologians addressing the world. that existed within Latin American CLADE I was Samuel Escobar, a Protestantism. One of these groups Peruvian missionary and scholar who put together representatives of the had spent some years in Brazil26 “a call for Evangelicals to meet their ecumenical Latin American Council working among evangelical students. social responsibilities, by contextual- of Churches (CLAI) and of the con- Among the 28 papers read at that izing their faith in the Latin American servative Latin American Evangelical congress, his address on the Social context of oppression.”30 Council (CONELA) to discuss face- Responsibility of the Church received One year later, a group of Latin to-face their proposals and differ- the most enthusiastic attention from American evangelical leaders founded ences.35 the participants.27 He argued pas- the Latin American Theological Progressive evangelicals have reaf- sionately that both evangelization Fraternity (FTL), choosing Samuel firmed the conviction present in both and social action are necessary for the Escobar as its first president.31 The liberation theology and ecumenical Christian witness to the world. purpose of these politically progres- Protestantism that praxis is the ele- “There is sufficient basis in the his- sive evangelical thinkers was to create ment by which the validity of any tory of the Church and in the teach- a forum where they could encourage theological reflection is judged. As ing of the Word of God for us to a contextualized theological reflection Samuel Escobar affirms, “The real categorically affirm that the concern in Latin America from a biblical and test of the validity of all theological with the social aspect of the Christian mission-oriented perspective. That reflection comes when it has become witness in the world does not imply kind of reflection was an attempt specific by application, on the ethical the abandonment of the funda- from those Latin American evangeli- level.”36 mental truths of the Gospel; on the cals – theologically conservative, but Another leading voice in this contrary, it means to take to the last politically progressive – to respond evangelical movement, Orlando consequences the teachings regarding to the challenges posed by the Latin Costas acknowledged that liberation God, Jesus Christ, human existence, American reality of poverty and theology poses a tremendous chal- and the world, which form the basis injustice. Pledging to be both bibli- lenge to contemporary theology. That of this Gospel…We sustain that an cal and distinctively Latin American, challenge must be taken seriously in evangelization that does not take they declared their intention “to evangelical circles especially due to account of the social problems and pursue social issues without abandon- its “biblical contents.”37 For Costas, that does not announce the salvation ing evangelism, deal with oppressive liberation theology’s insistence on and sovereignty of Christ within the structures without endorsing vio- engaging the concrete historical situ- context in which those who listen to lence, and bring left- and right-wing ation is the greatest challenge for the

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • WINTER 2015 • 5 theology of mission, because biblical radical experience of social conversion kind of narrative genre for theology Christian faith has a historical charac- to Latin American evangelicalism. might be a helpful resource for Latin ter, being firmly rooted in a concrete Believing that the biblical gospel in its American evangelicals to overcome historical situation.38 According to origin was proclaimed and received at some of the challenges they face in him, although Jesus was not involved the peripheries of the world, Costas the process of searching for a broader in political parties, he took a political was convinced that it is only from and still distinctive language for a position as he relativized the author- that incarnated context that it can public ethics. Stassen’s transformative ity of the Empire.39 On that basis, become prophetic and apostolic at the initiatives also offer a creative way of Costas criticized the role of the same time. moving beyond legalistic approaches evangelical missionary enterprise as The theology provided by this move- to the Bible. Furthermore, Glen’s functioning to justify and cover for ment has encouraged some Latin strong commitment to a narrative of the domination of Latin American American evangelicals to a greater human rights, which strengthens and peoples. social commitment and action. expands its biblical and experiential “Not only does the theology of libera- However, because of concerns with grounding can also be a good resource tion challenge missionary theory and defining an a priori biblical justifi- for Brazilian evangelicals engaging praxis to take seriously the political cation for their praxis, it still keeps debates on human rights laws. The dimension of the missionary situa- many of these evangelicals tied to protection of the rights of some indi- tion by evaluating its own political dogmatism, because they still depend viduals and groups have historically instance (its justification of the status on literalistic interpretations of the antagonized most evangelicals.43 quo through the policy of nonpolitical Public Theology commitment), but also by insisting A more recent development in on the incarnational character of the The protection of the rights Brazil has been the emergence of an gospel. If mission is to be faithful to of some individuals and emphasis on public theology.44 Since the gospel it purports to commu- public theology originally emerged in nicate, it must be undergirded by a groups have historically the United States, enculturation and theology grounded on serious com- antagonized most ownership by Brazilian communities mitment to mankind in its many situ- evangelicals. are needed in order to be a genuine ations.”40 expression of Brazilian Christianity. Such an incarnational mission- This movement intends to develop oriented theology must have at least Scriptures. Too much time is spent on a broad theological discourse that three characteristics: (1) unfeigned doctrinal quarrels, and praxis ends up is accessible simultaneously to love, which means being sincerely becoming secondary. many different audiences—church, and completely committed to oth- In spite of their important contri- academy and larger society. It there- ers; (2) faith that acts, which means butions, these progressive evangelicals fore takes the risk of neglecting the a faith “unconditionally committed have not yet managed to impact the particularity and contextuality that in praxis to everything that God evangelical leadership involved in are intrinsic to any theology. As is committed to;” and (3) creative politics in places like Brazil. This Gustavo Gutierrez has put it, hope, which implies that “our work evangelical movement is still search- “Efforts to understand the faith, for the kingdom should involve at ing for a theological language that can which we call theology are inextri- once our creative involvement in the free it to realize all the transformative cably linked to issues that emerge transformation of life and society and potential implicit in Padilla’s brilliant from life and the challenges facing the annunciation of a new world as image of mission as taking places the Christian community as witness evidence (‘first fruits’) of the new age between times.42 Renewed theo- the kingdom of God. So theology is inaugurated by Jesus and as a guaran- logical language can enable Brazilian connected to the historical moment tee of the promised future.”41 Perhaps evangelicals to overcome biblical lit- and the cultural world in which such there is no other Latin American eralism and the doctrinal quandaries issues arise (thus say that a theology theologian whose work and wording that have limited their actions. is ‘contextual’ is strictly tautological: coincide as much with the empha- Finally, this movement also lacks one way or another, all theology is ses and concerns found in Stassen’s a broader and more elaborated the- contextual).”45 Christian ethics and his understand- ology of human rights, which can Miguel de la Torre complements ing of incarnational discipleship. also enable its participants to fully this concern by highlighting that “any Considering that most Latin advocate for the civil liberties of other theological discourse that ignores the American evangelicals have been minorities with whom evangelicals in peculiarity of minority and marginal exposed exclusively to otherworldly Latin America have a difficult time voices silenced in the centers of power oriented theology, holding an escapist relating. Glen Stassen’s emphasis on as well as the ‘struggle’ and the ‘every- missionary praxis, Costas proposes a “historical drama” as a particular day’ of marginalized people loses its

6 • WINTER 2015 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY prophetic and transforming dimen- prepared the foundation for a way of citizenship temporarily solves this sion.”46 of thinking that sustains and makes problem, leaving open the possibility The situation in Latin America plausible the fundamental importance of new terminology, when the theme today is no longer the same as 40 of the contextual aspect of theology, of citizenship is not as burning. Von years ago when the first expressions especially in view of its economic, Sinner offers a contribution which of liberation theologies in Latin political and social dimensions.”47 is more purposeful and which aims America emerged. However, despite Von Sinner demonstrates how the towards a construction process rooted the greater diversity and complex- Latin American theology of libera- in the Brazilian reality, in contrast to ity of the Latin American scene, for tion, classically formulated between approaches described as “conflicting” most of the Latin American people the 1960s and 1970s, provided the which have not produced concrete domination and oppression are still basis for a significant awareness of the historical projects in theology. terms that characterize the social situ- general character of contextual theol- There are challenges in the choice ation in which they live. Therefore, ogy in contact with similar move- of citizenship as a key hermeneuti- they remain important for a Christian ments that originated in this period in cal term. Citizenship is a term that ethical thinking that seeks to respond various continents.48 In his attempt does not have adequate strength to to the real situation facing the vast to move beyond liberation theology, challenge the status-quo. For some, majority of our people. Oppression – von Sinner suggests a broad defini- citizenship is understood as a status whether political, economic or social tion of citizenship that includes the granted by the nation-state, usually – is not fortuitous. It results from the real possibility of access to rights and understood in terms of loyalty and operation of a system that pushes mil- civic responsibility.51 For others, lions to the margins of society who “citizenship alienates and assimilates, come into being under a constant There seems to be a certain ostracizes and equates.” Citizenship threat of violence in impoverished disdain for the idea that is argued on the basis of its own and often inhumane conditions. categories of exclusion. It is a highly Rudolf Von Sinner has been one of perhaps the leading public complex category, consisting of both the leading theologians spearheading role of the church is to be a negative and positive content; both efforts to update theological language witness in solidarity with the absence and presence, especially for in the Brazilian context in order to members of countless people who strengthen the understanding of the oppressed. are undocumented.52 Thus, this public role of churches and religious language seems to be insufficient to communities in light of the signifi- resolve the dilemmas of modernity’s cant changes that have occurred in an attitude towards the constitutional inherent exclusion and its coloniality that context in recent decades. Von state as such.49 Citizenship issues of power, which are the basis of the Sinner proposes a Brazilian public need to be engaged in a concrete and nation-state.”53 theology that, while taking into decisive manner, both theologically In some circles, there seems to be account the contributions of libera- and practically, inside and outside the a certain disdain for the idea that tion theology, seeks a more construc- churches. perhaps the leading public role of the tive and positive integration in public Given the new possibilities for church is to be a witness in solidarity areas, going beyond the role of resis- popular participation, von Sinner with the oppressed. The dominant tance exercised by liberation theology proposes the use of public theology, discourses in public theology state during the times of the Cold War and qualified as a theology of citizenship, that it must go beyond the resistance the military crackdown in order to as a terminology which is broader proposed by certain prophetic the- more effectively engage diverse audi- than liberation. This approach is ologies. On the other hand, there ences: civil society, the university, the “critical-constructive” rather than remains a great need for theology economy and politics. “conflicting,” being more dialogical, to adopt a posture of resistance and In a context of democratic advances cooperative and constructive than solidarity with the poor if it wants and strengthening of civil society that theologies called particularists.50 to challenge the dominant logic. But creates more spaces for the involve- Rudof sees his theological project to challenge the status quo, theology ment of religious actors in the public in continuity with the contributions needs to escape the logic of modern sphere, von Sinner sees the construc- made by liberation theology, while colonialism. tive proposals of public theology as trying to overcome other aspects of As Walter Mignolo suggests, one more appropriate to offer tools and it. Von Sinner recognizes that the of the characteristics of the political language relevant to the issues, insti- term “public theology” cannot be and economic expansion of Western tutions and life processes under the specific enough to adequately meet civilization is the manipulation and current conditions of a global society. the demands of the Brazilian context. control of all spheres of knowledge. He says that liberation theology “has However, its description as a theology Therefore, rather than fitting the

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • WINTER 2015 • 7 dominant narrative, public theologies practical and programmatic charac- reshaped as new Christian expressions are challenged to propose alternative ter, moving from strictly theological begin to respond to the challenges of decolonizing narratives to unveil and discourse to the demand of rights. inequality and injustice. show the unfeasibility of hegemony But his public theology needs greater Since most of the fastest growing and homogeneity of the modern clarity on who are the subjects of Christian communities are evangeli- discourse that Mignolo calls “mono- the theological task and what is cal, charismatic or Pentecostals, the culture of the mind.”54 The priority their social location in the matrices biblical, narrative, experiential and of theology is not its communicabil- of power to avoid suppression of incarnational spirit of Glen Stassen’s ity to the dominant spheres of the voices and interests of those who Christian ethics can be an extremely economy, the state, the academy and are made invisible by the dominant helpful resource for the task of find- the church, without challenging their order. Public theologies emerging in ing appropriate language for public structures. Rather, it is the rescuing contexts like Brazil need to prioritize ethics and theology which expands of alternative narratives and marginal local narratives and alternatives, in the contributions of liberation theol- voices, silenced by the same monocul- opposition to the universalizing dis- ogy, radical evangelicalism and public ture, many sometimes with the help course. In order to be in continuity theology in Brazil. ■ of theology itself.55 This perspec- with previous advances made in the tive accentuates the tension between context of liberation theology, public Raimundo César Barreto Jr., assis- witnessing and being effective in the theology must restate the hermeneuti- tant professor of world Christianity public square which one sees in Glen’s at Princeton Theological Seminary, is ethics. an ordained Baptist minister. Barreto Resistance to the colonization of the earned his BTh degree from the mind is not simply a negative critical No theological task is Northern Brazil Baptist Theological reaction to a process of domination. politically neutral or Seminary and from the Superior School It also has a creative aspect, which can of Theology, in Brazil, his MDiv transform this process by reorganizing disengaged. from McAfee School of Theology/ the creative forces of the multitude Mercer University, and his PhD from that sustain Empire, building new Princeton Theological Seminary. Prior forms of community consciousness cal privilege of the poor / oppressed to coming to Princeton Seminary, and alternatives to the dominant con- / marginalized / subaltern and cre- he taught at Brazil’s Northeastern sciousness. A Latin American public ate new spaces for doing theology. Baptist Theological Seminary and theology cannot abdicate their con- It needs to deal with the issue of the at the Brazilian Baptist College. He flicting character. The attempt to seek social location of theologians in the also served as director of the Division inclusiveness and responsiveness must context of the matrices of power. of Freedom and Justice of the Baptist not inhibit conflict, difference and Theologies of liberation have World Alliance (BWA). He first met tensions of social heterogeneity. No fulfilled the fundamental role of Glen Stassen in 2004, during Glen’s theological task is politically neutral bringing to the fore the theological visit to Bahia, Brazil. Glen lectured at or disengaged. Moving the theologi- production of different human groups a local Baptist seminary and Barreto cal discourse from the margins to the from specific contexts of oppression. translated Glen’s lecture on the 14 triads center risksremaining dependent on The question does not seem to be of the Sermon on the Mount. Barreto an epistemic privilege that contributes overcoming the hermeneutical key of also worked on the translation of Glen’s to mute populations and groups long liberation, but expanding it. Contrary book, Living the Sermon on the Mount, not recognized.56 to the opinion that liberation theol- which will be out in 2015. Von Sinner succeeds in giving ogy has died, in Latin America we his public theology of citizenship a say that it is not dead. It is being Footnotes found online.

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8 • WINTER 2015 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY Floor Statement by Senator John McCain on Senate Intelligence Committee Report on CIA Interrogation Methods By John McCain

r. President, I rise in support of promising our values; whether they ever they think their torturers want Mthe release – the long-delayed served a greater good; or whether, as them to say if they believe it will stop release – of the Senate Intelligence I believe, they stained our national their suffering. Most of all, I know Committee’s summarized, unclassi- honor, did much harm and little prac- the use of torture compromises that fied review of the so-called ‘enhanced tical good. which most distinguishes us from our interrogation techniques’ that were What were the policies? What was enemies, our belief that all people, employed by the previous adminis- their purpose? Did they achieve it? even captured enemies, possess basic tration to extract information from Did they make us safer? Less safe? Or human rights, which are protected by captured terrorists. It is a thorough did they make no difference? What international conventions the U.S. and thoughtful study of practices that did they gain us? What did they cost not only joined, but for the most part I believe not only failed their purpose us? The American people need the authored. – to secure actionable intelligence to answers to these questions. Yes, some I know, too, that bad things happen prevent further attacks on the U.S. things must be kept from public dis- in war. I know in war good people can and our allies – but actually damaged closure to protect clandestine opera- feel obliged for good reasons to do our security interests, as well as our tions, sources and methods, but not things they would normally object to reputation as a force for good in the the answers to these questions. and recoil from. world. By providing them, the Committee I understand the reasons that gov- I believe the American people have has empowered the American people erned the decision to resort to these a right – indeed, a responsibility – to to come to their own decisions about interrogation methods, and I know know what was done in their name; whether we should have employed that those who approved them and how these practices did or did not such practices in the past and whether those who used them were dedicated serve our interests; and how they we should consider permitting them to securing justice for the victims of comported with our most important in the future. This report strengthens terrorist attacks and to protecting values. self-government and, ultimately, I Americans from further harm. I know I commend Chairman Feinstein and believe, America’s security and stature their responsibilities were grave and her staff for their diligence in seek- in the world. I thank the Committee urgent, and the strain of their duty ing a truthful accounting of policies for that valuable public service. was onerous. I hope we will never resort to again. I have long believed some of these I respect their dedication and appre- I thank them for persevering against practices amounted to torture, as a ciate their dilemma. But I dispute persistent opposition from many reasonable person would define it, wholeheartedly that it was right for members of the intelligence com- especially, but not only the practice them to use these methods, which this munity, from officials in two admin- of waterboarding, which is a mock report makes clear were neither in the istrations, and from some of our execution and an exquisite form of best interests of justice nor our secu- colleagues. torture. Its use was shameful and rity nor the ideals we have sacrificed The truth is sometimes a hard pill unnecessary; and, contrary to asser- so much blood and treasure to defend. to swallow. It sometimes causes us tions made by some of its defenders The knowledge of torture’s dubious difficulties at home and abroad. It is and as the Committee’s report makes efficacy and my moral objections to sometimes used by our enemies in clear, it produced little useful intel- the abuse of prisoners motivated my attempts to hurt us. But the American ligence to help us track down the sponsorship of the Detainee Treatment people are entitled to it, nonetheless. perpetrators of 9/11 or prevent new Act of 2005, which prohibits ‘cruel, They must know when the values attacks and atrocities. inhuman or degrading treatment’ of that define our nation are intentional- I know from personal experience captured combatants, whether they ly disregarded by our security policies, that the abuse of prisoners will pro- wear a nation’s uniform or not, and even those policies that are conducted duce more bad than good intelligence. which passed the Senate by a vote of in secret. They must be able to make I know that victims of torture will 90-9. informed judgments about whether offer intentionally misleading infor- Subsequently, I successfully those policies and the personnel who mation if they think their captors will offered amendments to the Military supported them were justified in com- believe it. I know they will say what- Commissions Act of 2006, which,

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • WINTER 2015 • 9 among other things, prevented the niques were indispensable in the war just strictly pursuing our geopoliti- attempt to weaken Common Article against terrorism. And I suspect the cal interests, but by exemplifying our 3 of the Geneva Conventions, and objection of those same officials to the political values, and influencing other broadened definitions in the War release of this report is really focused nations to embrace them. When we Crimes Act to make the future use of on that disclosure – torture’s ineffec- fight to defend our security we fight waterboarding and other ‘enhanced tiveness – because we gave up much also for an idea, not for a tribe or a interrogation techniques’ punishable in the expectation that torture would twisted interpretation of an ancient as war crimes. make us safer. Too much. religion or for a king, but for an idea There was considerable misinforma- Obviously, we need intelligence to that all men are endowed by the tion disseminated then about what defeat our enemies; but we need reli- Creator with inalienable rights. How was and wasn’t achieved using these able intelligence. Torture produces much safer the world would be if all methods in an effort to discourage more misleading information than nations believed the same. How much support for the legislation. There was actionable intelligence. And what the more dangerous it can become when a good amount of misinformation advocates of harsh and cruel interro- we forget it ourselves even momen- used in 2011 to credit the use of these gation methods have never established tarily. methods with the death of Osama bin is that we couldn’t have gathered as Our enemies act without con- Laden. And there is, I fear, misinfor- good or more reliable intelligence science. We must not. This executive mation being used today to prevent from using humane methods. summary of the Committee’s report the release of this report, disputing makes clear that not only acting with- its findings and warning about the out conscience isn’t necessary, it isn’t security consequences of their public even helpful, in winning this strange disclosure. I have often said, and will and long war we’re fighting. We Will the report’s release cause out- always maintain, that this should be grateful to have that truth rage that leads to violence in some affirmed. parts of the Muslim world? Yes, I question isn’t about our Now, let us reassert the contrary suppose that’s possible, perhaps likely. enemies; it’s about us. It’s proposition: that is it essential to our Sadly, violence needs little incentive about who we were, who we success in this war that we ask those in some quarters of the world today. who fight it for us to remember at all But that doesn’t mean we will be tell- are and who we aspire to be. times that they are defending a sacred ing the world something it will be It’s about how we represent ideal of how nations should be gov- shocked to learn. The entire world erned and conduct their relations with already knows that we water-boarded ourselves to the world. others – even our enemies. prisoners. It knows we subjected pris- Those of us who give them this duty oners to various other types of degrad- are obliged by history, by our nation’s ing treatment. It knows we used black The most important lead we got in the highest ideals and the many terrible sites, secret prisons. Those practices search for bin Laden came from using sacrifices made to protect them, haven’t been a secret for a decade. conventional interrogation methods. I by our respect for human dignity Terrorists might use the report’s re- think it is an insult to the many intelli- to make clear we need not risk our identification of the practices as an gence officers who have acquired good national honor to prevail in this or excuse to attack Americans, but they intelligence without hurting or degrad- any war. We need only remember in hardly need an excuse for that. That ing prisoners to assert we can’t win this the worst of times, through the chaos has been their life’s calling for a while war without such methods. Yes, we can and terror of war, when facing cruelty, now. and we will. suffering and loss, that we are always What might come as a surprise, But in the end, torture’s failure to Americans, and different, stronger, not just to our enemies, but to many serve its intended purpose isn’t the and better than those who would Americans, is how little these prac- main reason to oppose its use. I have destroy us. tices did to aid our efforts to bring often said, and will always maintain, Thank you. ■ 9/11 culprits to justice and to find that this question isn’t about our ene- and prevent terrorist attacks today mies; it’s about us. It’s about who we U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and tomorrow. That could be a real were, who we are and who we aspire delivered this statement on the floor of surprise, since it contradicts the many to be. It’s about how we represent our- the U.S. Senate on the Senate Select assurances provided by intelligence selves to the world. Committee on Intelligence report on officials on the record and in private We have made our way in this often CIA interrogation methods December that enhanced interrogation tech- dangerous and cruel world, not by 9, 2014.

10 • WINTER 2015 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY Mary Louise Valentine: Blessed Memories By Darold Morgan

e note with sorrow, and yet gratitude, confidence that hope lies in eternal life, com- Wthat Mrs. Mary Louise Valentine plete with some blessed reunions. And, there is passed away in Dallas on October 9, 2014. love which is grounded in that faith and hope She and Foy Valentine, the founder of has produced a beautiful life….that Foy would Christian Ethics Today, were married for 58 agree is of major importance to all his work. years before his death in 2006. Memorial She and Foy retired from the Christian services were conducted at her church, Park Life Commission of the Southern Baptist Cities Baptist Church, on October 16th by Convention in Nashville in 1988. They moved Darold Morgan, David Sapp, John Scott, back to Dallas where their roots were strong. and Charles Worley. Burial was beside Foy Here was born the concept of the quarterly and a young daughter in a country cemetery journal, Christian Ethics Today, and the Center near Foy’s home territory in Van Zandt for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, Foy’s County, East Texas. She is survived by three alma mater. In the early years of the quarterly, daughters, Jean, Carol and Susan and the Mary Louise was the proof reader along with great and great grandchildren. many other tasks involved in the journal’s pro- Born in Fort Worth, Mary Louise was a duction, mailing list, and other clerical details. graduate of Rice University. Throughout She and her daughters continued the task of Foy’s world-wide ministry, she supported raising funds for the Valentine Chair of Ethics him with love and understanding far beyond at Truett Seminary, a part of Baylor University. the average. Her family agrees that the Mary Louise traveled far and wide with Foy homelife she created, her support when so during his ministry, but of signal importance many challenges came Foy’s way, and the to her was the keeping of a warm and welcom- depth of love in the home was of exceptional ing home for the family. She welcomed many dimensions. This was the main emphasis of visitors, served splendid meals, and was always the memorial service that honored her. The charming. Many of us have fond memories of final verses of I Corinthians 13 were used. being in her home. Perhaps a highlight of her The New English Bible version of verse 13 memorial service was when a grandson read says: “There are three great things that last those memorable words from Proverbs: “Her forever….faith, hope and love. But the great- children rise up and bless her, her husband also, est of these is love.” and he praises her, saying, ‘many daughters The application was quite simple. Mary have done nobly, but you excel them all’.” ■ Louise had values that grew out of her deep faith in Christ. Added to that is the strong

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • WINTER 2015 • 11 A Debate on Fracking

Hydraulic fracturing, or ‘fracking’, and smaller than even those caused by is a mining technology in which mining operations. Fracking requires hydraulically pressurized liquid large volumes of water, but on a scale comparable to many other industrial is used to crack rock, thereby activities. allowing the recovery of In countries such as the UK and the hydrocarbons such as gas and USA, the regulatory framework for oil. Almost no issue of our times onshore drilling operations is suffi- has aroused as much heated ciently tight to allay fears. As we have debate as fracking, to the point seen over the years with conventional where the real issues are almost oil and gas drilling operations, acci- overwhelmed by Hollywood dents can and do happen. But such accidents are very rare compared to films, lobbying groups and geo- the scale of the activity. political arguments. There is another concern: that the

Safer than you think ‘The legitimate concerns are By Dr Joe Cartwright r a no greater than would apply c to any industrial operation’ racking has already been used in Fmore than two million boreholes; so it is hardly a new and unproven chemicals being incorporated with methodology. For instance, fracking is water and sand into the fracking fluid routinely used to enhance recovery of will eventually penetrate groundwater oil and gas from many conventional aquifers. This is a fear that rests on reservoirs of sandstone and shale. An a failure to grasp the scale of frack- example is in Europe’s largest onshore ing. A typical fracture is less than a oil field in Dorset, Wytch Farm, centimetre across and no more than nestled in the beautiful New Forest. 200 to 300 metres tall. Because shale The legitimate concerns relating to gas reservoirs are exploited at depths fracking are no greater than would of only two to three kilometres below apply to any industrial operation, and the surface, and groundwater aquifers are addressed by the right regulatory are typically a few hundred metres framework. But there is huge public beneath the surface, the likelihood of fear and even unrest in many coun- fractures propagating anywhere near tries and indeed, in the US itself, at the water supply is extremely small. the prospect of fracking coming to The greatest risk to groundwater ‘our community.’ comes instead from poor drilling Hydraulic fracturing of a shale gas methods, and particularly from poor reservoir involves drilling into the quality cement lining of the bore- reservoir and pumping fluid into it at hole, which is a recognised problem sufficiently high pressure to overcome for all drilling operations and for the natural tensile strength, plus the which regulations are already specifi- confining stress. There is nothing cally designed. The chemicals used in intrinsically dangerous about pump- fracking fluid also amount to about ing fluid into the deep subsurface at one per cent of the total pumped vol- high pressure, provided the well is ume, and are strictly controlled in the monitored carefully throughout. The US and UK. Methane leakage into the resulting minor ‘earthquakes’ are tiny, atmosphere is not well quantified at relative to destructive earthquakes, present, partly because of the paucity

12 • WINTER 2015 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY of data on natural leakage of methane duction from all shale gas regions would be if superimposed on rural from the deep subsurface into shallow save the Marcellus has peaked already, Britain. Yet already local opposition aquifers and to the surface; but this and many of us watching the detail is severe, even against single vertical does need careful monitoring in the see little prospect of the gas industry unfracked test wells. Planning for the future. delivering growing production far first such was recently rejected by a Without a doubt, the greatest risk into the future. council in Sussex for the first time, to communities where fracking opera- Second, the local environmental with objectors ‘weeping with relief’ in tions would be undertaken comes not cost. Once Dick Cheney freed frack- the chamber on hearing the decision. from pollution from drilling, or from ing from scrutiny under the Safe Many such objectors are conserva- induced seismicity, but from the vastly Water Act (the so-called ‘Halliburton tive voters. The prime minister says he increased road traffic that would be Loophole’), bad news about con- wants to deliver sufficient shale gas to required to supply the drill site. Only tamination and health impacts should drive down the gas price enough for local communities can judge whether have been predictable. It has been manufacturing to return to the UK. this disruption is justified by the slow to emerge, in part because of He has little or no chance of getting privileges of living in a highly devel- widespread use of gagging orders by that past his own voter base without oped society, fuelled (at least for the the industry as part of compensa- committing political suicide, even if time being) in large measure by oil tion payments for wrecked farms and much gas proves extractable by frack- and gas. ■ impaired health. But now a regular ing – which the British Geological drip of bad news has started and is Survey clearly has doubts about. Dr Joe Cartwright (DPhil in rift Fifth, the opportunity cost. There systems, 1988) was appointed the is a shovel-ready alternative over time Shell Professor of Earth Sciences at ‘Fracked gas may well that can be developed Oxford in 2012. He worked for Shell be worse than coal in surprisingly quickly: a power source International as an exploration geophys- that is infinite and easy to tap. icist, was at Imperial College as a Senior greenhouse terms, over Politically, the government’s own Lecturer until 1999, and was appointed the full-life-cycle’ opinion polls show that solar is out- Honorary Professor of the Institut standingly the most popular energy Français du Petrole in 1998. technology with the British public, soon likely to snowball as ever more year after year, miles ahead of frack- people realize the reality behind the ing – even now, so early in the game. Too risky by far industry’s insistence that all is well. The opportunity cost is that many By Dr Jeremy Leggett Third, the global environmental leaders in the oil and gas industry, and cost. Gas industry operations can leak their supporters in government, want am opposed to fracking in the UK methane, a potent greenhouse gas, actively to suppress this fast-growing Ifor five main reasons: economic from wellhead to hob. Early research global industry, with its fast-falling risk, local environmental cost, global findings by the rare university teams cost base – along with other clean- environmental cost, social cost and not cowed by oil-industry funding are energy industries – so as to not put opportunity cost. All the evidence for very worrying when it comes to frack- investors in gas off. ■ what follows is in the log of events on ing. Fracked gas may well prove to be my website, www.jeremyleggett.net. worse than coal, in greenhouse terms, Dr Jeremy Leggett (DPhil in earth First, the economic risk. The US over the full-life-cycle. And British sciences, Wolfson, 1978), author of ‘shale boom’ looks as though it will shale basins are far more faulted than The Energy of Nations, is founder turn into a bubble. The oil and gas US shale basins. and chairman of Solarcentury and industry is losing cash by the tens of Fourth, the social cost. It is likely founder and chairman of SolarAid, a billions of dollars, because high drill- that few British people as yet fully solar lighting charity set up with 5% of ing costs mean most companies are appreciate the industrial Solarcentury’s annual profits, itself par- spending more than they are earning infrastructure, waste disposal chal- ent to a social venture, SunnyMoney, from fracked gas and oil. Wider US lenges and lorry movements that are that is the top-selling retailer of solar industry may have benefited from required for a typical US shale ‘sweet lights in Africa. He is an Entrepreneur cheap gas in the short term; but pro- spot’, and what the social cost of that of the Year at the New Energy Awards.

The feature on fracking was first published in Oxford Today, the official magazine of the University of Oxford, in October 2014, and is reproduced here with the permission of the Chancellor, Masters and Scholars of The University of Oxford.

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • WINTER 2015 • 13 Remembering a More Generous Economy By Rick Burnette

was a nosey little boy. Every Friday Times opinion piece by Bill Marsh, was commanded to be shared with Iduring the early 1970s, my mom through the 1960s, minimum-wage foreigners, the fatherless and widows would write a paycheck for the family worker earnings were about 50 percent who might glean after the harvest business’s only employee, Ted*. And I of those of average American produc- (Deuteronomy 24:19-21). Stating the would inspect the check each time that I tion workers. Since then the value of case for adequate ministerial compensa- walked it over to him. As I recall for that the minimum wage has eroded to the tion, the Apostle Paul references both period, Ted made around $70 a week. point that minimum-wage workers the welfare of the ox and the worker My dad opened his auto body repair earn only 37 percent of what the aver- (1 Timothy 5:18). James 5:4, warns shop behind our house in 1965. In age American wage earner takes home. oppressive employers: “Look! The 1969 he hired Ted, a 20-year old who The Economic Policy Institute, wages you failed to pay the workmen had been married a couple of years and which lobbies for the economic who plowed your fields are crying out whose wife stayed at home to take care interests of low- to moderate income against you. The cries of the harvest- of their baby boy. American families, has stated that had ers have reached the ears of the Lord Ted’s upbringing was not easy as his the minimum wage continued to be Almighty.” dad was killed in a sawmill accident adjusted at the same rate as growth in What has changed over the past half when he was a toddler. After Dad took wages for the typical American worker, century? Are economic conditions now Ted on as an unskilled worker, he began it would have been$10.65 in 2013. so dire that employers cannot possibly to learn the basics of repairing dents and On a state-by state basis, some support a living wage for their employ- preparing cars for paint jobs. progress is being made. By early ees or provide health benefits without In 1970 the U.S. minimum wage was 2015, 21 states will have raised sinking their businesses? $1.60 per hour with a 40-hour wage, minimum wages higher than the Or is part of the problem rooted excluding social security and other U.S. minimum. According to the in an unhealthy sense of entitlement deductions, calculated at $64. Ted’s pay Washington Post (December 26, among employers? Could it be that cor- was a little higher than the minimum 2014), these raises will range from porate officers, managers and business wage. He also received medical insur- 12 cents in Florida to $1.25 in South owners generally expect to live larger ance through my parents’ business. Dakota. The state of Washington’s than before, resulting in less to share Ted had very little church involve- minimum wage will be the highest at with those in their employ? ment. My dad, a deacon and Sunday $9.47 with Oregon’s next at $9.25. Today, in order to adequately com- School teacher, invited him to attend Vermont and Connecticut at $9.15. pensate their workers, how many our church. Not long afterward, Ted Massachusetts and Rhode Island at $9. employers are choosing to live with a made a profession of faith and was bap- Unfortunately, these state minimum little less? Many of these would know tized in Cartoogechaye Creek along with wage changes will still be considerably that a willingness to share, whether me and several others. lower than the needed $10.65. corporately or individually, extends Except for a brief period when Dad In addition to an inadequate mini- spiritual blessings as well as economic went to work as the body shop fore- mum wage, another factor inhibiting benefits. man at the Ford dealership, Ted worked low income economic progress is the Had Mom and Dad been close-fisted in the family business up through the pervasiveness of businesses minimizing employers, it’s doubtful that their faith 1980s. He and his wife still reside in the employee benefits by offering part- would have been legitimate or attractive house that they built almost 45 years ago time employment. Another limitation to Ted. I think that they understood after having raised three boys there and is the wrongful classification of work- that spiritual and economic concerns they remain involved in a local church. ers as independent contractors for are not exclusive. ■ Would Ted’s modest but significant whom businesses are not required to economic accomplishments be possible withhold or pay any taxes on payment Rick Burnette previously served as today? Under the current economic for services. an agricultural missionary with the and business climate, it doesn’t seem Despite tactics and legal loopholes Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in very likely. For one thing, the US that secure corporations and busi- Thailand. He and his wife, Ellen, cur- minimum wage, currently $7.25, has nesses a bigger piece of the pie, Biblical rently serve as Director of Agriculture at not kept pace with the cost of living. expectation for generosity speaks to ECHO in North Ft. Myers, Florida. According to a July 2014 New York the contrary. Agricultural abundance

14 • WINTER 2015 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY Three Lessons for America from Christian Bale’s Moses By Jennifer Danielle Crumpton

recently sat down with Christian American ideological polarization, would not have “been thinking about I Bale, Joel Edgerton, Ridley Scott political leadership, foreign diplo- drones,” as Father Jonathan Morris, a and a handful of religion journalists macy, the latest report on CIA activ- guest on Fox and Friends, lamely sug- to talk about the New York premiere ity, views of the Ferguson and Staten gested. It is actually about the most of Exodus: Gods and Kings. You might Island tragedies, and much more. It is profound mysteries of life and deepest guess that a bunch of religion writers up to you to decide how. quandaries of humanity. Bale actually tried to school the artists on the reli- One person’s freedom fighter is gets that. gious veracity (or lack thereof) of the another person’s terrorist. When it comes to survival, both movie, or criticize the atheist director’s Bale told ABC’s Nightline that physical and ideological, right and reality-based choices. Not so. In fact, Moses in his time was “…absolutely wrong start to bleed together. ‘Thou I walked away from the earnest con- seen as a freedom fighter. A terror- shalt not kill’ becomes a question- versation feeling I’d just been blessed ist in terms of the Egyptian empire. able tactical call or a vulnerability, with something much deeper than a What would happen to Moses if he not God’s commandment once the Sunday school lesson. Hebrews were out of a blood-soaked Only a few men have notably Egypt. When interests collide, all bets played Moses on the big screen, small Bale told ABC’s Nightline that are off. Does choking to death some- screen or stage. Becoming Moses and Moses in his time was “… one we are trying to subdue make us playing out one of the biggest coups safer? Does ruthless torture reflect in history surely lends an insight oth- absolutely seen as a freedom the protection of American values, or erwise unattainable at a reader’s dis- fighter. A terrorist in terms of make us as bad as our enemies? I’ll tance. Listening to Bale talk about his the Egyptian empire. never forget working on a documen- extraordinary opportunity to slip into tary about international relationships the skin of Moses and see events from post-9/11, and meeting a teenage girl his perspective in order to do the bib- arrived today? Drones would turn out from Pakistan who knew she would lical icon justice got me to thinking. after him, right?” never get married because she lost her Bale’s performance of Moses, and He made a quite simple observa- leg in a drone strike and was forever his personal reflections about the care tion about the tumultuous position marred. I remember the child hold- he took in embodying him, made me and brazen actions of his character — ing a baby in Tora Bora who looked wonder what would happen to the raised in the courts of Egypt and then into the camera and asked why the narrative if he weren’t so curious and hand-picked by God to turn and go American king killed their civilian open about Moses’ authentic percep- to dramatic, deadly lengths to free the parents, leaving them alone, hungry tion of both his own story and The Hebrew slaves. He referred to the situ- and penniless. Greater Story. It reminded me of the ation in applicable modern language In the film, we see Bale’s Moses greatest danger to our narrative as a we use today. Yet, rather than stop- simultaneously awe and reel over the nation: our propensity for not car- ping to really listen, understand and violent terror and death God rains ing to truly get inside the head of the consider his perspective, the media down on even the innocent people other; not stopping to question our twisted Bale’s comments into treach- of the land under imperial rule. He version of the story; not bothering ery and the religious went on the war is both in on it and freaked out by it. to understand or find value in what path. Unlike other depictions I’ve seen, the seems foreign to us; and not acknowl- But what is so offensive about rec- situation in his eyes is not a given for edging the surprising truth present ognizing that Moses heard God’s voice a just or happy ending. We all con- in experiences and realities we have telling him he was going to torture demn senseless violence, and today not lived ourselves. In other words, the oppressors with plagues and kill groups like ISIS have certainly taken usurping universal stories for our own them off in a series of miraculously misguided (pseudo) ‘religious’ brutal- narrow purposes and proofs, and dis- strategic initiatives – down to inno- ity to an unprecedented extreme. We missing the lessons that do not match cent animals and first-born babies? have to fight to save ourselves some- a rigid worldview. And God needed Moses to help how when everything is at stake. But Considering our discussion in light make it happen. It’s what happened, God help us if we forget that in the of recent headlines, I came away with after all. This statement by Bale is day-to-day, there are always multiple three lessons that we can apply to not about whether Moses would or experiences of the fighting and the

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • WINTER 2015 • 15 fighters, the victories and the conse- way to get the job done. Both Moses and tired and have had it, because we quences, and we have all been on both and Jesus seemed insane because are too lazy and self-righteous and cer- sides. Someone always loses the battle. they believed the unbelievable, saw tain and distracted and scared shitless But everyone ultimately loses their the unseeable, and did the unthink- to slip into their skin and play out the freedom. able. After sacrificing any sense of coup that must happen for justice to We’ve been demanding the wrong comfort or security in life, and fight- reign, for the realm of God to come. kinds of heroes. ing the good fight, Moses missed the What if what we think is God’s story Looking to the iconic Great Promised Land and Jesus went to the is actually another story altogether, American Hero to lead our fights and cross. from a completely different perspec- protect us, we expect he — and it’s What if we were brave enough as a tive? What if God is every perspective, always a he — to be consistently stoic world leader to do the counterintui- all together? and strong, unbreakably confident, tive thing? What if the example we We tend to conduct ourselves in decisive and sure. He never makes a set was to do the right thing despite the opposite way of Moses’ wrestling mistake, changes his mind or admits what others do to us, and accept what humility and Jesus’ fearless empathy. he doesn’t know what to think or do. comes. What if our “Christian nation” We don’t listen and understand before We tend to demand perfection, or at actually followed Jesus, who said there we react, and we refuse to turn the least the spin to create the appearance is no longer such thing as an eye for other cheek. Yet the ultimate success of it. Politicians run and win on their an eye, which results only in violence of this great experiment of ours will records of never changing their stance and retaliation? Would we die on the require compassion, critical thinking on issues, which also means they and compromise. It will require hav- have not thought critically, sought or ing no skin and every skin. learned new information, or grown Bale’s Moses really loses it. Scott, Edgerton and Bale clearly personally and intellectually. Political He’s no stoic-heroic Charlton took the Exodus story seriously, and parties refuse to relinquish a stance, to Scott reiterated that they “chose to compromise or to accept a solution, Heston, and it is divine. play it as if it were historically true.” even when the government is hours The only way Bible stories remain from shutting down. cross? Or would we be resurrected relevant and approach universal truth Bale’s Moses changes dramatically into a new life? Will we ever know? is if diverse human beings creatively from a strapping, confident and com- It is ridiculous to accuse unifiers, bring them forward into the light of a manding “prince of Egypt” – the typi- advocates and peacemakers of making new day and the hearts of new genera- cal hero of brawn and bravado – to a our country seem weak…the attempt tions in new and unique ways. In the wan, confused, tormented, exhausted at finding common ground and mak- end, survival is not about controlling servant. He agonizes, questions every ing peace is the utmost display of the story’s outcome, but having faith move, doubts himself, doubts God strength. There is something to this in it. ■ and yells. He bounces between reali- loving our enemies thing, that we are ties, gets flustered and flounders. He promised will pay dividends for the Jennifer Danielle Crumpton is a gradu- struggles. This is the only way he human race. It’s what Jesus did in his ate of Union theological Seminary in could save his people: to be open to protest and activism against impe- New York City where she is a resident learning everything as he goes and to rial oppression in his time. But some and pastoral associate of Park Avenue be certain of nothing. This is heroic American Christians want torture, Christian Church in Manhattan. leadership. And it is not acceptable in drones, bombs, boots on the ground, She is a former corporate advertising our modern mainstream, to our detri- tons of guns, stops and frisks, shows executive and is a contributing author ment. of force and towering electric fences, to the recent book A New Evangelical We can’t be afraid to look crazy. because they are an oddly frightened, Manifesto. An author and public Bale’s Moses really loses it. He’s no distressed moral majority for people speaker, she is immersed into inter-faith stoic-heroic Charlton Heston, and who supposedly believe without dialogue and faith-based social justice, it is divine. Bale said Moses is “the doubt in an omnipotent, all-powerful feminist theology, and Christian social most intriguing person I’ve ever come God who will deliver them. and structural ethics. Jennifer can be across…He encompasses virtually In America, it seems easy to take our followed on femmevangelical.com. every single emotion known to man.” privilege too far and smugly smother This article appeared on Patheos on On screen, we see this Moses’ inner our perceived enemies with rigid reli- December 12, 2014 and is used with struggle and his shades of grey… gious assumptions and warring cries permission. the things we always secretly wonder of pre-ordained victory. It seems easy about. Looking crazy was the only to wonder why black people are angry

16 • WINTER 2015 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY The Theo-Politics of Near/Far: Homosexuality and Other Divisive Issues By K. Jason Coker

ne of the most endearing and in profound ways. It shapes the way we shaped. It was theological because Omemorable skit on Sesame Street think about the world and about each there was already a path for Gentiles is Grover’s epic near/far demonstration. other. to become Jewish—circumcision was a I’ve never been able to forget it since I Theo-Politics of Near/Far primary ritual for inclusion into Judaism was a child, and the skit actually is just When spatial concepts are used meta- for Gentile men. This was also a political a little bit older than me—it first aired phorically, the near/far binary imme- act after the destruction of the Temple by in 1975. For the younger among us, the diately raises ethical questions. What Rome because a convert physically dem- forever young Grover “shows” his view- are those things that bring us close, i.e. onstrated their allegiance to a territory ers what near and far mean. He stands near, as a community, and what are those in revolt against Rome. Circumcision at attention very close to the TV screen things that separate us, i.e. far? These could not be hidden in the public area and declares, “Near!” Then, he runs away are questions of identity and otherness, of the gymnasium, so circumcision was a from the screen, getting smaller and and when defining community from public act, and it was the primary ritual smaller, until he stops and says, “Far!” the standpoint of faith, we need to con- for Gentiles to become Jewish—and of In order to help the viewers, children sider the “ethics of the other.” Identity course, the early Jesus movement was a and adults alike, he repeats this near/far is a boundary constructing endeavor, Jewish movement. It was the more radi- demonstration over and over again until but it does not have to be completely cal factions of the early Jesus movement he is out of breath from running back exclusive. The problem is with binary that reinterpreted the inclusion of the and forth—near to far and back again. language. To identify or define oneself Gentiles. Paul, one of the most vocal By the end of the two and a half minute or one’s community usually results in a of these advocates, clearly argued that skit, and to the delight and hilarity of negative demarcation with another. “I Gentiles did not need to be circumcised his audience, Grover collapses in exhaus- am not that” or “We are not them.” This (cf. Galatians 3). tion trying to demonstrate the meaning is quintessential binary thinking, and it The Gospel of Matthew mediates of near and far. Although Grover never is not a modern phenomena. this argument by reluctantly accepting believes that we understood what he was This is implicitly the problem in the Gentiles into the covenant with God by trying to demonstrate, in actuality, we all Letter to the Ephesians. In this letter, their faith. The story of the healing of got it! there is an attempt to find a common the Centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:5- Even the smallest child understood, ground between two groups of people 13) and the Canaanite woman’s daughter maybe not in these exact words, that who were historically at odds with one (Matthew 15:21-28) are the best exam- there was a major distance between the another: Jews and Gentiles. Gentiles ples of the inclusion of the Gentiles in spatial concepts of near and far. Near is were considered “far” from God and the Gospel of Matthew. Luke’s narrative something close. Far is something dis- God’s covenant. Likewise, Jews were of Peter and Cornelius codifies his theo- tant. What may not have been so explicit considered “near” to God and God’s political stand on how Gentiles belong in in Grover’s skit is that there was a mas- covenant. In fact, Jews were God’s cho- the covenant, i.e., “What God has made sive difference between near and far. In sen people. The problem in Ephesians, clean, you must not call profane” (Acts pure spatial terms, this is simply descrip- and the primary difficultly addressed 10:15). All of these biblical authors are tive and carries no political or theological by several New Testament writers, was trying to mediate a major issue among weight. I live far from my hometown. what to do with Gentiles? The Gospel of their constituents: How do we include That is a spatial fact—Connecticut is a Matthew, the Acts of the Apostles, 1 & 2 the Gentiles? The bigger question, long way from Mississippi. Corinthians, Galatians, and Ephesians all however, was not the inclusion of the Near and far, then, create a binary of specifically address this issue, and other Gentiles, but the identity of the move- opposites, which is indicative of so much New Testament writers deal generally ment! Who are we? of our language and cultural construc- with internal unity and group cohesive- Ephesians 2:11-22 gives a great assess- tion of reality—we are “far” from Sesame ness (cf. The Gospel of John and the ment of how to think about the theo- Street at this point! Western languages Epistles of John). politics of near/far in relation to the are built on binaries such as near/far, The earliest challenge to the Jesus Gentile problem, and it is worth quoting white/black, male/female, right/wrong, Movement that later became known as at length. etc. We define a word either by saying Christianity was the issue with Gentiles. 11 So then, remember that at one time what it is not—by its opposite—or by This was both a theological and politi- you Gentiles by birth, called “the uncir- deferring to other words. This system cal issue due to the time in which the cumcision” by those who are called “the of binary opposites constructs reality Jesus Movement was growing and being circumcision”—a physical circumcision

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • WINTER 2015 • 17 made in the flesh by human hands—12 community cohesion where there was they are being choked by the left-wing remember that you were at that time division. agenda. Both sides feel victimized; both without Christ, being aliens from the com- Theo-Politics of Near/Far in sides feel like no one is listening to them. monwealth of Israel, and strangers to the Contemporary Culture All the while we demonize each other as covenants of promise, having no hope and All of these biblical examples show us sexual perverts or homophobic bigots, without God in this world. 13 But now in how our Christian ancestors negotiated and as we do, we fall prey to the legacy Christ Jesus you who once were far off have the theo-politics of near/far in relation of binary thinking, which has consumed been brought near by the blood of Christ. to the major moral issue of their time. political discourse in American politics. 14 For he is our peace; in his flesh he has The Gentile problem was the issue, but What does the “one new humanity” look made both groups into one and has broken it pushed early Christianity to make like in our contemporary society? This down the dividing wall, that is, the hostili- very difficult decisions related to iden- is a question of identity. Do we value ty between us. 15 He has abolished the law tity. What kind of community would cooperation and fellowship more than with its commandments and ordinances, it be? Would it allow Gentiles into the being right? If someone disagrees with that he might create in himself one new community or not? If it did, what ritual us on this issue, does that mean we can humanity in place of the two, thus making would Gentiles have to perform to enter never work together on anything else? peace, 16 and might reconcile both groups into the community? These were very If we disagree on the most divisive issue to God in one body through the cross, thus difficult questions, but the biblical in American society, does that mean we putting to death that hostility through it. authors did their very best to work with cannot cooperate on anything else? 17 So he came and proclaimed peace to you these answers in their writings, and these I believe that the Bible offers us exam- who were far off and peace to those who writings—our sacred Scriptures—are ples of early Christian believers that had were near; 18 for through him both of us what we use to navigate the waters of our strong convictions about cooperation have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 own modern moral issues. For the writer and fellowship, and those convictions So then you are no longer strangers and of Ephesians, it is clear that the “one new guided their capacity for everything aliens, but you are citizens with the saints humanity” was much more important else. They genuinely believed that God’s and also members of the household of God, than how to incorporate Gentiles. The Kingdom was a big house. I strongly 20 built upon the foundation of the apos- “one new humanity” was the overarching believe that these biblical examples can tles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself identity in which all these early believers, guide us through our modern moral as the cornerstone. 21 In him the whole both Jews and Gentiles, were included. issues together and in cooperation, structure is joined together and grows into This did not abolish their identities as which means we won’t always agree with a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom Jews or Gentiles, it just provided a com- each other on the issues. We can, how- you also are built together spiritually into a mon ground for them to worship and ever, agree on how we work through our dwelling place for God. work together for God’s common good. disagreements so that we can cooperate From the very beginning, it is obvi- The issue of homosexuality is one of in other areas where we share strong con- ous that this passage is dealing with the our modern moral issues and so many viction. If we are constantly policing the historic difference between Jews and are drawing a line in the sand—this is line between near and far, we will only Gentiles. It is also clear that the goal of an identity marker more than a theo- run out of energy just like Grover did this passage is to create a sense of belong- political statement. These lines segment way back in 1975. ■ ing for the Gentiles by incorporating and divide our Christian brothers and them into the covenant of God through sisters and churches in ways that prevent Rev. K. Jason Coker is the pastor of Wilton Jesus Christ. The theo-politics of near/ us all from working together for other Baptist Church in Wilton, CT. He received far play an essential role in the way this important issues that demand atten- his Masters of Arts in Religion from Yale process happens. The “far off” Gentiles tion and cooperation. The only thing University Divinity School and his Ph.D. have been metaphorically brought that everyone agrees upon regarding from Drew University. He currently serves “near” by Jesus Christ. Space is created homosexuality is that it is a divisive at the Recorder for the Cooperative Baptist for both Jews and Gentiles to coexist issue—one of the most divisive in our Fellowship, and is anticipating the publica- in a new community. This is a move- country. Denominations are being tion of his first book James in Postcolonial ment away from the “Gentile problem” torn to pieces over how to respond to Perspective: The Letter as Nativist and a move toward group identity. The the issue. The judicial systems in our Discourse by Fortress Press in 2015.This identity markers of Jew and Gentile are state and federal governments are fever- essay was published by Baptist Global Press not abolished, but this new space offers ishly working through all sorts of issues on October 29, 2014 and is used with a new identity for both—not a compet- related to marriage equality, gay rights, permission. ing identity. This “one new humanity” traditional family values, etc. I do not problematizes the binary thinking of deny the severity of this issue for our Jew/Gentile. It disrupts the logic of this time. Those in the LGBTQ community binary and offers another way to think feel ostracized and oppressed. Those who about identity, and it does so to create do not agree with homosexuality feel like

18 • WINTER 2015 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY The Problem of Predatory Lending: Texas Baptists and Usury by Aaron Weaver

eet “Rick.” Rick is a Vietnam For more than 300 years in America, the Supreme Court’s Marquette rul- MWar veteran who, like a growing usury was considered to be a seri- ing. Predatory lenders would pay the number of Americans, is underem- ous crime and for decades federal law out-of-state bank a fee to make the ployed and has lived paycheck-to- enforcement sought to apprehend and loan in the name of the bank. The paycheck for a long time. When his incarcerate usurious lenders. However, FDIC cracked down on these practices daughter got into a bit of financial in 1978 the U.S. Supreme Court dealt in 2005 and ruled that deferred cash trouble, Rick took out a $4,000 title a devastating blow to usury restrictions. checking as well as the “rent-a-bank” loan against his truck to help out. In Marquette National Bank v. First model to avoid a state’s usury laws were Not able to pay off the loan in one Omaha Service Corp., the High Court “unsafe and unsound banking prac- payment, Rick was charged a $1,200 was asked to decide whether the usury tices.”6 penalty fee per month. Rick could laws of a bank’s home state or the laws The FDIC’s crackdown did little to have paid $1,200 each month forever of the consumer’s home state applied in hinder the efforts of predatory lenders. and never paid off the loan. Stephen a multi-state loan transaction. Relying Starting in the late 1990s, the payday Reeves, then public policy director on the National Bank Act of 1864, lending industry experienced exponen- of the Texas Baptist Christian Life the Court ruled against the consumer tial growth. In the early 1990s, payday Commission, shared Rick’s story at and issued a decision allowing national lenders comprised a tiny fraction of the 2009 regional meeting of the New banks located in deregulated states, the financial services industry with just Baptist Covenant. According to Reeves, such as Delaware and South Dakota, several hundred locations. In 2004, just Rick’s story exemplifies what usury to export its high interest rates to states prior to the FDIC’s intervention, there looks like in the 21st century. with strict usury laws. In response, were 22,000 payday loan storefronts Throughout history, the practice of these states adopted “parity laws” to in the U.S.7 Recent data has shown usury has been almost universally con- give their local financial institutions the that — not including online lenders demned. For centuries, usury has been right to charge the same interest rates — there are more than 24,000 payday judged by poets and philosophers and that national banks could import into loan locations nationwide. 8 prophets and priests as an especially their communities via federal law.4 With an average annual interest rate persistent and pernicious evil.1 During Non-bank lenders, such as finance of around 400 percent, the payday the United States founding era, interest companies and car dealerships, resented loan industry is now a multi-billion rates on loans in all 13 colonies were the preferential treatment that banks dollar industry. A study from The Pew capped between five and eight percent. were receiving. These lenders began Charitable Trusts reported that pay- Usury laws in the colonies and back to lobby for exemptions from state day loan borrowers spend $7.4 billion in England were rooted in historic usury laws and some were success- annually at more than 20,000 payday Christian understandings of acceptable ful. Consequently, during the 1980s, storefronts and on hundreds of web- lending practices. Protestant reform- predatory lenders began to take advan- sites. More than 12 million Americans ers such as Martin Luther held that tage of these exemptions and other took out a payday loan in 2010 and interest rates of five to six percent were loopholes to state usury laws. These 69 percent of borrowers took out the moral with eight percent as a permis- lenders began to allow a borrower to loan to cover the cost of a recurring sible rate in some circumstances.2 post-date a personal check for a small monthly expense.9 In the early 20th century, states amount plus a fee, payable to the In Texas, there are more payday began to adjust their usury laws to lender, in return for cash. The bor- loan storefronts than McDonalds and allow for higher interest rates. The rower would then be obligated to buy Whataburger restaurants combined. industrial age brought with it more back the uncashed check at his or her With more than 3,000 payday stores stable household incomes and created next “payday,” generally due 14 days that handle an estimated $3 billion in a demand for greater access to credit later. In many states, these predatory loans annually and take in more than through moderately-priced consumer lenders contended that they were in $400 million in fees each year, Texas is loans with low double-digit interest the “check-cashing” business and not the corporate headquarters for industry rates. Following World War II, all 50 actual lenders.5 giants Ace Cash Express, EZ Money states had interest rate caps ranging In other states with traditional usury and Cash America International. from 24 to 42 percent per year on restrictions, predatory lenders part- When the FDIC cracked down on small loans. The median limit was 36 nered with banks in deregulated states the “rent-a-bank” model in 2005, pay- percent.3 to “rent” their interest rate powers per day lenders in Texas discovered a new

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • WINTER 2015 • 19 way to do business. These lenders were problem of predatory lending. on fair lending later that year at the — to the dismay of consumer protec- This report called on Texans to “leave convention’s annual gathering. Citing tion advocates — allowed to register behind the debilitating, failed practices the “more than 2,800 unlicensed and with the state as credit service organiza- of debt and waste and embrace a new unregulated lending storefronts” in the tions (CSOs) under Chapter 393 of the ethic of thrift and saving.” According state, the resolution expressed “deep Texas Finance Code, a provision origi- to the report, a two-tier financial sys- concern over the currently legal, yet nally intended for organizations that tem has emerged in recent decades in unethical, lending practices being used aimed to help improve a consumer’s Texas. The upper tier of this system is in economically disadvantaged com- credit history or rating. comprised of pro-thrift institutions, munities throughout the state,” and The payday storefront set up as a including savings banks and credit urged the passage of “just laws that will CSO, which was separate from the unions, that provide opportunities for limit these unfair lending practices.” third-party non-bank lender. The CSO higher-earning families to save, invest It also called on churches to consider would function as the broker between and build wealth. However, the lower- starting ministries to assist individuals the consumer and the third-party tier of this system is made up of public in personal financial management and lender, and the lender would loan the and private anti-thrift institutions, such stewardship.13 money to the consumer at the 10 per- as the state-sponsored lottery, pawn In addition to educating Texas cent usury cap rate per the Texas state shops, rent-to-own stores, payday lend- Baptist churches, the CLC focused on constitution. However, the CSO would ers and other providers of high-interest mobilizing other faith-based organiza- charge unregulated fees for its “ser- loans. These anti-thrift institutions tions around the issue of predatory vices” in securing the loan for the con- provide numerous ways for lower- lending. Up until that point, there sumer. These fees could total to more earning families to forego savings, bor- was no organized faith-based effort than a 500 percent annual rate. row at predatory interest rates and fall to confront the payday loan industry. In 2010, Texas Baptists began to into a debt trap.10 With this linkage Partnering with the Texas Catholic take notice of the predatory lend- between the lottery (a public anti- Conference and Texas Impact (an ing problem in their state in a formal thrift institution) and payday lenders interfaith organization), the CLC and organized way. For more than 60 (a private anti-thrift institution), this formed Texas Faith for Fair Lending. years, the Christian Life Commission report provided the CLC a rationale This coalition worked to educate the of the Baptist General Convention and framework to buttress the ethic public as well as key stakeholders in of Texas has aimed to “speak to, but agency’s lobbying efforts in the Austin Austin about the state’s problem of not for” Texas Baptists on a host of Capitol as well as with its fiercely anti- payday lending. The coalition stressed ethical issues in the political arena. gambling Texas Baptist constituency. that its purpose was not to set up a While initially focused on confront- Beginning in January 2010, the CLC new regulatory system, but to force ing racial inequality and gambling, the sponsored a series of articles on preda- payday lenders to operate under CLC came to respond to almost every tory lending in the Baptist Standard, Section 342 of the Texas Finance important issue to trouble American the news publication for Texas Baptists. Code, which already governed small society, from family life issues such as These articles sought to outline a theo- consumer loans with regulations on birth control and divorce to religious logical foundation for support of pay- rates and fees and oversight through liberty to economic issues such as pov- day loan reform and did so relying on the Office of Consumer Credit erty and world hunger. the perspectives of notable Bible and Commissioner. The coalition’s ultimate With predatory lending, the CLC ethics scholars in Texas Baptist life. The objective was to have the state legis- became involved to confront a neglect- CLC called on church leaders to preach lature close the loophole in the Texas ed justice issue and an extremely pow- about the responsible stewardship of Finance Code that allowed payday erful industry — an industry whose resources and how to cultivate a “cul- and auto-title lenders to register as members include deacons and active ture of thrift” through sponsorship of credit service organizations and avoid laypersons in some of the conven- financial seminars to teach congregants usury regulations. Texas Faith for Fair tion’s 5,500 affiliated congregations. and community members how to get Lending emphasized that its purpose The CLC also became involved after and stay out of debt.11 was not to shut down payday store- coming to understand the connection At its annual conference in March fronts but to require them to operate between payday lending and gambling, 2010, the CLC highlighted the con- fairly and openly like other lenders in which the CLC has consistently and nection between gambling expansion the state. effectively opposed for decades in the and predatory lending through a focus In 2011, during the 82nd session Lone Star State. on financial issues in the church. The of the Texas legislature, the CLC and CLC leaders have cited the “Thrift conference emphasized the need to the newly-formed Texas Faith for Fair or Debt” report of the Institute for reclaim the importance of a culture Lending coalition advocated for and American Values as a formative influ- of thrift.12 The ethics agency also backed legislation to close the CSO ence that led the agency to address the ensured the adoption of a resolution loophole and regulate payday lend-

20 • WINTER 2015 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY ers. Led by Director Suzii Paynter, the Faced with the political reality that sion to advocate for bills that would CLC endorsed legislation proposed by serious reform of the payday industry break the cycle of debt perpetuated by Senator Wendy Davis of Fort Worth would not be possible during the 82nd these products.”22 that proposed to force payday and session, the CLC reluctantly endorsed The CLC and the Texas Faith for auto-title lenders to conform to regula- Truitt’s bills. Stephen Reeves, the Fair Lending coalition continued its tions similar to other lenders in the CLC’s public policy director, explained work during the interim period and state and cap interest rates and fees.14 that Truitt’s bills represented the ses- during the 83rd session in 2013, work- Davis’ bill proposed limits on payday sion’s “best hope of positive change ing again to pass aggressive legislation loan fees, the elimination of fees on for borrowers.”19 The CLC and other to put restrictions on payday lending rollover loans and included the require- consumer advocates had good reason to in Texas. These efforts resulted in the ment that lenders put consumers on a be suspicious of Truitt’s involvement as passage of a reform bill in the Texas payment plan with no additional fees during the 2010 election cycle. Truitt Senate, described by the Fort Worth after a loan had been re-issued three received more campaign donations Star-Telegram as “tougher than expect- times. Most importantly, Davis’ bill from the payday industry than any ed.” But, this legislation later died in proposed to close the CSO loophole in other rank and file lawmaker. Their the House Committee on Investments Texas law that allowed predatory lend- suspicions were more than confirmed and Financial Services, where hearings ers to operate without any oversight.15 the following year when Truitt, after on payday reform featured industry At a press conference on the steps of losing her seat in the 2012 Republican executives. According to one report, the Capitol, the coalition voiced their primary, joined the payday industry the payday industry hired 82 lobbyists support for meaningful reform of the as a lobbyist just 17 days after her with contracts totaling $4.4 million to payday industry. The event featured a defeat.20 defeat the reform efforts in 2013.23 diverse group of speakers including a Two of Truitt’s three bills were While progress in the fight against Catholic Bishop, a United Church of passed. HB 2592 required payday lend- usury in Texas is slow and the victories Christ minister and a Texas Baptist pas- ers to provide notice and disclosures for have been quite modest, Texas Baptists, tor. Thousands of postcards signed by consumers to make informed choices in coalition with other faith groups, congregants from across the state were and to more easily compare the actual will (hopefully) continue to pursue on display at the conference, where costs of different loan terms with other the payday industry. Through their speakers called for an “end to the cycle short-term loans. The second bill, concerted efforts during the 82nd and of debt.” Charles Singleton, director HB 2594, required payday lenders to 83rd legislative sessions, Texas Baptists of African American Ministries for report important data each quarter and its coalition partners have discov- Texas Baptists, declared that the way to the Office of Consumer Credit ered the problem of predatory lending in which payday and auto title lenders Commissioner. HB 2594 also allowed to be a moral issue that unites rather target the poor, minorities, the elderly for enforcement of fair debt collections than divides, bringing together liberal and the military is “analogous and tan- practices and ensured compliance with Protestants and conservative evangeli- tamount to financial slavery.”16 the federal Military Lending Act. HB cals, Democrats and Republicans. This After payday legislation stalled in 2593, the lone bill that did not pass, still-unfolding story of Texas Baptists both the Texas House and Senate, Rep. would have capped loan amounts and vs. the multi-billion dollar payday Vicki Truitt, the Republican chairwom- placed restrictions on how many times industry certainly has a David vs. an of the House Pensions, Investments short-term loans could be renewed. HB Goliath feel to it. and Financial Services Committee 2593 also would have required lend- But of course, the outcome has yet to offered a compromise solution in the ers to accept partial payment of the be written. However, one thing is for form of three bills. Truitt’s bills were amount owed and apply that amount certain: Texas Baptists have offered a the product of a mediated negotia- to the principal. After a borrower had political engagement model for other tion between the payday industry and paid 25 percent of the principal, the faith groups wishing to remind its consumer protection groups. While lender would be prevented from charg- parishioners of the evil of usury, and Truitt’s legislation proposed restrictions ing additional fees.21 lead them to do something about the on lending practices, none of her three The CLC called the passage of problem of predatory lending in their bills proposed to limit usurious interest these two measures “a first step” and communities. ■ rates and fees.17 Instead, the bills pro- expressed their disappointment that posed to limit loans to a percentage of HB 2593, the only bill intended to Aaron Weaver’s Ph.D. in Religion and person’s annual income, allow only four address the “cycle of debt,” died in Politics was earned at Baylor. He is cur- roll-overs of a loan each year and then the House. “The legislation does not rently communications manager for the require lenders to put a borrower on a address these most pressing concerns,” Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and is a payment plan without additional fees, Paynter noted. “So, we are looking writer, scholar, and editor. and also require the payday industry to forward to working on the issue in the report data on its operations.18 interim period and returning next ses- Footnotes found online.

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • WINTER 2015 • 21 The Beginnings of the Texas Baptist CLC By Bill Jones

n 1950, Texas Baptists, with the society. However, through the Social appointed in 1936 as a liaison to the Ifounding of the Christian Life Service Committee, as well as a few black community – reported to the Commission, became the first state BGCT pastors like Dawson, they BGCT that he had forged meaning- convention to establish an agency occasionally addressed matters such ful relationships with black leaders dedicated specifically to addressing as abuse of prisoners by the penal and recommended the creation of a moral and ethical issues. But we system; the harm caused by predatory Texas Baptist interracial commission. cannot have a full appreciation of profit-seeking; the morality of war- In November 1943, the Convention the beginnings of the Texas Baptist fare; and – believe it or not – women established the Department of Christian Life Commission without riding men’s bicycles. Go figure! Interracial Cooperation, ultimately first having some understanding of The women of the BGCT generally appointing A.C. Miller as director, Texas Baptists’ efforts with regard to went further than the men in address- assisted by an advisory council of 12 social ethics and moral issues in the ing social problems. In 1929, the associates, including T.B. Maston. By first 50 years of the 20th century. Woman’s Missionary Union singled the end of 1945, the Department of Texas Baptists and Social Ethics – out industry for special scrutiny Interracial Cooperation had estab- 1900-1950 to safeguard women and children lished local interracial committees In the early 1900s, the battle for from long and dangerous hours of in 47 of the 113 Baptist associations prohibition against alcoholic bever- toil and to protect the public from in Texas. In 1949, Foy Valentine, ages expanded Texas Baptists’ grasp disease-causing practices detrimen- who had recently received his Th.D. of social problems and motivated tal to community health. They also in Christian ethics under Maston them to join in the political process, recommended the creation of local at Southwestern, was hired to work as preachers and laypersons alike interracial committees to pursue among black college students. In embraced political action as a means racial justice. In 1927, the WMU had 1948, Foy had pioneered in an inter- of achieving moral objectives. published the first of Southwestern racial youth revival in Brownwood. In 1914, Joseph M. Dawson, Seminary Professor T. B. Maston’s During Miller’s tenure lead- then pastor of First Baptist Church, writings on the Bible and race, a pam- ing the Department of Interracial Temple, preached what is believed to phlet entitled, “Racial Revelations.” Cooperation, his views evolved, from be the first formal series of sermons by Initial Impetus – J. Howard Williams, a stance that might be described as a Texas Baptist on the social applica- A. C. Miller, & T. B. Maston “separate but equal” to, ultimately, a tions of the Gospel. The three men who are considered stinging denunciation of racism in the In 1915, the Baptist General to have provided the key impetus 1949 BGCT annual meeting, urging Convention of Texas (BGCT) estab- for establishing what became the Texas Baptists to challenge racial dis- lished two standing committees. Christian Life Commission are J. crimination in the areas of education, The Civic Righteousness Committee Howard Williams, A. C. Miller, and housing and jobs. initially concerned itself explicitly T. B. Maston. And the key issue driv- The greatest influence on Miller’s with prohibition, whereas the Social ing that impetus was race. racial stance was likely his association Service Committee dealt with a In 1934, J. Howard Williams – who with T.B. Maston. In 1946, Maston broader range of matters. These two had become executive secretary of the published Of One, a candid and con- committees were eventually combined BGCT in 1931 (today his title would troversial study, which established into one. In 1918, Wallace Bassett, be executive director) – recommended Maston as the leading spokesman for pastor of Cliff Temple Baptist Church that white congregations create a racial justice among Texas Baptists. in Dallas, explained the Social Service Committee on Colored Work, which Maston’s own social consciousness Committee’s mission as being a natu- would assist black Baptists in Texas had been planted within him when ral outgrowth of simply following with various church‑related programs. he was young. Growing up in poverty, Jesus. “We do not need a new theology He also suggested that the BGCT with a father who worked hard and for social service,” he said. “We only employ someone, white or black, to was a loyal member of a labor union, need to use his words as he intended we work with black ministers, conduct- Maston said, “has explained to some should use them.” ing interracial conferences throughout degree what I hope has been a genuine, In the 1920s and 1930s, Texas the state. sincere interest in the underprivileged, Baptists were generally reluctant to In November 1942, Charles T. the poor, and the disinherited in general dip into issues involving the ethics of Alexander – whom Williams had in our society.”

22 • WINTER 2015 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY In 1933, he wrote a series of les- from the evangelistic department to 1955. Rutledge had been nudging sons for the Southern Baptist expressed his fear that any emphasis his congregation toward racial justice Sunday School Board, including on social involvement would detract since the late 1940s. “The Young Christian and Social from evangelism and warned the Also members during the CLC’s Problems,” “Christianizing Economic convention against appointing a com- formative years were Herbert Howard, Life,” “Improving Society Through mission on the Christian life. In the pastor of Park Cities Baptist Church, Legislation,” and “The Christian audience, A.C. Miller turned to T.B. Dallas, who had studied under ethicist Attitude Toward Other Races.” Maston, seated next to him, and whis- Jesse B. Weatherspoon at Southern In 1937, the area of ethics was pered, “That’s our name! Why not call Seminary, and William R. White, moved at Southwestern from educa- it the Christian Life Commission?” president of Baylor University. tion to theology and, in 1942, Maston Maston’s influence was evident in In 1953, the CLC addressed head- began teaching ethics full-time. In the founding committee’s declaration on the criticism that an emphasis on 1944, he offered a course entitled in 1950, that “any program of social ethics would detract from a focus on “The Church and the Race Problem.” change should not only be Christian in evangelism. Practical Christianity, For this class, Maston took students its goals but also in the methods it uses it declared, was “boldly proclaimed on field trips through black neighbor- to achieve those goals.” throughout the Bible,” from the Genesis hoods where they investigated specific Maston saw social ills as an indica- declaration that Cain was “his brother’s aspects of the city’s race problem, such tion of inequities within the social keeper” to the proclamations of the as public schooling. He also invited structure that must be addressed. He eighth-century prophets to the minis- prominent black leaders to address the urged that the Commission be stra- try of Jesus Himself. class. tegic in dealing with sensitive issues. Members of the CLC have been By the late 1940s, Maston was If one moved too rapidly and aggres- drawn from the ranks of not only searching for a way to apply Christian sively, local churchmen would become pastors, but educators, homemakers, principles to all aspects of daily life. alienated and all chance for improve- lawyers, state legislators, journalists, So was J. Howard Williams, who said ment would be lost. One must “start physicians and business profession- at the 1949 annual meeting of the where the people are and keep the pres- als. T.B. Maston himself served on BGCT, “. . . this convention should sure in the right place,” Maston insist- the commission at various stages for a initiate some plan by which we can help ed, “pointed in the right direction.” total of 18 years, attending meetings, our people to understand the grave issues This became the guiding strategy of helping to write pamphlets, always of our day in terms of Christian faith the Christian Life Commission and emphasizing the necessity of a bibli- and practice. . . . the help that we can its directors. cal basis for social involvement, and give to labor, . . . the help that we might There was early criticism that the establishing the tradition of having an give to race, . . . We ought to have some CLC, fashioned by leaders who ethicist serving on the commission. agency by which we could promote this were ahead of their constituents on A. C. Miller phase of the Christian life.” social issues, was basically out-of-step In 1950, J. Howard Williams Founding of CLC and reaction to it with the sentiments of rank-and-file named A. C. Miller as the first direc- Messengers to that convention Baptists in Texas. Maston agreed that tor (then called executive secretary) appointed a Committee of Seven to the CLC was primarily the result of of the CLC. Williams and Miller study the needs and bring a recom- constructive Baptist leadership but had first met each other in 1919 as mendation as to how to help people saw that as a positive rather than a students at Southern Seminary in to understand and apply the prin- negative. “. . . that’s not only true of the Louisville. Williams believed that ciples of Christian living to issues of Christian Life Commission,” he said, Miller’s leadership of the Department daily life. “but almost everything else.” of Interracial Cooperation – which In 1950, the Committee of Seven At first, the CLC was assigned was by this time called Our Ministry reported to the BGCT meeting in to work under the State Missions with Minorities – made him the logi- Fort Worth that “the major need of our Commission, and heads of the other cal choice to direct the new Christian day is an effective working combination BGCT departments were members of Life Commission. of a conservative theology, an aggressive, the CLC. As time went on, the CLC In Miller’s first year, the CLC devel- constructive evangelism, and a progres- achieved full commission status in fact oped a body of literature entitled “The sive application of the spirit and teach- as well as in name. Bible Speaks.” Three pamphlets in this ings of Jesus to every area of life.” In his Arthur B. Rutledge, pastor of First series begun before Miller resigned in report to the Fort Worth convention, Baptist Church, Marshall – and later 1952 were “The Bible Speaks on Race,” Maston originally referred to the new the executive secretary of the SBC “The Bible Speaks on Economics,” body as the Commission on Problems Home Mission Board – became the and “The Bible Speaks on Family.” in Christian Living. That changed, first chairman of the new Christian Maston said that this series, which however, the next night. A speaker Life Commission, serving from 1951 quoted Scripture verbatim, was largely

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • WINTER 2015 • 23 responsible for giving “the Christian accepted a call to preach and his plans only 14 associational Christian life Life Commission its good start.” These changed. committees; by 1960, there were 110. brief tracts were distributed by the Instead of UT, he entered Baylor, Under Foy’s leadership, the volume millions, placed in churches through- where he met visiting speaker and distribution of tract literature out the state, and used as sermon Clarence Jordan, whom he later called grew from 25,000 pieces annu- outlines by hundreds of preachers all “one of the great Christians of our ally in 1953 to over 1.2 million over the state. time.” In 1944, following graduation pieces annually by the time he left During Miller’s tenure, Christian from Baylor, he spent the entire sum- in 1960. He continued adding new life committees were organized in mer at Koinonia Farm, the racially topics to “The Bible Speaks” series, many associations throughout the integrated community established by but also introduced new series state, and Miller worked to gain slots Jordan near Americus, Georgia. entitled “Christian Answers to Family at the monthly workers’ conferences That fall, he enrolled at Problems,” “Christian Principles in the associations for “the associa- Southwestern Seminary and was Applied,” and “Teen Talk.” It was in tional committee on the Christian life soon taking Christian ethics classes the midst of Foy’s tenure at the Texas to bring a brief report . . . followed by a under T.B. Maston. He later said CLC, in 1956, that he persuaded speaker and discussion.” that Maston “opened up new vistas Broadman Press, the publishing arm In June 1952, Miller announced and new understandings of what the of the Southern Baptist Convention, his resignation as he prepared to church ought to be doing, and what I to print its first work on social ethics: move to Nashville in January 1953, as a minister of the Gospel ought to be Christian Faith in Action, a compila- to become executive secretary of the attempting.” tion of sermons. Social Service Commission of the In 1947, Foy completed the In 1957, Foy launched an annual Southern Baptist Convention, the requirements for his Masters in CLC workshop to focus attention forerunner to the SBC Christian Life Theology and two years later on social ethics. This is yet another Commission. obtained his Th.D., writing a disser- legacy of Foy’s, of course, that contin- Foy Valentine tation entitled “A Historical Study of ues today in the annual Christian Life J. Howard Williams considered Southern Baptists and Race Relations, Commission Conference. 29-year-old Foy Valentine, pastor 1917 to 1947.” In 1960, Foy once again succeeded of First Baptist Church, Gonzales, From 1947 to 1948, he served the A.C. Miller, this time at the Christian the obvious choice to replace Miller, convention as a special representa- Life Commission of the Southern because of his training, his obvious tive on race relations, and from 1949 Baptist Convention in Nashville. interest in applied Christianity, and to 1950 he directed Baptist student Before he left, he encouraged fellow his close ties to prominent denomina- activities at Houston colleges. After Maston grad Jimmy Allen to assume tional leaders. he was called as pastor of First Baptist leadership of the Texas CLC. As Foy Valentine had grown up in Church, Gonzales, in 1950, he was Foy had been in 1953, Jimmy was Edgewood, a small rural community elected to serve on the convention’s reluctant, but he ultimately agreed to in northeast Texas, during the Great executive board and soon thereafter become director of the Texas CLC in Depression. He had seen poverty up was appointed to the nine-member June 1960. ■ close, and believed that government, Christian Life Commission. as exemplified by various New Deal So, in 1953, J. Howard Williams Bill Jones is Chair, T. B. Maston programs, could and should be used called to ask Foy to succeed A.C. Foundation for Christian Ethics and to ameliorate human want. He cred- Miller as executive secretary of the Executive Director, Texas Baptists ited his parents for helping him “to CLC. Foy initially said “no” but ulti- Committed. This paper was presented recognize the social imperatives of the mately relented and, in June 1953, to the Texas Baptist Christian Life Christian faith.” His parents, faithful became the second director of the Commission, April 1, 2014 members of the local Baptist church, Texas Baptist CLC. taught him that religion was to be During Foy’s tenure as director of Primary sources: applied to everyday affairs and, spe- the Texas CLC, he tirelessly traveled Texas Baptist Leadership and Social cifically, that black people were to be the state, attending local associa- Christianity, 1900-1980; by John W. respected. tional meetings, conducting seminars, Storey; 1986; Texas A&M University He originally planned to attend the addressing college audiences, and visit- Press; pp. 1-156. University of Texas, study law, and ing regional Baptist encampments. He Texas Baptists: A Sesquicentennial History; enter politics. However, shortly after built a statewide network of local con- by Harry Leon McBeth; 1998 graduating from high school, Foy tacts for the CLC. In 1956, there were BaptistWay Press; pp. 244-246.

24 • WINTER 2015 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY An Exploration of Theodicy in Providing Holistic Healthcare Ryan E. Batson and Howard K. Batson

hen the innocent suffer, ques- fers, then one must have done evil to prehending the God of the cosmos. Wtions, doubts and controversies deserve suffering. Even the followers Our own journey into the question of are unearthed. Healthcare providers of Jesus expressed similar thoughts suffering reminds us that we walk an often find themselves in the con- during his ministry (John 9). ancient path. Job, for example, never text of unexplained suffering. Why A second perspective interprets suf- received a full explanation regard- does God allow the innocent to suf- fering as a by-product of natural law. ing his unjust trials (Job 42: 1-6). fer? Herein lies the paradox: If God Nature, being impersonal and amoral, Furthermore, the fruitless search for a is perfect, God must therefore be has not been “sent” for a purpose full explanation can result in addition- omniscient, omnipotent and omni- other than maintaining environmental al anguish. We can, however, affirm benevolent.1 This contradiction homeostasis: Natural disasters equally what we believe. The God of the of an all-powerful, benevolent God devastate the just and unjust. Others Christian tradition redeems suffering and the undeniable existence of inno- argue, however, that God’s will ulti- for the greater good of creation. God, cent suffering leaves both the patient mately guides such disasters towards a too, has played the role of an innocent and the physician grasping for an future good. victim. Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, explanation. This question, moreover, A third approach is taken by a “char- came to suffer and die and, by that has perplexed even the most esteemed acter building theodicy” or “repen- suffering and death, secure the salva- thinkers. C.S. Lewis wrote: tance theodicy.”4 Understanding tion for all sinners alike.5 John Piper If God’s goodness is inconsistent human suffering as a means by which argued along these lines: with hurting us, then either God God guides us toward morality, the The death of Christ in supreme is not good or there is no God: adherents to this theodicy see suffer- suffering is the highest, clearest, for in the only life we know, he ing as “God’s wake-up call.” Beyond surest display of the glory of the hurts us beyond our worst fears the strengthening of one’s relationship grace of God. If that is true, suf- and beyond all we can imagine.2 with God, suffering can be used as an fering is an essential part of the Perhaps our own desperate desires agent for discipleship. The book of tapestry of the universe so that lead us to believe that God is, by every Hebrews affirms this notion: “All dis- the weaving of grace can be seen standard we can conceive, “all good” cipline for the moment seems not to for what it really is. 6 and that all things, even evil, eventual- be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those The notion of a “suffering God” ly work according to God’s will. After who have been trained by it, after- leads us to the conclusion that afflic- all, the evidence of evil and innocent wards it yields the peaceful fruit of tion is not meaningless and, ulti- suffering in this world suggests that righteousness” (Hebrews 12:11). mately, that suffering redeems. This God does not exist or, perhaps worse, Even these varied and thoughtful principle alone can be a source of calls into question the very essence solutions to innocent suffering fail hope during seasons of suffering. God, of God’s character. There are many to fully explain how an all-powerful, moreover, never promises to explain proposals, or theodicies, that seek to benevolent God allows tragedy in the cause of our suffering. Does the explain these contradictions that both our midst. Some suffering remains Creator of the cosmos have to explain patients and caregivers must face. beyond explanation, and gratuitous God’s self to creation? God does, Among the many attempts to evil seems to have no redeeming value. however, promise to journey with decipher this divine paradox are: the In a final attempt to deal with the us through our pain. The Psalms of free will theodicy, the punishment dilemma, some theologians argue that lament reveal that God is concerned theodicy, the natural law theodicy, the “apparent gratuity” of suffering is with the suffering of God’s people and the character building theodicy.3 a product of the limitations of human (Psalms 12, 44, 79, 126).7 Through The explanation based on humanity’s reasoning, while others claim that it the example of Jesus’ crucifixion, moral freedom and the punishment will all work out in the realm of eter- we know that we have a God who theodicy find a similar solution. This nity. can empathize with us in every way premise argues that if God is good, Patients and healthcare provid- (Hebrews 2:9-18) and who wants then humanity must possess free will ers looking for a single explanation to comfort us in our suffering (2 and exist as morally free agents. Evil, capable of reconciling all innocent Corinthians 1:3-11). therefore, is explained in regard to the suffering will surely be disappointed. God’s “presence” through our suf- potential for choosing immoral action. We must remember that our minds fering is often found in the presence God, indeed, is just and, if one suf- are finite, thus incapable of fully com- of people. Healthcare providers have

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • WINTER 2015 • 25 the unique opportunity to walk with themselves on suffering’s journey even 27. Print. the afflicted in times of suffering. when full understanding still eludes 3 O’Mathuna, Donal. “’Why Me, The presence of such suffering should both the patient and the physician. God?’ Understanding Suffering.” motivate physicians and other health- Aiding patients on their journey to Ethics and Medicine 15.2 (1999): care providers alike to bring healing self-discovery should be a part of every 44-52. Web. and comfort to those who search for physician’s understanding of holistic 4 Dostoyevsky, Fyodor, and meaning in their anguish. The physi- medicine. ■ Constance Garnett. “Chapter 34.” cian’s role, along with that of spiritual The Brothers Karamazov. Grand caregivers, is not to provide simplistic Ryan E. Batson is a MD Candidate at Rapids, Mich.: Christian Classics answers and meaningless platitudes Texas A&M College of Medicine, and Ethereal Library, 199. Print. to those who hurt. On the other Howard K. Batson, Ph.D.is pastor of 5 Keller, Timothy J. The Reason for hand, even when the answers are not First Baptist Church, Amarillo, Texas. God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. completely clear and each patient will New York: Dutton, 2008. 30. Print. come to her own individual resolve, [1] Murray, Michael J. “God, Evil, 6 Piper, John. Suffering and the healthcare providers can guide the Suffering.” Reason for the Hope Sovereignty of God. Wheaton, Ill.: patient through her journey of pain within. Grand Rapids, Mich.: W.B. Crossway, 2006. 82. Print. and suffering. Following the incar- Eerdmans, 1999. 84. Print. 7 Bellenger, Jr., W.H., Psalms. national paradigm, we offer to walk 2 Lewis, C. S. A Grief Observed. San Peabody, MA: Hendrickson alongside the pilgrims who find Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 2001. Publishers, 1990. 23. Print.

Voting Rights in Texas: Once Again Fighting a Battle that was Already Won By Terry Austin quit driving a couple of years ago tried to override the computer but it not have a photographic identifica- Ifor health reasons – my driving was didn’t work. tion, I would actually need three iden- so bad that the health of others was in The irony is that even though the tifiers. Who has that? jeopardy. (Just kidding, somewhat.) bank would not cash my check to The things she suggested would Why I quit doesn’t matter. But, I still myself, they did allow me to write out require a trip back home. Since one of had a valid driver’s license to take care a check to Jeremy. Even though he did the ways Tarrant County has stream- of any identification needs that might not have an account at that bank they lined the process is to send every arise. Even after the license expired, cashed it for him because they knew county resident to the same place, it it was still accepted until one day it the check was good. works; but it was a 25-mile trip for wasn’t. Apparently two years after the The point of all this is that I finally me. I really didn’t want to make the expiration date is considered too long. realized the need to do something trip home and back so I tried my I went to the bank to get some cash. about getting an ID card. So I went hand at persuasion once again. Jeremy and I were doing some Craig’s online to learn about the process and Some of the documents she suggest- List shopping. Before he would hand how it is done. That resulted in a trip ed I could access via my computer, over the cash, the very courteous teller to the driver’s license office, some- which was at home, of course. The asked to see my ID. I whipped out thing I always dread having to do. very courteous clerk actually allowed the very well-kept driver’s license. He However, Tarrant County has a new me to use her computer, which only swiped it through his computer and building and they have created a pro- solved half the problem. Now I had informed me it was no longer accept- cess that works. The wait was pretty to remember my login password to able. short. several sites. There was no way that I had no other photo identifica- With my expired driver’s license in was going to happen with this person tion and the bank refused to cash my hand, along with my social security who is on the verge of senior citizen- check. I wasn’t sure what to do since I card, which I have had since 1967 ship! (I do have an AARP card, but it really needed the cash and it was more when I got my first job, it looked like was not acceptable for this purpose), than the ATM would dispense. After a very simple task. Not quite! The I requested new passwords be emailed several minutes of talking and several website explained that I needed two to me so I could reset. failed attempts at persuasion, an area forms of identification which I had. So, now I’m going back and forth where I usually excel, I was still with- However, the woman said the expired from my phone to her computer, out my cash. The bank manager even license did not count, and since I did reading the emails and resetting the

26 • WINTER 2015 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY passwords. Finally, I had the needed have the first one. The second item ing; but what if someone in a similar documents on the computer screen has the same basic requirements as situation had such a desire? What and the very courteous clerk allowed the third; so why bother? Item four is could they do? me to print them on her printer. off the list, since I own no guns. (See Like many, I am confident that the When all was said and done, then above reference to the fact that I quit law discriminates against the poor. I’m all was said and done. (I’ve always driving so I wouldn’t hurt someone thinking of those who can’t make the wanted to write that sentence for else; so how safe would I be with a 25-mile trip to the DPS office, or who some reason.) I left with a temporary gun in my hand?) Since I was never don’t have a home with utility bills in ID and instructions that the official in the military (not drafted because their name. Perhaps we should be one would arrive in the mail in a few of a medical condition), item five is a little more hesitant when accusing weeks – which it did. Everyone is not available. I was born in Amarillo, people of being lazy and undeserv- happy and my new ID card works just Texas in 1950, and have only been ing when they complain about the fine. out of the country half a dozen times, voter ID laws. The right to vote has But, this is not really about my so why would I need to prove my citi- been fought for since the inception experience in getting a state-approved zenship. My passport, like my driver’s of America. (Remember, “no taxa- ID card. It is about requiring folks license, is expired. I now have the tion without representation.”) That to get identification before they can third item on the above, so I am good battle has a rich history including the vote in an election. In order to vote to go, meaning I can vote. women’s suffrage movement and the in Texas, a person must have one of I hear a lot of folks defending the civil rights movement. these: voter ID law on the basis that is sim- It is disheartening that we are hav- Texas driver license issued by the ple to get a valid ID, so it really does ing to do this once again. ■ Texas Department of Public Safety not keep anyone from voting. From (DPS) my experience, I can attest that it is Terry Austin is one of the pastors at Texas Election Identification not that simple. Bread Fellowship Church in Fort Worth, Certificate issued by DPS Take my mother for example. She is Texas. He is also the principal partner Texas personal identification card about to turn 89 years old. She hasn’t of Austin Brothers Publishing. A longer issued by DPS driven for several years, so I suspect version of this article first appeared Texas concealed handgun license her license is about as expired as mine. on his blog, Intermission, and is used issued by DPS I can’t think of anything else on the with permission. You can follow him on United States military identification list of requirements that she pos- Twitter @wterrya. A shorter version of card containing the person’s photo- sesses. I was able to bail myself out of this essay was published on EthicsDaily. graph a bind by accessing utility bills with com on December 11, 2014 and is United States citizenship certificate my name and address, but she doesn’t reprinted in its entirety here with per- containing the person’s photograph have any of that. She has moved a mission of the author. United States passport couple of times since she last voted. I As I have already indicated, I don’t don’t think she has any interest in vot-

O Lord, I do not know what to ask of You. You alone know what are my true needs. You love me more than I myself know how to love. Help me to see my real needs which are concealed from me. I do not dare to ask either for a cross or for consolation. I can only wait on You. My heart is open to You. Visit and help me, for the sake of Your great mercy. Strike me and heal me; cast me down and raise me up. I worship in silence Your holy will and Your unsearchable ways. I offer myself as a sacrifice to You. I have no other desire than to fulfill Your will. Teach me to pray. Pray You Yourself in me. Amen.

…Prayer of the Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow.

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • WINTER 2015 • 27 Book Reviews

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

lesser means in order to be politically the grueling work of organizing. Faith-Rooted Organizing: effective. They define serpent power Salvatierra’s intimate words remind Mobilizing the Church in as “people overcoming institutional us that faith-rooted organizing is not Service to the World power…by exercising the power they about political wins or social causes; By Alexia Salvatierra and Peter Heltzel; have as members of a community (the it’s about transforming lives through Downers Grove (IL): InterVarsity Press, 2014. power of organized people)” (183). transformed communities. ■ For Christians who want to organize Reviewed by Justin Phillips communities, utilizing serpent power is Dr. Justin Phillips is an adjunct profes- hile very few denomina- permissible in God’s as yet unfulfilled sor at Belmont University (Nashville, Wtions debate whether or not kingdom. It cannot, however, take the TN) and the organizer for Tennesseans Christians can be involved in social place of dove power, which means tak- for Alternatives to the Death Penalty. and political issues, many questions ing “seriously the best in people, the He earned his doctorate in Christian remain for precisely how Christians reality of the image of God in each of Ethics from Fuller Theological Seminary can engage their communities us and the transforming work of the (Pasadena, CA). and, for this reason, Faith-Rooted Holy Spirit” (74). Organizing is a true gift to churches. Simply put, this means faith-rooted Alexia Salvatierra, a pastor and execu- organizers do not consider politics a The Christian Consumer: tive director of the Clergy and Laity zero-sum game with definitive losers; United for Economic Justice (CLUE), rather, they acknowledge the human- Living Faithfully in a along with Peter Heltzel, a theologian ity of powerful people within whom Fragile World and director of New York Theological there might be a deep moral struggle By Laura M. Hartman. New York: Oxford University Press, 2011. Seminary’s Micah Institute, bring a over a particular issue. Organizers, wealth of experience in ministry and then, must seek genuine friendships Reviewed by Ray Higgins activism. The 20th century was domi- with power-brokers so as to also be nated by Saul Alinsky’s philosophy of allies “of the Spirit in its work on the s a Christian, you may wonder organizing, in which constituents are soul of the person in power” (78). Aat times, “How should I engage motivated to act by self-interest and While the authors note there is a with the things of this world—money, ginning up anger “to amass power for thin line between strategic conversa- food, clothes, cars, homes, technol- power’s sake.” In contrast, faith-rooted tion and manipulation, they contend ogy, art, sports, vacation trips? What organizing is based upon a question: that organizers can combat this real kind of food should I eat? What kind “What kind of community, society temptation by honoring the concerns of furniture should I buy to decorate and world are we trying to create?” of everyone invested in the process. my home? What kind of home should (33). Subsequent chapters detail how Two final points reveal the authors’ I live in? Would it be right for me to faith-rooted organizing is a process heart for their work: First, they claim own a second home?” And, as Tony marked by listening to the poor and faith-rooted organizers should min- Campolo asked in one of his books, oppressed; discerning (rather than ister to everyone, even those in posi- “Would Jesus drive a BMW?” simply deciding) the issues in which tions of power. “When a leader is a These are the kinds of questions to be involved; practicing spiritual believer, this is a form of discipleship. that Laura Hartman has in mind as disciplines to sustain one through When a leader is not a believer, it is she writes her book, The Christian the grueling work of organizing; and a form of evangelism” (83). Forming Consumer, which began as her doc- lastly, making sure substantive roles genuine friendships with power- toral dissertation at the University of are found for all willing participants. brokers often leads them to show Virginia. Hartman is an assistant pro- The use of power constitutes a cen- courage, to take political risks, and fessor of religion at Augustana College tral emphasis for the authors, particu- to make sacrifices to yield effective in Rock Island, Illinois. larly their original exposition of what public policies for all people. Second, Her goal is to describe and analyze a they term “serpent power” and “dove Salvatierra concludes each chapter Christian ethic of consumption, which power” (taken from Matthew 10.16). with a letter to her daughter and a she refers to as “conscientious con- They debunk the false choice within young minister, offering encourage- sumption.” organizing of either being faithful to ment in the Word and practical The form and content of the book biblical principles or succumbing to advice for sustained service through are dissertation-like. In it, the author

28 • WINTER 2015 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY presents the thinking of historic and Regarding the theme of embrac- inspiring applications. contemporary theologians, writ- ing creation, Hartman develops these Readers who are familiar with ers and activists from the breadth of topics: the goodness and blessings of Christian theology and ethics will Christianity—Catholic, Orthodox creation; the fact that human hungers appreciate the variety of the Christian and Protestant. But she designs the are not sinful; the nature of consum- thinkers whose ideas Hartman book to include a lay audience, and ing with gratitude, savoring and shar- includes and evaluates with regard to makes it useful for individuals, groups ing; and the truth that wealth may be each theme. Readers who would rather and congregations as a practical guide virtuous. go straight to designing their own for answering the question what does Regarding the theme of loving approach to the material things of life “conscientious consumption” look like neighbor, Hartman explains an under- will be able to draw on these writers’ for Christians and churches? standing of love – love of self, love of insights through Hartman’s presenta- In order to arrive at one’s answer to persons close to you, love of others tion of them. this question, Hartman explains four distant from you (in the marketplace, This reviewer recommends that this biblically-based and theologically- through hospitality and solidarity, book be used as the primary resource developed considerations that inform through care for the community), love for a congregation-wide study and one’s understanding and use of of place, love of faraway others, and conversation about what “conscien- worldly things: 1) to avoid sin; 2) to love of God. She concludes with a tious consumption” by Christians and embrace creation; 3) to love neighbor; description of envisioning a better life churches should look like in our world and 4) to envision the future. for all neighbors. of extravagant wealth and extreme Regarding the theme of avoiding In dealing with the theme of envision- poverty, and the world in between. sin, Hartman discusses the con- ing the future, Hartman gives careful The fact that in the Gospels the sumption practices of Francis, John attention to two themes: Sabbath moral issue that Jesus speaks most Woolman and Ron Sider. She develops keeping, and Eucharist. How does the about is economic ethics (wealth/ the themes of asceticism, poverty and practice of Sabbath keeping transform materialism/affluence/poverty) makes simplicity, and explains the thinking us as people, our consumption and this book one of the most relevant behind ways to avoid or diminish the the world? What does it mean for books for Christians to read and live sins that often accompany our con- our consumption when we take the out a personal practice of conscien- sumption practices. Eucharist? Her work here is rich with tious consumption. ■

Memorial Reflections About Carolyn Weatherford Crumpler By Catherine B. Allen

hen Carolyn Weatherford took her to church and encouraged her. vice. It is recorded in some form in all WCrumpler was born in 1930, Others recognized her divine energy four Gospels, but this reading is from two scientists were studying a phe- and helped her to understand that God Mark. nomenon rarely observed in the Milky was working within her. Like thou- While He was in Bethany at the Way–a spectacular exploding star sands of Baptist girls of her time, she home of Simon the leper, and reclining which changes the galaxy. She was memorized some special Bible verses at the table, there came a woman with just one year old when those scientists about stars. an alabaster vial of very costly perfume coined a new word to describe the “Arise, shine, for thy light is come,” of pure nard; and she broke the vial special star: a “supernova.” Those of she learned in GA. and poured it over His head. But some us here today would have no trouble “They who are wise shall shine like were indignantly remarking to one believing that Carolyn was our super- the brightness of the firmament, and another, “Why has this perfume been nova, because a supernova creates new those who turn many to righteousness wasted? For this perfume might have stars and beams radiance to illuminate like the stars forever and ever,” was the been sold for over three hundred dena- dark corners of the universe. Many of important verse for young women. rii, and the money given to the poor.” us here today because her supernova’s Carolyn was one who believed those And they were scolding her. But Jesus radiance beamed into our lives, and we verses—but how would she arise from said, “Let her alone; why do you bother are here to reflect it. the orange groves and shine like the her? She has done a good deed to Me. From an early age, she knew that stars forever and ever? For you always have the poor with you, she had a flame within—something An episode from the last days of and whenever you wish you can do brighter than the Florida sunshine. The Jesus’ earthly ministry is fitting to be good to them; but you do not always Weatherfords were a loving family who remembered at Carolyn’s memorial ser- have Me. She has done what she could;

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • WINTER 2015 • 29 she has anointed My body beforehand have heroic and iconic status because that women’s rights and roles would for the burial. Truly I say to you, wher- of what she did through and within be an underlying controversy of her ever the gospel is preached in the whole WMU. The next 25-year period, she administration. In the past, WMU world, what this woman has done will was making history too fast to keep officials had managed to skirt the issue also be spoken of in memorial of her.” up with her own biography. When by claiming that their task was mis- (Mark 14:3-9) historians dig in the roots of post-SBC sions, not women. Carolyn realized In the pioneering days of the wom- Baptist life, they will find the imprint that avoidance was no longer was no en’s missions movement, some of the of Carolyn Weatherford Crumpler. longer right, wise, or possible. A group women had their own understanding Probably no Baptist individual engaged of young women told her, “You have to of this passage. Their paraphrase said, in more diversified innovation for the do something. You are our leader.” She “She hath done what she couldn’t.” cause of Christ between 1989 and considered whether any organization Often this has been the case for women 2014. And nobody at greater sacrifice. could speak with integrity, if it told who are shooting stars into the future. She participated in the founding or females to “arise, shine” but to restrict As Carolyn’s star began to rise beyond early survival of at least eleven new their radiance to certain limits, if told Florida, the Baptist establishment often entities that now help to carry out the to hide their light under somebody told her what she could NOT do. commands of Christ. Each of them else’s umbrella. Carolyn approached She could NOT be a missionary, assumes that women will be free to the question in the only way she knew because her health made her a risk, and serve as God leads. how: prayer, scriptural study, and reli- she was unmarried. She often told the charming story ance on the Holy Spirit. She could NOT study theology, from Florida GA camp in 1962. The Shortly before she achieved national because she was a woman. first transoceanic communications visibility, Frank Stagg had written a She could NOT preach, because she satellite was launched. Appropriately, it book entitled The Holy Spirit Today. was a woman. was called TelStar. Carolyn was direct- The book spent several pages proving She could NOT become one the best ing a GA camp when the news was first that the current women’s liberation known missions advocates of the 20th televised in real time across the Atlantic movement was guided by the Holy century and beyond because she was a Ocean. A young girl said, “Miss Spirit to unhinder the gifts and callings woman. Weatherford, now we can really do of women in the church. Some have And she was a woman. Fortunately, it, can’t we?” “What is that?” Carolyn said that Carolyn’s theology was actual- her gender proved to be a blessing, not inquired. “Now we really can tell the ly Staggology. When she had been told a liability as a beacon to God. story of Jesus to everybody.” she could not get a degree in theology Foolish Baptist bureaucrats. Didn’t This moment was decisive in in seminary, she managed to spend her they know that a divinely guided star Carolyn’s understanding of the new electives in Dr. Stagg’s theology classes. cannot be extinguished? In Carolyn era of possibilities which had suddenly In 1978, she invited Frank and Evelyn Weatherford’s case, things that were opened before her. Stagg to teach their book, Women in prohibited became the very things Another decisive moment came when the World of Jesus, to the entire execu- at which she would shine. Woman’s she met a renowned scholar of missions tive and state leadership network of Missionary Union first gave her a place from outside the Southern Baptist WMU. Thus Carolyn interpreted to shine. empire. He informed her that she was the changing times for women in the She served 31 years as a salaried in fact a missiologist. And so were her 1970s and later, in light of scripture. missions promoter within WMU in staff at the WMU office. Until this And she helped WMU leaders gain Alabama, in Florida, and nationally. point, WMU had allowed ourselves a new vocabulary for answering the She managed to help hundreds of to be limited to the educational and demands of the day. thousands of women do most of the fundraising segments of missions. Also in 1978, Carolyn put her staff things people had said that she couldn’t We were to raise support for the SBC to work to organize the highly con- do. But she wasn’t through yet. After mission boards, without having the troversial Consultation on Women in marrying Joe Crumpler in 1989 and right to participate in policy. Carolyn’s Church Related Vocations. She wanted retiring from WMU, she then she gave trajectory lifted substantially when she people to realize that time-honored job 25 years as a voluntary missions inno- waked up to the untapped ability and descriptions for women in missions vator who helped to create new chan- responsibility of WMU to exert leader- and church staff positions were being nels of sharing Jesus Christ throughout ship in missions strategy. She changed deliberately erased. Especially in mis- the world. That is a total of 56 years of her message and our focus from passive sionary appointments, women had pouring out and being poured out as to active. less opportunity for full-time ministry an offering to Jesus Christ. About one hour after Carolyn than in the past, even while doors were Her years as a WMU official are well became the executive director of opening wider for women in secular documented; she was the best-known WMU, SBC, she stepped into her first professions. Carolyn wanted aware- Southern Baptist woman; she will ever press conference. There she learned ness and action. She was not alone in

30 • WINTER 2015 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY putting the issue forward; the chief choose to serve through missions, and in public in advance, ahead of times, executives of the two mission boards, will they create missions methods for and did what she could, –or couldn’t– the seminaries, and all the Southern this age? before it was too late to be counted Baptist agencies stood with her. Within One of the world’s greatest missiolo- among the righteous, before it was too months, a formal declaration was gists, one outside the Baptist fold but late to save some. issued towards the conservative take- very well informed, wrote to me last In placing Jesus first, Carolyn and over of the SBC. week and said, “I was so blessed to also the woman of Mark 14 sacrificed Carolyn was quoted in the press know her. I can still see Carolyn saying their very best—treasure and trove that as saying, “The Southern Baptist that we must pray and pay.” most people would have kept in reserve Convention has a poor record of put- Everybody here knows some part for their own protection in hard times. ting women in leadership roles, and it of her accomplishments and worked The woman in the Bible brought her didn’t start when the conservatives took closely with her to make history. Yet treasure out in public and–she broke over.” most of us are puzzled about where it –broke it! She broke it, so that its In such acts of bold leadership, Carolyn Weatherford Crumpler got her precious contents could run free and Carolyn let her light shine before star power. She is described in terms of accomplish its purpose. Her valuable men and women. A light on a high sunny disposition, warmth, honesty, treasure, every drop of it, could now be candlestick is a visible target for anger approachability, kindness, friendliness, used for only one thing: the honor and and abuse. Carolyn absorbed endless happiness, and self-confidence, and glory of God. If she had not made the wounds. She never allowed attacks self-control. Her former employees break, her best gift, the finest oil and upon her to distract her or her col- have said, “She made us feel better, fragrance, could not have put Jesus in leagues from daily work of missions loved, respected.” Closest coworkers the spotlight, nor could it have been promotion. In fact, it proved to be a marveled at her intelligence. She was a enjoyed by everybody in the house. fabulous golden age of growth and “quick study.” She was always prepared. Yes, even the vilest critics enjoyed the creativity in WMU and in missions. If She answered correspondence speedily benefits of the fragrance which they she had been in good health, the stress and concisely—and email had not yet denounced. would have killed her on the spot many been invented. At countless junctures A sad thing about supernovas–they times. But she had already been told of confusion and depletion, she could don’t last long. Their tremendous she wasn’t strong enough for mission reach into her knowledge of the Bible energy is spent in creation of new work, so she kept on pushing missions. to supply a creative word from the stars–new starts. It is up to them to And, she became greatly trusted and Lord. beam light to the places that are stum- beloved. When Daniel Vestal asked her What I remember about her arrival bling, and maybe they need to burn to run a second time for first vice-pres- as my boss in 1974 is this: she said collectively as a group. ident of the SBC, she did not win the that she had stopped first at the home Which thought brings us to a memo- race, but she did win more votes than of an elderly retired missionary out of rial challenge. any other woman has ever received in a state, a woman of the Holy Spirit who The Bible woman’s good deed is her Southern Baptist vote count. promised to pray for her. Over time, memorial. Any gravestone and any Whereas she had said that it took a I realized that she had a considerable institution bearing her name would staff of 158 to stage her wedding, she cloud of invisible, unidentified spiri- have long since been ground into found in 1989 that she had no staff tual counselors. I suspected and feared dust, but her unforgettable memorial but the Crumpler family. They were that God was totally on her side of any has been commended by Christ and marvelous supporters, especially Joe, argument. In this she found the fuel to repeated by his people. Her memorial who constantly encouraged her and be a supernova. goes with the preaching of the Gospel worked beside her. She had no expense Like the woman of Mark 14 who throughout the entire world. Maybe account, no streams of income other anointed Jesus, Carolyn engaged Jesus missions of the future depends on our than savings—and she was only 59, directly, personally. She showed her retelling her memorial more avidly and not old enough for Social Security. The devotion directly, personally. She loudly. stars in their courses fought for her. gained his approval directly, personally. That’s what the Bible seems to prom- Faith, family, and friends found the She courageously did it in full view of ise. Let us keep on following Carolyn’s funds and fortitude to build and nur- highly placed people who criticized, star and rejoice greatly as it beams ture new organizations. threatened, and insinuated, yet she did across the ages. ■ Carolyn was living proof that God’s not hesitate. call transcends bureaucracy. In recent Carolyn had an inner divine light Presented by Catherine B. Allen on years, Carolyn began to wonder—will that often enabled her to look ahead January 24, 2015 at Carolyn’s Memorial free and equal people choose the special into troubled waters and sense what Service at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in calling to minister in the most difficult might be happening. Like the woman Cincinnati, Ohio and dangerous places? Will free women who anointed Jesus, Carolyn came out

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