NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 Religion and the Presidents NURTURING Jimmy Carter: Part Two FAITH goodfaithmedia.org Journal & Bible Studies WHEN WORDS AREN’T ENOUGH Artist encourages seeing through the eyes of others

FACING OUR INDICTMENT It’s right there — in black and white

FAITH & POLITICS A mix or a mess?

FAITH/SCIENCE Does science change the way you read the Bible? Newfrom Nurturing Faith Books

• How can Christians follow Jesus’ command to love our neighbor in the political realm? • How can the local church help form members for responsible Christian citizenship? • How can your church engage in advocacy issues and work for justice?

•••

The Mission of Advocacy: A Toolkit for Congregations, based on a partner- ship between the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Wilshire Baptist Church, provides guidance on modeling an effective and positive public witness in divisive times.

Focusing on issues such as predatory lending, immigration and racial justice work, veteran advocates Stephen K. Reeves and Katie Ferguson Murray offer concrete suggestions to help ministers and laity recognize advocacy as a natural extension of church ministry.

Available now at goodfaithmedia.org/bookstore Feature 2 Great Bible Study NF IS IN YOUR HANDS!J

Nurturing Faith Bible Studies by Tony Cartledge are scholarly, yet applicable, and conveniently placed in the center of this journal. Simply provide a copy of the journal to each class participant, and take advantage of the abundant online teach- ing materials at teachers.nurturingfaith.net. These include video overviews for teacher preparation or to be shown in class. See page 21 for more information.

FOR SHORT!TERM BIBLE STUDIES NURTURING FAITH BIBLE STUDY SERIES

Revelation: All Things New Ephesians: Upward Faith Psalming the Blues: At the Intersection of Praise and Pain A Place for Praise: Ancient Psalms for Modern Times Five Scrolls for All Times: Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Eccelesiates, and Esther

Orders: goodfaithmedia.org/bookstore or (615) 627-7763 Ideal for groups seeking insightful, applicable Bible studies: Sunday school classes, weekday gatherings, Wednesday prayer meetings, retreats, annual Bible study emphases. Bulk discounts available.

Nurturing Faith Journal & Bible Studies are now part of Good Faith Media. OUR TEAM OUR MISSION JOURNAL STAFF N John D. Pierce, Executive Editor F Nurturing Faith Journal provides relevant Bruce T. Gourley, Managing Editor J Tony W. Cartledge, Contributing Editor/Curriculum Writer and trusted information, thoughtful analysis Jackie B. Riley, Copyeditor/Print Coordinator Vickie Frayne, Creative Director and inspiring features, rooted in the historic David Cassady, Church Resources Editor Baptist tradition of freedom of conscience, for Walker L. Knight (1924–2019) Publisher Emeritus Christians seeking to live out a mature faith in Jack U. Harwell (1932–2019) Editor Emeritus a fast-changing culture. Directors Emeriti: Thomas E. Boland, R. Kirby Godsey, Ann B. Roebuck, Guy Rutland III, Mary Etta Sanders, Mel Williams, Winnie V. Williams

GOOD FAITH MEDIA Nurturing Faith Bible Studies, found inside the journal with teaching resources online, provide weekly R. Mitch Randall, Chief Executive O!cer lessons by Tony Cartledge that are both scholarly and [email protected] applicable to faithful living. John D. Pierce, Executive Editor/Publisher [email protected] Good Faith Media (goodfaithmedia.org), our new Autumn R. Lockett, Executive Director of and expanded parent organization, fulfills the larger Development/Marketing mission of providing reflection and resources at the [email protected] intersection of culture and faith through an inclusive Cli" Vaughn, Media Producer Christian lens. cli"@goodfaithmedia.org Zach Dawes Jr., Managing Editor, News and Opinion [email protected] GOVERNING BOARD Bruce T. Gourley, Managing Editor, Publications Jack Glasgow, Zebulon, NC (Chair) [email protected] Renée Lloyd Owen, Marietta, GA (Chair-Elect) Bill McConnell, Knoxville, TN (Treasurer) Tony W. Cartledge, Contributing Editor/Curriculum Writer Michael Cheuk, Charlottesville, VA (Secretary) [email protected] Kevin Heifner, Little Rock, AR Cynthia Holmes, St. Louis, MO Jackie B. Riley, Chief Book Editor Cory Jones, Burlington, NJ [email protected] Rob Marus, Washington, DC Jackie Baugh Moore, San Antonio, TX Missy Randall, Program Director Mica Stother, Little Rock, AR [email protected] David Turner, Richmond, VA Vickie Frayne, Creative Director [email protected] ADVISORY COUNCIL CHAIRS Marv Knox, Dallas, TX (News & Opinion) William Neal, Fayetteville, GA (Publishing) Gary Skeen, Duluth, GA (Development & Marketing) Ronnie Brewer, Miramar Beach, FL (Experiences) Starlette Thomas, Washington, DC (Videos & Podcasts)

For a complete listing of the Strategic Advisory Board, visit goodfaithmedia.org.

Nurturing Faith Journal (ISSN 1072-7787) is published bimonthly by: Baptists Today, Inc., 988 1/2 Bond Street, Macon, GA, 31201-1902 Subscription rates: 1 year, $24; 2 years, $42; 1 year groups of 25 or more, $18; 1 year groups of less than 25, $24; 1 year Canada, $42; 1 year foreign, $100. Periodical postage paid at Macon, Ga. 31208 and additional mailing o#ces. POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to: P.O. Box 6318, Macon, GA 31208-6318 • (615) 627-7763 • © 2020 Nurturing Faith • All rights reserved. PATROL & CONTROL Storytelling has long shaped the practice of policing INSIDE By Terrell Carter VOL. 38, ISSUE 6 44 NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020

FEATURES 6 WHEN WORDS AREN’T ENOUGH PEACE ON EARTH Artist encourages seeing Dave Combs brings through the eyes of others soothing music By Rebekah Gordon videos to new audience 10 FACING OUR INDICTMENT By John D. Pierce Ignoring white supremacy within American Christianity is costly 56 By John D. Pierce 50 RELIGION AND THE THOUGHTS AMERICAN PRESIDENTS 5 Whether a lost year, or a year 41 Reconsidering expectations: Part Two: Jimmy Carter of losses, 2020 will have ministers or managers? (1977–1981) ‘lasting e!ects’ By Christopher Adams By Bruce Gourley By John D. Pierce 42 A MIX OR A MESS? 59 GETTING WET 9 More than a voice on the phone, Words of caution about the A Baptist preacher ruminates on Jannie is a friend relationship between faith the holy waters of baptism By John D. Pierce and politics By Lamar Wadsworth By J. Brent Walker 13 Second Thoughts: Kudzu, kinfolks and me 46 COMMON GOOD By John D. Pierce The Bible teaches us to live communally, not selfishly 14 White supremacy and theology By A. Roy Medley By John R. Franke 58 Lipscomb University salvages 17 In memory of Robert buried archaeology program By Larry Hovis By Tony W. Cartledge Welcome Ernest 18 God works through 60 Embracing, advancing good C. Hynds Jr. Interns! honest conversations faith in face of a bad year 8 By Patrick DeVane By Mitch Randall

Worth Repeating ...... 4 Lighter Side ...... 20 Diggin’ It ...... 58 Editorial ...... 5 Classifieds ...... 40 Faith & Science ...... 62

Cover image: Evie, by Susan Baker Cartledge. See story on page 6.

3 “For that rare friend who wants to see and understand all sides, I advise: ‘Read widely. Don’t leave cable news Worth or talk radio on in the background all day.’” Repeating Lay leader Ella Prichard of Corpus Christi, Texas (BNG)

“There is a power in knowing that you and “It’s almost impossible to be a Christian in a culture your feelings and desires are not at the where Christians are in power.” center of the universe.” Pastor and author Brian Zahnd (Twitter) Norris Frederick, retired ethics professor from Queens University of Charlotte, N.C., blogging at philosophyforlivingtoday.org. “Although this movement is still fringe, it is likely that someone in your church or social-media circles has “On social media right now, people of conscience either already bought into the conspiracy or thinks it’s are deluged with opportunities to speak up or speak plausible and worth exploring.” out. In this frenzy, we must choose what to ignore, Executive Pastor Joe Carter of McLean Bible Church in Arlington, Va., what ethically demands response and what can be who published a FAQ on QAnon in The Gospel Coalition constructively engaged.” (MIT Technology Review) Amanda Hiley of Birmingham, Ala., on making wise social media choices (GFM Opinion) “Conscience was and remains an internal guide by which citizens determine and act in response to good “Good news isn’t good if it isn’t true. In this age of and evil, right and wrong, freedom and oppression. conspiracy theories and fake news, church leaders All persons, especially Christian persons, are to can empower parishioners, giving them tools to be function as citizens on the basis of their consciences.” tenacious truth-seekers.” Church historian Bill Leonard of Wake Forest University (BNG) Rhonda Abbott Blevins, pastor of Chapel by the Sea in Clearwater, Fla. (BNG) “When historians pick up their pens to write the story of the 21st century, let them say that it was your “QAnon is predatory drivel that undermines the generation who laid down the heavy burdens of authority of Scripture and pilfers trust we owe only to hate at last and that peace finally triumphed Christ. American Christians have a responsibility to over violence, aggression and war.” learn to identify it — and flee.” John Lewis, in an essay written just before his July 17 death and Columnist Bonnie Kristian, writing in Christianity Today published just after in the New York Times

The expectations of Advent and blessings of Christmas are especially needed during this unique and challenging year. The Board members and team of Good Faith Media appreciate making this journey with you. We wish for you all the hope, joy, love and peace this season might bring.

4 Thoughts EDITORIAL Whether a lost year, or a year of losses, 2020 will have ‘lasting e!ects’ By John D. Pierce

Year 2020 has shown us its responsible for managing a national health Fear that the disruptions and devasta- crisis deny reality and seek scapegoats on tion will continue in painful and irreversible destructive and lasting impact. which to project their blame. ways for a long time. And with hope that It came without an appointment Social media fills with crazy conspir- medical science will stabilize our lives to — and stands out unlike any other acy theories and cheap political deflections some manageable degree. year most of us have known. that do nothing to move the nation toward However, we need more hope than healing and hope. And professing Christians that. Much of this year showed little hat was expected to be a rough are not only among those advancing harmful promise that constructive lessons are being spring continued producing misinformation, but also often lead the pack. learned on a large scale. But the possibilities W trauma into the summer and We keep proving ourselves to be less are still there. beyond. Those who survive this pandemic exceptional than long claimed. We could learn to live less selfishly, and in the best of conditions will remember it It’s too soon, not allow fear to drive us away from grati- as the lost year. however, to only be tude, faith, compassion and hopefulness It will be recalled for the disruption looking back. There — those things we hold as markings of a of life as usual — especially rites of passage is a challenging future well-lived life. such as weddings and graduations. The to be shaped by our If the Bible and specifically the life of absence of anticipated vacations, sports, attitudes and actions. Jesus reveal anything, it is that we should family gatherings, church events, and casual Choices we make be open to change. The word “conversion” times with friends will long be recalled. during these continu- — tossed around in church circles — means Historians will use it as a reference ing uncertain times precisely to move from a lesser condition point. A “lost year” is the best of possibili- will determine the extent of our losses — into something better. ties — though pandemics don’t count the as well as how this loss-filled year is shaped Conversion is preceded by confes- days or celebrate new years. and remembered. sion, which requires re-examination. And More tragically, others will remember Will we recall friends rallying to re-examination requires something in short this as the year of losses — much greater support one another or angrily arguing over supply now: honesty. than a missed celebration or social incon- the varied responses to the virus? Was this Honest re-examination calls for veniences. They grieve the deaths of family the time we finally slowed down enough looking into our own hearts to see where members and close friends — compounded to re-evaluate our priorities, and think self-interest, self-preservation and self- by the inability to gather and remember in about our mortality in ways that make our service reside. Surely, some Sunday school comforting ways. remaining time more faithful and fruitful? teacher once pointed out that at the center Others suffer the loss of income, insur- Grave markers with chiseled dates are of “sin” is the letter “I.” ance and the simple expected meeting of stark reminders that each of us is given a “Lasting effects” apply both to the life’s most basic needs. The continuing defined slice of history that is uniquely ours. virus’ long-term impact on health and stress on healthcare workers takes its toll Those of us with the latter date still blank economics — as well as to the ways we on those who face daily risks in a seemingly should consider how best to use those limited choose (or don’t choose) to live differently uphill battle against the virus that doesn’t go but undefined days, months and years. as a result of this unfolding lost year or year away. For them and others, it is not merely a Whether this unusual time becomes of losses. lost year but a year of losses. the Great Disruptor or Great Destroyer Perhaps the most defining question Compounding this challenging time for us personally, it will surely have lasting is not whether this trying time was full of is the lack of unity and compassion in effects. We look ahead with both fear and losses or just seemingly lost — but whether confronting a common enemy. Those most hope: it was also wasted. NFJ

Thoughts 5 Artist captures real feelings, encourages seeing through the eyes of someone else

BY REBEKAH GORDON

PEX, N.C. — As a young girl, Susan Baker Cartledge was pulled A out of church one Sunday for being too loud. Outside her father said, “OK, buddy, when we go back in there you are going to be quiet as a mouse.” With a hand on her hip, she quickly responded, “My name’s not Buddy, and I’m not a mouse!” Today, Susan is a gifted painter with the same passion and spunk she had as a little girl in church. In her impressive self- portrait, she even painted a small mouse earring on herself as a reminder to always keep that fierce spirit. In addition to her moxie, Susan has a love of stories, an active faith life and a deep desire to care for others.

EXPRESSIONS For 30 years, Susan has used her deep compassion as a nurse in both hospitals and homes. As she cared for patients, she learned their stories — and saw into their faces. Each story revealed an individual life with meaning. And in each face Susan saw a myriad of expressions: joy, grief and humor. She grew more attuned to when a patient was in pain or experiencing relief as she cared for them. Now Susan brings those perspectives frazzled hair of a hardworking nurse who Evie, showing not only sorrow and fatigue and skills to painting detailed, expressive recently lost her grandmother back home in but also strength, poise and endurance. portraits. Down to the muscles, the grin, Vietnam. During the pandemic Susan has and the glimmer in the eyes, each painting Susan based the work on a moment she painted portraits of other dedicated nursing is intricately crafted. shared with Evie, who expressed frustration colleagues, for example, Justin and Mia. It is She insists on getting the presence of and guilt for not having been there when a way to honor their commitments and hard the person right, weaving their personal her grandmother died. In doing so, Susan work, and to show their humanity. stories into the specifics of the painting. captured her friend’s grim determination. Susan struggled to fully describe these In the striking piece on the cover of Often it is challenging to find the right paintings of her heroic friends, adding with this journal, Susan painted her colleague words to empathize with someone else’s a shrug and a laugh: “I paint them because I and friend, Evie. The painting shows a grief. But Susan captured it beautifully in can’t think of the right words.” strong sense of resolve — the tired eyes and her painting of her friend and colleague However, Susan did speak of these

6 Feature And, she added, bringing a smile to someone’s face is always nice, too. The persistent Palestinian women do not hold positions of status, power or wealth, but have value and beauty. They have within them the strength that all women have, said Susan, like the many who have shaped her life.

DEVOTION When discussing these paintings, Susan spoke of the details of their lives she could only imagine: They have stories she doesn’t Susan Cartledge paints images of strong know, unlike those of her work friends. women (left) and children in series that highlight Yet, portraying the sense of dignity of those who might be less noticed. these complete strangers was just as impor- tant to her as painting familiar faces. The blog highlights paintings from “Women are change agents, and they scores of women around the world, focus- should not be undervalued,” said Susan, ing on the female figure. The promotion of as she gazed upon her painting of a hard- and advocacy for women is one of the many working Palestinian. ways Alia has influenced Susan’s work. Her passion for the many laboring Inspired by her teacher, Susan began women whose stories she was highlight- a series of paintings featuring women at ing felt like a prayer, one that deserved an work. On one of her many trips to Israel “Amen.” frontline health care workers with devotion and the West Bank with her husband Tony Susan puts her faith into action as she and pride. She intimately knew the stories Cartledge, who teaches at Campbell Univer- tends to patients as a nurse — and cares for of their lives. And she talked about the sity Divinity School and writes for this others as a mother, wife and child. And she meticulous details of the paintings she journal, Susan began photographing Pales- paints to tell people’s stories in ways that worked on for hours in order to capture the tinian women selling produce on the streets words alone can’t express. right essence of her dear friends. of Jerusalem’s Old City. She paints with thoughtfulness and She was proud of her friends who have She was struck by the way these women dedication. She crafts with devotion. shown great courage and toughness despite carried themselves: They were focused, Half of the proceeds from her current the added stress of COVID-19. She reflected diligent and persevering. Some Israelis did series, Children of Hope, is given to Teach on the strength it took for Evie to share her not want them to be in the market, ignoring for America, an organization dedicated to story of grief, which she navigated while the women or at times harassing them. providing educational resources to under- working a 12-hour shift at the hospital. Yet the women continued to work, valued communities. Sales of the paintings of “Women do what’s needed,” said selling grape leaves and other goods, because Palestinian women (available online) will be Susan. “I’ve found that over and over again.” that is what they had to do to survive — given to a charity that benefits these women. women doing what they needed to do, again The living of good faith can look STRONG WOMEN and again. differently for every person. As a painter, Impressive, hardworking women have Each of the women Susan photo- Susan uses her wonderful gift to highlight surrounded Susan during her entire life. graphed had a precious piece of property, a the stories and faces of God’s people. She watched her grandmother work in the valuable item of jewelry or a detailed purse. Each piece is purposefully and carefully kitchen, her mother learn Spanish just so They wore them with a sense of pride, said crafted. In them, she calls attention to a she could teach ESL classes, and countless Susan. deep biblical truth: Imago Dei — all people women work alongside her in the hospital. She was struck yet again by the inher- are made in the image of a good God. NFJ Her art teacher, Alia El-Bermani, is ent dignity that can be found in all people, another one of the tough women in her if only others would take the time to look. —Rebekah Gordon of Raleigh, N.C., is life. The figurative contemporary painter In painting these portraits of oft-neglected an inaugural Ernest C. Hynds Jr. intern has works showcased in museums across the women, Susan hopes to help people see with Good Faith Media. More of Susan country and is the co-founder of the blog through the eyes of someone else — to gain Cartledge’s work can be found at Women Painting Women. a new perspective. paintberrystudio.com.

Feature 7 Good Faith Media launches memorial internship REBEKAH GORDON, CHRISTOPHER ADAMS SERVING THIS SEMESTER

A gift by the foundation of First have this internship named for one of its longtime, faithful leaders and examples of Baptist Church of Athens, Ga., Christian commitment,” Granger added. honors the memory of Ernest “And we are proud and excited for one of C. Hynds Jr., a longtime church our own young adults to serve as an Ernest leader and professor emeritus of C. Hynds Jr. Intern.” John Pierce, executive editor/publisher journalism at the University of for Good Faith Media, and longtime editor Georgia, and supports a new intern- of Nurturing Faith Journal, said this new ship program for Good Faith Media. collaboration brings together many positive Cartledge. “She writes with both clarity and factors. e are deeply grateful for the passion, and offers valuable contributions to “More than two decades ago I enjoyed generosity and commit- Good Faith Media.” supervising some of Ernie Hynds’ journal- “W ment of First Baptist, Cartledge was one of Gordon’s profes- ism interns from UGA, and getting to know Athens, to the future of our movement,” said sors at Campbell and is helping supervise him even better when visiting the church,” Mitch Randall. “Through their investment her internship for Good Faith Media where said Pierce. “This internship is a great way we developed an internship program that he serves as contributing editor and curricu- to honor his memory and extend his legacy.” educates and engages young Christian lum writer. Additional gifts are being sought leaders.” Christopher Adams grew up deeply to continue and expand this internship Randall, CEO of Good Faith Media, involved in the First Baptist Church of program for future years as experiential announced that Rebekah Gordon and Athens, Ga., and is a communications training for gifted, young communicators. Christopher Adams are the first two Hynds studies graduate of the University of “To support the next generation of Interns, serving this semester. Georgia. In May, he graduated from Duke journalists of ‘good faith,’ please consider Gordon, a native of Durham, N.C., Divinity School. giving to Good Faith Media,” said Autumn is a graduate of the University of North “Christopher has a deep interest in Lockett, executive director of development Carolina at Chapel Hill and Campbell scripture and theology, and a strong appetite and marketing. University Divinity School. She serves as for learning,” said Frank Granger, minister of For information on supporting this associate pastor to college students and Christian community for the Athens congre- educational and practical experience, please young adults at Trinity Baptist Church in gation. “He is an excellent critical thinker, contact Autumn Lockett at (615) 627-7763 Raleigh. with communication and writing skills.” or [email protected]. “Rebekah is a sharp young woman Granger, a member of the Good Faith Prospective interns may inquire with a keen eye for social justice issues Media Strategic Advisory Board, assists in about upcoming internships by writing to and a special interest in valuing women’s guiding Adams’ internship experience. CEO Mitch Randall at mitch@goodfaith- equality in all aspects of society,” said Tony “First Baptist Church is honored to media.org. NFJ

The place to go between issues of Nurturing Faith Journal is goodfaithmedia.org NEWS • ANALYSIS • BOOKS • RESOURCES • EXPERIENCES • PODCASTS

8 Information More than a voice on the phone, Jannie is everybody’s friend

BY JOHN D. PIERCE job to Jannie. She was genuinely friendly with coworkers, donors, subscribers and or many years those calling the anyone else who might come her way. Nurturing Faith office were greeted “Jannie is probably the easiest person F by the friendly voice of Jannie Lister. I’ve ever worked with,” said longtime Kind and courteous to all, Jannie would managing editor and now senior copyeditor, respond to whatever questions arose — often Jackie Riley, who recruited her to join the patiently guiding a frustrated caller through team about 15 years ago. “She is willing to the web site or updating a subscription. learn whatever is asked of her, and is always

Upon ending such calls, many felt cheerful, optimistic, and supportive of our Jannie Lister with her husband Bub. like they’d spent time talking with a friend mission.” rather than just conducting business. Those In addition to answering the phone the very best for her in the days ahead. managing group subscriptions, especially, and handling customer service matters, A high standard has been set. But be quickly developed personal, trusting Jannie picked up and sorted mail, handled assured that the Good Faith Media team relationships with her. credit card payments, shipped journals and is ready to answer questions and assist Indeed Jannie is a dear friend to those books, updated subscriptions (willingly subscribers, book purchasers, authors, of us privileged to work with her — as well learning new software) and much more. supporters and anyone else interested in or as those who only know her as the voice on Jannie wrapped up her good work at engaged in this expanded work. the other end of a call. the end of September and is missed by all of Again, thanks, Jannie! You are loved “Customer service” was more than a us. We want to publicly thank her and wish and appreciated. NFJ

New from Nurturing Faith Books THE BOOK PUBLISHING IMPRINT OF GOOD FAITH MEDIA

“What would happen if we looked at the opening chapter of this earliest Gospel and let Mark tell the story of Jesus in his way? What if we paid atten- tion not only to the seven last words of Christ but also the seven first?” —Author Jim Somerville, Pastor, First Baptist Church of Richmond, Va.

“I cannot remember when I have seen such a sustained embodiment of the good work of preaching. Greg DeLoach has taken up both the plotline and the specificity of the book of Exodus in order to summon us to fresh faith and to missional living.” —Bible scholar Walter Brueggemann

These volumes, along with many other timely books and resources, are available at goodfaithmedia.org/bookstore.

Thoughts 9 Facing our INDICTMENT Ignoring white supremacy within American Christianity is costly

BY JOHN D. PIERCE ROOTS Jones is not simply a detached researcher It is right there in black and white. Page and observer; he’s intimately familiar with 185. the subject matter. His family roots go deep “To put it more bluntly, if you were into the South. And he grew up actively recruiting for a white supremacist cause on involved in a Southern Baptist congregation a Sunday morning, you’d likely have more in Mississippi. success hanging out in the parking lot of an He graduated from a Southern Baptist average white Christian church — evangeli- of massive resistance to black equality,” college and seminary, before doing doctoral cal Protestant, mainline Protestant or he writes. “But at a deeper level, white work at Emory University. Catholic — than approaching whites sitting churches were the institutions of ultimate Those denominational roots go back out services at a local coffee shop.” legitimization, where white supremacy was to 1845, when Baptists of the South severed Read it again. I dare you. ties with brothers and sisters from the divinely justified via a carefully cultivated North for the express purpose of sending Christian theology.” missionaries who were slaveholders. REALITY Put another way: “White Christian Less than two decades later, Frequent church attendance doesn’t make churches composed the cultural score that Jones records, the American Civil War white Christians less racist. In fact, among made white supremacy sing.” commenced and references in the South- white evangelicals, holding racist views Therefore, it is not surprising that ern Baptist Convention constitution to the increases the predictability of frequent needed societal changes regarding justice United States of America were changed to church attendance. This reality is not and equality have long met the most resis- “the Southern States of North America.” merely someone’s opinion. tance within white Christian churches, “While the South lost the war, the These are the solid findings of Robert denominations and institutions. secessionist religion not only survived, but P. Jones, CEO of the Public Religion It’s not a matter of simply changing thrived,” he writes. “Its powerful role as a Research Institute (PRRI), as conveyed in someone’s mind; it requires admitting religious institution that sacralized white his eye-opening book, White Too Long: The that what one claimed as indisputable supremacy allowed the Southern Baptist Legacy of White Supremacy in American biblical truth does not have such divine Convention to spread its roots during the late Christianity (2020, Simon & Schuster). justification. 19th century to dominate southern culture.” This indictment of the influential and And such confessions open the hard- Though steeped in Southern Baptist widespread Americanized version of Chris- to-admit possibilities of being wrong life — including denominational doctri- tianity that has nurtured so many of us on other tightly-held doctrines of condem- nal teachings in Church Training — Jones cannot — or should not — be ignored. But nation and exclusion. Ironically, the notes that he did not learn the true story it is not easy to face. church seems to have the hardest time with of the convention’s founding until sitting in Jones found American Christianity to confession. Leon McBeth’s church history class at South- be a “conductor” of white supremacy. And Fear and blame are aimed outward western Baptist Theological Seminary. his historical recollections as well as current rather than inward. As Jones notes, when “Slaveholder religion,” as author data back up this claim. history finally reveals the racist under- Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove defines it in “White churches served as connective pinnings of institutionalized Christianity, his book, Reconstructing the Gospel (2018, tissue that brought together leaders from “the culture rather than Christianity takes InterVarsity Press), continues to linger long other social realms to coordinate a campaign the fall.” after the end of slavery.

10 Feature BELOW CONSCIOUSNESS Personal sins — limited to a narrow list on the acceptable individual sins in need of Many church and denominational leaders, often related to sex — are the only failings forgiveness. as well as laity, consider the racist past just in need of repentance. Participating in corpo- that — in the past. There is no acknowl- rate or societal evils is ignored or excused. EVIDENCE edgement that the roots are strong and new You don’t rob a bank, but it’s OK if While overt language of white supremacy growth still finds its way to the surface. the deacon who is bank president charges a has lessened over time, the attitude still “After centuries of complicity, the higher interest rate to African Americans or can find a comfortable home within many norms of white supremacy have become if the real estate agent who teaches Sunday churches. It simply gets cast in cultural deeply and broadly integrated into white School doesn’t show people of color the and political terms such as protecting one’s Christian identity, operating far below the available houses in her neighborhood. “heritage” or supporting “law and order.” level of consciousness,” Jones writes. Even worse, membership in racist One of the biggest challenges, that Therefore, he notes, many well- organizations and the church were not Jones addresses, is the great denial that meaning white Christians today can’t regarded as being in conflict. And today white supremacy still resides in American distinguish between Christianity, as they white nationalism finds a comfortable home Christianity or in the hearts of its adher- know it, and the cultural norm of white within Americanized Christianity. ents. Having “warms feelings” toward some supremacy. And any criticism of the latter is Preaching and teaching from selective particular African Americans is somehow considered to be an attack on their faith. biblical texts — while avoiding the many considered enough to absolve them of any Jones said that it wasn’t until he was in calls to social justice from the prophets claims of racism. “the full swing of a career steeped in public and Jesus — was an intentional effort to The well-built structures of racial research” that he “realized just how fully keep the focus on individual piety without injustice within the church and larger these attitudes still haunt Christians today.” challenging the societal evils propagated by society are simply dismissed. Yet neither But the evidence is unmistakably clear. the church. denying nor ignoring such injustice makes “In survey after survey, white Chris- Well-crafted doctrinal support of white it go away. And the stark indictment — for tians stand out in their negative attitudes supremacy was an integral part of advancing those willing to face the mounting evidence about racial, ethnic and religious minorities the Lost Cause effort to justify the treason- — is that the problem is not an outside (especially Muslims), the unequal treatment ous role of Southerners and to present those threat, but is clearly present on the inside of of African Americans by police and the who led the failed effort in a heroic light congregational life. criminal justice system, their anxieties about — hence, the statues and monuments that Yet raising the consciousness of congre- the changing face of the country, and their arose throughout the South in highly public gations, as noted, comes at a high risk and longing for a past when white Protestantism places. therefore is usually avoided or softened to was the undisputed cultural power.” In the same way preachers during the point that it doesn’t make the needed Those with eyes to see and ears to hear slavery — with the slaves in the back or point. will not dismiss this rightly applied indict- balcony — were “light on Exodus and However, not facing the reality of ment, but will humbly see the undone heavy on Paul,” the sermons and Sunday inbred white supremacy threatens churches work of conversion well after the waters of School curriculum during the Jim Crow era as well. Historic congregations with some baptism into this expression of Christianity avoided or soft-sold the prophetic calls to of the deepest racist roots often worry have dried. justice. about their future but resist addressing the The fear of losing cultural dominance They watered down Jesus’ calls to love issue that alienates potential members who has led many white Christians to align with neighbors as oneself. Or they simply defined consider the church’s Christian witness to any political effort to protect or restore neighbor as what one sees in a mirror, and be compromised. such a sense of security — regardless of ignored the more sacrificial call to love even Mark Tidsworth, founder of Pinnacle how those politics contrast with Christian one’s enemy. Leadership Associates that often consults values. Hence, as Jones puts it, many white Likewise, sanitized public school text- with congregations in transition, said his Christians have moved from being “value books skipped the wide-ranging atroci- team has seen a pattern to be consistent voters” to “nostalgia voters.” ties that whites carried out against Native enough “to call it a trend now.” people and those of African descent, both A declining, older congregation will during slavery and long after. call a younger pastor in an effort to reach INDIVIDUALISM Even today, many preachers must take people under age 40. In the pulpit the new Jones traces historically what many of us note of which toes listeners are willing to pastor addresses concerns such as racism, know firsthand, that white Americanized be stepped on. Calls for racial justice in the poverty, consumerism, environmentalism Christianity was shaped into a belief system present time have led to loss of membership and gender issues — connecting the gospel that ignores social injustice and concerns and money, and resulted in vacated pulpits. to what people the pastor’s age are actually itself specifically with individual piety. So the temptation is to keep the focus discussing.

Feature 11 “More is required — especially of those who claim to follow Jesus but have ignored his most basic teachings on human value and equality.”

“Some older people in congregations He adds: “That bitterness is our only think those topics are out of bounds,” said hope. That is the only way we get past it.” Tidsworth. “So they launch a campaign to Drawing on Baldwin’s words, Jones run off the younger pastor and new younger affirms that no truly hopeful future can people, ensuring their demise.” occur without first “coming into fuller Churches also lose their moral author- acknowledgement of the harm we have ity to speak publicly about any ethical done.” That, he writes, “is the beginning of concern when known widely to have never the path to freedom.” faced their own historic role in preserving Jones points to some late but hopeful and advancing white supremacy. signs of steps along that path. He dedicates Americanized Christians might do well the book to the two First Baptist Churches to call a moratorium on moralizing to give of Macon, Ga., where his family has roots. more time and attention to the deep moral In recent years, the neighboring white rot within that creates a breeding ground for and black congregations — with shared white nationalism and other values at odds history going back to slavery that was long with the life and teachings of Jesus. ignored — have been slowing but surely building relationships that get to the deep ANY HOPE? and troubling issues that have kept them Facing such damning evidence can lead to apart. despair and hopelessness. Or, perhaps, just Also, he points to the recent removal of perhaps, it can lead to reckoning and hope. Confederate imagery from the state flag in But it has to be the right kind of hope. Mississippi, and the removal of Confederate Believing that white supremacy will monuments and statues in southern towns simply die out is blind hope, not based in and cities. reality. It ignores what Jones describes as “its But more is required — especially of tenacious ability to endure from generation those who claim to follow Jesus but have to generation.” ignored his most basic teachings on human The legacy of white supremacy, so value and equality. ingrained in institutions and ideology, and “We white Christians must find the finding new adherents in rising nationalism, courage to face the fact that the version of will not go away on its own. Christianity that our ancestors built — ‘the The title of Jones’ book comes from faith of our fathers,’ as the hymns celebrate the New York Times in 1968, when James it — was a cultural force that, by design, Baldwin said he saw little chance of “moral protected and propagated white suprem- rehabilitation” of the “bulk of this country’s acy,” writes Jones in conclusion. white population” because they have been An indictment has been issued. The “white … too long.” witnesses are many, and the evidence is Yet even Baldwin didn’t give in to the clear. Yet the questions remain open: impossibilities for a brighter day. However, Will (or can) white American Chris- he insisted, any real hope is not blind, but tians finally acknowledge and confront the bitter. deep-seated racism — which can’t be fully “If we are going to build a multiracial concealed or easily erased with resolutions society, which is our only hope, then one and warm feelings — and faithfully and has got to accept that I have learned a lot humbly move toward reckoning and repair? from you, and a lot of it is bitter,” testified Or is that beyond the capacity of an Baldwin to a US. House subcommittee in institution so steeped in white supremacy? 1968. “But you have a lot to learn from Has Americanized Christianity simply been me, a lot of that will be bitter.” white too long? NFJ

12 Feature SECOND THOUGHTS Kudzu, kinfolks and me

“That is hard for me to do, for I can read This column first appeared at better than I can hear.” goodfaithmedia.org, where daily news He returned to discussing various and opinion can be found. relatives — including one “that didn’t turn out too well” — and apologizing for any typing errors. Then he concluded the letter: BY JOHN D. PIERCE “If I never see you again, please remem- ber I am expecting to meet you on the other Concluding his book, White Too side. God bless and keep you. Love, Alex.” In just the second paragraph he turned Soon after reading this letter I came Long, Robert P. Jones acknowledged to lamenting current events. Then he upon a yellowed clipping from The Atlanta that his personal narrative of offered this bit of encouragement for my Journal. It was the obituary for Henry growing up white in the South aunt in Chattanooga to not worry about the Alexander Nuckolls, who had died at age Ku Klux Klan. was not unique. 87. The date of his death was two days after “I was a full fledge member of the pecking out the letter to his beloved cousin. any people, he notes, could Twelve Twenty before the KKK was The former schoolteacher was uncover “ways in which white organized,” he wrote. “One of our members memorialized at the First Baptist Church M supremacy, like kudzu, has crept got mad and told the secret and broke up of Decatur, Ga., and buried at the massive its way forward through the family tree.” the lodge…” Westview Cemetery in Atlanta. His story so resonated with mine that Then, without a break, he added: His thoughts and comments on race I went digging through some old files and “…and in a few weeks they met on top of were surely not an outlier opinion within notebooks of family history. Aunt Edith Stone Mountain in Georgia and organized the broader family. He just put his thoughts Nuckolls was the keeper of such informa- the KKK.” into writing. I heard others speak them to tion for my maternal branch of the tree. Hopeful Cousin Alex said he was told one another while eating homemade ice After her death, I gathered some of “some time ago that there would not be any cream on a front porch. those scattered pieces to learn more about negroes left in Georgia.” He reported there It would be easy to excuse such perspec- my roots. Among the items I found was her were “no negroes” in 12 Georgia counties tives on race as being typical of the times. correspondence with a beloved cousin in now, and “there may be more counties But these people had access to better ways Decatur, Ga. without negroes.” of thinking and loving — including the Alex Nuckolls, who had the same name Then he added: “If I am living, I’ll be Gospels in which Jesus so clearly revealed, as my grandfather, died when I was one year glad about that.” in word and deed, the value of every person. old. But there were many warm references In the very next sentence he assured my We should not let anyone off the hook to him I heard over the years. aunt of how much he would enjoy attend- for demeaning or mistreating other human In a typewritten letter, dated Oct. 2, ing a surprise birthday party, to which she beings. And we must never excuse ourselves 1957 and addressed to “My Dear Cousin had apparently invited him, “for the old from acknowledging our own white privi- Edith,” he thanked my aunt for her recent preacher.” lege and seeking to rectify that which correspondence and expressed sorrow that He then joked a bit with his cousin and continually gives us an advantage. “Margaret’s boy has chicken pox.” (That talked about other family members before Like author Robert P. Jones, whose would have been my brother Rob who was returning to the subject that clearly had him story parallels mine and others willing to about to turn three.) in its grasp. face the facts, I am committed to not only His advice was to “just scratch and it “The integration worries me so I listen prune back the inherited, invasive and stran- will soon be over.” I don’t think Cousin Alex to the radio and television very little, and gling evils of racial injustice for a season, but was a dermatologist. decided not to read the papers,” he wrote. also to “kill it, root to stem.” NFJ

We should not let anyone o! the hook for demeaning or mistreating other human beings.

Thoughts 13 THEOLOGY IN THE PEWS White supremacy and theology By John R. Franke

n my last column, I wrote about the the narrowness of their experience and the becoming the pseudo-intellectual basis for importance of recasting theology so that particularity of their theological expres- their enslavement or extermination.” I it might be more faithfully anti-racist. sions. They like to think of themselves as Nevertheless, white American theolo- A key idea is the decentering of the universal people.” gians from across the ideological spectrum dominant forms of theology to make space In so doing they fail to understand that from conservative to liberal interpreted the for the voices and perspectives of all people. other people, with different experiences, gospel and the Christian faith from the Another challenge is the disentangle- have thought about Christian faith and have perspective of the dominant white culture ment of theology from the assumptions and something significant to say. and seldom sought to transcend the social intuitions of white supremacy. In his recent Throughout God of the Oppressed, and political interests of this group for the book White Too Long: The Legacy of White Cone provides a tour de force of the devas- sake of the gospel. Supremacy in American Christianity (widely tating consequences of concluding that As Cone remarks, “White theologians, referenced on page 10 of this journal), the white experience is the only normative because of their identity with the dominant Robert Jones, CEO and founder of the perspective for theology. The result is injus- power structure, are largely boxed within Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), tice and indifference to the humiliation and their own cultural identity.” lays bare the deep and longstanding connec- suffering of others. In other words, it’s not that white tions between the two. It is nothing theologians simply intended to serve the For many people, this will come as new less than a form of interests of their own particular constitu- information, finally exposed by a trained oppressive idolatry ency; this means that white theologians historian and sociologist. However, the by which a particular interpreted the gospel in terms of their own effects of white supremacy have long been group is empowered outlooks and interests because they have too the subject of Black theology. by the idols they have readily assumed that their cultural assump- The late African-American theolo- constructed, while tions and interpretations of Christian faith gian James Cone began writing on the others are painfully provided the cultural assumptions and significance of the Black community for disenfranchised. interpretations of Christian faith. theology in the late 1960s. He became the He points out that the dominant theol- In this procedure the gospel is not most prominent figure in the articulation of ogies in North America were so committed only domesticated by the conventions and Black Theology and two of his books, Black to the presumptions of the Enlightenment perspectives of assumed white supremacy, Theology and Black Power (1969) and A that they failed to question its consequences, but it is unwittingly and perversely turned Black Theology of Liberation (1970), stand including notions of cultural superiority into an instrument of oppression of other at the headwaters of the movement in the that led to colonization and slavery. social, ethnic and cultural people groups who North American context. Cone asserts that while it is regularly do not participate in the social, political and Cone’s book, God of the Oppressed claimed that the European Enlightenment ideological “givens” of the dominant culture. (1975), offers a detailed account of the represents a revolution in the thinking and A recent review of White Too Long in challenge of doing theology from the perspec- consciousness of Western man, it is crucial the New York Times concludes that the book tive of the Black experience in the midst of a to remember that not all people are Western “seems to present a stark choice: Hold onto Christian tradition formed by, and commit- — or male — and that not all Western white Christianity or hold onto Jesus. It ted to, the dominant power structures of people experienced the Enlightenment in cannot be both.” white supremacy and cultural privilege. the same way. Black theology has been making this Cone laments that white church leaders He observes that it has not been the point forcefully for more than 50 years. Are “have convinced themselves that only the liberating force that it has so often been we finally ready to listen? NFJ white experience provides the appropriate portrayed to be: “For black and red peoples context for questions and answers concern- in North America, the spirit of Enlighten- —John R. Franke is theologian in residence at ing things divine. They do not recognize ment was socially and politically demonic, Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis.

14 Thoughts “Franke’s reframing of Christian ‘unity’ as ‘solidarity’ is both timely and urgent.” MEGAN K. DEFRANZA Boston University School of Theology

“Theology as traditionally done — by the topics — has been undergoing such changes, shifts and significant alterations that the topics are no longer what they were. We need a theology where the eschatological design of God reshapes Christian theology into its own image. This is it.” SCOT MCKNIGHT Northern Seminary

Columnist and theologian John Franke’s latest book is now available from Baker Academic. Visit bakerpublishinggroup.com to place your order.

“Christians, congregations and the larger Christian community have the capacity to center their thoughts and actions around the thoughts and actions of Jesus. A gospel-informed, Jesus-centered faith is both imminently possible and urgently needed.” —Author Jack Glasgow, Pastor, Zebulon (N.C.) Baptist Church

“In Seeing With Jesus, Jack Glasgow masterfully breaks down into significant pieces practical but deeply spiri- tual guidance for living with a Jesus worldview… The study of verses you may think you’ve known is surpris- ingly revealing. There is meat in every sentence, and you will want to read this more than once.” —Jackie Baugh Moore, Vice President, Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation

This book (available at goodfaithmedia.org/bookstore) is made possible through a Baugh Foundation gift to support the continuing development of the Jesus Worldview Initiative.

In memory of Robert

BY LARRY HOVIS Since he started early in the morning My family worked very hard, but no and stayed until late afternoon, he was there harder than Robert’s family. It was as if I was growing up in the same town at lunchtime. Everyone would go to the we were both running a 100-meter race as my widowed grandmother who dining room except Robert. His meal would but Robert’s family had to start 50 meters A lived with her two sisters, these three be served in the breakfast room or on the behind us. women exerted a profound influence on my back stoop. Nancy, my sister, and I didn’t Reluctantly, I’ve concluded that father, my sister and me. To earn a living, my understand this. although I didn’t come from a wealthy grandmother ran a boarding house. When we would family and my parents taught me to respect She provided several men with a place ask why Robert didn’t all people as being equal in God’s eyes, my to live and two meals a day. Although the eat with us, we were whole life has been advantaged by a system popularity of boarding houses was begin- told, “Robert would of white supremacy. And the white church ning to wane, I still remember several of her be more comfortable — from the slave trade to the Civil War to boarders and the primary place where every- eating by himself.” the lynching era to unjust economic and one came together: the dinner table. We didn’t buy their social structures today — has helped perpet- Much of my family’s Sunday routine explanation, and uate that ungodly system. Robert being left out of the table of fellow- centered around food. We would have a big The first verse of “Amazing Grace” ship didn’t seem right. At an early age, breakfast cooked by my mother, then dress says, “I once was lost but now I’m found, Nancy and I saw injustice firsthand. for Sunday School and worship. Next came was blind but now I see.” That’s the way I Lately I have been thinking more about dinner at Grandma’s house. feel about race. my grandmother’s table. On one hand, it It’s a good thing we had a big break- I was blind to a system that for brings back good memories of family and fast since Sunday dinner required a long hundreds of years stacked the deck against friends, comfort and nurture. On the other wait. While the women finished preparing people of color in order to provide advan- the meal, the men watched whatever sport hand, it reminds me of the inequality and tages to white people like me. And rather was in season. When dinner was served, injustice that characterized my upbringing than fighting against that injustice, the however, it was always worth the wait. and gave me significant advantages over white church has supported it. The big, cherrywood table was loaded others. It’s past time for white Christians to down with at least two meats — chicken, My family wasn’t considered “privi- repent of our sin and join Black Christians beef, turkey or pork; too many vegetables to leged.” My grandfather died when my and all people of good will who are striv- count; biscuits or rolls; various relishes and father was only six, and life was difficult ing for justice and equity to dismantle white pickles; potatoes or rice; enough gravy to for widows. Any safety nets had huge holes. supremacy. That task is core to our mission cover everything; and at least two kinds of My grandmother and her sisters established of bringing about God’s kingdom on earth desserts. a non-traditional household to support as it is in heaven. Those seated around the table were as themselves. As I engage in that work, I do so in the diverse as the fare. Joining my grandmother But my family did have advantages and great aunts, along with my mother, others simply did not. My father received name of Jesus and in memory of Robert. father, sister and me, were usually several an education on the G.I. Bill and, with my Both deserve my best effort. NFJ boarders and other relatives and friends. mother, started a business and bought a —Larry Hovis is executive coordinator The guest list changed Sunday to home with government loans. Those advan- for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Sunday, but the food was always fantastic. tages weren’t available to Robert’s children. of North Carolina. Even more important was the fellowship that accompanied the whole experience. However, I would be less than honest to FREEDOM imply that my memories of meals at Grand- ma’s were all positive. My sister and I sometimes spent Satur- IS FRAGILE Your generosity keeps us moving into a hopeful future. days at Grandma’s house where Aunt Belle was in charge of the yard. She loved working Gifts to Good Faith Media may be made at the soil and planting flowers. An old, Black goodfaithmedia.org; by calling (615) 627-7763; Thank y!! or by mail to P.O. Box 721972, man named Robert helped with yard work Norman, OK 73070. for many years.

Thoughts 17 “BEING CHURCH IN CHANGING TIMES”

This column is provided in collaboration with the Center for Healthy Churches (chchurches.org) God works through honest conversations

BY PATRICK DEVANE tic, genuine, spiritual conversations with Within the first conversation it was WHITE people on what it means to be clear that God was working among us. One efore COVID-19 became a reality, BLACK in America. I also want to listen.” of the most meaningful experiences was we already were inundated with I knew this was the first step. Among reading the comments after the conversa- B a daily barrage of opinions and his almost 5,000 Facebook friends, I was the tions. You know that God is working when outrage. After the outbreak and ensuing only white person to reply. reading a Facebook comment section can be shutdown, this intensified. It is challenging We began a conversation spanning an edifying experience. to discern which conversations deserve our multiple phone calls trying to get to know Members of our two congregations, attention. each other better. Our only shared experi- total strangers minutes before this conversa- We can too easily wear out our words ence was a two-week doctoral seminar seven tion started, shared openly their fears and and witness on moments and matters that years earlier. We had not talked or commu- brokenness. People cheered each other on, do not have eternal relevance or kingdom nicated since, and honestly neither of us lifted each other up to Jesus, and began the importance. It takes constant prayer and remembers communicating even in the work of connecting instead of dividing. intentional discernment in order to match seminar. After three weeks of intense conver- the right words to the right moment. Through the conversations we came sation, we knew that we needed to move In the wake of the horrific murders to see the striking differences in our lived beyond talking. As we were ending our of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and experiences. Yet, we were united in the desire conversations, we framed this process by George Floyd, I knew this was a moment to begin a conversation with each other to paraphrasing Winston Churchill: “This isn’t for response. Silence and inaction would be see what God could do to bring healing and the beginning of the end. This is only the a shameful mistake in this moment. Yet I hope to our churches and the world. end of the beginning.” still struggled with how to respond. Our private phone calls led to public Dallas and I are organizing a pulpit I struggled as a parent to know what conversations on social media. We titled swap, and our two congregations are to say to my two children about such those talks, “Deliver Us From Evil: Race, planning two mission trips next summer hate and violence. I struggled as a pastor, Religion, and the Long Road Ahead.” as an opportunity to serve together in knowing that anything I said to my congre- My moderate Baptist congregation both Annapolis and Atlanta. We ended our gation about these murders would result in outside Annapolis and his Church of God conversations with a joint sermon where backlash. in Christ congregation in Atlanta came Dallas and I shared our reflections and Perhaps most of all, I struggled because together to watch and participate. Over the learning from the previous few weeks in when prompted by the Holy Spirit to speak course of three weeks, we shared our stories, light of Jesus’ story of the Good Samaritan. previously, I had shamefully stayed silent. I our struggles, our failures, and our hopes for A few weeks of conversations won’t grieved those moments of fear and knew I how we could move forward. solve centuries of systemic and personal had to say and do something, but I did not We did not claim to be experts or injustice. But we have to start somewhere, know where to start. have the perfect answer to difficult issues. and staying silent when God moves you to My constant prayer became: “God, Through the Holy Spirit’s prompting, we speak is no longer an option. show me where to start. Show me what to simply started talking. We talked through The conversations are available to view say.” how childhood shaped our worldviews, our at youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIQEKMpZ One morning after praying this prayer perspective of police, the “n” word, how VkBCshoRLtZBvtgAjsf5JiOau. NFJ again, I opened Facebook and saw a post we teach and talk to our children, and how from an African-American pastor named the church can work to bring change to the —Patrick DeVane is the pastor at College Dallas. He said, “I desire to have authen- world. Parkway Baptist Church in Arnold, Md.

18 Thoughts Healthy Church Resources are a collaborative e!ort of the Center for Healthy Churches, the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation, and Good Faith Media. AVAILABLE AT GOODFAITHMEDIA.org/bookstore 615-627-7763 THE LIGHTER SIDE A life lesson from my seventh-grade Sunday School class By Brett Younger

r. Akers must have been 80 notice prejudice. I attended a Christian when he taught our class, but he university with classes in social justice, but M seemed older. His hair was winter the student body was 95 percent white. I white, and his face had lines like a subway went to a church that held seminars on the map. My father called him “spry” — a word evil of racism, but that had only two black seldom used for young people. members — students from Nigeria. Seventh-grade Sunday School was I heard sermons on racial justice at boring. Mr. Akers’ plan each week was to did not go, so Tunney and Dave got six my almost all-white seminary, but with the read a long passage from the King James extra seconds to recuperate. He stood up exception of one visiting professor, every Version, then lecture on the three life lessons at nine and won the fight. Dave raised his teacher I had was white. The four churches that the biblical authors had put there for arms in triumph. I don’t remember many of Carol and I served after seminary were made 12-year-old boys. Mr. Akers’ life lessons, but to this day I am up primarily of white people who were sure Our plan each Sunday was to listen for frustrated that Jack Dempsey didn’t go to they were not prejudiced. an opportunity to get him off the subject. the corner. Sometimes privileged people think Boxing worked better than anything else. I remember one other life lesson. This that the point of diversity is to share the Mr. Akers was short and wiry — a middle- one was not about boxing, but about the abundance we have been given. The truth weight. He understood that junior high church. One Sunday Mr. Akers brought we see in Jesus — a homeless, unschooled boys needed the lessons he learned in the Duane, an African American, to our class. Middle Eastern Jew is that we need diver- boxing ring — preparation, strategy, mental He was a grandson of one of Mr. Akers’ sity because we are impoverished without toughness — almost as much as we needed friends, who was staying with him for a one another. We need those with different the three implications of King Saul consult- couple of days. As far as we knew, no black experiences to push us to be better, teach us ing the Witch of Endor. person had ever been in Saltillo Baptist to love, and force us to think. One question always did the trick: Church, Saltillo, Miss. The seventh-grade In the unlikely event that Duane reads “Mr. Akers, do you think Gene Tunney boys were stunned. Mr. Akers got through this column, here is what I want to say: “I’m would’ve beaten Jack Dempsey if the referee all of the life lessons without interruption. sorry that I didn’t act like a Christian when had counted straight to 10?” Duane and Mr. Akers did not stay for I met you. Our congregation failed miser- Mr. Akers was off and running, reliv- worship. The rest of us did not say anything ably at being a church. You did not miss ing the Battle of the Long Count — Soldier until, on the way to the sanctuary, Dave much by skipping worship. Compared to Field, Chicago, Sept. 22, 1927; 100,000 announced that he did not want those most African-American worship our music spectators, including Al Capone: “Who people in his church, using more brutal was sad, our preaching dull, and our prayers wants to play Tunney?” language than “those people.” shallow. Privilege gets in the way of worship- Dave always got to play Tunney The church did not need a business ping honestly. My church and my life would because he was the biggest. Mr. Akers told meeting to discuss Duane’s visit. If we had have been better if our seventh-grade class Dave to circle him, explaining that Tunney voted, it would not have been close. The had learned the right lesson.” NFJ kept his distance for six rounds. Then in the church leadership made it clear to Mr. Akers seventh, Dempsey pushed Tunney against that Duane was not welcome, and that if —Brett Younger is the senior minister the ropes. Mr. Akers trapped Dave in the Mr. Akers insisted then he was not welcome of Plymouth Church, Brooklyn, New York, corner. Two rights and two lefts to Tunney’s either. and the author of The Lighter Side: chin sent him to the canvas, and Dave to the Like most people my age, I have Serving Up Life Lessons with a Smile and floor in slow motion. The referee ordered some stories about seeing racism at work. Funny When You Think about It: Dempsey to a neutral corner, but Dempsey But mostly I have stories about failing to Serious Reflections on Faith.

20 Thoughts LESSONS FOR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

™ BIBLE STUDIES

The Bible Lessons that anchor the Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are written by Tony Cartledge in a scholarly, yet applicable, style from the wide range of Christian scriptures. A graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div) and Duke University (Ph.D.), and with years of experience as a pastor, writer, and professor at Campbell University, he provides deep insight for Christian living without “dumbing down” the richness of the biblical texts for honest learners.

Scripture citations are taken from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) ATTENTION TEACHERS: unless otherwise noted. HERE’S YOUR PASSWORD! IN THIS ISSUE IN THE NEXT ISSUE

Teaching resources to support The Right Stuff Season after Christmas these weekly lessons available Nov. 1, 2020 Jan. 3, 2021 at teachers.nurturingfaith.net. Matthew 23:1-12 Ephesians 1:3-14 The Right Stance Where Hope Belongs Use the new password (peace) Nov. 8, 2020 Who Is Jesus? beginning November 1 to Matthew 25:1-13 Season of Epiphany access Tony’s video overview, The Right Preparation Jan. 10, 2021 Digging Deeper and Hardest Nov. 15, 2020 Mark 1:4-11 Question, along with lesson Matthew 25:14-30 Jesus, the Beloved The Right Investment plans for adults and youth. Jan. 17, 2021 Thanksgiving John 1:43-51 Nov. 22, 2020 Jesus, the Convincer Adult teaching plans by David Woody, Psalm 100 Jan. 24, 2021 Good God! associate pastor Mark 1:14-20 of French Hugenot Advent Jesus, the Summoner Church in Charleston, Nov. 29, 2020 Jan. 31, 2021 S.C. 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Mark 1:21-28 Every Good Gift Jesus, the Healer Dec. 6, 2020 Feb. 7, 2021 Youth teaching plans 2 Peter 3:8-15a Mark 1:29-39 by Jeremy Colliver, Patience and Peace Jesus, the Traveler minister to families Dec. 13, 2020 Transfiguration Sunday with youth at Smoke 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 Feb. 14, 2021 Rise Baptist Church in A Sanctified Season Stone Mountain, Ga. Mark 9:2-9 Dec. 20, 2020 Jesus, the Dazzler Romans 16:25-27 Season of Lent A Christmas Benediction Feb. 21, 2021 Thanks, sponsors! These Bible studies Season after Christmas Mark 1:9-15 are sponsored through generous gifts Dec. 27, 2020 Jesus, the Preacher from the Cooperative Baptist Fellow- Galatians 4:4-7 Feb. 28, 2021 ship and the Eula Mae and John Baugh Children of the Child Mark 8:31-38 Foundation. Thank you! Jesus, the Challenger

21 Bible Study

of Noah’s curse on Ham’s son in Gen. Nov. 1, 2020 All who exalt themselves will be 9:20-27. Domestic terrorists parad- humbled, and all who humble ing as patriots once called themselves Matthew 23:1-12 themselves will be exalted. (Matt. 23:12) “the Christian Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.” We rightly condemn the twist- The Right Stance ing of scripture to promote white “woe” oracles (vv. 13-36) that could supremacy and racist attitudes, but ave you ever received a lead a casual reader to think that Jews that does not imply a condemnation of package labeled “Handle With in general were crooked and worthy of all Christians. Care”? Usually that means H condemnation. Neither should Jesus’ chastisement the contents are fragile and could be That kind of reading has contrib- of some outspoken critics be taken as a broken if the box was thrown around uted to spells of violent anti-Semitism blanket denunciation of all scribes and in the back of a truck or put at the in which people claiming the name Pharisees, much less all Jews. bottom of a heavy stack. of Christ have perpetrated heartless As we keep this in mind, we Other packages might need careful atrocities against Jews. Centuries should also remember that the gospel handling because they contain danger- of persecution under the Church- of Matthew was probably written at ous materials. A case of muriatic acid sponsored Inquisition during the Late least 40 years after Jesus’ time on earth, used by masons to clean bricks could Medieval period come to mind, as when synagogues had become more cause a messy and hazardous situation does the Nazi-led Holocaust during prominent. Addressing a community if dropped on the foor at the builders’ World War II. While those are the of Christians who were facing opposi- supply. most alarming pogroms, a current of tion from Jewish leaders, the gospel Our scripture for the day is more anti-Semitism has continued through- writer intentionally constructed Jesus’ like a case of TNT. Careless mishan- out the modern age. Jews have often speech to encourage trust in Christ dling of the text has led to explosive been the targets of bigotry in America. rather than competing views from the results through history, and has no A long-running conspiracy theory synagogue. doubt contributed to the deaths of claims that rich Jews have a secret One can disagree with rabbini- many, many Jews. plan for world domination. cal teachings without thinking less What’s so dangerous about this It is appalling that words attrib- of the Jewish people, even as we can text? uted to Jesus have been used to fan the disagree with other faith groups and fames of prejudice and persecution still respect them as persons. Consider the context against Jewish people. Matthew 23 is unlike most of Jesus’ Jesus, we must remember, was Not that way . . . teachings. The author has fashioned it a Jew. In this text, to the degree it (vv. 1-7) from a variety of materials that appear accurately refects his words, Jesus was Matthew has placed the teachings in in different contexts in the other critiquing a subset of his own people, the context of Jesus’ last week on earth synoptic gospels (Mark 12:37-40; just as the Hebrew prophets often spoke as he spent time teaching at or near the Luke 11:46-52, 20:43-47). against faithless Israelites. Similarly, temple. Chapter 23 begins an extended The discourse stands as a sharp Christian pastors may feel moved to discourse following a series of testy rebuke to certain scribes and Phari- speak prophetically concerning the conversations with Jewish scribes, sees, including a series of scathing church’s complicity in social evils. Pharisees, and Sadducees. Interpretation is important. Think Jesus spoke “to the crowds and to Additional information at about those who claim biblical justif- his disciples” (v. 1) as he turned from goodfaithmedia.org cation for the slavery of Africans based disputations with the authorities to a on a wildly misguided interpretation discourse about them.

22 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. 22 Feature “The scribes and the Pharisees sit do everyday jobs without becoming for “you have one teacher, and you on Moses’ seat,” Jesus said (v. 2), an impure. Only people wealthy enough are all students.” The word “disciple” indication that they were responsible to pay others to do their dirty work (mathētēs) means “learner.” No one for interpreting the commandments could afford to be fully observant. knows even a small part of all there is and other laws associated with Moses. Jesus’ second charge was one of to know. Whether it relates to science By Jesus’ day, rabbinic Judaism had misplaced motivation: “they do all their or relationships or scripture, we are all added considerably to teachings in the deeds to be seen by others” (v. 5a). As learners. Hebrew Bible, seeking to “build a hedge evidence, Jesus pointed to their ceremo- Likewise, Jesus said, the disciples about the law” by creating hundreds of nial garb: “they make their phylacteries should avoid the term “Father” as a minor rules designed to prevent people broad and their fringes long” (v. 5b). sign of respect for teachers, acknowl- from breaking the larger ones. Phylacteries were leather boxes edging that the title should be reserved The scribes were specialists in containing small scrolls that strictly for the “one Father — the one in remembering and interpreting both the observant Jewish men tied to their heaven” (v. 9). Verse 10 repeats the written and the oral law. The Pharisees forehead and upper arm with long thought of v. 8, using a different word focused on keeping every nuance of leather bands — an over-the-top effort for teacher, one that could also mean the law. Many were wealthy laymen to obey the command attributed to “master.” who sought to separate themselves Moses that the Israelites should keep the Jesus wanted his followers to from ordinary Jews by publicly law, teach it to their children, and “bind learn from the scribes and Phari- keeping even the fnest points of the them as a sign on your hand, fx them as sees how not to act, not pridefully or law — and some apparently lorded it an emblem on your forehead, and write pretentiously, but with humility and over those who did not. them on the doorposts of your house and service: “The greatest among you will “Moses’ seat” may describe a on your gates” (Deut. 6:8-9). Similarly, be your servant,” Jesus said, promis- ceremonial chair to be occupied by Deut. 22:12 contains an instruction to ing that “All who exalt themselves teachers in the synagogue. We recall wear tassels on the four corners of one’s will be humbled, and all who humble that when Jesus taught for the frst cloak. There is no apparent rationale for themselves will be exalted” (vv. time in his hometown synagogue at that practice other than distinctive dress 11-12). The reversal of fortunes was Nazareth, he sat down to teach (Luke as a sign of obedience. not promised for this life, but for the 4:20). To better display their piety, Jesus next (compare Matt. 18:4). Wooden chairs would not have said, the scribes and Pharisees also We should remind ourselves that survived the centuries, but the loved to sit in places of honor, be Jesus was talking both to and about synagogue at Chorizin, from the 3rd-4th greeted with respect, and have people his own people: both he and his century CE included a low seat made call them “rabbi” (vv. 6-7). early followers were Jews. We must of volcanic basalt that may have repre- “Rabbi” literally means “my great be careful not to let Jesus’ insider sented “Moses’ seat.” one,” but it came to be used as an language prompt us to think he was Jesus recognized that knowing honorifc for teachers, and for some it criticizing Judaism in general. and interpreting the law was important. was music to their ears. We have all Rather than leading us down the In other contexts, he took issue with probably known people with doctoral path of anti-Semitism, this severe text certain teachings of the rabbis, but here degrees of various sorts who act as if should prompt our own solemn intro- Jesus was concerned with their actions: they have traded in their given frst spection. How much of our faith is “do whatever they teach you and follow name for “Doctor,” and dislike being practiced out of guilt rather than love, it; but do not do as they do, for they do addressed by anything else. or for the sake of our reputation rather not practice what they teach” (v. 3). Neither education nor piety are than an innate desire to do right? Jesus charged the scribes and Phari- grounds for excessive pride. Within our churches, do we seek sees on two fronts. First, they devised to serve, or to control? In our living, heavy burdens to be borne by others, but But this way . . . do we truly act to please God, or to did nothing to help them (v. 4). (vv. 8-12) impress others? Many of the laws were designed With v. 8 Jesus turned to his disciples Jesus considered such questions to preserve ritual purity but made and instructed them to take a different to be serious business. If we truly want it impossible for ordinary people to approach. They were not to seek titles, to follow Jesus, so should we. NFJ

LESSON FOR NOVEMBER 1, 2020 23 Feature 23 Bible Study

Greek word literally means “virgins,” Nov. 8, 2020 Keep awake therefore, for you though another word meaning “young know neither the day nor the hour. women” was available. “Virgins” Matthew 25:1-13 (Matt. 25:13) is probably the intended meaning, indicating the ideal that those who The Right Preparation tic discourse of Matthew 24 gave the know divine forgiveness would distinct impression that Jesus would remain chaste in their commitment to o you like waiting? Whether not only return, but soon. Christ (compare 2 Cor. 11:2). it’s sitting in a doctor’s aptly Many people expected Jesus The maidens were likely young named “waiting room” or D to return in their own lifetimes, and women associated with the bride- standing behind an overloaded grocery they were disappointed when decades groom’s family. They were awaiting the cart at the only open checkout lane, passed with no sign of the Parousia, arrival of the bridegroom on the evening we generally have little patience for no evidence of Jesus arriving with the of his wedding, which would culminate waiting. angels to redeem the righteous and in a party that would last for days. The COVID-19 pandemic has judge the world. Some may have lost Where they were waiting is brought new meaning to the pain of faith and turned away because of the unclear, but their obvious intention waiting. How long before I can eat out delay. was to escort the bridegroom (and without fear, socialize with my friends, At least 40 years had passed before possibly the bride) to the site of the sing in a choir, or go on a normal the gospel of Matthew was written, and wedding, probably his family’s home. vacation? When can I go back to the they were still waiting. The Apostle Because it was late, the women carried offce and the kids go back to school? Paul had blazed missionary trails and lamps that may have been attached to While medical experts counseled expected Christ’s return and passed poles and used as torches so they could patience despite the diffculties and from the scene, but they were still lead the wedding procession (v. 1). inconvenience, “reopen” advocates waiting. Roman armies had sacked and Here’s the rub: Five of the maidens pressed for an end to restrictions. burned the temple in Jerusalem, bring- were “wise,” far-sighted enough to Political leaders and ordinary citizens ing to mind the apocalyptic predictions bring extra oil in case the bridegroom were divided as tensions mounted and of Matthew 24, but there was no angel should run late. The other fve were we wondered — and still wonder — if band heralding the Parousia. “foolish” in that they did not consider the former state of normalcy will ever They were still waiting. the possibility of delay and therefore return. brought no extra oil with them (vv. 2-4). Waiting is hard, but sometimes we Waiting for a wedding The bridegroom was, in fact, late have no other option. While waiting, (vv. 1-5) in arriving (v. 5). No explanation is however, we have choices about what To encourage his readers, the author given, though some fancifully imagine we will do and how we will act. We can of Matthew followed his account of he was tied up with last-minute fnan- make the most of the time in creative Jesus’ fery apocalyptic prediction cial negotiations with the bride’s ways, or we can devolve into self-pity. by putting together several parables father. The delay was so long that The church people addressed in the designed to counsel both patience and all of the virgins fell asleep, presum- gospel of Matthew were also waiting, continued faithfulness. ably with their lamps still burning. and increasingly frustrated. Teachings The second parable is unique to of Jesus such as those in the apocalyp- Matthew. It offers an image of the Ready or not … kingdom of heaven from the stand- (vv. 6-10) Additional information at point of who can expect to enter it fully The bridegroom arrived at last, “in goodfaithmedia.org at Christ’s return. The story begins the middle of the night,” preceded by with 10 “bridesmaids” (NRSV). The a shout that alerted the maidens to his

24 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. arrival (v. 6). All of them trimmed the would be ready when the bridegroom Looking at the story from this wicks of their dimming fames and fve arrived. position, some see the wise and were able to replenish their supply of foolish as true believers who are oil, pull out more wick, and make their Questions, questions spiritually prepared, as opposed lamps shine brighter. The other fve So, how do we interpret this parable? to pseudo-Christians who may go watched sadly as their lamps fickered It is obvious that certain elements are through the motions or adopt church dimly, on the verge of going out. allegorical. The trick is determining culture but still live for themselves The foolish virgins asked the others how far the allegory goes. rather than Christ. Others might see it to share, but were told there wasn’t It is clear that the bridegroom as a warning to hold tightly to one’s enough to go around, leaving them with is Jesus, and that his unexpected faith rather than giving up and falling the task of fnding a midnight merchant tardiness represents the delay of the away: to keep one’s “spiritual oil” who sold olive oil (vv. 7-9). Parousia. The maidens are members replenished and ready to meet Jesus. While searching for oil, the girls of the church, the bridegroom’s arrival Others prefer to think of escha- who were unprepared missed the parade signals the return of Christ, the closed tology more in the present than in the as the wise maidens joined the proces- door marks the judgment, and the future. A school of thought known sion to the wedding venue, where the wedding banquet represents life in the as “realized eschatology” holds that door was closed behind them (v. 10). new age. Christ inaugurated the kingdom of Questions arise as we read the But should we extend the allegory God while on earth, and that New story. We may wonder about the ethics further? Do the maidens’ lamps, and Testament references to Jesus’ coming of those who refused to share their by extension their provision of oil, also can be understood in terms of what oil or ask why the fve foolish virgins have allegorical signifcance? Some he has already done. In this view, could not have joined the procession interpreters think the oil lamps represent Christians are not so much challenged even if their lamps had gone out. Such good deeds, recalling Jesus’ instruction to wait patiently and faithfully for questions, however, are beyond the to “Let your light shine before others, Christ’s return, but to live into the purview of the story, which is about the so that they may see your good works reality of a kingdom that is always importance of being prepared. and give glory to your father in heaven” coming and breaking into our world. (Matt. 5:16). Others imagine that the We are called to live in such a way Too late now extra oil represents faith that endures, that the presence of Christ is realized (vv. 11-13) or love for Christ that lasts and does not in the way we live and love and show The foolish maidens succeeded in grow cold. grace to others, representing Christ in obtaining more oil, but alas, it was too Such interpretations may the world. late. They knocked at the door, crying be appealing but are likely to be Either view calls for present readi- “Lord, lord (‘Sir, sir’), open to us,” but overreaching. We do not earn our way ness. We are surrounded by people heard only what must have seemed a into heaven by works, and good deeds who face traumas or trials and are in callous reply: “Truly I tell you, I do cannot be purchased, like oil, from a need of hope for the future. Christ’s not know you” (vv. 11-12). merchant. love is present when we persevere in The bridegroom’s rejection may The point is that the women were hope that puts on its boots and does strike us as unrealistic and harsh. The not ready for the bridegroom’s arrival. the work. Jesus comes when we work maidens left outside may have been Church members who are wise should for justice to overcome systemic evils. foolish but were hardly unknown. take note and live faithfully, ready to The kingdom breaks in when we show Again, that’s not the point of the meet Christ whether at the Parousia or compassion to those who need it most. parable: because the women were at their own death. Whatever our eschatological bent, unprepared, they missed their chance. For some theologians, eschatol- the message of the parable is clear: we “Keep awake therefore,” Jesus ogy is all about the future, looking to are called to live with expectant hope. said, “for you know neither the day nor a day when Christ literally returns to As we see the world through Jesus’ the hour” (v. 13). Keeping awake is to earth, judges sinners and saints, and eyes, we can believe that God is still be understood in the sense of being inaugurates the next age. Believers at work in our world, coming into it aware and prepared: even the wise would certainly want to be ready for in ways that bring redemption, grace, virgins could fall asleep, knowing they that event. and the promise of completion. NFJ

LESSON FOR NOVEMBER 8, 2020 25 Bible Study

money and expected to use it wisely. Nov. 15, 2020 His master said to him, “Well done, And what did they do? good and trustworthy slave; you The man with fve talents “went Matthew 25:14-30 have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of off at once and traded with them” (v. The Right Investment many things; enter into the joy of 16). The word translated as “traded” your master.” (Matt. 25:21) literally means “worked.” Whether he bought and sold goods, invested in real ave you every entrusted a estate, or started a business, we don’t signifcant portion of your We know what it is like to go on know — but he put his money to work. life savings to a money H vacation and arrange for someone else By the time the master returned, he manager, a professional who suppos- to look after our pets or bring in the had managed to double what had been edly knows best how to invest money mail, but would we ever think of putting entrusted to him. for maximum return, but gets paid them in charge of our bank accounts or “In the same way,” Jesus added, whether you gain or lose? our retirement funds? “the one who had the two talents made It’s a risky business, and not for The text says the departing man two more talents” (v. 17). everyone. Sometimes the investments entrusted fve talents to one servant, The third man did not believe that pay off handsomely, and sometimes two talents to the second, and one to the fortune favors the brave. Fearing both money goes down the drain. third. the master and the possibility of loss, he Our text for the day concerns a When we hear the word “talent,” “went off and dug a hole in the ground man who turned entrusted consider- we think of an innate ability to do and hid his master’s money” (v. 18). able wealth to three of his servants and something well. Our English word expected positive returns. It is the third comes straight from the Greek, and it is A serious judgment in a series of four stories that Jesus largely due to the popular understand- (vv. 19-30) told regarding the importance of living ing of this story that we came to defne The story is not over, of course. “After faithfully and being ready to meet Jesus it as giftedness or ability. a long time the master of those slaves when judgment time comes. The Greek word talenton, however, came and settled accounts with them” The story is set in the last days of was a measure of weight used in (v. 19). Jesus’ earthly life, when everything business, with one talent being about The master, obviously, was pleased Jesus talked about was freighted with 75 pounds. It came to be used as a with the two servants who had taken the eternity and the question of how believ- monetary measure, probably in silver risk of putting their talents to work. To ers should live. coins, equivalent to 6,000 denarii. That the one who began with fve talents and is probably what is intended here. When made fve more, the master said “Well A serious investment v. 18 says the third servant “hid his (vv. 14-18) done, good and trustworthy servant; you master’s money,” the word is argurion, have been trustworthy in a few things, I Can you imagine the story Jesus which means “silver.” will put you in charge of many things; told? Before leaving on an extended One denarius represented the daily enter into the joy of your master” (v. journey, a prosperous man distributed wage for a day laborer, so one talent of 21). his wealth among three slaves, “each silver would be equivalent to about 20 The servant who had doubled his according to his ability,” in a ratio of years of wages. At today’s minimum two talents got the same congratulatory fve to two to one (vv. 14-15). wage, that would be nearly half a response (v. 23). million dollars. But now comes the one-talent man, Additional information at The precise amount is of little trying to explain himself before return- goodfaithmedia.org concern: the three men were given ing the talent he’d buried. “Master, I varying but extravagant amounts of knew that you were a harsh man, reaping

26 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. where you did not sow and gathering If that is what Jesus intended, then like us. where you did not scatter seed; so I was the clear message is that if we want to What was the third man’s problem? afraid, and I went and hid your talent fully participate in the kingdom, we had It was fear. He saw the master as a in the ground. Here, you have what is better get busy, using the talents God monster who would hurt him if he lost yours” (vv. 24-25). has given us to further kingdom work. the money, so he took no risks and kept The master rejected his character- This view acknowledges that we it safe. The master, however, was not so ization as a hard man, though he did are not all gifted in the same way, or in harsh as he expected. have high expectations. He accused the same amount, but we are all gifted. We don’t know how the master the servant of being wicked and lazy, No matter what the amount or type of would have responded if the frst two knowing that the master expected a gift, there is the same expectation: God men had risked big and lost the money. return and yet failing to seek it. He could wants us to demonstrate the same kind For all we know, he may still have have at least earned some interest on the of courage in using our gifts as God congratulated them for taking a risk and money, but failed even that (vv. 26-27). showed in giving them. doing the best they could. So, Jesus said, the master ordered Another way to look at the parable Paralyzed by fear, the third man did that his one talent be given to the one is to consider God’s trademark extrava- nothing. who had 10, “for to all those who have, gance. From any of these angles, the more will be given, and they will have Stories of God’s relationship to message seems to be that God wants us an abundance; but from those who have Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Gideon, David, to dream big and stretch far and open nothing, even what they have will be and others point to extravagant bless- our arms wide to a world in dire need of taken away” (vv. 28-29). ings God promised to those who did grace and love. As if that were not enough, the third what was expected. God wants us to get off of our chairs servant was to be thrown “into the outer The extravagance of God can be and stop hiding behind the punch bowl, darkness, where there will be weeping seen in parables such as the sower and to get out on the foor and dance. and gnashing of teeth” (v. 30). the seed, where the farmer fung seed Jesus calls us to be more footloose That’s harsh treatment for a man into every corner of his land. God is not with our faith, more generous with who was cautious, conservative, careful. cheap in showing grace, but his grace is our giving, more profigate with our We generally honor those qualities. not cheap, either. forgiveness, more liberal with our love. But Jesus didn’t call him cautious Only an incredibly extravagant “Cautious Christianity” is an and careful, but wicked and lazy. He kind of grace would lead God to risk oxymoron. The same Jesus who showed refused to do what his master clearly everything by walking down the road to us the limitless love and extravagance wanted. The unhappy judgment he Jerusalem knowing good and well that a of God is the one who serves as our received is not the result of his penchant bloody cross stood at the end of it. model for living, and for dying. for doing bad things, but his refusal to In that sense, the parable is not so For some people, getting reckless do good things. much about good and bad as it is about with their faith means leaving every- trust. It is about the trust that Jesus puts thing behind and going to minister to A serious challenge in servants such as us to do his work. It homeless people in an urban neighbor- This is a hard parable to hear, because is about the kind of trust we are expected hood. For others, it may be teaching a most of us would probably identify to have in Christ by risking and using Sunday school lesson, or risking a tithe, more with the third servant than the frst the gifts he has given us. or spending one morning every week in two. How should we understand it? Compared with God’s eternal extra- a soup kitchen. The traditional interpretation sees vagance toward us, our cautious resp- We are all at different places in our allegorical elements: Jesus as the master, onse may look quite pitiful, and the lives. Jesus knows and affrms in this the servants as church members, and the story challenges us to more courageous parable that we do not all have the same granting of funds as God-given gifts and living. gifts or abilities or opportunities. abilities. The master’s extended absence Another way of looking at the story But we all have the same calling. points to the delay of the Parousia, and recognizes that the focus is not really on We are called to a risking faith, to an the servants’ proftable or unproftable the frst two men, who serve mainly as extravagant mercy, to an exuberant love use of their giftedness determines their a foil for the third, who gets most of the that accepts God’s joyous gift, and then outcome at the judgment. attention — and who may seem most multiplies it by giving it away. NFJ

LESSON FOR NOVEMBER 15, 2020 27 Bible Study

may play or sing an introit while Nov. 22, 2020 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all worship leaders enter the sanctu- the earth. (Ps. 100:1) Psalm 100 ary (often to the musical shout of an organ), the psalm may have served as a brief call to worship, inviting pilgrims Good God! the spectrum and in between. It was massed outside to come forward into written for every person who believes, the temple courts. s we approach this Thanksgiv- and even for those who do not believe. As a rule, Anglo Baptists in ing season, many will rejoice, It is a joyful invitation for all people America rarely shout in church, unless while others fnd it hard to feel A on earth to celebrate God, and to it’s in an unhappy business meeting. very thankful. This has been a long, celebrate God’s goodness. Conversely, many ethnic congrega- diffcult, and very different year for The psalm is only fve verses tions and churches with Pentecostal a variety of reasons, many of which long, and it falls naturally into two leanings anticipate joyful interjections remain unresolved. parts, each containing a call to praise from the congregation. Here as in The COVID-19 pandemic is still followed by a rationale for worship. other areas, culture plays a large role a serious concern. Economic recov- The frst three verses call us to in infuencing our style of worship. ery has a long way to go. Working celebrate the belief that the LORD Is actual shouting necessary? for social justice and racial equality is is God. The last two verses call us to Does the psalm suggest that churches an ongoing battle. The national debt celebrate that the LORD is good. If should seek a hymn-leader like Otis grows. Political polarization persists. we can remember no more than that, Day from the 1978 movie Animal Some days, it seems that chaos reigns. we understand the main point of the House, singing “Shout! a little bit Our families may not be able to psalm. louder now, Shout! a little bit louder gather for Thanksgiving. now, Shout! real loud now, Shout! Can we still be thankful? Celebrate: the LORD is God! come on now . . .”? Making the effort to turn from (vv. 1-3) Perhaps not. trouble to thanksgiving could be a Psalm 100 begins with an imperative But what do we need? When it worthwhile exercise, and Psalm 100 invitation that might have been spoken comes to praising God in church, it’s is a perfect text for that. The poem by a worship leader in the temple not the volume that counts, but the makes deep and meaningful claims courts: “Make a joyful noise unto the attitude. Shouting joyfully is just the about who God is, who humans are, Lord, all the earth!” (v. 1). No word frst of three responses the psalmist and how the two should relate. The meaning “joyful” is in the text, but it is calls for: in gathering for worship we song calls us to be thankful that God often inserted to refect the worshipful are not only to make a joyful noise, is, that God has created us, and that context. The Hebrew literally reads: but also to “worship the Lord with God has called us into relationship. “Shout to Yahweh, all the earth!” gladness” and “come into his presence Whether we have weathered the In the context of praise, one would with singing” (v. 2). year relatively unscathed, or whether expect such shouts to be joyful. The “Shout,” “worship,” and “come” we have been scarred by illness, phrase “all the earth” implies that the are all imperative verbs. As far as the unemployment, or stressful events, call to worship Yahweh is universal. psalmist was concerned, there was no Psalm 100 can speak to us. It was What type of joyful noise might role for wallfowers at the temple — written for people on both ends of the poet have had in mind? The psalm all were called to worship and to sing. as a whole is clearly a hymn of praise, It would be lovely to know what Additional information at and it appears to be associated with the joyful tunes or harmonies the people of goodfaithmedia.org worshipers’ entrance into the temple Israel might have sung, but we cannot. courts. Thus, as liturgical churches But imagine: if a songwriter were

28 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. to pen something akin to Psalm 100 we belong. We came from God, who In choosing this term and combin- today, what sort of tune would she created us, and we belong in God’s ing it with “faithfulness,” the psalmist use? Take a few moments to think felds, where the one who made us insists that God’s love is not volatile or about it. What are some examples of also cares for us. shallow. It is a deep love, an abiding happy, joyous music? Do you have love, an eternal love. Believing this, any favorite praise choruses or tradi- Celebrate: the LORD is good! those who trust in God need never feel tional hymns designed to praise God? (vv. 4-5) alone: God’s love is dependable and I like the thought of setting Psalm Some interpreters see vv. 1-4 as an sure. 100 to a joyful, Caribbean beat with extended call to praise, with v. 5 What are some of the ways we see kettle drums — something that makes furnishing the reason for praise. I evidence of God’s creative power and hearers want to join in, and maybe prefer to see a two-part structure in enduring love? Can we recognize it in even to move. which vv. 1-2 serve as an initial call to giant bales of hay that dot the felds, Psalm 100 calls us to praise the praise, with a reason for it given in v. in the smell of the crisp fall air, in Lord, and to do so with joy. Now the 3. This is followed by a second call to the colors of leaves and the songs of important question is “Why?” And the praise in v. 4, with a second reason that birds? frst answer is this: because the one we Can we see glimpses of God’s worship is due in v. 5. praise is God. love in the devotion of a spouse, or a We can envision the worship Verse 3 calls worshipers to “know child — or parents whose love never leader, having opened the service with that the LORD is God.” In Hebrew, stops? Are we fortunate enough to an initial burst of jubilation, now invit- the word we translate as “know” sense it in the support of friends who ing the people to come forward to the implies personal, intimate knowledge truly care about our well-being? temple’s inner courtyard: “Enter his that comes through experience. That Some people may feel more in gates with thanksgiving, and his courts is where worship begins. The psalmist tune with adversity than with accom- with praise! Give thanks to him, and does not challenge us to simply know plishment. We may have been too bless his name!” (v. 4). about God, but to know God. often disappointed by those whose Here we have three more enthu- This is emphasized by the poet’s love is unsteady and whose promises siastic imperatives: “Enter!” “Give use of God’s personal name that was are empty. We may have borne the thanks!” “Bless!” The psalmist under- revealed to Moses. The name Yahweh brunt of the painful pandemic and may derive from a verb form meaning stood the human need to acknowledge its many-tentacled consequences of something such as “the one who is,” the Creator and to respond with job losses, social isolation, and the or “the one who causes to be.” English thanksgiving and praise. upheaval of schools and workplaces. translations typically render “Yahweh” Again we ask why we should offer For many, the poet’s happy praise as LORD, in all capital letters. such praise? Because Yahweh is not may ring hollow. Like Israel in exile, Why do we worship Yahweh? only God (v. 3), but also good (v. 5): we may wonder how we can sing Elementary, the psalmist might say: “For the LORD is good; his steadfast Yahweh’s praise while in a strange because Yahweh is God! There really love endures forever, and his faithful- land, yet the poet behind Psalm 137 is a God, he insists, and we know God’s ness to all generations.” found the faith and hope to persevere. name, and we know that Yahweh cares God’s goodness is shown in a Psalm 100, indeed, may speak for us in a special way. steadfast or faithful love for God’s most clearly to those whose lives are There really is a God, to whom people. The word translated “steadfast hard, for in dark days the assurance we owe our being. “It is he that hath love” (chesed) comes from a verbal of God’s loyal love is particularly made us,” v. 3 declares, “and we are root meaning to be good or kind. It is welcome — and that makes it worthy his” (NRSV). As God’s people, we are commonly translated with words such of praise. When life seems fragile and like sheep in God’s pasture, a common as “kindness,” “lovingkindness,” or friendships fckle, it is a comfort to be metaphor in Psalms (23:1, 28:9, 74:1, “mercy.” As a divine attribute, it also reminded that the Lord we worship is 77:21, 78:52-53, 80:1, 95:7). This carries the connotation of loyalty or a God who wants to be known. claim tells us something about our commitment to covenant promises, With the psalmist, we can declare basic identity in life. It tells us who we leading to its frequent translation as that the Lord we worship is not just are, from whence we came, and where “steadfast love.” truly God, but truly good. NFJ

LESSON FOR NOVEMBER 22, 2020 29 Bible Study

ars think parts of that letter may be Nov. 29, 2020 God is faithful; by him you were retained in 2 Cor. 6:14–7:1). called into the fellowship of his Son, Individual members of the church 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Cor. 1:9) contacted Paul (1:11), telling him of problems at Corinth. He also received Every Good Gift A little background at least one letter from the church What do we know about Corinth and requesting his advice (7:1). re we there yet?” This its people? The city Paul knew was In response, Paul wrote what we classic question, known to only 100 years old, a Roman metrop- now call 1 Corinthians. It appears all parents who have driven “A olis built on the ruins of an ancient that the letter was not well received, children on a long trip, could also Greek city. The population included leading Paul to make what he called apply in other circumstances. present and former slaves, wealthy a painful visit to the church (2 Cor. As would-be followers of Jesus merchants, shrewd traders, govern- 2:1). After returning to Ephesus, he called to grow in Christlikeness as we ment administrators, Roman soldiers wrote another letter that he described go through life, are we there yet? Have and veteran sailors, along with teach- as tearful and diffcult (2 Cor. 2:3-9; we become mature believers, frmly ers, philosophers, and devotees of 7:12), sending it by Titus. Some schol- grounded in faith and fully committed various religions. For a variety of ars think this “severe letter” may be to lives that refect Jesus’ call to love reasons, Corinth was an important partially preserved in 2 Corinthians and justice? city. 10–13, which is sterner in tone than If we are truthful, most of us would The Apostle Paul had a long and the surrounding chapters. confess that we have not yet become uneven relationship with the people Later, Titus told Paul the Corin- all God wants us to be. Whatever our of Corinth. Along with Timothy and thians had accepted his letter and age, we still have some growing left to Silas, he frst came to the city around were reconciled to him (2 Cor. 2:12, do. 49 or 50 CE, during his second evange- 7:5-16). Paul then wrote 2 Corinthians The season of Advent marks a time listic expedition. Paul met and was to express his joy and encourage the of anticipation and hope as we recall aided by Prisca and Aquila, a Jewish Corinthians to raise a worthy offering the excitement around Jesus’ birth Christian couple who had emigrated for the poor in Jerusalem. into our world, and as we consider the from Rome after the emperor Claudius Later, Paul seems to have made a prospect of one day entering Jesus’ expelled Christians from Italy third visit, probably around 55–56 CE, world on a new level. (Acts 18:2). writing his letter to the Romans while We may hold to hope that our lives Paul may have lodged with Prisca there (Rom. 15:26). will become more like Jesus before and Aquila, joining them in the leath- that day comes. If we fnd ourselves erwork trade as he remained in Corinth On the road … hopeful but still on the road, we have for about18 months. (vv. 1-3) something in common with members After a brief return to Jerusalem, Paul wrote with the knowledge that of the church in frst-century Corinth. Paul traveled to Antioch before depart- the church was riddled by factions. Our text for the day consists of ing on his third missionary effort, Different members preferred the Paul’s greeting to a church he saw as during which he stayed in Ephesus for personalities or theological perspec- blessed by God and flled with poten- two years. While there, Paul had several tives of different teachers such as Paul, tial — but not there yet. contacts with the Corinthian church. Peter, or Apollos. Each group wanted What we call 1 Corinthians was to control the direction of the church. Additional information at not Paul’s frst letter to the church, for Many of us know what that is like. goodfaithmedia.org in it he speaks of a “previous letter” We may have belonged to a church in he had written (1 Cor. 5:9, some schol- which fans of a particular pastor or

30 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. a certain theological bent struggled easy for us to think only of ourselves issues that Paul would address later. to determine who to call as the next and our church, but we are part of the The witness of Christ had been pastor, what priorities should be in the much larger body. Denominational confrmed among the Corinthians, Paul budget, or what kind of people were and ecumenical activities help us to said (v. 6), bestowing an abundance of fully welcome in worship. appreciate the larger Christian family. spiritual gifts (v. 7). That was positive, The congregation at Corinth Secular letters of the period but sadly, the use and distribution of would have included people across typically began with the word “greet- spiritual gifts had become a matter of the social spectrum from slaves to ing” (chairein), but Paul altered that controversy that Paul would address in elites, and some members considered to the word for “grace” (charis) and chapters 11–14. themselves superior to others on both added “peace.” It was an important Spiritual gifts can be misused. spiritual and social grounds. reminder that grace and peace, like our A person can be a spiritually gifted How does one begin a letter to a calling to a transformed life, derive shyster as well as a saint — as demon- troubled church? Paul began with the “from God our Father and the Lord strated by charismatic evangelists who standard pattern of identifying himself Jesus Christ” (v. 3). draw many followers but use their and his audience, followed by a brief offerings to enrich themselves. greeting. But not there yet Fortunately, God remains faithful, Paul identifed himself as “called (vv. 4-9) even among unfaithful people. Paul to be an apostle of Jesus by the will said God’s faithfulness would grant In his letters, Paul usually followed the of God.” Some members of the Corin- the Corinthians “strength to the end” greeting with a prayer of thanksgiving thian church had apparently questioned so they might be found “blameless” for his readers, often subtly raising Paul’s authority as an apostle (an issue when Christ returned (v. 8). They had issues that would reappear in the letter. that later become more explicit; see 2 been called on the basis of God’s faith- In some cases, Paul affrmed his Cor 10:12-18, 11:5), so he wanted to fulness, not theirs: they were not only hearers with words of praise, as to emphasize from the beginning that his saved by God’s persistent grace, but the Thessalonians, whom he praised authority lay not in himself, but in his also sustained by it. for “your work of faith and labor of divine calling. Paul’s prayer tactfully avoided love and steadfastness of hope in our But God’s calling wasn’t limited undue praise for the Corinthians, but he Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 1:3). Paul to Paul, for he described his readers as did not condemn them, either. Although a church that was “sanctifed in Christ also praised the Colossians for their they were sinners, he still called them Jesus” and “called to be saints” (v. 2a). faith, love, and hope in Christ that was saints. In spite of their shortcomings, he Although the Corinthians were bearing fruit among them (Col. 1:3-6). acknowledged their giftedness. He held unlikely saints, they were also called In writing to the Corinthians, out hope that they would grow in grace by God to a new kind of life. the best Paul could offer sounds like and learn to wage peace. Saintly or not, Paul called them backhanded compliments. He thanked Paul’s letter could have been “sanctifed,” using a verb that means God for the grace that had been given written to us, for we also are called “to make holy” in the sense of “to set to the Corinthians, enriching them in into fellowship by God’s faithfulness. apart as sacred to God.” Believers every way and blessing them with We also are gifted by God’s Spirit. We are to be set apart for holy living, but spiritual gifts — but he extended no also may fail and fall short of God’s the Corinthians showed that church congratulations for what they had best hopes for us, but our faith is members can be perfectly forgiven done with the gifts they had received. grounded in God’s faithfulness, which but not perfect in behavior, saints and In other words, Paul could praise will remain “to the end.” sinners concurrently. what God had done for the Corinthians, If Paul were to write a letter to Paul tactfully reminded the Corin- but not what they had done for God. us, to our Bible study class, or to our thians that they were part of a broader Divine grace had enriched them “in church, what might he say? Would he community, called along with “all speech and knowledge of every kind” have to settle for backhanded compli- those who in every place call on the (vv. 4-5), but some of them had used ments, or could he offer unabashed name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both speech against each another. Some and grateful praise? their Lord and ours” (v. 2b). believed they had special knowledge What would we like for him to This remains a helpful word. It’s that made them superior to others — say? NFJ

LESSON FOR NOVEMBER 29, 2020 31 Bible Study Reminder: the password for online teaching resources is peace. of the “Son of Man” and introduce a Dec. 6, 2020 But, in accordance with his prom- time of judgment (Matthew 24, Mark ise, we wait for new heavens and 13, Luke 21). From the time of Jesus’ 2 Peter 3:8-15a a new earth, where righteous- ness is at home. (2 Pet. 5:13) ascension into heaven, his followers Patience and Peace had anticipated his return with either hope or dread. Had not Jesus said His short letter was probably written “Truly I tell you, this generation will romises, promises.” Have early in the second century, long after not pass away until all these things you ever felt like that was the apostle Peter had died. It was have taken place” (Matt. 24:34)? the story of your life? “P common in that period for people to The word genea typically referred The past year of electioneering has write in the name of a more famous to a family generation, suggesting a brought many promises, some of them predecessor, and the church leader period of 20 to 40 years between the age clearly far-fetched. Other promises who wrote 2 Peter almost certainly of parents and children. It is obvious have been couched with more caution. followed that convention. that the promise had not been fulflled Some hopes are particularly We refer to the letter as a “General in that sense, so modern readers must appealing. We long, for example, for a Epistle,” meaning that it was addressed either assume the prediction attributed promised vaccine against COVID-19 to believers in general, rather than to to Jesus was wrong, or else interpret that will be safe and effective and help a specifc church. Whether its initial “generation” metaphorically. us return to a new normal in our lives recipients lived in Rome, Asia Minor, Most scholars prefer the latter. A on earth. or Palestine, they faced an ongoing common proposal is that Jesus spoke Promises are also made on a crisis of identity. Generations had of the “age of Israel” as a former more personal scale. Employers may passed since the church was birthed generation and the “age of the church” make promises to workers. Family with the expectation that Christ would as a new generation of indeterminate members make promises to each other. soon return, but it hadn’t happened. length that would culminate with Sometimes the promises are kept, Secondly, despite its Jewish roots, Christ’s return (the “parousía”). sometimes not so much. the church was operating within a Jesus’ contemporaries, however, It’s easy to grow skeptical about pervasive Hellenistic society. Contem- expected Christ to return sooner rather promises, whether big or small, and porary philosophies were infuential, than later, and possibly in their own that skepticism can bleed into our and various attempts to combine the lifetimes. Paul echoed the belief, reading of promises we fnd in the gospel with popular thought led to a urging readers to be hopeful and faith- Bible, too. confusion of beliefs. ful as they watched for the parousía The presence of such doubts is at The author had two primary (1 Thess. 4:13–5:11). The visionary the heart of today’s text. For example, concerns. First, a group of people Apocalypse of John has Jesus saying: will there really be a day when Christ he called “scoffers” were disputing “I am coming soon!” (Rev. 22:7, 12, will return and set all things right? whether Christ would return or that 20; cf. 2:16, 3:11). humankind would face a day of divine As decades passed without any Be assured judgment. Without the ethical motiva- evidence of cosmic confagration, (vv. 1-7) tion of a coming judgment, they saw some believers began to doubt that The unknown author of 2 Peter little need to worry about present there would be a “Second Coming” or believed it was a trustworthy promise. behavior: eschatological skepticism a judgment at all. Possibly infuenced led to moral libertinism. . by Epicurean philosophy, some argued Additional information at The gospel writers credited Jesus that if there were no eternal conse- goodfaithmedia.org with predicting a day when cosmic quences to fear, there was little need catastrophes would herald the return for moral restraint or ethical behavior.

32 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. The author of 2 Peter saw their of a judgment that had not occurred, In any case, he was confdent that skepticism as evidence of the end the author saw as evidence of God’s believers’ patience would be rewarded times, writing that “in the last days mercy and an opportunity to repent in the promise of “new heavens and a scoffers will come, scoffng and while there was still time. new earth, where righteousness is at indulging in their own lusts and saying The writer’s fnal argument was home” (v. 13). ‘Where is the promise of his coming? that the timing of judgment was unpre- In contrast to the predictions of fre For ever since our ancestors died, all dictable by design. Both Jesus (Matt. and melting elements that preceded it, things continue as they were from the 24:43-44) and Paul (1 Thess. 5:2) had this is one of the most beautiful images beginning of creation!’” (vv. 3-4). taught that Christ’s return would be in the Bible. Our present world often The apostolic ancestors had like a thief in the night, when least seems dominated by people who are predicted a quick return of Christ, but expected. That didn’t make it less motivated by power and greed, or by they were all dead, and Christ had not sure: the author still expected a day the desire to impose their religious or returned. Thus, the “scoffers” argued when everything between heaven and cultural standards on everyone else. that a coming judgement seemed earth would dissolve in fre, leaving all How lovely to imagine living unlikely, so why not live it up? human works laid bare (v. 10). in a place “where righteousness is at The author presented four home” — but that’s not just a future arguments against their position. Be at work hope. We are called to live rightly First, he insisted that God’s words (vv. 11-15a) where we are (vv. 14-15a). are reliable, citing the food in Noah’s Having argued for the reality of a Our understanding of future things time as evidence. God had not only coming judgment, the author asked need not be limited to a literal interpre- fashioned the heavens and the earth the same question that we should tation of biblical imagery that is rife “by the word of God,” but also had be asking: “If judgment is coming, with metaphor. While we live, while spoken a word of judgment that was but we don’t know when, what sort we are waiting for the culmination of fulflled by the deluge (vv. 5-6, cf. of lives should we be living? What all things — whatever or whenever Genesis 6–8). Now, he insisted, “by kind of godliness and holiness should that might be — we should “strive to the same word the present heavens we be demonstrating?” (the writer’s be found by him at peace, without spot and earth have been reserved for fre” version has considerably more heat, or blemish,” the writer says, unlike that would bring judgment to all and vv. 11-12). the scoffers he had described as “blots destroy the godless (v. 7). If a worker knows when a super- and blemishes, reveling in their dissi- visor typically makes rounds, he or she pation” (2:13). God’s patience is an Be alert is likely to be more industrious at that opportunity for salvation, and people (vv. 8-10) time than at others — but if the timing should cherish that chance. The writer’s second argument called of the boss’ appearance is uncer- If the author of 2 Peter were for perspective. He quoted Ps. 90:4: tain, one could be more motivated to to jump ahead nearly two millen- “with the Lord one day is like a remain engaged at all times. nia in which the parousía still has thousand years, and a thousand years The author believed that the not occurred, what do you think he are like one day.” In other words, God certainty of judgment, combined with might say to our churches, or to us as and humans don’t understand time the uncertainty of its timing, should individuals? Would he fnd us living in the same way (v. 8). One cannot provide adequate motivation for believ- godly lives, striving to respond to the claim that God is slow about keeping ers to live in holy and godly ways at all world as Jesus would, doing our best promises when time is relative and we times, and not just for their own beneft to build a land where peace pervades know only the human side of it. — they would also be “hastening the and righteousness is at home? The author’s third defense coming of the day of God” (v. 12). Time remains relative, and appealed to God’s mercy: he insisted Perhaps the writer hoped the God’s time is not our time. Whether that the delay in Christ’s return was positive infuence of Christ-like we expect to meet Christ through an evidence that “God is patient with believers would lead to the conversion end-times scenario or at the end of you, not wanting any to perish, but all of so many persons that God would no our time on earth, we have no way of to come to repentance” (v. 9). Thus, longer need to wait “for all to come to knowing when that time will be. How what some saw as an inept prediction repentance” (v. 9). should we then live? NFJ

LESSON FOR DECEMBER 6, 2020 33 Bible Study

Perhaps you have known people Dec. 13, 2020 Rejoice always, pray without who have suffered a great tragedy and ceasing, give thanks in all circum- experienced grief to the fullest. Yet, in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 stances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thess. the midst of it, they maintained a sense 5:16-18) of deep joy. Holding on to the hope we A Sanctified Season have in Christ, they kept their heads above water and persevered, trusting ow do you feel about the Be joyful in God for a good future yet to come. imperative mood? If your high (v. 16) When you think of hardships in school grammar has grown H “Be joyful always,” Paul says. What? your own life, how have they affected rusty, the imperative mood is the form Does Paul know anything about what you? Have they eclipsed your sense of of a verb that tells one or more people our lives are like? Does he know the joy and confdence in Christ, or have to do something. It could be as benign troubles we’ve seen, the hard times you been able to remain hopeful and as instructions given before a visit to we’ve known? keep looking up? the doctor’s offce or parents remind- No, of course not. Paul didn’t Christian joy has a beginning, ing children to brush their teeth. On the know our struggles and trials. He but not an end. It comes into our lives other hand, it could be as disconcerting never had to deal with COVID-19 or when we experience the grace of God as an ultimatum from an angry boss, or global warming or rush hour traffc, through Jesus Christ, and it remains as as loud as a sergeant’s commands to an but he faced greater personal obsta- sure as God’s eternal love and care. inattentive private. cles than most of us will ever see. He Some people may fnd comfort knew what it was like to be sick and Be prayerful in the structure of following orders, hungry and tired. He knew what it was (v. 17) but most of us probably don’t like like to be rejected by the very people One way to fulfll Paul’s encourage- someone else telling us what to do. who were once the closest to him. He ment to be joyful is to take seriously We’d prefer an approach such as “let’s knew what it was like to live beneath his second imperative: “pray without consider doing this,” or “why don’t we a heavy load of guilt for past sins and ceasing.” That’s a literal translation try something else?” mistakes. Paul knew what it was like of the Greek, but is it possible? Some We don’t get any such niceties to be arrested for his faith, to be beaten believers have sought to fulfll these from the Apostle Paul: he preferred the and jailed and left with the rats in the words to the letter. They adopt a short clear instruction of bold imperatives, dungeon. And still he said, “Be joyful prayer, such as “Glory to God” or and they reverberate through today’s always.” “Jesus is Lord,” and they repeat it over text like someone banging on the front When we hear the word “joy,” we and over — “Glory to God. Glory to door. He challenges us to develop may think of carefree happiness, or God. Glory to God.” At every possible positive attitudes and an openness to spontaneous smiles, or giggles erupt- moment, they repeat the mantra. When God’s Spirit to carry us through diff- ing like Vesuvius. That may happen they cannot attend to giving voice to cult days. occasionally, when joy bubbles over, the prayer, they ask God to consider The text is particularly appropri- but it is possible to have a deep sense every heartbeat as a repetition of the ate for the third Sunday of Advent, for of inner joy even when it is impossi- prayer. it begins with joy. ble to smile and we wouldn’t think of That is probably not what Paul laughing. We can hold joy in our heart intended. Perhaps his meaning is not just even when our faces are lined with “pray constantly,” but something akin Additional information at tears. Because of the Spirit who lives to “don’t give up on praying,” or even, goodfaithmedia.org in us, that joy does not leak out even “pray any time.” Some of Paul’s early when our heart is broken. readers may have come from religions

34 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. that called for prayer at fxed times of them are God’s will. Be blessed during the day, or in which only certain Paul did not call us to be thank- (vv. 23-24) people were authorized to address the ful for all circumstances, but in all Paul’s benediction fnally turns from gods. Paul insisted that believers can circumstances, and he lived by his imperative to promise. “May the God turn to God at any time, any day, under own advice. of peace himself sanctify you entirely; any circumstances. Other people may and may your spirit and soul and body turn away, but God never “tunes us out.” Be attentive be kept sound and blameless at the (vv. 19-22) How would you describe your coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The prayer life? Do you pray only in a The inner attitudes described in vv. one who calls you is faithful, and he ritual sense, before a family meal, 16-18 grow from fellowship with the will do this” (vv. 23-24). perhaps, or when the Lord’s Prayer is Holy Spirit, but we can dampen the The spiritual gifts of salvation and repeated at church? When we bow our Spirit’s work if we fail to trust, if we grace and joy, the more tangible gifts heads as a worship leader is praying, turn away from God’s message to us, if of provision and presence, the assur- are we praying along, or planning we turn our hearts toward evil. For this ance of a greater life that is beyond lunch, or taking a short nap? reason, Paul goes on to say: “Do not this earthly life, all contribute to the Sadly, many of us rarely pray unless quench the Spirit. Do not despise the sense of peace. Paul prays that the we fnd ourselves in trouble, in need, words of prophets, but test everything; God of such peace will sanctify us or in grief. Paul reminds us that we hold fast to what is good; abstain from completely — working together with can pray any time, not just at bedtime, every form of evil.” (vv. 19-22). God can make us both whole and holy. at church, or in times of crisis. Paul’s The word translated “quench” God cares about every facet of imperative suggests that habitual prayer was normally used for extinguishing our lives. God wants us to be whole is not only something we can practice, a fre. From the time of Pentecost, the in spirit and soul and body. God cares but should. Along with joyfulness and Holy Spirit has been symbolized by the about our emotional health, our spiri- prayerfulness, it is part “of the will of image of a fame. Like a benevolent tual health, our physical health. God God in Christ Jesus for you” (v. 18b). blaze, the Holy Spirit warms our heart wants us to be sound and whole. God and energizes the attitudes of joyful- also wants us to experience the purify- Be thankful ness, prayerfulness, and thankfulness. ing and comforting touch of the Spirit (v. 18) But, if we turn our minds to selfsh in every aspect of our being, not just in Here’s a quick math question: Can 16 greed or impatience, if we ignore the worship, but every day of our lives. + 17 = 18? In this text, it can: believ- teachings of scripture, if we focus on In one sense, the goal is to grow ers who put vv. 16 and 17 into practice what is wrong instead of what is right, constantly in our experience of God, can also grow into v. 18. If we learn we douse the fame. Maintaining an so that when Christ returns, he will to be always joyful and persistently attitude of trust and prayerfulness is fnd us faithful and true. In another prayerful, we may also learn to “give like fuel interacting with the fresh air sense, the goal is to live so that, until thanks in all circumstances.” Verses of the Spirit. When we turn from God 16-18 are a small literary unit: Paul and become self-focused, our connec- we meet Jesus, we will experience described joyfulness, prayerfulness, tion with the Spirit fickers. the abundant life that God wants us and thankfulness as “the will of God Paul believed that some members to have. Paul insisted this was not a in Christ Jesus for you.” had the gift of prophecy, and his dream of “pie in the sky.” The God Note carefully that this verse does instruction to “test everything” applies who calls us to such a life is faithful. not say all circumstances are God’s mainly to his concern that church We can be whole. We can be holy. will, as a careless reading might lead members give heed to Spirit-inspired And, in the process, we can know joy one to believe. Many things happen prophets among them. That required, and peace that will carry us through that are clearly not God’s will. When however, that they be able to distin- every day. Even while we are waiting, we sin, God’s will is not being done. guish between those who truly had even while we are hurting — we can When our sin hurts other people, we a word from the Lord and those who be confdent that the grace of Christ can hardly call the pain they experi- spoke their own mind only, or who is at work in us (v. 28) to accomplish ence God’s will. Many evil and tragic pretended to prophesy. (For more, see God’s purpose and promises in our things happen in this world, and none “The Hardest Question” online.) lives.NFJ

LESSON FOR DECEMBER 13, 2020 35 Bible Study

Dec. 20, 2020 another, and at both places in a few. It is Now to God who is able to strength- found both after 14:23 and in its present en you according to my gospel and position in some. Most manuscripts, Romans 16:25-27 the proclamation of Jesus Christ, though, locate the text only at 16:25-27 according to the revelation of the (for more, see “The Hardest Question” A Christmas mystery that was kept secret for long ages . . . (Rom. 16:25) online). Whether Paul or one of his Benediction followers wrote the words, however, is immaterial. What matters is the message. ave you ever been asked to and the love of God and the fellow- The passage is a benediction offered “say the benediction”? If so, ship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” to God, in praise of who God is and what H what did you do? (2 Cor 13:14). God has done. I was raised in a church whose The book of Romans includes a It begins “Now to God who is bulletin listed “Benediction” at the end beautiful benediction at Rom. 15:13: able to strengthen you according to my of each service, but it might as well “May the God of hope fll you with all gospel and the proclamation of Jesus have said “Closing Prayer,” because it joy and peace in believing, so that you Christ . . .” (v. 25a). was generally a prayer not unlike any of may abound in hope by the power of Paul wrote to people who were the other prayers in the service. the Holy Spirit.” Surprisingly, though, facing hard days, at times feeling Only later did I learn that “benedic- the letter doesn’t stop there. It continues oppressed by the authorities and isolated tion” means “blessing,” as I visited with an addendum that many scholars from the surrounding culture. other churches in which the benediction believe was added at a later time, either Does any of that sound familiar? really was designed as a blessing to the by Paul or by someone writing in his We have also experienced troublesome congregation. name. days, especially in this past year. We’ve Most people are familiar with The letter then concludes with been oppressed by a disease that has the famous Aaronic benediction from another benediction at Rom. 16:25-27, taken a staggering number of lives, Numbers 6:24-26: “The LORD bless our text for the day. forced us into varying levels of isola- you and keep you; the LORD make his Before getting into the text, tion, upended our customary systems of face to shine upon you, and be gracious however, we might ask what a benedic- school and work, and tanked much of to you; the LORD lift up his counte- tion at the end of Romans has to do with the economy. nance upon you, and give you peace.” the Advent season. Why choose this text We’ve been rocked by racial unrest Many pastors memorize the for the Sunday before Christmas? following a series of police-related killings. Many people labor in a system Aaronic benediction and pronounce The short answer is that the passage of fnancial inequity gone wild. We’ve it as they walk up the aisle at the end celebrates Christ as the fulfllment of faced rising political tensions and a of the service. Or, they may use other promises that were revealed by God period of increasing authoritarianism in popular blessings, such as a traditional through the prophets and realized in government. Irish blessing, or write their own. the birth of Christ, making salvation On top of everything, Christ- Paul and other New Testament available to all nations. Isn’t that what mas is coming with the typical strain writers often used benedictions at or Christmas is all about? of the holidays being exacerbated by near the close of their letters. Second travel restrictions that may wreck our Corinthians, for example, concludes To God, who strengthens cherished holiday traditions. with “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ (v. 25a) It’s no surprise that reports indicate Our text has been a subject of much rising levels of emotional strain, a sharp Additional information at scholarly debate. It appears in different increase in sales of anti-depressant goodfaithmedia.org places in several ancient manuscripts: medications, and record numbers of after 14:23 in some, after 15:33 in calls to suicide hot lines.

36 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. A recent Bizarro cartoon pictured a To God, who reigns glory forever!” (v. 27). woman lying on the foor, saying “Help. (v. 25b-26) The Greek word translated as I’ve fallen and I can’t think of a reason Paul also found strength in believing “glory” is doxa, the root of our word to get up.” that the advent of Christ was the fulfll- “doxology,” which suggests words Can you resonate with that? ment of a long-promised but mysterious of glory or praise offered to God. We need a reservoir of spiritual divine plan for the saving beneft of all The familiar doxology sung in some and emotional strength to endure trying peoples. Christ came, he said, “accord- churches every Sunday offers praise to times, especially those that seem to go ing to the revelation of the mystery that God “from whom all blessings fow.” on and on. was kept secret for long ages but is now The word doxa can have various Paul believed God could provide disclosed” (v. 25b). shades of meanings, but they all what is needed: “Now to God who Prophets through the years had generally point to something ineffable, is able to strengthen you . . ..” Such foreseen that God would intervene in something beyond mortal experience strength, Paul said, could come through history to bring deliverance, not just to and the limits of human language. “my gospel and the proclamation of the Jews, but to all nations. Paul saw Ancient kings liked to speak of their Jesus Christ.” this as the work of the eternal God “glorious splendor,” and we may speak Paul did not own the gospel or of a victor in sports or war as “basking claim that he had the only truth. “His” who reigns over all, affrming that the gospel of Christ “through the prophetic in glory,” but true glory belongs only gospel was the faithful preaching of to God. Jesus Christ, who dared to enter our writings is made known to all the It’s not surprising that Paul world and identify with humankind in Gentiles, according to the command concludes with a reference to God’s all of our suffering. of the eternal God, to bring about the glory, as it is a common theme in As we look to the example of Jesus, obedience of faith” (v. 26). the letter. Paul frequently empha- we may also fnd strength to persevere. The gospel, for all its mystery, sized the importance of appreciating This does not come by blaming God is rooted in history. Prophetic hopes God’s glory, giving God the glory, and for our struggles with sayings such as stretching over centuries led to Jesus’ holding to the hope of one day sharing “God never puts on us more than we birth into the physical world at a very in glory. can endure,” but by recognizing that real moment in time. That God’s glory should come to whatever obstacles the world throws God’s entry into our world calls before us, God is in it with us, and God for a response: “the obedience of be fully revealed in Jesus — and that “is able to strengthen” us. faith.” Such obedience is seen in the humans could share in God’s glory This is no promise that God will way we live, not by checking off a list through Christ’s work — has always intervene and solve all of our problems, of rules or living in fear of rejection, been part of God’s plan, Paul believed: but Paul believed we can trust that God but as redeemed people demonstrating “the mystery that was kept secret for hears our prayers, understands our pain, gratitude for the empowering hope that long ages but is now disclosed.” and offers grace. Sometimes that is comes through Christ. Is there any wonder that some of enough: to know that we are not alone, It is grace that motivates us to live our favorite Christmas hymns speak of to know that we are somehow known with Jesus as our guide and to worship God’s glory? We sing of “Angels from to the core and yet loved, forgiven. The with joy in our hearts. The words of the the Realms of Glory.” The chorus of advent of Jesus reminds us of God’s prophets and a baby in a manger remind “Angels We Have Heard on High” benevolent care. us that redeeming grace is available to concludes with the twice-sung “Gloria God not only loves us, but also all who set their hope in Christ. in excelsis Deo.” That’s Latin for wants to work through us to bring about “glory to God in the highest,” which a better world. Looking to God reminds To God be the glory also concludes the frst verse of “Hark! us that we have a purpose in life. As (v. 27) The Herald Angels Sing.” hard as it might be, that is suffcient It is for these reasons that Chris- This past year has brought troubles reason for us to get up from the foor of tians can bless God for the blessings galore, but it has also brought us to our doldrums. Just as physical exercise they have received: a benediction in Christmas, and to the hope of a glori- builds stronger bodies, putting the love response to a benediction! Paul offers ous future with God. of Christ to work in our lives can lead to this prayer “to the only wise God, And that’s worth singing about, at increasing strength. through Jesus Christ, to whom be the Christmas or any other time of year. NFJ

LESSON FOR DECEMBER 20, 2020 37 Bible Study

Dec. 27, 2020 father. They insist, however, that Jesus But when the fullness of time had thought of God as father, even as a come, God sent his Son, born of Galatians 4:4-7 child. In the familiar story of his tarry- a woman, born under the law, in ing in the Jerusalem temple at age 12, order to redeem those who were Jesus responded to his parents’ scold- Children of the Child under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. ing by saying “Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” t’s fnally here, the close of the year (Gal. 4:4-5) (Luke 2:49). too tough to tame. As much as we As an adult, Jesus’ teaching was might have wanted to press the reset I replete with paternal terminology for button on 2020, it stubbornly resisted God. Matthew quotes him as saying — but it’s almost done. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, The COVID-19 pandemic and feminine imagery is clearly secondary. Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of political polarities and economic woes The Gospels indicate that Jesus heaven, but only the one who does the will not magically go away, but a new spoke of God in paternal terms. If will of my Father in heaven” (7:21). year can bring the sense of a new start we had been born into a frst-century In Mark, Jesus instructs his follow- and the hope of better things to come. Jewish home in Palestine, we would ers to forgive others when they pray, Our text for the day is a reminder most likely have learned to call our “so that your Father in heaven may that we don’t face either good years fathers “Abba.” The Hebrew term for also forgive your trespasses” (11:25). or bad years alone. We have a God “my father” is “abî,” but most people To illustrate the grace of God, Luke who cares deeply about us, a God spoke Aramaic, where it would be recorded Jesus’ story about a prodigal commonly portrayed in the New “Abba.” Like our word “Daddy,” son and a forgiving, searching, joyful Testament as a heavenly father. either children or adults could use the father (15:11-32). John quotes Jesus as Many writers now avoid term with a variety of connotations. saying “In my Father’s house there are male-centric language for God, many dwelling places” (14:2). acknowledging that the great God of Jesus as God’s child Jesus taught his disciples to pray the universe is far beyond any human To connect effectively with others, “Our Father in heaven . . .” (Matt. 6:9, conception of gender. In the bibli- Jesus chose to use the common cp. Luke 11:2). When the gospel record cal texts, however, there is no getting vocabulary of his culture, though in describes Jesus’ prayer in the garden around the common depiction of God challenging ways. Thus, although of Gethsemane, it recalls him praying as a father fgure. Jesus compared himself to a mother “Abba, Father, for you all things are This derives from the limitations hen when expressing sorrow over possible; remove this cup from me; of human language and the realities Jerusalem’s rejection (see Matt. 23:37 yet, not what I want, but what you of ancient culture. The authors of the or Luke 13:34), he also commonly want” (Mark 14:36, cp. Matt. 26:39, Bible lived in a largely patriarchal spoke of God as father. 42; Luke 22:42). world in which men tended to hold With the single exception of the According to Luke’s account, as greater power, so it was only natural cry of desolation on the cross (Mark Jesus hung on the cross, he offered for them to describe God with mascu- 15:34, “Eloi Eloi,” or “My God, my grace to his executioners with the line pronouns. God is occasionally God . . .”) — a prayer quoted from Ps. prayer “Father, forgive them, for they described in maternal terms, but the 22:1 — every recorded prayer of Jesus do not know what they are doing” has him referring to God as “father” or (23:34). Even in the moment of his Additional information at as “Abba.” The Gospels tell us very physical death, Jesus prayed “Father, goodfaithmedia.org little about the young Jesus’ relation- into your hands I commend my Spirit” ship with Joseph, his adoptive earthly (v. 46).

38 | © Nurturing Faith Bible Studies are copyrighted. DO NOT PHOTOCOPY. Believers as adopted children heavenly father. Adoption as heirs (vv. 4-5) As he grew, Jesus devoted his (vv. 6-7) The Apostle Paul also spoke of God as earthly life to helping others discover Those who trust in Christ’s redemption father, believing that Jesus wanted to that same kind of relationship with can experience a totally new kind of bring all people into relationship with God. Thus Paul says “God sent his relationship with God, Paul said. The God as their ultimate parent. In 2 Cor. son in order to redeem those who proof of our adoption is the presence 6:18, he freely paraphrased 2 Sam. were under the law, so that we might of the Spirit: “And because you are 7:14 (originally spoken to David) as receive adoption as children” (v. 5). children, God has sent the Spirit of a promise that “I will be your Father, As Paul saw it, the law could his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! and you will be my sons and daughters, only condemn because no one could Father!’ So you are no longer a slave says the Lord Almighty.” In today’s keep it entirely. The process that but a child, and if a child then also an text, Paul speaks to the Galatians began with Christ’s incarnation set in heir, through God” (vv. 6-7). [DD] about this potential relationship. motion the redeeming work of bring- Paul insists that our relation- The text is rich with meaning. It ing us fully into the family of God. ship with God can go far beyond the follows a line of argument in which The Greek word translated “adoption unappealing image of a heavenly Paul insisted that the Jews did not have as children” was a technical term used master served by earthly slaves. We an exclusive claim on God: they were to mean “adoption as sons, with full do not serve God out of fear, but out not the only heirs of the promise, for rights of inheritance.” of love. We don’t have to be motivated Christ’s work had eliminated distinc- Even though frst-century women by concern for what God will do to tions between male and female, Jew had only limited inheritance rights, we us, but by gratitude for what God has and Greek, slave and free (3:28). Paul are not amiss in removing the gender already done for us. We need not think argued that all who belong to Christ component and translating the term of God as a demanding taskmaster, but have become “Abraham’s offspring, as “adoption as children,” according as a loving, caring, forgiving father. heirs according to the promise” (3:29). to the NRSV. Most other translations Empowered by the Holy Spirit within Just before today’s text, Paul (KJV, NIV, NIV11, NAS95, HCSB, us, we have courage to live faithfully continued his pursuit of the idea, NET) retain the word “sons” or and the confdence to pray from the arguing that even heirs, so long as “sonship,” but Paul did not intend for perspective of a child who is loved, one they remained minors, were bound by the term to suggest male exclusiv- who can cry “Abba, Father.” the law and could not inherit (vv. 1-3). ity. Just a few verses before, he had Paul would want us to know that Only when the time was right, such as argued that in Christ gender distinc- our privileged standing as children when they reached a certain age, did a tions become moot (3:28). of God does not apply to our time on earth alone. As the children of God, we parent’s bequest become theirs. Christ came to bring all people are also the heirs of God. We stand to The right time to inherit the into a potential relationship with God, inherit the hopeful future prepared for kingdom arrived with the incarnation and that includes everyone — Jew and God’s adopted children. We possess the of Christ, Paul argued. “But when the Gentile, sons and daughters, slave and promise of an eternal home — not only fullness of time had come, God sent free. with our heavenly father, but also with his Son, born of a woman, born under Many children in our world are all of our sisters and brothers who have the law . . .” (v. 4). unwanted and in need of someone to become God’s children through the When the time was right, God redeem them from their legal limbo work of Jesus. came into our world through the and adopt them into their families. All The good news of Christ’s coming person of Jesus, who was born as children are bound to face the experi- through the season of Advent culmi- other people are born, born to a partic- ence of becoming spiritually lost, and nates in a miracle that extends beyond ular woman in a particular place and they need someone to adopt them Christmas and a hope that need never within the particular culture of frst- into an eternal family that extends go dry: the child born in the manger century Judaism. As a fully human beyond this world. The good news of Bethlehem has become the means child, Jesus would have been taught is that Jesus Christ has cut all the red through which countless other children what it means to live in a family tape and swung wide the door into the are adopted into God’s family and relationship with earthly parents family of God. The only thing lacking called to see the world as Jesus does — and in a spiritual relationship with a is our acceptance of the offer. with love and with hope. NFJ

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40 Information Reconsidering expectations: ministers or managers?

BY CHRISTOPHER ADAMS education. Can the relationship between Two of my more formative experiences congregations and seminary communities at Duke were within congregational life. I “Priesthood of all believers” be strengthened in ways that better equip worked alongside First Baptist Church in next-generation leaders to flourish within Henderson, N.C., for an entire school year, emphasizes that every member and beyond congregational life? and spent a summer at Woodland Baptist of a church shares the respon- One way to frame these questions of Church in San Antonio, Texas. While the expectation is to ask: Are we seeking and classroom experience was vital in formation, sibility for doing ministry in training ministers or managers? equally impacting was my time of learn- Christ-like ways. It is a popular I entered Duke Divinity School right ing, growing and building relationships in notion among Baptists. after finishing my undergraduate degree churches. at the University of Georgia. I had few It would be easy to hold the mountains pon affirming someone’s sense of expectations other than taking classes from of information one learns at a seminary over calling and giftedness, a church world-class scholars and wanting to grow churches as the “expert” in the room, or to U may choose to ordain that person within that community. always enter with a sense of certainty about into ministry. Ordination doesn’t set I wanted to explore my faith and the what needs to happen. That way of being in someone apart from the community but faith of others with those from various community, however, is not sustainable. places them alongside all others in servant Christian traditions along with Jewish and I learned to be a gracious receiver as leadership. Muslim scholars. I these church families poured into me as For many ordained ministers, formal am thankful for that I poured into them. This was essential to theological education is part of that journey. experience. Yet often my seminary season — learning to work Seminaries or divinity schools provide time the highly competitive toward the joy, flourishing and sustainabil- and space for the minister to be formed academic spirit felt ity in ministry, while holding the necessary spiritually, intellectually and emotionally, more like competition tension that comes with being part of a while discerning direction for fulfilling one’s than community. Christian community. calling. Practically, was It would be an arrogant mistake In a fast-changing culture that impacts this experience prepar- to assume one possesses special knowl- churches, other institutions and individu- ing me to be a manager of good information edge from seminary to be handed down als, it is important to identify and clarify or a good ministerial steward? to churches. Yet that doesn’t mean one is expectations. A manager’s job is to provide super- be shy or lack confidence in the ability to What do churches expect in the vision and ensure day-to-day tasks are think, imagine and lead. seminary formation of their ministers? What completed. The pursuit of profit and Rather it means to avoid controlling might seminaries expect from congregations efficiency drives managers to keep costs low, congregational life in the way a manager in providing opportunities for students? and see that sales of goods and services grow controls a business. Micro-managing Christ How are churches equipping laypersons or remain steady. What distinguishes most is not resurrection work or participating in to serve in positive ways alongside ordained professional managerial roles is the power the relational work of the Father, Son and leaders? A golden thread running through held as the decision maker. Holy Spirit. these questions is: What do we expect? Professional managers are not what With all the changes brought about by Like many churches, seminaries wrestle Christians are called to be, however. We COVID-19, it is a good time for churches with a crisis of institutional health. Lower don’t lead by power and profit. Rather we and seminaries to talk about expectations enrollment, higher costs, more student are called by the resurrected Christ to be and to seek new, collaborative ways to shape debt, greater competition and difficult job leaders driven by love, working with others, ministers and lay leaders for an uncertain markets have forced seminaries to work and in service to our neighbors in the future. NFJ hard at providing quality education. pursuit of justice and peace. My point is not to question the value How might we better equip a new —Christopher Adams of Athens, Ga., of the seminary experience, but to ask what generation of church leaders to be ministers is an inaugural Ernest C. Hynds Jr. expectations are combined to form that of Christ rather than managers for Christ? intern with Good Faith Media.

Thoughts 41 A MIX OR A MESS? Words of caution about the relationship between faith and politics

BY J. BRENT WALKER candidate by taking into account his or about religion smacks of theological voyeur- her conduct, character and convictions. ism or religious bias and violates the spirit oy Valentine, a Baptist ethicist of a However, Article VI of the U.S. Constitu- of the test ban clause. However, there has generation ago, had a good response tion forbids religious tests for public office. been a curious flip here. F to the old bromide that religion and Although this ban only applies to Many conservative Protestants refused politics don’t mix. formal disabilities for qualifying for office, to support John F. Kennedy because of his “It is true if it means the gears of the we should honor the spirit as well as the Catholicism and, more recently, declined church ought not to engage the cogs of the letter of Article VI. Religion may be part to vote for Mitt Romney, a Mormon. Some state, and vice versa,” he said. “It is griev- of the mix, but we should never impose a have even lied about a candidate’s religion, ously wrong if it means that the spheres of religious litmus test in deciding for whom claiming Barack Obama is a Muslim. religion and politics…may never properly to vote. Yet, more than 80 percent of white come into contact with one another.” This means a discussion of a candi- evangelicals voted for a treble-married, The institutional separation of church date’s religion is permissible, but never scantly observant, theologically illiterate and state — indispensable as it is — does mandatory; candidates may but should not candidate for president. Now, some on the not require a segregation of religion be made to talk about their religious beliefs. left have gotten in the electoral religion from politics or strip the public square of Atheists, agnostics and religiously unaffili- game by criticizing the president — who religious discourse. The metaphorical wall ated candidates should not be prejudiced in apparently rarely worships, had to borrow of separation does not block metaphysical the political arena. a Bible as a prop for a photo op and doesn’t assumptions from influencing public life. A candidate’s religion should never be know how to pronounce “1 Corinthians” To do so, Valentine wrote in his 1975 impugned in debate and election advertising. — for lack of proper churchmanship. This book, Citizenship for Christians, would President Trump’s remark, for example, that is wrong, too. produce “a pitifully irrelevant church and a a lifelong, committed Catholic, Joe Biden, A robust debate is important to a vital grossly irreverent state.” will “hurt God” is way out of bounds. democracy and opponents’ moral and ethical People of faith have the right — and Second, if religion is discussed, it is shortcomings and lack of character are fair I believe a sacred duty — to be involved essential to ask how the candidate’s religious game, but not their religion or lack thereof. in public life, trying to transform the views will affect policy positions or address In addition to the “no religious test” commonweal into a better place for all leadership competence. Always ask the “so principle and the importance of asking the citizens. But, danger always lurks when we what?” question: What difference will one’s “so what?” follow-up question, I offer three try to combine religion and politics. That religion make in the candidate’s perfor- words of caution, or caveats, to the general maneuver requires great care. mance of his or her duties? proposition that religion can be helpful and First, it’s certainly proper to judge a If there is not a tight fit, then talking should be a part of our public discourse.

42 Thoughts The first is theological. Any foray into and public rituals — have been upheld by when he talks about “a coincidence of politics with focused religious motivation the courts. But I bristle when civil religion, the religious precept with broader public should be tempered with a dose of humility. certainly Christian Nationalism, is used to values,” advancing the common good, not We need to understand that, however sure promote a political agenda. just a narrow sectarian agenda. we think we are of our position, the other We must apply some prudential brakes Think of it this way: Religion plays an person has something to say and in the final here, some self-restraint, on the notion that important, but limited, role. Religion may analysis might be right. public religion is or can be beneficial. motivate policy, but it should not dominate My predecessor at the Baptist Joint The third caution is legal and consti- it. Committee for Religious Liberty, James tutional. We have issues dealing with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jon Dunn, used to say of the bombastic broad- electioneering activities by churches and Meacham has said that religion is a thread sides heard mainly from the religious right other nonprofits exempt from taxation in the tapestry of American life, not the in recent years, “What they say is not totally under Section 501(c)(3) of the tax code. whole tapestry, and that religion should false; it is falsely total.” In exchange for this most favorable shape policy but not strangle it. It lacks a note of self-evaluation, of tax status (the entity is tax-exempt and Moreover, if the only rationale for a tentativeness, of nuance, of humility that donations are deductible), these nonprofits policy position is an a priori religious asser- one needs to bring to bear on a public policy are not allowed to endorse or oppose candi- tion, it is hard for it to be debated and tested proposal based squarely on one’s religious dates for office. We do not finance political in the marketplace of ideas. There should conviction. This goes for extremism on the campaigns with before-tax dollars. be a broader, non-religious rationale articu- religious left, too. Under this pro- lated for public policy that is based on faith Rep. Barbara Jordan, a Baptist sister, vision, houses of convictions. had it right 35 years ago at a BJC meeting worship, of course, Otherwise, it runs the risk of violating when she was asked how to properly articu- may engage freely in the First Amendment’s ban on the establish- late Christian values in government. Her issue advocacy. They ment of religion. response went something like this: may speak out on In the upcoming election, there is “You would do well to pursue your the great moral issues much people of faith can do. The easiest cause with vigor, while remembering you of the day from the and perhaps most important way is to are a servant of God, not a spokesperson pulpit, through publi- VOTE! That is the least any American can for God, and remembering that God may cations, and in other do, and certainly people of faith as well. choose to bless an opposing point of view ways. Much has been said about absentee for reasons that have not been revealed to Similarly, they may engage in some voting and other species of voting by mail you.” “lobbying” activities — attempting to — mostly, that it encourages fraud. There The theological principle of humility influence legislation in Congress and state is no evidence to show that voting by must temper our religious exuberance. legislatures. However, electioneering — mail spawns widespread fraud. Error? Yes, The second caveat is ethical. It has to supporting or opposing candidates for maybe, but that’s the case with in-person do with the abuse of “civil religion” — that office — is completely banned. voting too, as we saw in the 2000 presiden- blending of a generic Judeo-Christian piety The watchwords are: Issues, yes! tial election. with American nationalism so that one Candidates, no! The lingering pandemic makes voting cannot tell them apart. The president’s threat to “totally by mail even more important with many Amanda Tyler, my successor at BJC, destroy” this provision has not come to voters not wanting to venture out into a and her staff have led an effort to oppose pass. And the IRS has not been willing to crowded polling site. “Christian Nationalism,” in its various enforce the electioneering ban with great My former colleague at BJC, Melissa forms. Their trenchant statement, “Chris- assiduity. However, responsible citizen- Rogers, has rightly said, “Faith is visible, tians Against Christian Nationalism,” has ship dictates that we obey the law, and if vocal and vital in the United States.” That’s garnered more than 16,000 endorsers from a 501(c )(3) organization wants to support the way it should be. across the religious spectrum. or oppose candidates, it should give up that Let’s exercise our faith, expressing love The false notion that the United States favored tax-exempt status. for neighbor and respect for the process is a “Christian nation” fuels the engines of There are constitutional issues crafted by our founders, the Constitution Christian Nationalism. (If our founders surrounding the governing phase of public and the best of our political culture. The wanted to set up a “Christian nation,” why life. Religiously motivated policy initiatives late Foy Valentine would be proud! NFJ would they ban religious tests for office? should always have a secular purpose and They would have required one.) the primary effect that does not advance —J. Brent Walker is executive director Yes, benign acknowledgements of our religion. emeritus of the Washington-based Baptist religious heritage — in our mottos, slogans That’s what Rep. David Price means Joint Committee for Religious Liberty.

Thoughts 43 Storytelling has long shaped the practice of policing

the academy, I quickly learned that this attention by their supervisors. They received Editor’s note: This article is excerpted instructor was not the only person who held awards. They were given opportunities to and adapted from the book, Police on to that philosophy. work overtime or on special task forces. And a Pedestal: Responsible Policing in a It was embedded in how police work they were promoted within the department. Culture of Worship (2019, Praeger) by was conducted daily. During my time They also ignored the stories that Terrell Carter. This is the first in a series patrolling the streets and working in a plain- families tried to share about how their actions of his articles exploring racial justice. clothes narcotics detail, I saw other officers were ruining the lives of multiple people and tell stories that would make most creative destroying the trust needed between citizens writing majors envious. and officers… storytelling at its worst. BY TERRELL CARTER I witnessed officers tell stories that sent innocent, and not so innocent, people NOTHING NEW hen was the last time you experi- to prison while simultaneously turning The connection between storytelling and enced the euphoria of a person the officer into a hero policing is not a new phenomenon. Story- telling a good story? Story- W to be admired. Ulti- telling played an integral part in influencing telling can be a beneficial part of life and can mately, I learned that how policing was shaped and integrated serve multiple functions. if I wanted to survive into our identity as a burgeoning nation. Through stories we share information, as an officer and thrive The history of policing in the U.S. relate to one another, preserve personal and within the system of partially begins with the story that certain communal history, encourage people to take policing, I would have people needed to be protected against specific actions related to a common goal, to sharpen my story- other people. Victor E. Kappeler, in A entertain others and ourselves, and poten- telling skills. Brief History of Slavery and the Origins of tially influence the opinions of others. If unwilling to American Policing (2014), writes: At its best, storytelling can help people do that, I would not be able to move up in become allies around a common cause or, the system and would likely not be trusted The birth and development of the at its worst, create enemies where there had by other officers. American police can be traced to previously been none. a multitude of historical, legal and While I was a cadet in the St. Louis ARRESTS & ACCOLADES political-economic conditions. The Metropolitan Police Academy, I learned I learned that storytelling by officers served institution of slavery and the control that, at its core, policing is primarily about multiple purposes. By telling good stories, of minorities, however, were two of the storytelling. an officer could often be assured that a more formidable historic features of circuit attorney or judge would believe their American society shaping early polic- ‘MAGIC PEN’ explanation for why a person should have ing. Slave patrols and Night Watches, One of my academy instructors told us that been stopped and needed to be imprisoned. which later became modern police when we finally began to patrol the mean Thus, good storytelling helps improve departments, were both designed to streets of St. Louis, we had to remem- an officer’s arrest and conviction rates. More control the behaviors of minorities. ber that we all possessed the “magic pen.” arrests and higher conviction rates lead to Because we were the officers, and the people more accolades and awards from superior As whites sought to explore and we would encounter on the streets were officers, which is what lays the foundation inhabit the new world of North America, criminals, whatever we wrote in our police for future promotions or transfers to more they believed they needed protection from reports would be believed by the public, desirable work assignments. savage Native Americans in the Midwest prosecuting attorneys and judges. So, good storytelling is the beginning who could not, or would not, recognize It was up to us to tell the stories of what of a good career. I watched officers harvest God’s desire for whites to overtake this new happened in our encounters with criminals the fruits born of good stories. land. in such a way that criminals ultimately got They improved their arrest statistics. After these natives were sufficiently what they deserved. After graduating from They were given more freedom and favored under control, African Americans, whether

44 Feature enslaved or freed, were marked for police Police departments were cultivated by pawns of factory owners and chambers of control. This ever-growing need to control urban elites and purposed to ‘control the commerce in suppressing labor unions, minority cultures was one of the contrib- burgeoning working class in industrializ- radical political organizations, and other uting factors that led to the expansion ing northeastern cities’…Through the end expressions of working-class sentiment.” of police and their powers as our nation of the 19th century and into the early 20th Although the history of policing in continued to grow. century, the police continued to focus on the U.S. partially began from the desire of Over time, the purpose of policing ‘maintaining order [within] working class certain people to be protected from other in America transformed from protecting sections of urban America.’” people, police and the elite have not been settlers against Native Americans and Not surprisingly, since business owners the only willing participants in the overall protecting slaveowners’ rights to continue were able to pay for police protection, police process of storytelling that is policing. to invest in the acquisition of human capital protected the interests of business owners Multiple groups involved in the (including the ever-growing process of and managers over the rights of the workers, process of policing (white citizens, political convict leasing), to eventually mediating in effect becoming something akin to a officials, media, and the justice system) have disputes between the “haves” and the “have private security force for those who could a vested interest in shaping and reinforc- nots” — the elites and working classes afford to secure their services. ing the stories that are told. Understanding within society. The services the elite requested from what kind of story each group is telling, police were the kind that ensured the and why they are telling it, can help us gain PROTECTED INTERESTS better sensibilities of the elite would not be a better grasp on the overall system of Edward J. Escobar, in his 1999 book, Race, frustrated by people from the lower classes. policing in the 21st century. NFJ Police, and the Making of a Political Identity: “Police patrolled city streets picking Mexican Americans and the Los Angeles up drunks, jailing vagrants, and, if not —Terrell Carter, with a background as a Police Department, 1900–1945 (Berkeley: suppressing vice, at least making it invisible police officer and a pastor, now serves as University of California Press), writes: to ensure that the refuse of industrialized vice president and chief diversity officer for “[T]hroughout the 19th century society did not disrupt the lives of the more Greenville University, in Greenville, Ill. and much of the 20th century, the police genteel classes,” writes Escobar. “On a more He is a member of the Good Faith Media functioned as ‘the army of the status quo’… sinister level, police acted as the willing Strategic Advisory Board. Preserve your church’s memories Let Nurturing Faith be your partner in publishing an excellent history of your church or organization.

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Feature 45 COMMON GOOD The Bible teaches us to live communally, not selfishly

BY A. ROY MEDLEY Tea Party, we have seen a steady, strident How does scripture inform and correct demand to reduce government, especially this narrative? How does it guide our think- The nightmarish destruction the federal government, and the scope of its ing about life beyond “me” in an era when reach. A quick Internet search will produce we have embraced “I-this” and “I-that” as that swept across the Midwest of scores of articles, blogs and books from a primary marketing meme, and where we our country as a violent derecho think tanks advocating reduction. are more commonly referred to as consum- plowed through much of Iowa in These demands are countlessly multi- ers rather than citizens? August — killing people, toppling plied by posts on Facebook and Twitter. The “good life” as self-aggrandizement, grain bins and silos, destroying Mirroring and feeding this sentiment, the self-improvement and self-actualization is current administration’s federal budget the cultural norm whether expressed in this crops, and razing homes and proposals have sought manner or as “America First.” The common buildings — has presented yet to defund and shrink good, community, the world family, or as another challenge to us. federal agencies to the our Constitution embodies it, the common applause of many. welfare, are seldom incorporated into ow do we respond to these increas- But the derecho policy discourse or put forth as an essential ingly outsized disasters, let alone that struck Iowa, element of the good life. the novel coronavirus pandemic, H bringing many already The biblical narrative challenges such and the daily struggles of many of our stressed farmers to the a truncated and anemic conception of life fellow citizens to feed, shelter and clothe point of economic together. To confess the biblical truth that their families and meet medical needs? collapse, the wildfires we are created in the image of God, who Warnings of “big government” strike a that are devastating communities in the West, we believe exists as three in one and one resonant cord within the American psyche. the increase of hurricanes affecting Puerto in three, is to confess that we are created Our national character is bound up with Rico, the South and the East Coast, let alone within and for community. images of independence, self-reliance, and the current pandemic — all challenge the The life of God as triune is instructive bold self-autonomy. notion of singular self-sufficiency and the evil for our lives. It is the core of this richer and The cowboy riding solo on the open of government. deeper biblical imagination of humanity: plains has long been the poster image of autonomous yet one; one yet autonomous. “American.” We guard our liberties jealously; The truth is that large disasters and we pride ourselves on being a “bootstrap” society-wide challenges such as a pandemic, The confession of the early church as people; we cherish the image of the New recessions and depressions cannot be met it wrestled with the revelation of God as England town hall meeting; and we embrace by self-effort alone, nor by the efforts, as trinity is richly suggestive for us in under- a heady dose of populism and distrust of important as they are, of churches and standing the relationship of the individual authority, power and institutions. non-profit organizations. They have neither to community. The Athanasian Creed Polls constantly remind us that many the resources nor the scope sufficient to expresses it this way: people do not trust government. This meet these outsized needs. “We worship one God in trinity and impulse carried to the extreme has resulted Circumstances such as these dramati- the trinity in unity, neither confusing the in the frightening rise of militias. cally point to the need for a vision of our persons nor dividing the divine being. For However, the innate suspicion of life together that not only prizes indepen- the Father is one person, the Son is another, anything beyond “me” is not only directed dence and autonomy but also honors our and the Spirit is still another. But the deity at “big government.” It is also aimed belonging to one another by God’s design of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is one, toward “big business,” “big medicine” and and the ethical call of our faith to care for equal in glory, coeternal in majesty.” “globalization” — as evidenced in grass- one another. Each person within the Trinity is distinct, roots rebellions from Occupy Wall Street to The long-standing cultural metaphor but the being and life of God is one. We anti-vaxer protests to, “You can’t force me to of the lone cowboy is insufficient. It is are each created by God as beloved, distinct wear a mask.” deficient, and we cannot thrive as a nation beings whose distinctiveness is treasured. In the past several decades, beginning with that as our keystone social and political We are each created by God as beloved with the Newt Gingrich era and then the narrative. communal beings whose lives, though

46 Thoughts distinct, are never separate. Like the one another” (Eph. 4:25 NRSV), or James the will and the capacity of the citizenry to Godhead, we live within the richness of encouraging believers: “You do well if you fulfill the royal law. No democratic govern- community and relationships. really fulfill the royal law according to the ment is right-sized when it cannot fulfill the From Genesis through Revelation, scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor duties of justice and mercy toward all its the Bible speaks of the individual within as yourself’” (Jas. 2:8 NRSV), our moral citizens. community and rebukes the notion that we calculus can never omit the other. No democratic government is right- live and thrive alone as completely indepen- Our faith compels opposition to any sized when the poor languish, the stranger dent, autonomous beings. narrative that suggests the idea of the self is unprotected, and the widow is left desti- Eve is created because Adam could not apart from community and that shrinks the tute while the rich and powerful “join house find fulfillment in solitary existence. “Then circle of belonging to the “me” alone. The to house … add field to field, until there is the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man message of scripture and our faith is that we room for no one but [them] to live alone in should be alone…’” (Gen 2:18 NRSV) belong to God and we belong to each other. the midst of the land!” (Isa. 5:8 NRSV). Even as Cain cries out to God with the Each of these belongings creates a President Dwight D. Eisenhower question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” he is network of blessing and responsibility. reminded us: “To blend, without coercion, rebuked and punished for the murder of his Each of these belongings explodes the lie of the individual good and the common brother, an act rooted in jealousy, which is “going it alone,” or of the autonomous self- good is the essence of citizenship in a free an idolatry of the self. made person. country.” The prophets judge the kings of Israel Each of these belongings informs the The novel coronavirus global not by how the few thrive but how the words of Martin Luther King Jr., who in pandemic, the derecho in Iowa, and the nation, and especially the poor, the widows, his Letter from Birmingham Jail wrote: “All current economic crisis expose the critical the orphans and the strangers fare under men are caught in an inescapable network flaw in shrinking government to the point their rule. Within the New Testament, of mutuality, tied in a single garment of that it is incapable of expressing our moral Jesus’ teaching and that of the writers of the destiny. Whatever affects one directly, duty toward the neighbor in need. epistles expands and heightens the ethical affects all indirectly. I can never be what I Government “of the people, by the demands upon the individual for the good ought to be until you are what you ought to people, and for the people” must have of the other. be, and you can never be what you ought to the strength and capacity to mobilize our Whether it be Jesus’ teaching of the be until I am what I ought to be… This is solidarity in suffering, our resolve to do Golden Rule, his enlarging the idea of the the inter-related structure of reality.” justice and love mercy, and our commit- neighbor for whom we are responsible in Much has been written in recent ment to form a more perfect union in the parable of the Good Samaritan, or his years about the euphemism of right-sizing concrete actions. declaring “Truly, even as you did it to one corporations, boards and governance. No Government as the expression of our of the least of these who are members of democratic government is right-sized when common will, our common wealth, our my family, you did it to me.” (Matt. 25:40 it is stripped of the capacity for the commu- common good requires the ability to act on NRSV) nity of the governed to respond together to our behalf for the good of one another. NFJ Or whether it be Paul admonishing the the needs of the neighbor. early church, “Let all of us speak the truth No democratic government is right- —A. Roy Medley is general secretary emeri- to our neighbors, for we are members of sized when it cannot muster the vision, tus for American Baptist Churches, USA.

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Thoughts 47 Weekly Bible Study IS MORE … with the scholarly yet applicable NURTURING FAITH BIBLE STUDIES by Tony Cartledge

Weekly Bible study should be more than… Here’s what you can explore in 2021 — with the … reading a verse or two and asking, lessons right here in Nurturing Faith Journal along “What do you think?” with Tony’s video overviews and other teaching … diverting quickly to discussing sports or politics resources online. Get started at goodfaithmedia.org/ … shallow treatments of a holy, yet complex text. journal/#subscribe or email orders@goodfaithmedia. org or call (615) 627-7763.

Jan. 31, 2021 Season after Mark 1:21-28 Christmas Jesus, the Healer

Jan. 3, 2021 Feb. 7, 2021 Ephesians 1:3-14 Mark 1:29-39 Where Hope Belongs Jesus, the Traveler

Season of Transfiguration Sunday

Epiphany Feb. 14, 2021 Mark 9:2-9 Who Is Jesus? Jesus, the Dazzler

Jan. 10, 2021 Mark 1:4-11 Season of Jesus, the Beloved Lent

Jan. 17, 2021 Feb. 21, 2021 John 1:43-51 Mark 1:9-15 Jesus, the Convincer Jesus, the Preacher

Jan. 24, 2021 Feb. 28, 2021 Mark 1:14-20 Mark 8:31-38 Jesus, the Summoner Jesus, the Challenger

48 48 Information March 7, 2021 May 16, 2021 Aug. 1, 2021 Oct. 24, 2021 John 2:13-22 1 John 5:7-13 2 Samuel 11:26–12:23 Job 42:1-7 Jesus, the Activist To Follow Jesus, A Painful Lesson When God Judges Believe in Life March 14, 2021 Aug. 8, 2021 Oct. 31, 2021 John 3:14-21 May 23, 2021 2 Samuel 18:1-33 Psalm 146 Jesus, the Savior (Day of Pentecost) A Mournful Monarch When God Liberates Psalm 104:24-34 March 21, 2021 To Follow Jesus, Aug. 15, 2021 Getting Real John 12:20-33 Receive the Spirit 1 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14 Nov. 7, 2021 Jesus, the Lover A Wise Request Mark 12:38-44 Season after Tr u e Ge n e ro s i t y March 28, 2021 Aug. 22, 2021 Mark 15:1-47 Pentacost 1 Kings 8:1-43 Jesus, the Sufferer A Solemn Dedication Nov. 14, 2021 A Long Look Back Mark 13:1-8 Troublesome Teachings Wise Waiting Season of May 30, 2021 Isaiah 6:1-13 Easter Nov. 21, 2021 A Strange Call Aug. 29, 2021 Mark 7:1-23 John 18:33-37 April 4, 2021 Something Rotten Tr u e K i n g s h i p (Easter Sunday) June 6, 2021 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 1 Samuel 8:1-22 An Uncertain Demand Sept. 5, 2021 Jesus, the Victor Mark 7:24-37 Advent Something Surprising Following Jesus: June 13, 2021 New Things Coming What Does It mean? 1 Samuel 15:34–16:13 An Unexpected King Sept. 12, 2021 Mark 8:27-38 Nov. 28, 2021 April 11, 2021 Jeremiah 33:14-16 1 John 1:1–2:2 June 20, 2021 Something Confusing A New Hope To Follow Jesus, 1 Samuel 17:1-58 Walk in the Light A Bold Beating Sept. 19, 2021 Mark 9:30-37 Dec. 5, 2021 April 18, 2021 June 27, 2021 Something Different Luke 3:1-6 1 John 3:1-7 2 Samuel 1:1-27 A New Voice To Follow Jesus, A Strategic Lament Sept. 26, 2021 Mark 9:38-50 Do What Is Right Dec. 12, 2021 July 4, 2021 Something Serious Luke 3:7-18 April 25, 2021 2 Samuel 5:1-10 A New Perspective 1 John 3:16-24 A Rising Star From Suffering to Praise To Follow Jesus, Dec. 19, 2021 Love One Another July 11, 2021 Oct. 3, 2021 2 Samuel 6:1-19 Job 1:1–2:10 Luke 1:39-55 A New Dawn May 2, 2021 A Tense Celebration When Trouble Comes 1 John 4:7-21 To Follow Jesus, July 18, 2021 Oct. 10, 2021 Season after ‘Abide in Christ’ 2 Samuel 7:1-17 Job 23:1-17 An Eternal Promise When God Hides Christmas May 9, 2021 1 John 5:1-6 July 25, 2021 Oct. 17, 2021 Dec. 26, 2021 To Follow Jesus, 2 Samuel 11:1-25 Job 38:1-7, 34-41 Luke 2:41-52 Work with Faith A Tragic Error When God Roars A New Teacher

Feature Information 49 RELIGION AND THE AMERICAN PRESIDENTS Jimmy Carter (1977–1981): Part Two By Bruce Gourley

ne year after few political observ- reached out. Progressives enthused over the sacrifice” for the common good. Rather ers believed he had a chance at prospect of greater human rights. Conserva- than waging military warfare, he pledged to O winning the White House, on tives wanted to preserve white dominance. work toward the elimination of all nuclear Jan. 3, 1977 Southern Baptist and Presi- Conservative Pat Robertson of the weapons and to wage “wars against poverty, dent-elect Jimmy Carter was named Time popular Christian 700 Club television ignorance and injustice,” and for human magazine’s “Man of the Year.” program made it clear that his camp wanted rights and “a just and peaceful world that is “He is complex and sometimes contra- power in high places: “The evangelicals truly humane.” dictory,” the article said of America’s first of America will stand behind you,” he Surrounded by throngs of people Presi- evangelical president. “His creed combines promised, if Carter would appoint evangeli- dent Carter and First Lady Rosalynn and traditionally antithetical elements of help- cals to prominent positions within his their 9-year-old daughter, Amy, walked a the-deprived populism and deny-thyself administration. mile-and-a-half down Pennsylvania Avenue fiscal conservatism.” America, Black and white, of all to the White House, a first for an American Like all presidential candidates, Carter faiths and no faith, placed divided hopes president. had made many promises on the campaign on a candidate who had barely won the In so doing, Carter’s intention was to trail. Marginalized Black Americans in presidency. On Jan. 20, 1977, following “make the president available for all citizens particular were hopeful of the president’s a pre-inaugural service at the First Baptist and to breathe new life into the presidency,” promises for racial equity. Church of the City of Washington, the a reference to the damage former president Conservative white evangelicals, man upon whose shoulders now fell much Nixon had brought upon the White House. however, were of a mixed mind. Many weight addressed a nation teetering on edge. Religion historian Randall Balmer believed Carter would restore morality to Barely into his inaugural address the later wrote that “Carter represented a clean the White House. Sunday School teacher from Plains, Ga., break with the recent past, an opportunity Others remained enamored of Richard read the biblical passage of Micah 6:8: to redeem the nation.” Nixon’s earlier attempts to repeal Lyndon B. “He hath showed thee, O man, what is Launching his presidency with lofty Johnson’s Great Society programs designed good; and what doth the Lord require of goals of human rights and world peace, to help disadvantaged Black Americans. thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and Carter began his time in office with high Many liked Carter’s fiscal conservatism. to walk humbly with thy God.” approval ratings. With Nixon in the rear-view mirror, The editors of the popular conservative He spoke not of personal piety, but of Democratic majorities in Congress, and magazine Christianity Today hoped Carter America as a nation of both “spirituality and lingering economic and energy challenges, would “restructure the vast federal bureau- human liberty” with a “special obligation” the nation looked to a seemingly unified cracy so as to lower costs and improve to “moral duties” that included “equality of Washington for better times. performance.” opportunity.” Democratic legislators, however, “Our commitment to human rights remained wary. For most of the past eight must be absolute, our laws fair, our national BORN AGAIN years they had struggled to work with an beauty preserved; the powerful must not Across the white evangelical landscape from imperial and ineffective Republican White persecute the weak, and human dignity progressive to conservative it helped that House. Now, Carter, although one of their must be enhanced,” he declared. the new president spoke their “born again” own, brought to Washington a meager Christian vocabulary and read the Bible résumé and open aversion to increased regularly, a religious connection that had led LOFTY GOALS budgets, pork-barrel spending and many to vote for him. Speaking more specifically, the newly elected backroom deal-making — all fixtures in the Before Carter’s inauguration they president called for “a spirit of individual nation’s capital.

This is the 39th article in a series by historian Bruce Gourley, managing editor for Nurturing Faith Journal, on the religious faith of U.S. presidents.

50 Feature adhering to his principles of environmen- talism and human rights, in Carter’s words Rickover nonetheless “commented that I may not win reelection.”

HUMAN RIGHTS Carter governed with resoluteness and determination. To conservatives’ disdain his human rights agenda included uplift- ing minority and impoverished Americans — African Americans, Native Americans, women and homosexuals. Carter’s human rights focus also provided a moral framework for his exten- sive engagement in foreign affairs. Daily the president worked on “international goals.” His early priorities — as noted in his White Rosalynn Carter, Jimmy Carter and Admiral Hyman Rickover (far right) aboard the submarine USS House diary entry of April 29, 1977 — were: Los Angeles shortly after its commissioning. Wikipedia. The transfer of the Panama Canal to Panama and “peace for Israel and its neigh- Amid political nervousness and high affairs afar and human rights at large bors, normal relations with China, nuclear public expectations Carter addressed the strained relations in D.C. and with the arms control with the Soviets, the end of nation on Feb. 2, two weeks into his term. public alike. racial supremacy in Rhodesia and South But in “A Report to the American People on Weeks into his presidency Carter Africa, better relations with less-developed Energy,” Carter spoke not in a hopeful tone, rescinded numerous congressional-favored countries, a strengthened NATO, reform but rather in words somber and nuanced. water resource projects — dams, lakes and of intelligence agencies, reduction in U.S. “I have spent a lot of time deciding reservoirs scheduled for construction, many arms sales, and nuclear non-proliferation.” how I can be a good president,” he told his in the West — due to their adverse impacts It was an impossible agenda. But audience. Voicing pragmatic caution, he on the environment and massive costs. in time Carter achieved several notable explained his “balanced plan” for economic At the time he acknowledged his foreign policy successes, including nuclear recovery that included tax deductions for decision amounted to a “touchy legislative non-proliferation advances, the Panama families but required “some sacrifice” from fight.” He was correct. Carter’s efforts to Canal Treaty and the Camp David Accords. Americans in energy conservation on the exert protective federal control over environ- The latter, a year-and-a-half excruciat- road to “solar energy and other renewable mentally sensitive western lands ignited the ing process marshaled with great care and energy resources.” Sagebrush Rebellion, an anti-government tact by the president, resulted in a Septem- He asked Americans to put aside western U.S. movement seeking to overturn ber 1978 peace treaty between Israel and differences and unite “together to solve our federal oversight of regional lands. Egypt. Carter considered it his greatest problems, and because we are ready to trust Later looking back following his achievement as president. one another.” presidency, Carter noted that his environ- In the first peace treaty between Israel mentally driven water resources agenda and an Arab nation, Israel returned to Egypt CHALLENGES evolved into his “most long-lasting and land conquered during the 1973 Arab- This challenge in some respects would bitter dispute” with Congress. Also looking Israeli War — a war in which a coalition of define Carter’s presidency. Far from inspira- back, historian Rick Perlstein assessed Arab states led by Egypt and Syria attacked tional or bold, it prescribed a multi-pronged, Carter as equally “engineer and preacher” the Israeli-occupied Sinai and Golan complicated and tentative federal response — harboring “passionate certitude, beyond Heights but were soon routed by the Israe- to structural challenges, while assuming compromise.” lis. In return Israel received long-coveted that a politically, racially and ideologically Carter’s mentor, Admiral Hyman G. full diplomatic relations with Egypt. divided nation would put aside differences Rickover, did not need the perspective of For putting aside their enmity, to unite for the betterment of everyone. additional time to foresee his former student’s Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli An inherent workaholic and a man presidential trajectory. In April 1977, a Prime Minister Menachem Begin were of principle but often aloof to Congress, mere three months into Carter’s presidency, awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Carter, in Carter’s early and determined focus on Rickover offered prophetic words. turn, established a new, effective model of environmental policy at home, foreign Complimenting the president for negotiating peace between bitter enemies.

Feature 51 STRUGGLES administrators and political appointees — and statements in impersonal conceptual However, the president’s increasingly ncluding his Secretary of Agriculture, Bob language with little visible emotion. On the complex, extensive and time-consuming Bergland, often besieged by irate farmers — other hand, Carter’s personal religious faith foreign policy priorities took his attention charged with and trusted to work and speak resonated with many Americans. away from home-front struggles of ordinary on his behalf. Americans. Nowhere were the struggles While efforts to uplift impoverished FAITH minorities through federal programs fell more evident than in rural America. As had many previous presidents, Carter by the wayside due to political realities, In the summer of 1977 the farmer found a church home in Washington, D.C. Carter remained committed to upholding from Plains watched as a drought devas- But whereas his predecessors typically civil rights laws unpopular with many white tated many crops from coast to coast, even attended church irregularly if at all — and Americans. as many corn and wheat farmers paradoxi- often for political expediency — the Carters “There will never be any attempt while cally reaped record crop yields. Whether became a regular presence at the city’s First I am president to weaken the great civil crippled by drought or victimized by plung- Baptist Church. Frequently the president rights acts that have passed in the years gone ing commodity prices due to abundant taught Sunday School. by,” he insisted. harvests, a trifecta of loss of income, high In the White House, Carter daily read Beyond merely holding the line on debt and high interest rates produced the Bible and prayed for God’s guidance. civil rights, Carter appointed many persons mounting anger and a national farm strike. But the president, wary of church-state historically underrepresented in govern- During the winter of 1977–78 farmers entanglement, declined to hold religious ment offices. His minority and women “wandered the halls of Congress,” in the services in the White House, as Nixon had appointees to the federal judiciary totaled words of a New York Times article, examin- done to his political advantage. more than all previous presidents combined. ing the farm crisis. Seeking federal subsidies, Early in his presidency Carter invited Andrew Young, formerly a leading civil they “demanded to see their representatives.” rights activist and U.S. congressman from moderate Southern Baptist leaders to the In Washington and in Plains, tractors Georgia, served as Carter’s U.S. Ambassador White House for a conversation, convincing clogged the streets. In D.C. farmers “set to the United Nations from 1977–1979. In them to start a new and effective missions herds of goats loose on the Capitol grounds” 1981 Carter awarded Young the Presiden- strategy. But denominational journalist Jack and occupied the office of the Secretary of tial Medal of Freedom, and Young served as Harwell, then editor of the Georgia Baptist Agriculture, hanging the secretary in effigy. mayor of Atlanta from 1981–1990. Christian Index (and later editor of this Although a farmer himself, Carter, Women, too, made great strides forward journal), subsequently warned Carter not fiscally conservative and knowing the ups in federal service. In 1979 alone Carter to risk breaching church-state separation by and downs of farm life, paid but little appointed 23 women to lifelong tenured favoring the Southern Baptist Convention. personal attention to the crisis, declining to federal judgeships, more than double the total Carter agreed, thereafter careful not to show favoritism to the sector. Instead, in his number of female federal judges previously use federal facilities to promote religion of White House diary he wrote primarily of appointed over the past two centuries. The any kind. foreign affairs. following year Carter’s appointees included Carter’s faith and political ideology On one occasion, at a news conference, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, future Supreme Court also connected with many progressive white he noted that reporters were “surprisingly justice, to the U.S. Court of Appeals in the Christians to the left of Southern Baptists. interested in domestic affairs.” District of Columbia. In time, however, some progressives would The president’s commitment to fiscal Increasingly Carter as president spent come to criticize Carter’s human rights conservatism also constrained some of his much of his own time apart from the public agenda as insufficient. own priorities. Entering office with the view. In the White House intently engaged Many Catholics, on the other hand, goal of reforming welfare to provide more on solving a multitude of problems, he disapproved of the president’s support support and jobs for African Americans but displayed less personal charisma than he of Roe v. Wade and his opposition to without increasing the federal budget, he had on the campaign trail. federal support for religious schools. More ultimately gave up when realizing meaning- His immediate predecessors — Lyndon uniformly appreciative, the African Ameri- ful reform would be impossible without B. Johnson, Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford can community — predominantly Baptist larger expenditures, for which neither he — had also lacked personal charisma. But by faith — largely embraced the president. nor Congress had an appetite. in a time of economic difficulty Americans, Carter pleased his Black constituents by many remembering John F. Kennedy, now signing an executive order creating a federal REALITIES sought inspiration from their president. program to strengthen historically Black Analytical, diligent and studious in policy Kennedy had communicated effec- colleges and universities; establishing initia- matters he deemed important, Carter tively with imagery and metaphor. Carter, an tives to expand minority-owned businesses; surrounded himself with highly capable engineer by profession, delivered his addresses and supporting affirmative action.

52 Feature On the other hand, Carter’s religious evangelical Sunday School teacher Jimmy convictions of human equality, his insis- Carter. tence on not favoring any one religion A perfect storm was brewing: Western — including Christianity — over another, conservatives chafed at Carter’s environ- alongside his refusal to appoint conservative mental policies; farmers across the nation white evangelicals in his administration, put protested over financial woes magnified him on a collision course. by debt, drought and low commodity While the Sunday School teacher in the prices; and other Americans grew increas- White House spoke evangelical “born again” ingly frustrated with persistently high language, his heavenly vocabulary had never President Jimmy Carter with King Hussein of inflation and unemployment inherited from really been enough for conservative evangeli- Jordan, the Shah of Iran, and Shahbanou Farah the Nixon administration. And, now, racist cals. Transforming America into a Christian Pahlavi of Iran. Wikipedia. white evangelicals arrayed themselves against nation was what mattered. And the first step Carter and his socially progressive agenda. in their earthly goal was protecting increas- began in 1970 at segregated Bob Jones ingly fragile white dominance. University in Greenville, S.C. For years the BAD DAYS legal skirmish played out, with the school On Monday, Sept. 12, 1977, before evangeli- begrudgingly allowing some Black students RACE cals soured on him, Carter wrote approvingly on campus but blatantly discriminating Many white Southern Christians had long of his 66 percent approval rating. The same against them. resisted the 1954 Brown v. Board of Educa- day Carter noted the support of the presi- Finally in January 1976 the IRS tion Supreme Court desegregation ruling. dent of the National Conference of Catholic revoked Bob Jones’ tax-exempt status, ignit- Defiantly citing God’s will that Black and Bishops for his human rights advances and ing further anger and defiance against the white persons not intermingle, the more his nuanced abortion policy: upholding Roe federal government on the part of conserva- violent in their midst had resorted to v. Wade while seeking to minimize abortions tive white evangelicals. Upon obtaining the murders, executions, bombings, beatings through sex education among teenagers, laws White House, Carter angered many white and police brutality against Blacks. encouraging adoptions, and the expansion evangelicals by supporting the IRS ruling. Covered by reporters and captured in of the WIC (Women and Infant Children) television footage, white terrorism scandal- program to financially support women and ized America enough that the federal RELIGIOUS RIGHT children in poor families. government enforced desegregation in the Political activist Paul Weyrich, founder Nine days later Carter lamented “one South in the late 1960s and into the 1970s. of the conservative Heritage Foundation of the worst days I’ve ever spent” as Bert In response, white parents frequently think tank, later recounted what happened Lance, his longtime friend and director of removed their children from public schools. next. For several years he had been trying the Office of Management and Budget, In some counties officials shuttered their to corral white conservative Christians, resigned over a personal financial scandal. schools for several years, rather than scattered in their loyalties since Nixon’s fall As a presidential scandal, it was but minor. integrate classrooms. In others, such as from grace, into a firm political alliance In retrospect, however, it signaled the begin- Holmes County, Miss., parents pulled all with the Republican Party. ning of a retreat from public view except for white children out of the public school “I had been trying to get these people periodic visits to Plains. system and enrolled many in whites-only interested in” political opposition to A month later Carter in his diary vented private, charitable academies. abortion and the Equal Rights Amendment, frustration over unfair press reporting and Black families in Holmes County said Weyrich, “and I had utterly failed.” But resolved to narrow his “public involvement” fought back. Winning a district court what “changed their mind was Carter’s to a few key issues while “working behind victory, they prevailed in forcing President intervention against the Christian schools, the scenes on a wide range of programs and Nixon to instruct the Internal Revenue trying to deny them tax-exempt status on foreign policy matters.” Service to uphold federal law by denying the basis of so-called defacto segregation.” With the honeymoon period of his tax-exempt status to “segregation acade- This time Weyrich succeeded. In presidency over and juggling a growing mies,” many explicitly Christian in nature. defense of segregated Christian schools, roster of crises, from late 1977 onward Leading conservative white evangeli- some of the nation’s leading conservative Carter struggled to achieve significant cals, still insisting racial segregation was Christians — including televangelists Jerry domestic victories. Securing a raise in the mandated in the Bible, began their own Falwell, James Dobson, Pat Robertson and minimum wage did little to ease economic court battle, arguing that their religious Jim Bakker — formed what became the hardships for poor Americans. A shortage freedom had been violated. modern Christian Right. of natural gas led Carter to approve the The most visible court battle over white They had found their foil: the racially Alaskan-Canadian natural gas pipeline, a Christians’ religious freedom argument inclusive presidential administration of long-term project that never materialized.

Feature 53 While pragmatically seeking ways to Neither conservative nor progres- ASSESSMENT increase domestic energy production, Carter sive enough to suit partisans in a rapidly Back in America at secluded Camp David the conservationist worked on solutions to fracturing nation, national discontent with on July 4 — typically a day of celebration conserve energy and protect sensitive lands. the president registered in plunging poll and national goodwill — marked by long His achievements included: numbers. Meanwhile, policy victories in the gas lines, Carter second-guessed himself. • the creation of 17 national monuments first half of 1979 — the ratification of the He was scheduled to address the nation the totaling 56 million acres in Alaska Panama Canal Treaty and the signing of the following day on the subject of the energy • regulations on strip mining (the Surface second Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty crisis. Now he hesitated. Mining Control and Reclamation Act) (SALT II) with the USSR — were major The nation’s problems were “much • implementation of a tax on chemical and accomplishments but had little effect on broader and deeper” than a mere energy petroleum companies to finance cleanup what mattered most politically: Americans’ crisis. “Our trust among the American of substances hazardous to the environ- everyday lives. people is low,” he confided to his diary, ment (the Superfund law) Then from afar an international event “and the number of people who listen to my • advances in renewable energy did impact Americans’ lives, but not to the voice is minimal.” • the American Endangered Wilderness Act president’s advantage. A popular uprising Choosing to cancel his July 5 speech that created more than a million new acres against Iran’s government led to the January without public explanation, Carter of protected wilderness in western states. 1979 overthrow of nearly 60 years of monar- remained at Camp David for an additional Victories aside, the methodical and chical rule — in recent years oppressive week. As his absence from the public eye analytical Carter offered a frank assessment — and the creation of an Islamic republic. generated negative news headlines, the of his presidency and the country during a In an era of increasing globalization president sought “answers to some basic staff and Cabinet retreat in April 1978. the revolution created a problem for the issues affecting America.” Success in international human rights U.S.: the loss of oil imports from one of the He arranged listening sessions with and nonproliferation he noted. Domestic world’s leading oil-producing nations. governors, “political wise men and women,” affairs, on the other hand, troubled him. The fallout was swift. The U.S., the state and local leaders, and leading progres- “The country has shifted to a more world’s biggest consumer of oil and a major sive religious leaders. At Camp David the conservative attitude; everything we do is OPEC importer, experienced a gasoline president heard both affirmation and criti- contrary to people’s inclinations,” the presi- shortage. Compounding the problem, the cism, the latter difficult to digest. dent presciently observed. “Sometimes we regulation of domestic oil — put in place by “[I]t’s not easy for me to accept criti- are too slow making decisions. We have a Nixon — hampered domestic production. cism, and to reassess my ways of doing lack of Washington experience. Some staff Making matters worse, in March a things, to admit my mistakes,” Carter are too loyal to me, while others have inade- partial meltdown of a nuclear reactor at the journaled. He noted that some of the quate communication.” Three Mile Island nuclear power facility negative feedback was “severe, including the In short, Carter sensed “a deterioration near Harrisburg, Penn., frightened Ameri- basic question: Can I govern the country?” of our esteem in the public eye.” cans. Although the damage was contained, Assessing national problems and his the incident further heightened fears about own political struggles, Carter on July 15, BACKLASH the nation’s energy policies. 1979 addressed some 100 million Ameri- With few major political victories thus far, In April, Carter responded by initiat- cans in a television broadcast. From his Carter watched as Republicans gained seats ing the deregulation of oil price controls Camp David listening sessions and with in both the Senate and the House in the in order to increase domestic output. But frank honesty he quoted some criticisms 1978 mid-term elections. He responded with slowly increasing supplies came a free leveled at his administration: by curtailing some of his more progressive market-driven steep rise in gas prices at He did not “see the people enough instincts. the pump. Long lines of cars formed at gas anymore”; he did not communicate “an Carter’s new tilt rightward, however, stations to purchase expensive gasoline. In understanding of our common good”; and led to discontent on the left. He championed some cities protests erupted. some young Americans were tired from but ultimately failed to marshal through the Two months later and attending the “suffer[ing] from recession all our lives.” Equal Rights Amendment. Needing passage international G7 meeting in Japan, on One statement, according to Carter, by three-fourths of the states, the proposed June 29, 1979, Carter in his White House summarized much of the feedback he amendment fell victim to a growing conser- diary observed: “All the news from home received: “Mr. President, we are confronted vative backlash led by white evangelicals. was bad,” including “long gas lines.” He with a moral and a spiritual crisis.” NFJ On the left, some women’s rights leaders expressed fear that rising inflation, led by accused Carter of not trying hard enough to gasoline prices, would lead to the loss of [EDITOR’S NOTE: Part three will secure the amendment. hundreds of thousands of jobs. appear in the next issue.]

54 Feature Featured resources $8 each for challenging times! (includes shipping)

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Feature 55 Composer brings soothing music videos to new audience

BY JOHN D. PIERCE

INSTON-SALEM, N.C. — In an often noisy and unsettled W world, music composer and photographer Dave Combs is freely sharing his calming and reassuring gifts. And his audience is very grateful. “It is my goal to provide activities directors at assisted living and nursing home facilities with zero-cost, soothing, relaxing music videos which I have created and produced,” said Combs. With the pandemic bringing additional health threats and isolation to those older residents, Combs’ offer is being well received. MUSICAL ROOTS COMPOSITION Combs grew up in a musical family in East However, it was not until 1981 that Dave IT’S PERSONAL Tennessee — with an emphasis on church wrote his first composition titled, “Rachel’s “These activities directors are so apprecia- music. Both of his parents played piano. Son.” In a Guideposts Magazine article in tive when I call and tell them I know from “My Grandmother Combs played the 1994, he described how music went from a personal experience just how important autoharp and pump organ, and would sing hobby to a career. and difficult their jobs are,” he said. “My a solo during almost every Sunday night His wife, Linda, came home from 97-year-old mother passed away three years service at the small church down the dirt work one day humming a tune. She noted ago at Arbor Acres here in Winston-Salem.” road from her house in southwest Virginia,” that he plays it on the piano all the time, but And he noticed something else during he said. “So I guess you could say music is she didn’t know the name of the song. his daily visits over those three years: “I saw in my genes.” “It doesn’t have a name,” he replied. firsthand how important music was to her Dave took piano lessons for a couple Dave would come home from his job and the other residents. of years but mainly taught himself during with AT&T and “unwind at our old Knabe “As a photographer, and a composer and the summer of 1963, prior to his junior year baby grand — just messin’ around at the producer of instrumental music for over 30 in high school. He lived with his father in piano, as my mother used to put it.” years, I have been truly blessed and decided Bradenton, Fla., for that time. Usually he would play from sheet this is a way of giving back,” he said. “I practiced at least four hours every music or something he’d heard on the radio. “My music videos have always been day that summer, playing every hymn in the “Sometimes I just made something described as soothing and relaxing, and the hymnal,” he recalled. up,” he said. “But it never occurred to me current stressful environment of isolation at Most Sundays Dave and his father that I had actually written a song.” retirement facilities made me realize that my would drive to Tampa Bay with an old porta- At his wife’s urging, he wrote out the music can play a constructive role in reduc- ble pump organ in tow. His father worked melody and chords. Then, several months ing stress and anxiety.” for Tropicana Products, whose owner at the later, he played it at the christening of a So he decided to make his music videos time, Anthony Rossi, was a devout Christian. friend’s daughter, Rachel. available for free via YouTube. And he has Along with Rossi’s son-in-law, Russell “It didn’t have words, just a tune,” already contacted more than 200 activities Riegler, the Combses would board one of said Combs. “From that day on we called it directors statewide as well as long-term care the Tropicana Orange ships from Honduras ‘Rachel’s Song,” for our goddaughter.” associations in all 50 states. to lead services for the crews. Much of Combs’ time and attention

56 Feature were given to his work — traveling nation- few years shy of retirement. via Zoom during the pandemic — uses the ally to consult with plant managers about “One night I prayed for guidance Nurturing Faith Bible Studies inside this how to make factories more efficient using before going to sleep,” he said. “The next journal with additional online resources. computer technology. His wife suggested morning I woke up to the strains of ‘Rachel’s On Pentecost Sunday, Bible study that, during one of his visits to Nashville, Song’ floating from the clock radio.” writer and video host Tony Cartledge he should record his song and give a copy to While driving he heard the radio host encouraged putting the lesson into practice Rachel. say, “And now here’s my favorite, ‘Rachel’s — by doing something to show the presence Song.’” Dave said he nearly drove off the of Christ to others in unexpected ways. NASHVILLE road. “Your words struck me in a very After completing his work one day, Combs Combs doubted his ability to create meaningful and encouraging way,” said drove around Music Square in Nashville enough music each year that would appeal Dave in a message to Tony. where recording studios dot the map. to listeners. But his wife urged him to trust He told of how God was calling him to Evening had arrived and most businesses in God and his gifts. share his music with “a particular segment were shut down, except for one — The “After agonizing over my decision of our population that is really struggling Music Mill. for months, I was sitting in church one right now — the residents and staff of That initial contact led to Dave return- Sunday morning, remembering the mail assisted living and nursing home facilities.” ing on a future visit to rent a studio and we’d received that week from people all over record a demo tape of “Rachel’s Song.” Back the world,” he recalled. “They didn’t know MUSIC VIDEOS in Winston-Salem the song was featured on about the decision weighing on my mind, “My thinking was that these [music videos] an easy-listening radio show and received yet they addressed my concerns.” might be helpful to individuals looking for requests from listeners to hear it more often. something relaxing and soothing to play in “I sold copies for the cost of a blank TALENTS the background while they work or exercise tape,” said Combs, “and before long I’d One of the more than 10,000 letters Dave or do something creative,” he said. “I even received wheelbarrows full of mail.” received read: “Your music is what God put created four music videos that play non-stop One woman, whose daughter named you on this planet to do.” for hours.” Rachel had died from a brain tumor, wrote “That got me to thinking about how Combs said he was amazed by the size to say the soothing melody brought back the Bible talks about using your talents of this potential audience nationally: 1.3 wonderful memories. wisely,” said Combs, who prayed: “Would million persons in nursing homes; 800,000 “Another note arrived with a picture I serve you better by writing and producing in nearly 30,000 assisted living facilities; of a beaming autistic girl hugging the tape music?” 75,000 in intermediate care facilities; with to her chest,” recalled Dave. “‘Your music He resigned his position with AT&T three million workers in skilled nursing and reached her,’ the note read.” and hasn’t looked back. residential care facilities. Doctors and nurses said the song “Sometimes when the Lord inspires Responses from activities directors calmed their patients — and some brides me with a new song, the melody is simple,” have been very affirming. chose it for their weddings. he said. “It’s at those moments I understand “Your music has been a blessing to “One letter even described how my more fully that God’s plan for our lives many of our residents,” wrote one. “It is music had turned sitting in a traffic jam into needn’t be complicated either.” amazing how you took your passion to help a delightful experience,” he said. Combs continues to seek divine direc- so many people.” So Dave wrote more songs and tion for how best to use his talents. His “I want to thank you for sharing these returned to Nashville a couple of years later Sunday school class at Winston-Salem’s most beautiful videos and soothing relax- to record an entire album. First Baptist Church on Fifth — meeting ation music and photos,” said another. “During these COVID times, this is most BIG STEP enjoyable for our residents.” Large record stores and distributors were Dave commends his wife of 50 years, uninterested, but Dave found a niche selling Linda, who works with him in this ever- his music in gift shops. Visitors would hear growing musical venture. “I am so blessed,” the songs being played in the store and ask he added. about their availability. The YouTube channel for Dave’s music “Before long the notion of working on is simply “combsmusic,” and his web site is music fulltime took over my thoughts,” said combsmusic.com. Piano music books may Dave. “But it seemed foolhardy.” be purchased by calling (800) 932-6627. He Linda had just left her fulltime job to welcomes email communications at dave@ care for aging parents. And Dave was still a combsmusic.com. NFJ

Feature 57 DIGGIN’ IT Lipscomb University salvages buried archaeology program

BY TONY W. CARTLEDGE pist Mark Lanier, a longtime supporter of American Schools of Oriental Research, has aige Patterson’s ill-fated tenure as come to the rescue. president of Southwestern Baptist Having both the desire and the where- P Theological Seminary in Texas had withal to do something about it, Lanier one good feature for archaeology nerds like contacted his alma mater, Lipscomb me. He strongly supported the school’s University. The Nashville liberal arts school archaeology program, known as the Tandy is affiliated with the Church of Christ. Institute. With financial support from Lanier Not so the new president, Adam W. An inscribed stone marks the boundaries of and his wife, Becky, Lipscomb not only ancient Gezer, where Steven Ortiz has been Greenway, for whom the seminary’s sole leading a multi-year excavation project. Photo hired Ortiz and classical archaeologist Tom focus is the “training of pastors and other by Gil Maestro / Wikipedia.com Davis, but also gained rights to the Tandy ministers of the gospel for the churches of Institute’s research, some of its archives and the Southern Baptist Convention.” loophole in the school’s charter allowed study collections, and other aspects of the Citing financial hardship, Green- Greenway to dismiss even tenured faculty if Master of Arts and doctorate programs. way used the COVID-19 pandemic as a their entire department is eliminated. The new program, to be known as convenient cover for eliminating the entire The announcement sent shock waves the Lanier Archaeology Center, plans to archaeology program and firing its director, through the world of archaeology. It was begin offering degrees in January 2021 and Steven Ortiz, along with the other faculty. bad enough that social restrictions due to has signed on to be engaged in four field The move also left 25 graduate students in the pandemic had canceled virtually the research projects. limbo. entire 2020 dig season; now an important Recognizing the value of archaeology Ortiz, a respected archaeologist and player in the field had been sent not just to as a scientific enterprise that makes invalu- director of the Tel Gezer Excavation the bench, but also out of the stadium. able contributions to biblical studies is no Project, was a tenured professor. That Fortunately, the game isn’t over and small matter. The Tandy Institute’s work normally offers some job security, but a there’s a happy ending in sight. Philanthro- will not be buried beneath the accumulating layers of fundamentalist teachings at South- western but will live on to shed more light on the biblical world. “The world needs the deep think- ing and the perspective that archaeology provides, and it broadens who we are as an institution of higher learning across an array of academic disciplines,” said Lipscomb President L. Randolph Lowery, in a univer- sity press release. “And, for those in the Christian faith, it is archaeology that puts that faith into perspective,” he added, “and that gives us the context and background for what we read and study in scripture.” Amen to that, and many thanks to those who are making it possible. NFJ A much-enlarged outdoor replica of the palm-sized Gezer Calendar on display at Tel Gezer, Israel. Wikipedia.

58 Feature A Baptist preacher ruminates on the holy water of baptism

BY LAMAR WADSWORTH children, who had been attending regularly, waited until everyone had cleared out to his old Baptist preacher refuses to speak to me. She was fighting back tears. own a pair of waders. I love being “Preacher, I hope I didn’t do anything T waist deep in Baptist holy water wrong, but you did say ‘all who love the with new believers, and getting wet with Lord Jesus Christ, who look to him for the them. forgiveness of sins, and desire to follow him Most of my baptisms have, are welcome at the Lord’s table,’” she said. conveniently, been in indoor church baptis- “So when the trays were passed with the teries. However, the act that confirms one’s bread and the grape juice, I took it.” commitment to live as a follower of Jesus I told her she had done the right thing. might need to be a little less convenient. Her next words gushed like a dam break: When I was pastor of Hill City Baptist “I do love the Lord; he has forgiven my sins. Church in northwest Georgia, we baptized I do want to follow him.” in a spring-fed creek in Redwine Cove. My A smile came across her tear-streaked predecessor, Rembert Moore, coached me face, followed by the most beautiful holy on the fine points of creek baptism. laughter I ever heard as she added, “I guess “All you have to do is put them under, On my last Sunday as pastor at that means I need to be baptized.” I replied, son,” he said. “You don’t have to worry Woolford Memorial Baptist Church in “I guess it does.” about bringing them back up. Straightway Baltimore, we had two siblings, around 10 That afternoon I filled the baptistery they come up out of the water.” or 12 years old, to be baptized. I could have with Baptist holy water. That evening, Judy That creek is the second-coldest baptized them but I gave their grandmother, came down the steps into the water — Baptist holy water I’ve been in. The coldest Deacon Marie Chaney, that privilege. followed by her 11-year-old daughter. was the Christiana River, which runs beside There is no act of Christian ministry Judy didn’t know that she didn’t know the historic Welsh Tract Baptist Church that is scripturally restricted to the holder of how to do evangelism. Her daughter came at Newark, Del., where one of my Baptist a particular office in the church. In Acts 8, not only to support her mom but to make preacher ancestors, Philip James, was the only authority Philip had for baptizing the same commitment. I baptized both of baptized. the Ethiopian man was what he received them. The church building dates to the through his own baptism. Marie’s authority After years of reflection, I realize that 1730s, but the congregation was organized to baptize her grandchildren was rooted in being thoroughly drenched in Baptist holy in Wales in 1701 and has been at its current her baptism, not her ordination as a deacon. water made Judy as qualified as this preacher location since 1703. Those Welsh Baptists There’s no worry about masks and ever hopes to be to baptize her daughter. were meticulous record keepers. Their social distancing with members of our Judy didn’t get to immerse her daugh- baptizing place still looks like Morgan immediate families. So I would love to see ter as she should have, but she did at least Edwards’ description of it 300 years ago. the children of believing parents baptized sprinkle her. After I baptized her daugh- Philip James was baptized there in by those who brought them into this world ter, mother and daughter embraced tightly 1714 — February 1714. When living in and led them to faith in Jesus. while standing in the water. Judy sprinkled Baltimore, the place was only a little more Use the church baptistery, a swimming her daughter with her tears and the Baptist than an hour north of us. One bitterly cold pool or the creek. Video it, and show it to holy water that dripped from her hair onto February day in 1991, I waded in to see for the church. her daughter’s head. NFJ myself. Most all pastors remember a ministry With this year’s pandemic, worship incident they wish they had done differ- —Lamar Wadsworth is a retired adoptions and other church functions moved online. ently. For me, the most prominent one case manager and minister living in I don’t know how to do immersion baptism happened about 35 years ago. Rockmart, Ga. He is the author of with social distancing, but there is an easy We had observed communion in the the novel, Remembering Miss Addie solution. morning service. A single mother, with two from Nurturing Faith.

Feature 59 ADVANCING THE COMMON GOOD Embracing, advancing good faith in face of a bad year By R. Mitch Randall

s 2020 began, optimism and antic- protests emerged, as supporters from both many ministry opportunities is because of ipation filled the air. The new year sides demonstrated how fractured the the generous support of our investors and A brought hopeful possibilities and country remains on the issue of race and donors. Good Faith Media investors are renewed resolutions. justice. committed to the mission of freedom for We were going to be more positive and To add insult to injury, hurricane all, inclusion for all, and justice for all. productive. We committed ourselves to love season ushered twin storms into the Gulf Together, the staff, board of directors, more, hate less. The new year held incred- of Mexico, wreaking havoc in Lousiana and columnists, contributors and supporters ible potential until a multilayered darkness Texas. Meteorologists and climatologists work tirelessly to present an alternative descended. reminded Americans that, if we continue to voice to damage-causing religious funda- News outlets began reporting on a ignore climate change, storms will increas- mentalism. virus spreading across China. Still an ocean ingly grow stronger and more dangerous. For too long, fundamentalists controlled away, Americans continued with their In the midst of these dark skies, a the public narrative in response to critical hopeful optimism. They moved forward glimmer of light broke through the clouds. issues facing the world. A sensible, reliable, unworried about their futures. Good Faith Media launched in July, bring- and trustworthy voice can combat the rigid- Then, on January 20, doctors ing the resources ness and hatefulness of fundamentalism. diagnosed a patient in Washington State of EthcisDaily and Good Faith Media wants to be that voice! with what the world would come to know Nurturing Faith During November and December, you as COVID-19. The American coasts were together. Our storied have two opportunities to invest in Good hit the hardest at first, but the remainder of organizations shared Faith Media. the country soon followed. a dream of coming The #GivingTuesday campaign is an Seemingly overnight, wearing a mask together to make opportunity to contribute to our work in a in public and social distancing became a larger impact for practical and energizing way. The Tuesday the new norm. The global pandemic of the gospel of love, following Thanksgiving, December 1, will coronavirus changed the way we interact, freedom and justice. be the day you can give at our website communicate and live. Centered on the person of Jesus Christ, (goodfaithmedia.org) or write a check, Now, at this writing, the world faces Good Faith Media seeks to offer freedom, mailing it to P.O. Box 721972, Norman, more than 25 million cases of COVID-19, inclusion and justice for all people. We take OK, 73070. with nearly one million of those leading to Jesus extremely seriously, not as a tyrant but Another opportunity is to include death. as a liberator bringing love and hope to the Good Faith Media in your year-end giving. As the country suffered under the world. This campaign focuses on the past year’s strain of the pandemic, another virus Our mission is simple: Good Faith work, which has been extraordinary. From emerged from the shadows of American Media provides reflection and resources at our Good Faith Weekly podcast to the many history to remind Americans it had not the intersection of faith and culture through Nurturing Faith books published in 2020, disappeared. On May 25, George Floyd, a an inclusive Christian lens. this year has been remarkable. 46-year-old black man died in the custody GFM’s four service offerings include For as much darkness remains in our of Minneapolis police. Video surveillance News and Opinion, Publishing, Videos world, Good Faith Media is attempting to showed an officer kneeling on Floyd’s neck and Podcasts, and Experiences. The staff is shine the light of Jesus through those cracks for eight minutes and 46 seconds. the best in the business, working as a team in the clouds. By investing in this good The situation sparked protests across providing relative daily columns, a spectacu- work, you will help us to spread the love and the country, as Black Lives Matter marchers lar journal, insightful curriculum, inspiring hope of the gospel to the world. NFJ demanded justice and reform. The marches books, stunning videos, thought-provoking and protests were primarily peaceful, but podcasts, and life-changing experiences. —R. Mitch Randall is CEO of some erupted into violence. Opposition The reason we are able to offer so Good Faith Media.

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COMING SOON: GOOD FAITH STORIES A narrative, episodic podcast highlighting compelling individuals and extraordinary events. Questions Christians ask scientists Does science change the way you read the Bible?

BY PAUL WALLACE demanded nor contradicted by my basic The authors of Genesis, whoever view of scripture as a human record of Israel’s they were, knew nothing of evolution or he cosmos of the ancient Israelites encounter with a real and loving God. hydrothermal vents or euthycarcinoids or was centered on a flat earth resting Why even mention these extras, then, Opabinia. God did not whisper these verses T on pillars, covered by a hard dome- if they are secondary? I see three reasons: into their ears, knowing we would eventu- shaped firmament, and surrounded on all (1) Science does describe the creation ally figure out evolution and discover the sides — including above and below — by of Israel’s real and loving God. (2) I think secret truth of scripture. water. We may conclude that if the Bible of these extras every time I read the Bible, Instead, they observed nature, saw that were intended to be a science book, we’d and can’t stop thinking of them. (3) Our God had given it the capacity to generate have thrown it out centuries ago. approach to the Bible should be as free, new things, and wove this insight into their But this makes it hard to see why science creative and imaginative as the God who creation story. matters at all when we read the Bible, and in inspired it. A second example: When I read the a narrow sense, it doesn’t matter. Consider an example from Genesis 1: prophet Isaiah, I think of Elon Musk, the No matter what theory scientists come “And God said, ‘Let the waters bring forth inventor and innovator. He dreams of up with, if God ever loved us, God will love swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly populating Mars and eventually colonizing us still; if Jesus ever mattered, he will matter above the earth across the dome of the sky.’ the entire Solar System. still; and if justice and reconciliation were So God created the great sea monsters and It won’t come easily. Mars alone ever our calling, they will be our calling still. every living creature. . . And God said, ‘Let presents stiff challenges. Gravity on the Red It seems that the shape of the universe the earth bring forth living creatures of every Planet is much feebler than here at home. has nothing to do with our daily human kind: cattle and creeping things and wild So, after we spend some time on Mars, our experience of God and one another. animals of the earth of every kind.’ And it bones and muscles will grow weak (and this But we live in a scientific age. We do was so. God made the wild animals of the process may not be reversible). not read our Bibles on a flat earth under a earth of every kind” (vv. 20–21, 24–25). The average temperature on Mars transparent dome but on a spherical planet Notice that the waters and the earth runs near –67°F, so we couldn’t play orbiting a star revolving about the center bring forth living creatures. These verses of a vast galactic pinwheel, turning among baseball, sunbathe, or do walkathons. We black holes and quasars. suggest that God creates indirectly, using can’t breathe the thin Martian atmosphere, These are the things God has made. what was previously made. God’s creation which allows lots of ultraviolet light to reach We cannot set aside what we know and creates! the surface, so cancer, cognitive disease and what we love when we sit down with scrip- This passage invites us to imagine reproductive problems will multiply. ture, nor are we asked to. Jesus commands evolution in all its weirdness and beauty. The planet lacks a magnetic field, so us to love God with all our mind as well as We are free to visualize life being brought it’s constantly bombarded with fast-moving with our heart, soul and strength. forth deep in the waters, perhaps micro- electrons and protons from the sun — even There is such a thing as the scientific organisms thriving on hydrothermal vents more cancer. love of God. Those who wish to take both on the ocean floor four billion years ago. Mars orbits farther from the sun than faith and science seriously must hold the We may envision euthycarcinoids, Earth, so even bright days would seem dim. Bible in one hand and Scientific American distant ancestors of centipedes who left This fact, combined with the lack of surface in the other. the sea 530 million years ago, beating even water and organics in the soil, makes it When I read the Bible I do not turn off plants in life’s slow landward creep. impossible to grow food — or anything else, my understanding of science. And science The Middle Cambrian oddball Opabi- for that matter. brings to my readings what you might call nia provides a colorful side note. This Also, no germs live on Mars, so our extras. five-eyed, backward-mouthed, limbless, immune systems will lose their ability to They are secondary, supplemental long-nosed, sea-dwelling anthropod was one fight any diseases that may arrive on space- thoughts, new and fun ideas neither of the first and strangest animals to ever live. ships from Earth.

Paul Wallace is a Baptist minister with a doctorate in experimental nuclear physics from Duke University and post-doctoral work in gamma ray astronomy, along with a theology degree from Emory University. He teaches at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Ga. Faith-science questions for consideration may be submitted to [email protected].

62 Feature This makes our home planet seem so What a contrast to the lifeless, desolate, You may disagree with what I am much more, well, homey. Surely we belong radiation-saturated, frozen, dry, alien world doing here. You may think that it’s wrong- among the rivers and trees of Earth. Isaiah of Mars. But scientifically speaking, our headed to drag evolution into a discussion makes this plain: fit with Earth is no more surprising than a of Genesis because that book is really about puddle’s fit with a sidewalk. relationships between God, humanity and I will open rivers on the bare We belong on Earth because we were creation. heights, and fountains in the drawn out of it and have evolved along with Knowledgeable critics will point out midst of the valleys; I will make it. Evolution’s great stream carries us and the that Isaiah’s poetry is not meant to show the wilderness a pool of water, rest of the planet along together. how nicely we fit into the biosphere, but to and the dry land springs of water. But if we were ever to leap the high contrast Israel’s good green future with the I will put in the wilderness the hurdles I mentioned (and more) and lifeless desolation of the Babylonian exile. cedar, the acacia, the myrtle, and successfully colonize Mars, the same would But I do not intend to replace standard the olive; I will set in the desert one day be said of us and that planet. We understandings of scripture with scientific the cypress, the plane and the would eventually evolve to fit there as ones. These examples show how science pine together, so that all may snugly as we do here. The Mars-dwellers, deepens, sharpens or expands traditional see and know, all may consider after many generations, would eventually meanings. and understand, that the hand of the Lord has done this, the come to feel very much at home there. Christians who love science are free Holy One of Israel has created it So, when I read these passages from to imagine new things when they come (41:18–20). Isaiah, this thought comes to me as a bonus: to scripture, to create a kind of scientific God has not made us specially to fit into a commentary on the Bible. These examples For thus says the Lord, who static, preexisting world as a piece fits into a show how scripture might be enlarged, and created the heavens (he is God!), jigsaw puzzle. Instead, God has created and not reduced or replaced, by science. NFJ who formed the earth and made is still creating us along with a universe in it (he established it; he did not which we might ever find a home here, on This article is adapted from Love and create it a chaos, he formed it to Mars, and maybe one day across the solar Quasars by Paul Wallace (© 2019 Fortress be inhabited!). (45:18) system. Press) and reproduced by permission.

Feature 63 NewN

“These sermons are filled with creative connections that guide children to offer their presence and praise to God. Most notably, they are held together by the common thread of God’s deep love for God’s children, and the conviction that children need to know that their place in the Body of Christ matters.” —Ruth Sprayberry DuCharme Associate Pastor for Faith Formations for Families Highland Hills Baptist Church, Macon, Ga.

This collection of children’s sermons for every Sunday in the Church Year — written by Kelly Belcher, edited by Carol Brown and sponsored by Monica Vaughan — is now available at goodfaithmedia.org/bookstore. Order today at goodfaithmedia.org/bookstore.

HONEST AND INSIGHTFUL! “Dan Day has provided us a front-row seat witnessing his tenacious journey to make meaning of inherited theology whose usefulness had worn thin and shallow.” —Paul Dempsey, Alliance of Baptists

“Dan calls us to reflect on what it means not only to enter into faith, but also to be formed by faith throughout our lives.” —Bill Leonard, Wake Forest University School of Divinity

nurturing faith books are available from good faith media at goodfaithmedia.org/bookstore Te year is ending — but Good Faih Media is just geting started!

Your generosity will help us Charitable gifts in support of Nurturing Faith Journal may be made to Good Faith Media: finish this year well, and move • Online: goodfaithmedia.org/donate into a hopeful future. • By phone: (615) 627-7763 • By mail: P.O. Box 721972 Norman, *** OK 73070 The expanded publishing ministry Please note: If your gift is made in honor of Nurturing Faith, now part of or memory of someone, let us know Good Faith Media, has but one goal: so we can include that notice in the to provide the kind of trusted and journal. Reach out to us to discuss ways inspiring information and meaning- to support this ministry through monthly ful experiences that cause us to learn giving, estate planning, stocks, and chari- and grow. Each is a step in the faithful table trusts. We wish you a meaningful, direction of our primary commitment: joyful Advent and Christmas! to follow Jesus!

Words matter. The spoken Word. The written word. The Word made flesh. November-December 2020

GOOD FAITH EXPERIENCES GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MONTANA Choose from two weeks: Aug. 14-21and Sept. 4-11, 2021

oin editor/writer John Pierce, historian/author Hotel in the park as well as Grouse Mountain Lodge in Bruce Gourley and co-hosts Autumn Lockett the resort town of Whitefish while exploring the western Jand Missy Randall for an inspiring, small-group side of the park and the beautiful Flathead Lake region. experience in scenic Glacier National Park. Enjoy snow-topped mountains, fields of wildflowers and Optional activities will be available, depending on boat rides on scenic lakes. one’s interest and activity level while visiting “the Crown of the Continent.” Delicious meals with new Each day’s agenda will be filled with adventure, fun and friends are always an enjoyable part of each Good inspiration. In August enjoy in-park lodging at the historic Faith Experience. Many Glacier Hotel nestled beside Swiftcurrent Lake on the eastern side of Glacier National Park and Apgar The experience will begin and end in Bozeman, Village Lodge on the shore of Lake McDonald in west Mont., where Bruce lives. So expect personal atten- Glacier. Or choose September and enjoy Many Glacier tion and local knowledge throughout the week.

TO REGISTER, visit https://goodfaithmedia.org/group-experiences/ or call (615) 627-7763.

Cost is $3,500 per person (double occupancy) and includes all ground transportation, excellent meals, various activities and informative hospitality. For a single room, add $750 to the total cost. Participants are responsible for their own travel to and from Bozeman.