Christian Ethics Today A Journal of Christian Ethics Volume 12, Number 4 Aggregate Issue 61 Fall 2006
“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord’” Isaiah 40:3; John 1:23
Being An Oxymoron: A Liberal Evangelical Tony Campolo ...... 2
EthixBytes ...... 3
The Foy Valentine Memorial Fund—Still Growing! ...... 4
Foy Valentine: A Friend For The Ages Patrick R. Anderson ...... 5
Henlee Barnette: Prophetic Practitioner Larry L. McSwain ...... 6
The Path of Most Resistance J. Bradley Creed ...... 8
Can We Just Talk? L. Dianne King ...... 11
Religion and Government: A New Model Needed? David A. Sapp ...... 13
Today I Saw A Man Wade McCoy, MD ...... 18
Faith, Family, and Finances James E. Carter ...... 19
Sunday—Marathon Day Martin E. Marty ...... 24
Baptizing Illegal Aliens David F. D’Amico ...... 25
The Real Tradition of Women as Church Leaders Sandra Dufield ...... 26
CHRISTIAN ETHICS AND THE MOVIES David A. Thomas ...... 27 Terrorism: Munich (2005) and Syriana (2005) War: Apocalypse Now (1979)
POETRY Either Way Nathan Brown ...... 30 The Religion Show Al Staggs ...... 31
KUDZU by Doug Marlette www.dougmarlette.com Beingxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx An Oxymoron: A Liberal Evangelical Byxxxxxxxxxxxxx Tony Campolo, xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Professor Emeritus &BTUFSO6OJWFSTJUZ 4U%BWJET 1"
few weeks ago I was a guest on coverage for all of its citizens; fund the ones who obliterated policies that A Steven Colbert’s popular televi- the public schools in poor urban and had allowed for racial discrimination sion show, The Colbert Report . He rural communities at the same level in real estate sales, employment, and introduced me as an Evangelical who as those in rich suburban neighbor- education. In reality, almost all of the is liberal on social issues. Then he hoods; be committed to progressive progressive rulings that decimated Jim added, “He’s a living oxymoron!” environmental policies; give more Crow went well beyond the intensions Sadly, his words reflect the way than four-tenths of one percent of of the framers of the Constitution, Evangelicals are regularly perceived. its federal budget to help the poor of many of whom owned slaves. Oh, Here in the United States, evangelical other countries; and give up its mili- how quickly people forget! Christians have become so married taristic adventurism—then I embrace There are those on the Religious to the Right Wing of the Republican the label with enthusiasm. Right who argue that caring for the Party that it is hard for those outside I’m one of those pro-life Christians poor and needy is solely the respon- our faith community to imagine that who is convinced that the outrageous sibility of the church and should not a significant minority of Evangelicals number of abortions each year are be funded with taxpayers’ money. Yet have socially liberal politics. Yet over more due to right-wing economic it is clear in Scripture that God holds its history, evangelical Christianity has policies than to Roe v. Wade. In a soci- governments responsible for playing a championed some of our country’s ety where many poor women must significant role in providing such care. most progressive social movements. work outside the home at a ridicu- Consider the words of the prophet Charles Finney, the dominant lously low minimum wage just to Isaiah who warned: “Woe to those evangelist of the nineteenth century, survive, yet have no access to daycare who make unjust laws, to those who was a major player in the anti-slavery for their children, we should not be issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the movement, and his revivals provided surprised if they seek abortion when poor of their rights and withhold jus- much of the impetus for the women’s faced with an unplanned pregnan- tice from the oppressed of my people, suffrage movement of that era. Back cy. Yet many of the Religious Right making widows their prey and rob- in those days, Evangelicals pulled their Christians who share my pro-life bing the fatherless” (Isa 10:1-2). churches out of mainline denomina- sentiments tend to oppose enacting Also, Jesus declared that the day tions not because the denominations legislation that would enable poor would come when nations would be were too socially liberal on the race women to give birth and keep their judged by how they cared for the poor: issue, but because they were not lib- children. No wonder one of our crit- “When the Son of Man comes in his eral enough. William Jennings Bryan ics says, “Evangelicals are people who glory, and all the angels with him, he of Scopes Trial fame, the darling of believe that life begins at concep- will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. early twentieth century Evangelicals, tion and ends at birth.” Too often it All the nations will be gathered before was a pacifist who opposed America’s seems like we care about protecting him, and he will separate the people involvement in war. I gladly take my the unborn, but we’re not willing to one from another as a shepherd sepa- place in his train. provide for the born. rates the sheep from the goats” (Mt The word liberal has become a Recently, an African-American 25:31-32). political label of ill-repute among preacher in Philadelphia joined forc- Allow me to add to my advocacy many Evangelicals. But if by social lib- es with the Religious Right and the for certain liberal social policies a com- eral, you mean someone who believes White House when he spoke out mitment to fiscal conservatism. This America should guarantee medical against the nomination of “activ- present government, so supported by ist” judges to the Supreme Court most Evangelicals, has mortgaged the Editor: Joe E. Trull who would interpret the law beyond future of our children and our chil- Publisher: Christian Ethics Today Foundation, what the framers of the Constitution dren’s children. This is a consequence 9608 Parkview Court, Denton, TX 76207 intended. I wondered if this preacher of funding the war in Iraq and giving (940) 262-0450; Cell: (940) 230-6931 thought about all the advances for gigantic tax breaks to the richest peo- CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY is produced in the U.S.A. and is published five times annually and minority peoples that were the fruit of ple in our country, as well as to huge mailed from Dallas, Texas, where third-class postage activist judges. Liberal judges are the corporations such as price-gouging oil is paid. Articles published in CET reflect the views ones who integrated public schools companies. Our national debt increas- of the authors and not necessarily the viewpoint of CET or the Editor. Send corrections and change of with their 1954 ruling in Brown v. es by close to $2 billion each week, addresses to P.O. Box 1165, Argyle, Texas 76226. Board of Education. Activist judges are (continued on page 12)
r'"--r$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%": EthixBytesxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Axxxxxxxxxxxxx Collection ofxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Quotes Comments, Statistics, and News Items
“I pray for a world in which none will eficiaries of an American soldier who Africans living on $1 a day wish they be so poor, they have nothing to give, dies in the line of duty is $400,000, were cows.” and none so rich they have nothing to while a dead Iraqi civilian is worth up Jim Wallis . receive.” to $2500 in condolence payments. Pope John Paul II. For all the talk of Iraq being a sov- “We have just learned from the news ❖ ereign nation, foreign occupiers are media that 50,000 Iraqis have died in “The great contribution of Baptists the ones deciding what an Iraqi life is this war—a fact the Bush administra- has not been by theologians, but by worth.” tion has kept from the public.’ ethicists.” Andrew J. Bacevich, Boston Chris Matthews interview on NBC Bob Edgar, General Secretary of the University. Today (6/27/06). National Council of Churches, U.S.A.. ❖ ❖ “We really need to address the burn- “Today, tobacco accounts for one in five “Will [moral] values be used as wedg- ing of fossil fuels. It is getting hotter, cancer deaths, or 1.4 million deaths each es and weapons to divide and destroy and the icecaps are melting, and there year. Tobacco alone is predicted to kill a us, or as bridges to bring us together is a buildup of carbon dioxide in the billion people this century, 10 times the to find common ground by moving to air.” toll it took in the 20 th century.” higher ground?” Rev. Pat Robertson, The 700 Club Tobacco Atlas, 2 nd Edition and the Jim Wallis, editor and founder of (Aug. 3). World Health Organization. Sojourners. ❖ ❖ ❖ “Why does the oil industry go back “For every [Iraqi insurgent] that I kill, “Folks tend to forget that during 25 years to one week in 1981 to com- I create almost 10 more.” our founding, it wasn’t the atheists pare today’s gas prices, which have Army Lt. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, or the civil libertarians who were the increased 254% in the last 7.5 years?” commander of multinational forces in most effective champions of the First Letter writer James Moffitt. Iraq (Sojourners, 9/06). Amendment, but persecuted minori- ❖ ❖ ties such as Baptists who didn’t want “The richest 1% of Americans on “If all you have is a hammer, everything the established churches to impose average pay only 18% of their income looks like a nail.” their views.” in federal taxes, with many corporate Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill), quot- CEOs paying only 3-4%, while the Canterbury, about the best response to ed by columnist E. J. Dionne. rest of us pay an average of 30% of terrorism.. ❖ our income in federal income taxes.” ❖ “If you are not electing Christians [to Bruce Peterson, Sojourners (March, “The constitution says the president public office], then in essence you are 2006). has two choices: either sign the bill or going to legislate sin. . . . the separa- ❖ veto it. And if you sign it you can’t have tion of church and state is a lie we “The average ‘super-rich’ family has your hand behind your back with your have been told to keep religious peo- an average annual income of $9.2 fingers crossed.” ple out of politics.” million. They spend each year nearly Michael Greco, President of the Rep. Katherine Harris (R-Fl), $30,000 on alcohol; $224,000 on American Bar Association respond- Orlando Sentinal. hotels and resorts; $168,000 rent- ing to the ABA’s resolution condemning ❖ ing a villa; $147,000 on watches; President Bush’s written exceptions to “Our greatest fear is that politi- $117,000 on clothes; $248,000 on 800 bills, more than all previous presi- cians today are trying to make use of jewelry; $226,000 on cars and boats; dents combined. Christianity for their own purposes. $404,000 on yacht rentals; and ❖ . . . They have forgotten Jesus came $542,000 on home improvements.” “I have never heard a sermon from not to save a country, but to save the Dow Jones “Market Watch” which I have not derived some good, entire human race.” (8/22/06). but there have been some near misses.” Lao She, China’s masterful twenti- ❖ Mark Twain. ■ eth-century storyteller. “Agricultural subsidies in the West, ❖ which allocate to every cow the “The insurance payout to the ben- equivalent of $2 per day, could make
$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%":r'"--r The Foy Valentine Memorial Fund—Still Growing!
n July 24, the Dallas Morning seminary professors, church leaders, Juanice DuBose, T. W. and Sue ONews published a one column and concerned laity receive CET! The Downing, Aubrey Ducker, Sarah and half-page story titled, “Friends of cost—an unbelievable $80,000 per James Logan, Donald Dunlap, James Foy keeping dream alive.” The arti- year for five issues. Dunn, Roland Foster, V. C. Garrett, cle began with a picture of President Financial Support Jr., Duane Geiss, Edwin S. Gaustad, Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn, Each year, through the voluntary Glenn Gring, Marvin Harris, Virginia noting they were among the “Friends contributions of almost 600 read- Hendricks, Argye Hillis, Wayne of Foy” supporting the effort to fulfill ers and supporters, our basic bud- Hodge, Barry and Amanda Howard, Foy’s dream of “an endowment large get is met. Some summers it gets Vester Hughes, Martha King, Neal enough to guarantee [the Journal’s] tight. Often in the past, either Foy, Knighton, Matthew Krauss, James A. future.” or a Board Member, or a loyal sup- Langley, James Miller, Bob Mitchell, In the weeks that followed, about porter would call and ask, “How are Mary Kay Mitchell, Darold H. 20 persons who read the article sent in the finances?” And, in the moment Morgan, Mrs. Kenneth Moss, Bill memorial gifts including three gifts of of need a check for $1000, $5,000, Moyers, Charles Murphy, J. Kent $1000, one for $5000 from a lawyer or even more would arrive. Without Newsome, Oz Osborn, Alton Patton, friend in Dallas, and one for $2000 these generous supporters, the Journal Samuel and Annie Pearis, Janet Purvis, from a Baylor classmate now in Sante would not have been published these Herbert Reynolds, Mary Rickenbaker, Fe, NM. In addition, our long-time eleven years. Bettina Sanderford, Frank G. Schwall, supporter David Smith of Houston The Endowment Fund Jr., John Scott, Robert Scrutchins, H. (who made the bell which now rings During the past few years preced- N. Shannon, Elizabeth Sheaf, James at Foy’s Red River cabin), sent a mag- ing his untimely death, Foy often Shields, Harold Simmons, Harold nanimous gift of $25,000 for which expressed to our Board of Directors Simmons Foundation, Jay Skaggs, we give thanks. that we needed some permanent David M. Smith, Jerry P. Smith, The Dream fund to underwrite the budget of the Joseph Smith, Britt Towery, Joe and From the day Foy Valentine found- Journal, probably an endowment. Audra Trull, William Turner, Penny ed Christians Ethics Today in 1995, he The initial $100,000 Memorial Whorton Wells, Wendell Wentz, envisioned an “independent prophetic Gift from Foy’s long-time friend D.D. Westbrook, Yandall Woodfin, voice for Christian ethics” that would Harold Simmons, became the basis Elizabeth Woolverton, and James “inform, inspire, and unify a lively for our present effort to create this Wray. company of individuals . . . working corpus. The purpose of this Foy Our hope and prayer is that this for personal morality and public righ- Valentine Memorial Endowment fund may reach $500,000—inter- teousness.” Fund would be to provide from the est from this amount would provide William Spencer, the editor of interest accrued, financial support almost one-half of our present annual Pricilla Papers (journal of Christians for the publishing of the Journal, as budget of $80,000. Foy wrote with for Biblical Equality ), recently wrote to needed. a fluent pen, a warm heart, and big say, “I thoroughly enjoy your journal. Initial Gifts Total $159,325 dreams. The pen is silent, the heart is I read it from cover to cover the day it To date 84 persons have given still, but the dream lives on. Help us arrives . . . I don’t know how you do it! $159,325. We are grateful for these fulfill Foy’s dream. I struggle to get a fraction of the size initial donors: Jimmy and Linda If you have any questions, please out four times a year. I think you are Allen, Sarah F. Anders, Janis (Henson) call one of our Friends of Foy Valentine in another league.” Arrant, Patsy and Bob Ayres, Truett Committee : Darold Morgan, Co-Chair The Cost Baker, L. B. Berry, Terrell Blodgett, (West)-Patsy Ayers, Doug Dillard, For eleven years now, CET has Florence Box, Paul Brewer, Judy Buckner Fanning, Bob Feather, Bob been sent without charge to anyone Brooks, Mary Burkett, James E. Mitchell, or Herbert Reynolds. David requesting it—as Foy promised, “as Carter, Rosalynn and President Sapp, Co-Chair (East)-Jimmy and long as money and energy permit!” Jimmy Carter, Barbara Chafin, Ross Linda Allen, President Jimmy Carter This month we publish our sixty-first Coggins, Forrest Conklin, Gary and Rosalynn, Ross Coggins, James uninterrupted issue! In 1995, the first Cook, Robert and Margaret Cooper, Dunn, Millard Fuller, Bill Moyers, or issues were sent to a few hundred— H. E. Coty, James Crouch, Mary John Seigenthaler, Sr. ■ today over 5000 ministers, college and Ann Davis, Phoebe Delamarter,
r'"--r$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%": Foy Valentine: A Friend For The Ages By Patrick R. Anderson, CET Board Member -BLFMBOE '-
he first time I met Foy Valentine scient knowledge that gambling, espe- Right Movement. An early casualty of Twas on the telephone. I was in cially state-sponsored gambling was that change was opposition to gam- my faculty office at Louisiana State bad—it was wrong, it was the antith- bling, and we have seen state lotter- University late one afternoon when esis of moral behavior, the opposite of ies, televised poker, casinos, and sports the call came. When he identified what the government should encour- betting spread like wildfire. himself I knew the name, remember- age. The change was tragic for Foy, and ing his valiant leadership of Southern Our friendship lived beyond the for his friends. We talked about it often Baptists during the turbulent Civil gambling fights and his retirement at various board meetings, CBF gather- Rights Movement era. I could not from Southern Baptist life. His retire- ings, and on the telephone. I loved to imagine why he had called a criminol- ment marked a terrible transition in talk with him on the phone. His soft ogist like me, and I could not imagine Southern Baptist life. He had led the East Texas twang and his rich humor how he got my name and number. I Christian Life Commission to assist made every conversation a pure delight. was not at all involved in Baptist life Southern Baptists to espouse the very I encouraged him to publish in book at that time, but I remember feeling best in moral and ethical behavior, form his recent writings in the journal honored to receive a call from some- addressing the pressing issues of race, he founded, Christian Ethics Today , and one so important. poverty, war, and gambling. He under- when that book was produced he was He told me that my pastor, Doug stood Baptist principles, especially a pleased as punch. If you do not have Cheatham, had given him my name the separation of church and state. that book, order one through www. with a suggestion that if he ever need- When he retired, or more accurately ChristianEthicsToday.com. ed a criminologist at the CLC to give when he was pushed out of the way, I really miss Foy Valentine. I wish I me a call. So, I asked, “What do you Southern Baptists watched as the SBC had called him more often, talked lon- need a criminologist for?” He replied, leaders changed the CLC into a parti- ger, laughed more. He was one great “Do you know anything about gam- san, political member of the Religious man, one great Baptist. ■ bling?” I said, “Well, I know a full house from a straight. What do you want to know?” We both enjoyed the moment, and I believe from that first conversation we became friends. NOTE: Out of that conversation came a Foy Valentine’s final book, “Whatsoever grant for me to study the impact of legalized gambling on crime and other Things Are Lovely ,” is available as a gift to new social problems. I worked with Larry Braidfoot in the CLC office to use the subscribers or to anyone contributing $50 to the scientific data to make the case against the expansion of legalized gambling in budget of Christian Ethics Today —Foy printed at America. I became a strong opponent of the gambling industry, and Foy his own expense extra copies to raise funds for the Valentine’s Christian Life Commission led the fight against the gambling Journal. Multiple copies may also be ordered. industry’s intrusion in our society, a hard-fought fight largely lost. He used Previous book offers—Homely Joys by Henlee to laugh and say, “Doc, you never lost a debate and never won an election!” and Jim Barnette, and Putting Women in Their Place Foy was ahead of the curve, ahead of his time. He saw years before the by Audra and Joe Trull (contributors and compilers) first legalized lottery in America the terrible potential for harm legalized may also be ordered. Contact us for details. gambling posed. I caught up with his intuitive antipathy for gambling after my study, but I agreed with his pre-
$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%":r'"--r Henlee Barnette: Prophetic Practitioner By Larry L. McSwain, Professor of Ethics and Leadership .D"GFF4DIPPMPG5IFPMPHZ "UMBOUB (FPSHJB
Note: This speech was delivered at at Southern Seminary for graduate change my life. the Baptist Center for Ethics lun- study to learn more from this pro- There is so much to say about this cheon during the Cooperative Baptist phetic practitioner. But that was never man. He was deceptive. He could sit Fellowship meeting on June 22, 2006, to be. When I arrived at Southern and quietly in a graduate colloquium, seem- in Atlanta, GA. discovered he had a full contingent of ing to rest his eyes as students presented Ph.D. students, providence would lead their papers, only to lift his head at a enlee Barnette spent more than me to study with Nolan Howington salient point to interject what Martin Hseventy of his life seeking to com- and Willis Bennett instead. But during Luther, Paul Ramsay, Emilé Brunner, municate and demonstrate the ethical that first year he asked me to serve as or Paul Tillich might offer on the sub- imperatives of the gospel to parishio- his Garrett Fellow, grading the papers ject. He was ever the gentle nurturer of ners, students, and the larger scholarly for his M.Div. course in Christian scholarly thought in a non-threatening world. It did not matter very much Ethics. So I sat in the course and and affirming manner. where Henlee was—starting a new watched and learned. What emerged His lectures were a mix of thought- church in Kannapolis, NC as a new was a mentorship in Christian ethics, ful historical insights from the thinkers convert; serving rural immigrants in especially civil rights, for which I shall of the church to plain stories of action the Haymarket neighborhood of inner ever be grateful. by a North Carolina mill worker, or city Louisville as pastor/superintendent He was not only a teacher. He Clarence Jordan at Koinonia Farms, or of the Union Gospel Mission; help- was an activist. The next year he gave a local politician, or a Black pastor in ing start the first inner-racial pastor’s my name to Willie Holmes, presi- the city. He seemed to know them all. conference in Birmingham, AL in the dent of Simmons University Bible There are two primary values that 1940s; teaching thousands of students College, who employed me to teach shaped the man. The first was the in Howard College, Stetson University, Introduction to Christian Ethics , my prophetic consciousness of the Old and Southern Seminary; or writing first venture in teaching. Through Testament prophets and Jesus, the understandable books that translated that experience I met many won- bearer of the Kingdom. Henlee had the foundational principles of the bibli- derful people, including Emmanuel indomitable courage and it led him to cal story into ideas that would work in and Marie McCall who walked my study beyond his background, chal- the modern world. wife Sue and me from a Simmons lenge the conventional in church and Whether it was Communism, basic Baccalaureate event during the H. society, and risk rejection for the cause Christian ethics, ecology, Clarence Rap Brown riots in Louisville to our of truth. He never seemed to me to be Jordan, or the dilemmas posed by car the month before she would deliv- bothered in the least by those who dis- situation ethics or the technologies of er our first child. agreed with him. Prophets have to have medicine, Henlee had a way of speak- When the City Council in an inordinate ability to sleep at night ing truth to power in ways that were Louisville was debating open housing and that was true for Henlee. He always clear and workable. Henlee never lost ordinances he asked me to go to the responded to his critics who wrote to his Appalachian roots, even when com- demonstrations outside City Hall and him, usually in a humorous vein. I municating the insights of Luther, my eyes were opened. I was nervous remember specifically his letter to the Brunner, Fletcher, Tillich, or James as the police barricaded us from enter- Baptist layman who wrote complaining Luther Adams. ing City Hall, only to have the press of the use of his Cooperative Program gifts I first met Henlee Barnette by read- the crowd break through the doors. I to support Barnette. Henlee promply ing his Introducing Christian Ethics 1 as was certain we would be arrested, but looked up the record of his church’s giv- my textbook in the first class in ethics I Henlee just laughed. He called one eve- ing and responding with a letter offer- took with Bill Pinson at Southwestern ning in March 1968 to tell me Martin ing to refund his investment that year. Baptist Theological Seminary. I was Luther King, Jr. would be preaching He enclosed a dime in the letter! captured by the power of his ability to at West Chestnut Baptist Church the The second vale that guided him state the prophetic vision of Scripture next evening. I went, listened, was was a maxim he lived by, a quote by in ways that made sense in the prac- inspired, and marched the streets of Sir Roger de Coverly he learned in ticalities of the social agendas of the Louisville that night as we sang “We the fifth grade, “There is much to be world in which we lived in the 1960s. Shall Overcome.” I shall ever be grate- said on both sides of every question.” Reading it made me want to know ful for his thoughtfulness in making a He was a pragmatic prophet, never liv- him and work with him. So I applied call to a graduate student that would ing in the ivory tower, but constantly
r'"--r$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%": seeking to apply the prophetic message ous story of his life and work .2 All you our culture in institutions supported to the realities and complexities of real have to do to get the rest of the story is by the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, life, whether in the corridors of Norton read it in his own words. we risk losing an emerging generation Hospital, the hallways of City Hall, the I want to close today with a ques- that knows little more than the names sanctuary of the church, or the minds of tion for all of us. “What will happen to of these giants of social consciousness. students in a seminary classroom. the great tradition of twentieth century Some of these institutions of support John Claypool was Henlee’s pastor Baptist social ethics in the Twenty-first are non-Baptist settings where there is a and loved to tell stories about him around Century? 3 When you study this tradi- strong social consciousness, and Baptist the lunch table at McAfee. He never tion, the great contribution of Baptists students receive scholarship support. laughed more than when he described to the world has not been our theology. Do they understand their Baptist social riding with Henlee on the airplane to We have had good theologians. But it is tradition? Others are new and relatively the Christian Life Commission meeting the ethicists among us who stand out— small seminaries which cannot yet sup- in Atlanta where Henlee would debate after all we are meeting in a state that port full time faculty in ethics. A few do Joseph Fletcher on situation ethics. Ever produced two Baptist Nobel Peace prize not even require a course in Christian serious, John said to Henlee, “Henlee, winners—Martin Luther King, Jr. and Ethics, a genuine tragedy for the future don’t you think paradox is probably the Jimmy Carter. of our churches. most important theological category for Look carefully at the Baptists who Our time is short. Our resources are making sense of reality?” True to form, made a difference, and with one or limited. But with resolve and commit- remembering his childhood teacher two exceptions, they were formed in ment, we must rebuild a tradition that de Coverly, he thought for a moment, their prophetic consciousness by theo- made a difference, not only in America smiled with that mill worker’s twinkle logical education. Whether Rochester but the world, as a “light set on a hill” of his, looked at John and said, “Yes” . . Theological Seminary for Walter that the good news of Jesus Christ is a . and “No.” Then he roared with laugh- Rauschenbusch and Howard Thurman, message that transforms both individu- ter. That was Henlee Hulix Barnette. Crozier Theological Seminary for Martin als and the social and political systems The last conversation I had with King and Martin England, Southwestern of this world with justice, mercy and him was about a year before he died. I Baptist Theological Seminary for T. B. peace. The best honor we can give these called on the telephone to see how he Maston, Foy Valentine, Jimmy Allen, men and women of the past is to build was. Henelee had been to a banquet the James Dunn, Bill Pinson, Bill Moyers, on what they taught with a twenty first night before to receive an award at the Joe Trull, Bill Tillman and a host of oth- century Christian ethic that is shaped by Union Gospel Mission, where he had ers, or Southern Baptist Theological free and faithful Baptists. ■ served in the Haymarket. He was sched- Seminary for J.B. Weatherspoon, O. uled that night for another social event. T. Binkley, Clarence Jordan, Henlee 1 Henlee H. Barnette, Introducing I inquired about what he was writ- Barnette, G. Willis Bennett, Paul Christian Ethics (Nashville: ing. His first response was, “Whatever is Simmons, Anne Davis, Glen Stassen Broadman Press, 1961). The book making me mad today.” Then growing and a host of others, it was seminaries has been translated into several lan- more serious he said, “I am spending that shaped the prophetic consciousness guages and is still in print! most of my time writing my memoirs of this generation. 2 Henlee Hulix Barnette , A Pilgrimage for my children, but they aren’t worth That consciousness can no lon- of Faith: My Story ( Macon: Mercer publishing.” Well they were worth pub- ger be found in the six seminaries of University Press, 2004). lishing and we should all be grateful a denomination more committed to 3 See the forthcoming Larry L. to Walter Shurden, Center for Baptist affirming a culture of consumerism, McSwain and W. Loyd Allen, edi- Studies, and Marc Jolley at Mercer so-called just war, and right wing poli- tors, Twentieth Century Shapers of University Press for convincing him to tics. Unless we build a new tradition of Baptist Social Ethics (Macon: Mercer allow the rest of us to read the wonder- prophetic consciousness that challenges University Press, 2008).
$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%":r'"--r The Path of Most Resistance By J. Bradley Creed, Provost 4BNGPSE6OJWFSTJUZ #JSNJOHIBN "-
Note: This address was delivered at labor-saving device, had suddenly of the first semester, you came back the Spring Convocation of Samford made his life more difficult, not easier. to school, and you want things to be on January 26, 2006. The easy way is not always the best a little easier than they were last fall. way. Sometimes it is better to travel Some of you seniors are running down The thrust of human ingenuity down the rocky road of most resis- the home stretch. You are far enough and innovation is to make life easier, tance instead of venturing down the along in your academic progression to from the wheel to the microchip, path of least resistance. see the light at the end of the tunnel from the printing press to penicillin. This was the insight that an Army and to realize that the light is not an It is hard to imagine life without air Psychiatrist achieved after observing approaching train. You have worked conditioning, microwave ovens, iPods, and working with his patients over a hard, and, if at all possible, you would cellular phones, ATMs, and flush toi- number of years. He concluded that like to “enjoy” your last semester with lets. (Everyone here can remember a taking the easy way out was the cause few obstacles and difficulties. So, this time when at least one of those inven- of much mental anguish. He put it is an odd request, but in making it, I tions did not exist, and there are even this way: “Neurosis is a bad substitute offer the possibility that by traveling a few people here who can remember for legitimate suffering.” What did the path of most resistance, you will a time when none of those inventions he mean by this? We humans invite experience growth, new awareness, existed.) You could do without them, unnecessary suffering into our lives and even a sense of meaning and pur- if you had to, but you wouldn’t want by avoiding the truth about ourselves, pose that you would not know by tak- to, would you? even when that truth is difficult to ing the easy way out. Fifteen years ago, personal com- accept. Denial might temporarily cut Travel the path of most resistance puters were novelties. Now they are you some slack, but in the long run, it in you educational experience. necessities, but has the computer is devastating to your health and well- This spring, as you are devising really made your life easier? Haven’t being. Conversely, he also concluded, your course schedule for next fall and there been times when you wanted to once we engage the truth about our- visit the website ratemyprofessors.com, turn your printer into a boat anchor selves, as ugly and disturbing as it this time choose the professor who has or use your hard drive for target prac- might be—our phobias, addictions, the reputation for being the hardest tice? That’s how a Methodist pastor dysfunctions, and character flaws— instead of the one who gets the kudos from Florida felt when he was con- and face squarely the inevitability of for being the most popular. ducting a funeral service for a member suffering in this life, that life is hard, Think about taking a course that of his church. He used his computer then we are on the road back to health. really stretches you—one that is out- in preparing sermons and litanies for Once we deal with reality, we start to side your major, or a course that you the congregation to read during the get better. So the way to health and don’t think that you would like, or a funeral in order to make the service wholeness is a path of most resistance, course that will challenge your view- more personal. The last funeral service it is taking a journey down the road points, or a course covering a subject he conducted was for a woman named less traveled. This Army psychiatrist that you just don’t understand. For Mary. The upcoming funeral was for put his thoughts and findings into a me, this would be calculus. Sign up a woman named Edna. He gave the book, and for fifteen years, The Road for a course that you know will not computer the command to search for Less Traveled by Scott Peck remained automatically result in your earning the word “Mary” and replace it with at the top of the New York Times an “easy A.” the word “Edna.” Spell check never bestseller list. Take advantage of opportunities to catches all of your mistakes, does At the beginning of a new semes- put yourself in a social or cultural set- it? But during the funeral for Edna, ter and calendar year, I am making an ting that is unlike your own or with everyone realized the limitations of the unpopular request of you. Instead of people who in some way are different computer when the congregation read asking you to live your life in a way than you are. Do study abroad before in unison these words to the Apostles’ that will be easier, less problematic, you leave here. Find a research or ser- Creed: “I believe in Jesus Christ, His or more comfortable, I am asking you vice-learning project that takes you to only Son, Our Lord, who was con- to consider making your life more places where people live on the mar- ceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the difficult. That’s exactly what you gins of life, whether that is in an urban Virgin Edna.” wanted to hear, wasn’t it? You fresh- area with its manifold challenges or in The computer, this remarkable men have passed the crucial milestone a rural area. It may not be easy, but it
r'"--r$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%": could end up being one of the high- your position even more firmly. Why missteps of the church, for siding with lights of your educational experience. do this? Because this is the essence of the rich instead of the poor, for not Thomas Paine said: “That which we an education - walking down a path in treating the creation as a good gift from obtain too easily, we esteem too light- which you are willing to examine your God, for forging compromising politi- ly.” He stated this concerning liberty viewpoints critically and the viewpoints cal alliances, for the church’s episodes and freedom. It is also true of educa- of others openly. You might change of racism and sexism, for speaking out tion. your position, but even if you don’t, by when it should have shut up and for Travel the path of most resistance going through this exercise, you will being strangely silent when a prophetic in how you deal with others. experience growth and become a more word needed to be heard. Now that’s Listen more and speak less, espe- educated person. It won’t be easy, but a path of most resistance! The effect cially if you are a talkative person, it will be worth it. was remarkable. On that campus, the and you know who you are. Find Practice humility and openness. I Christian faith became a more accept- someone who holds a contrary posi- just finished reading a book that many able topic of conversation. Some were tion on a controversial subject such as of you recommended to me, Blue even persuaded that the Christian faith the death penalty. Have as your goal Like Jazz by Donald Miller. He sub- should be their faith. to understand that person’s position titles his work Nonreligious Thoughts Work for reconciliation and under- and engage in active listening. If you on Christian Spirituality, and they are, standing. To do so will mean that you don’t know how to do that, one of the and I found them refreshing. The most must learn to forgive those who have professors in Communication Studies memorable vignette in the book to wronged you and who have brought will be glad to coach you. Listen to me is when Miller set up a confession injustice and suffering into this world. that viewpoint. Ask questions that will booth on the campus of Reed College I have just returned from leading a lead to understanding and prompt in Portland, Oregon, where he was conference in which I had the privilege the other person to clarify and hone auditing classes. To put it mildly, Reed of working with some remarkable men her position, repeat the person’s state- College is very different from Samford who comprise the Canadian band, ments in your own words, and when University. Some accepted patterns of Krystaal. The last few days have been a you are through, say “thank you,” and behavior at Reed are called “values vio- powerful learning experience for me as walk away without shooting down her lations” on our campus. I developed a friendship with Michel, position or pasting on her a label. And Miller’s confession booth wasn’t Fabian, and Aliston Lwamba and lis- then, only after you have engaged in what people thought that it was going tened to their story. active listening, think about your own to be. Instead of encouraging students These three brothers are originally position, clarify the arguments you to fess up, spill their guts, and admit from the Democratic Republic of the would make if given the opportunity how immoral or spiritually misguid- Congo, formerly Zaire. They grew that you just gave someone else. The ed they were, Miller and his friends up as members of a royal family in result might be that you aren’t so sure confessed the sins of the church and the Bangu-Bangu tribe of the Bantu about what you believe anymore, or Christianity. They apologized and peoples. Their grandfather was a king, you might discover that you believe in expressed remorse for the historical their father was a king, and Michel,
$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%":r'"--r the oldest of the brothers, was des- mally received. Having enough water are reasons why we should be con- tined to be the king of his people. to drink meant walking two miles one cerned about the future of our nation, Culturally Muslim but not particular- way in 110 degree heat each day. the environment, and the fate of the ly observant, they nevertheless learned Michel Lwamba was a man who world. from their father the importance of had been destined to be a king. Now, David Brooks wrote a column in truth, justice, and honor. Michel and he was struggling to stay alive in one the New York Times last December Fabian both studied political science of the most God-forsaken places on entitled, “The Age of Skepticism,” at Lubumbashi University and were earth. But, as the brothers both dis- and then he proceeded to support active in student reform movements covered, God was there, and they the theme of the article by morosely that protested the harsh and inhu- found in Christ a reason and will surveying the national scene. U.S. mane policies of President Mobutu to live. Michel and Aliston started citizens’ attitudes are down because Sese Seko. In May of 1989, Mobutu singing every night to bring hope to of the war in Iraq, partisan politics, sent his feared personal security force the inhabitants of the refugee camp. corrupt lobbyists, lack of confidence into the university compound at night. People would sometimes report to in the leadership of this country, lack These death squad soldiers cut off all them the next day that they had of faith that we can solve problems, of the electricity and locked the gates planned to take their own lives during lack of resolve to rebuild New Orleans of the university compound so that no the night until they heard the brothers after Katrina, frustration that we can’t one could escape. What ensued during singing their songs of hope. seem to forge an alternative energy the night was a massacre so grisly and Through a miraculous series of policy built upon rationality, sustain- brutal, it would be inappropriate to events, the Lwambas were reunited ability, and conservation, and a sense describe the carnage that these young in Canada and founded the group, of helplessness ultimately in defending men witnessed. Michel and Fabian Krystaal, for the purpose of singing our country against another terrorist both escaped but were separated dur- music that would bring hope, faith, attack. And the list of downers goes ing the melee. Michel made his way healing, and reconciliation. This past on. Brooks is predictably conservative home in time to gather his 13-year old summer, they held a concert in Nairobi in his opinions, but a cursory review brother, Aliston, his 16-year old sister, singing to an audience of over a hun- of other columns, both left and right, Gisele, and his 2-year old daughter. dred thousand people. They have won yields the same skeptical and some- He could not find his wife Betty any- major music awards in Canada, and what despairing tone. where. this past year performed with Celine Martin Marty of the University of The 1989 student massacre in Dion and Brian Adams at the Tsunami Chicago reports these same findings as Lubumbashi for many months was relief concert. They are bringing atten- he travels far and wide conversing and only a rumor to the rest of the world, tion to a part of the world that is often responding to questions about reli- occasionally mentioned through the overlooked because it offers very little gion. People are as down about their BBC and Canadian broadcasting. For political or economic advantage to the churches, denominations, and the Michel, Fabian, and Aliston Lwamba, West. They are going back to Africa state of religion as Brooks is about the it was a grim reality that marked the this summer—to Uganda, Barundi, national scene. beginning of an incredible saga that Rwanda, and Kenya—to sing songs But Marty the historian also changed their lives forever. For the of hope with a native beat and indig- sounds a note of encouragement. next five years, these brothers, believ- enous tunes, and to bring light to If the national mood is down, this ing the other family members to be people who are being destroyed in the doesn’t mean that we are out. There dead, struggled to survive the brutali- darkness of tribal warfare, genocide, are reasons for hope. It is way too soon ties of refugee camps in Northwestern poverty, and AIDS. That is what the to assert that we might be entering Kenya along the border of Sudan. Swahili word “Krystaal” means—the another “Dark Ages,” but even if we There was disease, extreme weather light of Christ. concede that as a possibility, we might conditions, and daily violence to con- Travel the path of most resistance profit from taking the approach of tend with. Starvation was a constant with hope. the Benedictine monks at the begin- threat. Twice a month, United Nations In an age of skepticism, give hope ning of the other “Dark Ages.” Keep trucks brought food to the remote a chance. In many ways, it is easier to the lights on, the prayers ascending, sites. If Michel were able to contend be a skeptic and a cynic. It is less of the community a refuge against forces with the fighting that took place in a hassle to criticize others about their that must be resisted, and the books the food lines, he received two cups of naïve beliefs and false optimism than open so that learning can happen and beans, 1 cup of rice, and a small por- to find a reason to be hopeful. I read hope can have a chance. I can think of tion of salt. That had to last for two the papers and listen to the news, so no better antidote to skepticism. weeks. Sometimes the trucks were I’m well aware of what is going on in So, go ahead, travel the path of robbed or hijacked, and the refugees the world. There is convincing evi- most resistance. It won’t be easy. But if had to live on half of what they nor- dence that we are in trouble, and there it were easy, anyone could do it. ■
r'"--r$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%": Can We Just Talk? By L. Dianne King #SFNFO ("
don’t know much about war. And could stretch the point to explain our drugs and the war on poverty, than it I I’m certainly no foreign policy involvement in Korea and Viet Nam. is to any of the conventional wars we wonk. I don’t even have a degree in Even the first Gulf War was an engage- have fought. The “enemy” is nebu- political science. So maybe I don’t ment to keep our friend (and oil sup- lous—he has no government authority, have much to contribute to the discus- plier) safe and free from Saddam. no ambassador to eject from the U.S. sion of American policy toward Iraq, The terminology of war became Also, this enemy persists in pockets Iran, the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict, or fuzzy when one president declared a of disaffected young people who may North Korea. war on poverty, and another a war on live in most any country in the world, I do, however, have some consid- drugs. Fine sentiments, but there was as was the case with the British plot. I erable expertise in human relations. no nation-state against whom to war, hope we don’t plan to attack England With a Ph.D. in Counseling and 25 just a nebulous social problem that to try and ferret out those terrorists! years of experience working with col- needed to be solved. And to date, we I did have a point when I started lege students, I dare say that I know have not made particularly good prog- this, so let me get to it. The watchword a thing or two about people and how ress in these wars. since 9/11 has been that we do not talk they respond to one another. That said, Now we are at war in Afghanistan with terrorists, with nations we believe I am going to jump into the discussion and Iraq. Afghanistan made sense, sponsor terrorism, or with nations who about what is going on in the world since we were certain that the 9/11 ter- won’t do what we tell them to do when today, and our government’s actions rorists, or at least their ilk, were trained we tell them to do it. Interesting strat- and reactions thereto. in Afghanistan. The war with Iraq is egy, but I believe it is flawed. Our leaders (of all stripes) declare one we started, because we thought At present Kim Jung Il is, we that we are at war. We certainly have they might have weapons of mass believe, sitting on a few nukes with- lots of troops deployed and rattle our destruction, and besides, we didn’t out the capacity to send them very far, sabers quite a bit. And our nation and like Saddam Hussein. (No one seems though he seems to be working toward the nations of our allies have been to want to talk about that unfortunate that end. In an effort to not “reward” attacked. However, it is not sovereign picture of Donald Rumsfeld shaking his bad behavior, we have him in an nations attacking. The terrorists that hands with Saddam when we were extended international “time out.” No struck us most blatantly on 9/11/01 encouraging his war with Iran.) talking until you decide to do what Uncle were not sponsored by any nation. Most recently, British officials Sam told you to do . They may have been encouraged, sup- thwarted a plan to blow up at least We are beside ourselves because ported, and supplied by a state, but ten jet liners flying into the U.S. And Iran insists on developing nuclear they were not acting on behalf of any we pussy-foot and supply Israel with capacity. We will send the European state. weapons so they can destroy much of Union as our surrogate to try and bully War used to be solid, something the nation of Lebanon in their under- them into obedience, but we won’t talk one could wrap one’s mind and hands standable desire to defeat the terrorist with them, which leaves us in a mess around. A nation attacked us or our organization Hezbollah. with the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict. allies, and we responded. That made It seems to me that the war on We refuse to talk with Iran, who we sense in the two world wars. And we terrorism is more akin to the war on believe supplies Hezbollah with weap-
$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%":r'"--r ons, and we refuse to talk with Syria, say about us in terms of morality? rightly label their behavior childish, because we believe it backs Hezbollah. No, I do not want to send the ter- selfish, and unproductive. We may be entirely right about these rorists to therapy. But it strikes me as In my years of working with stu- two nations encouraging and assisting a strategic as well as a moral advantage dents and experiencing various con- Hezbollah in its terroristic behavior. to let them have their say. Isn’t that flicts, the first question I always asked But what do we achieve by refusing to what they are trying to do with their was, “Have you talked with this per- talk? bombs? son about the problem yet?” Current events leave one wonder- I am sure that I am quite naïve Talking is often difficult, frequent- ing whether there may indeed be an all about world affairs. Certainly we can- ly painful, and it doesn’t always solve out conflagration between Muslim and not sit by without any response if oth- the problem. But failing to talk has no Arab countries, Israel, and the West (I ers harm us. But I cannot see any way solution and only leads to continued am not predicting Armageddon, just to reach peace if we continue to act conflict or to a relationship destroyed a huge and hurtful war). The presi- warlike. I do not suggest that we lay and replaced by a huge, empty gulf. As dent says that the terrorists hate our down arms, never to pick them up someone who has spent her years help- freedom. I think they hate our heavy- again (although that would be a won- ing sort out roommate conflicts and handedness in the affairs of their col- derful world), but is it really necessary parent/student difficulties, I know. Is lective lives over centuries past. to put up the most basic barrier—the it possible this also applies to world I cannot begin to explicate the refusal to communicate—between peace? reasons for all this turmoil over all ourselves and those who have a beef If I could, I would say on behalf of these years. And I can only begin to with us, and with whom we have a the United States to all those involved speculate on the current motivation of beef? If a husband and wife, or broth- in conflict in the world, “Can we just young men and women to give their er and sister, or pair of college room- talk?” What could it hurt? And what if own lives for the purpose of hurt- mates, took this approach, we would it helped? ■ ing Americans and other Westerners. But one thing I know. We will never understand it, and never diffuse this Being An Oxymoron: A Liberal Evangelical vitriol, unless we LISTEN to the peo- (continued from page 2) ple who are motivating and motivated to do this. with the People’s Republic of China the national debt. If there are people who believe, as being the major party picking up our The Bible speaks more about jus- they profess, that their goal is to rid loans. The communists will not have tice that it does about anything else— the world of Israel and the United to bury us, as Khrushchev had hoped. except for love. But in the end, justice States, how did they get there? Is this Soon they will own us! is nothing more than love turned into what they really want, or would they It has been said that the difference social policies. It is my own commit- settle for something less, something between a politician and a states- ment to justice, inadequate though we might even be willing to do? What man is that the politician looks to it might be, that makes me the kind if they just want an apology and for the next election while the statesman of person I am. To that end this us to keep our nose out of their lives? looks to the next generation. Given Evangelical is more than willing to be Regardless, do we really think we can that assessment, we have an absence labeled a social liberal, even if it does kill them all and then have a peaceful of statesmen and stateswomen in make me a living oxymoron. ■ world? If we could, what would that Washington, D.C. when it comes to
r'"--r$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%": Religion and Government: A New Model Needed?
By David Sapp, Senior Pastor 4FDPOE1PODFEF-FPO#BQUJTU$IVSDI "UMBOUB (FPSHJB
Note: This article is based on a speech Tensions between the state and historical reflection might help to clari- delivered on July 6, 2004, at the Oxford the schools have been high as well. fy what I mean. Roundtable Conference at Oxford Paranoid U.S. school administrators History University. have often misunderstood and over- Throughout history, there have been administered government policies only two basic models for the relation- hen I wrote my doctoral disser- about religion. Private schools have ship between religious and governmen- Wtation on religion and politics often been at odds with the govern- tal establishments. These are theocracy thirty years ago, there was in the United ment over civil rights issues. A host of and church-state separation. These two States no Moral Majority, no Christian constituencies have been rankled by models define the parameters of pos- Coalition, no Religious Right, and no issues relating to government funding sible church-state relations. Either sense that Christians could vote only of religious education. church and state operate in a unity or for one particular political party and The issues have been many; the ten- they operate separately. A given model remain true to their faith. I am not sions have been high; and the results may fall between these two extremes, really sure what I wrote about. have been dramatic. Reactions such as but as long as church and state exist, no Today, the landscape is greatly the private school movement and the model can logically fall outside them. altered, and there is much to write home-school movement have literally Theocracy. Theocracy has been the about. Tensions between religion, gov- changed the face of American educa- dominant model for homogenous, ernment, and education have risen to a tion. Differences of opinion about tribal, and insulated societies. It devel- fevered pitch. these matters have sharply divided the oped in these cultures for a variety of The tension between the govern- population. reasons. ment and the religious establishment, What is threatened, of course, is cul- First, in homogenous cultures, for example, has reached such a point tural unity. The importance of cultural most people shared a common reli- that the Supreme Court of the United unity is easily dismissed by many who gious faith. This shared faith provided a States has found its docket filled with believe that they are pursuing truth that strong level of social cohesion and pro- church-state matters year after year is so important that it the unity of the vided a natural foundation on which after year. The issues have been myriad: culture is a secondary concern, and cer- the earliest governments could be built. Is prayer permitted in the schools? Is tainly we must remember that there are Theocracies were logical outgrowths of a display of the Ten Commandments times when unity must be sacrificed for this arrangement. permissible in public buildings? May the sake of truth, and certainly for the Second, governments needed the public funds to be used to for private, sake of justice. kind of validation that could only be religious schools? May public funds At the same time, it is true that given by religion. Early on, brute force be used to provide scholarships for cultural unity is itself a spiritual value. proved inadequate to sustain a govern- students preparing for the clergy? Are Even when that unity must be shat- ment over time. When Moses descended prayers at school events such as ball- tered for the reign of justice, it must be from a mountain holding command- games or graduations permissible? How re-established after the crisis subsides. ments from God in his hands, however, far can churches go in their efforts to Otherwise, there can be no stable soci- he had in his hands the power to estab- influence government decisions and ety and no ongoing free exercise of lish a government. How could such a still maintain their tax exemption? The religion. government have been anything other list goes on and on. Society of course must resolve than a theocracy? Or, examine the tensions between these issues that threaten its unity, but Third, religion was a key factor religious establishments and the schools. before any more attempts are made at that established the social boundaries Those tensions also have been on the resolution, it would be well to make an of groups and made them governable. increase. They have arisen over such attempt at understanding. Why have Remember that we commonly speak of issues as evolution, creationism, censor- the tensions risen so high in recent “the Roman gods, the Greek gods, the ship, the wearing of religious symbols, years? What has prompted so many Hebrew God, the Egyptian gods,” and and race, to name just a few. This very in my own Baptist tradition to switch so on. Early religions belonged to places. summer there was a serious effort at the sides in the church-state debate? I From the beginning, religion has been Southern Baptist Convention to pass believe that a part of the answer lies in a defining factor for cultures. Religion a resolution urging families to remove the rapid increase in our lifetimes of the provided a sense of “us-ness” that dif- their children from the public schools. interaction between cultures. A bit of ferentiated one culture or society from
$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%":r'"--r another to form governable units. This The logical first effort at solving the tribution to Western civilization. was another factor that made theocracy problem of diversity was syncretism, The advantages of church-state the logical way to organize a society. the effort to blend religions. Often, separation were obvious to the first Fourth, government and religion however, syncretism had disastrous societies that adopted them. Religious had overlapping areas of concern. This results. The infamous case of Ahab and groups did not compete to dominate made it only natural for them to grow Jezebel serves well to illustrate. With the government, and so a much higher in the same pot. Both religion and their own inter-cultural marriage in degree of social harmony became possi- government conveyed values, and in place in the palace, and with a blended ble. And when government ceased sub- homogeneous societies, there was little culture emerging in the nation, Ahab jugating religion for its own purposes, conflict about what those values were. and Jezebel sought to unite the dispa- then faith was set free to grow and to Normally, they were defined by the rate groups by incorporating elements thrive. Church-state separation at last dominant religion and implemented of Baal worship into the religious provided a model in which religion and by the government. The union, or near practices of Israel. The result, as we government could coexist amicably union, of religious and governmental all know, was the ignominious end of without constant wars over religion. establishments developed easily. their reign. Still, there was a major problem. Education posed few problems in While one would not normally The societies that adopted church-state such a culture. Normally, it was car- want to hazard a defense of Jezebel, it separation continued to need the social ried out by the religious establishment. is probable that her intention was not cohesion that had previously been pro- There was no distinction between reli- evil in her own mind. Most likely, she vided by religion, and they continued gious and secular education because and her husband were seeking to estab- to need the validation of their author- there was no distinction between sacred lish cultural unity and bolster social ity that had been provided by religion. and secular in any realm of life. cohesion. The experiment, however, The solution to this problem was found Over time, of course, theocracies did not work. It did not work because in the establishment of what has come have tended to go out of style. There are religion was not merely a cultural force. to be called “civil religion.” still theocracies in the world, of course, Religion represents something larger Civil Religion. Largely unrecognized but they are clearly on the wane. The than culture, something that opens the until recent decades, civil religion is a ones that remain tend to exist either door to an eternal dimension. People loose amalgamation of the commonly in form only (as in the state churches do not compromise this for the sake agreed upon religious tenets of a given of Europe), or in homogenous and of social unity. For this reason, if for culture. In the United States, civil reli- insulated cultures where they serve the no other, engineering religious change gion has provided a measure of social very important function of reinforcing has always been a dangerous and often cohesion and had to a degree validated efforts to ward off intruding cultures futile undertaking. the authority of the government. and maintain historic identities (as in Ultimately, the solution to these This is why many Americans desire much of the Muslim world). The long problems was found in the separa- a strong patriotic element in their sweep of history, which breaks down tion of church and state. This model Independence Day worship services. cultural boundaries, would seem to for the first time accommodated They long for the affirmation that indicate that theocracy has a limited diverse religions living together under their religion can give to their govern- future. a single government. My own Baptist ment. Many clergy, on the other hand, Separation of Church and State. forebears, as members of a persecuted are resistant to these patriotic dis- Theocracies began to fail when mul- minority, were among its early cham- plays. They believe that a religion that tiple religions came to exist under one pions in both England and the United endorses government is nothing more government. In other words, increas- States. As a matter of fact, church-state than civil religion, and is less than the ing cultural diversity rendered theoc- separation has frequently been called full Christian faith, which can never be racy obsolete. the single most significant Baptist con- reduced to nationalism.
r'"--r$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%": Many people refer to civil religion One of the strongest factors influenc- terious land. She is a neighbor living in disparagingly as a “lowest common ing the tension over church-state issues the house next door. A Muslim is not a denominator faith.” Civil religion is in our time is the unprecedented inter- pagan in “far-off Araby,” but a co-work- expressed through such means as pub- cultural mix of the 21st century world. er in the next office. A Hindu is not an lic prayers, generic references to the Oddly perhaps, it was the mix of cul- emaciated man behind an emaciated divine, and the devotional thoughts tures that first gave rise to church-state cow in a picture from India. He is my offered at public ceremonies. While separation, and it is the mix of cultures classmate. The very perception created it certainly has its difficulties, chief that is placing stress on it today. Many by the new presence of these religions is among them the tendency to identify of us experience this intermingling of a dramatic new element in our culture. faith with nationalism, civil religion cultures most markedly in the presence Furthermore, anyone who is awake does enable many religiously diverse of heretofore un-experienced religions. has noticed that, in addition to many people to share a basic level of religious What has changed in the debate more religious groups living in prox- expression. about civil religion and church-state imity to one another, many more The practice of civil religion has separation is that the world has reached cultural groups do as well. When the become increasingly difficult in our a new level of cultural diversity. To this first Cuban moved into my neighbor- time. Many, if not most, of our church- point, the terms society and culture hood when I was a child, I knew no state tensions revolve around civil reli- have been used inter-changeably in this one else who spoke Spanish. Now, in gion. The obvious solution to some paper. Here, let us make a distinction. the city where I live, we have Spanish is to strip culture of every vestige of Church-state separation developed as grocery stores, television stations, ATM civil religion. The obvious solution to a reaction to merging societies . Today, machines, and taxis. When I graduated others is to protect it. This is a highly the world is moving rapidly toward from college, I was impressed that one charged debate because it is about the merging cultures, i.e., East and West, could hear a vast number of languages very nature of who we are as a culture. Northern Hemisphere and Southern spoken on New York City subways. By For many, their very world is at stake Hemisphere, Third World and First 1990, the church I served in Atlanta in debates about school prayer and dis- World. Globalization can be seen in had students from 52 different nations plays of the Ten Commandments. economics, in politics, in education, studying in its English as a Second The magnitude of the issue is dramat- and in every field of human endeavor. Language program. ically illustrated by Southern Baptists Still, Harvard professor Samuel This increasing cultural diversity (and others like them), who have in a Huntington contends that we have offers many great, enriching advantag- single generation changed sides in the relatively little inter-religious mix, at es, but it is a challenge to social cohe- church-state debate. All of a sudden, least in the Unites States. He cites sta- sion. Many consider it a challenge to the time-honored, sacred principle of tistics showing that the percentage of their religion as well. church-state separation, preached with Christians in our society has changed In this environment, civil reli- fervor and frequency in the fundamen- very little. 1 Buddhism, Hinduism, and gion is breaking down as a unifying talist church of my adolescence, has Islam still represent miniscule percent- and authoritative force. Consensus on become anathema. History has now ages of the U.S. population; Judaism is church-state matters is no longer easy been re-written to claim that separation declining; and, on the other side of the to attain. The fabric of society is being is a new idea, created and espoused by ledger, the huge in-migration of Latin stretched to the breaking point in some infidel forces whose sole intention is to American Christians more than offsets cases. Increased cultural diversity has destroy the Christian faith. the growth of non-Christian religions. helped to lead us toward a very unclear This opposition to church-state Yet it is obvious to anyone who is future. separation is, in my view, sadly misin- awake that cultural reality, both in the Future formed and tragically ill-founded. But U.S. and beyond, has been dramatically As this unclear future unfolds, there advocates of separationism must come altered in some significant way in just a are several developments, or potential to recognize that their opposition is few years. The numbers represented by developments, that offer clues for cul- driven by a very real sense of despera- non-Christian faiths may be small, but tural unity. Here are a few, offered with tion and fear, and that this sense of their very presence is a dramatic change. no sense of finality, but with a hope desperation and fear is rooted in the In my personal experience, the erec- that they might be a catalyst that leads absolutely correct intuition that the tion of a Mosque on I-75 just south of to more creative reflection. survival of civilization depends upon Toledo, Ohio, and the effort of a Hindu A New Religion. Could a major new a basic level of cultural unity. The air group to buy a church I served as pastor religion be born that would give unity that sustains a culture is shared mean- a few years ago were dramatic and jolt- to a world culture? The idea strikes me ing, shared motivation, shared purpose, ing events. Huntington’s observation is as profoundly bizarre. The only reli- and shared destiny. Any failure to rec- obviously true, but it is also true that in gions I have known are the ones that ognize this will become the Achilles’ much of the West today a Buddhist is are centuries old. Most people have heel of the separationist movement. no longer a heathen in a faraway, mys- never seriously contemplated the pos-
$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%":r'"--r sibility of a significant new religion. begun, and that it will contribute to being asked to pray without invoking Yet, to be fair, no new religion has ever cultural unity by eliminating one of the name of Jesus, most continue to been anticipated. The fact that the idea the main points that divides modern do it. Perhaps an expanded civil reli- sounds strange is not a sufficient argu- societies. gion could contribute to the unity of ment for dismissing it. The evidence that is usually cited a much more diverse culture than we Famed historian Arnold Toynbee for rising secularism includes such have known in the past. observed that new religions sometimes occurrences as the decline of religion My guess, however, is that its con- arise out of the clash of cultures, 2 and in Europe and the erosion of the main- tribution to unity would be somewhat also that the major event of our time line churches in the United States. weaker than the contribution made well could be the clash of East and Even the recent rise of fundamental- by civil religion in the past. Still, since West. 3 If he were correct on both isms around the world can be inter- civil religion has shown such a marked counts, then it would be at least logical preted as nothing more than a last gasp durability, we cannot discount the pos- to ask whether a new religion could be surge of reaction against the tidal wave sibility that it will evolve into a form born. of oncoming secularism. that will suit a new situation. If a new religion were born and Still, there is significant reason to On the other hand, some would did succeed, it would almost certainly believe that secularism is not the path contend that civil religion is dying. incorporate elements of existing reli- of the future. Humanity really does The current changes would seem to be gions, and would serve as a unifying seem to be incurably religious. The stretching some people too far. Only force in the new world it inhabits. human race really does seem incapa- time can really tell us whether civil Interestingly, this has been the nature ble of divorcing itself from religious religion will adapt or die. There are of the successful new religions of the faith. The rise of Pentecostalism and too many questions to allow anyone past. Nevertheless, in a world where Evangelicalism in much of the world to speak clearly now, but it is time to secularism is growing, a major new may well provide ample evidence that begin the conversation. religion seems unlikely. religion has a future that is every bit as A Redefinition of Separationism. Religious unification. Since before the strong as its past. A fourth possibility for the future is Apostle Paul, Christians have dreamed In addition, cultures and govern- that the separationist model may be of a time when “every knee should bow ments will continue to need both vali- redefined to fit an increasingly diverse . . . and every tongue confess that Jesus dation and social cohesion. Religion world. This would seem to be the most Christ is Lord” (Phil. 2:10-11). We still has been the only effective source for likely scenario simply because separa- dream of it, and as a serious Christian, meeting these needs throughout histo- tionism is the only model so far that has I personally pray for it. ry. A mere belief in the common good worked effectively in diverse settings. At the same time, I am keenly has never held a society together. Today’s dilemma is that theocracy no aware that Muslims dream of the Soviet Communism was a prime longer works as a means of establish- world united in the worship of Allah. example. Without any religion at its ing cultural unity in most societies, and I am also keenly aware that many oth- center, the Soviet system did not sur- church-state separation is spitting and ers would establish cultural unity by vive. Spiritual poverty may well have sputtering in others. the conversion of the world to their been one of its fatal flaws. In this environment, a redefinition religions. Ironically, this desire for A Redefinition of Civil Religion. of separationism is not only likely, but unity has led to great division as the Civil religion seems to be undergo- it is necessary. The stresses on church- religions of the world have competed ing a redefinition that would allow state separation are too dangerous to be with one another. it to accommodate a wider diversity allowed to continue. One of the chief Even the Bible, however, never of faiths. Clergy are learning to pro- causes of those stresses is increasing maintains that the whole world will nounce public prayers in the name of cultural diversity, and that cause cannot be converted. The hymn cited in generic deity. People are learning to be eliminated. Therefore, some form of Philippians (“every knee shall bow”) exchange generic holiday greetings. accommodation must be found. alludes to the dream of the faithful, but Everywhere there are public accommo- The church-state separation that the Bible’s apocalyptic visions of the dations to the new “pluralism.” Civil was adequate in the past is clearly end-time depict massive disbelief until religion clearly seems to be straining inadequate for a more diverse future. the last days. The religious unification toward an expression that embrace A clue to the changes that are needed of the world would certainly give us people of all religions while respecting lies in the very fact that we refer to this cultural unity, but it is not likely to their cultural and religious differences. model as “separation of church and happen. Such a development is already state.” The church may have been kept A Secular Society. Another potential meeting with resistance where it is separate from the state, but it retained development is the elimination of reli- occurring, but it seems to be overcom- some special privileges. The church was gion from society. Many believe that ing that resistance. No matter how presumed to be the primary religious a process in this direction has already much Christian clergy complain about establishment. The homogeneity that
r'"--r$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%": made that possible is rapidly breaking captured by culture; but a culture can- identity well-suited to such a challenge. down. Separation of church and state in not live without religion, no matter Christianity has a long history of suc- the world of the future must be applied how diverse it may become. When reli- cessfully transcending cultures. This to the full range of religious establish- gions become diverse, their adherents ability to transcend cultures was seen ments, not just the church. This is the must still find ways to speak of God, when Christianity moved from Asia only chance the world has for cultural and even to God, together. A common Minor to the Roman world, then when unity. bond of faith, no matter how low the it moved from the Roman world to In truth, this change is already well common denominator, simply must be the European and Eastern Orthodox underway. Most people have not been found. worlds, again when it moved from aware of it, nor have most people been Short of one religion converting the Europe to the Americas, and today as at work trying to make it happen. In adherents of all the others, this com- it moves from the developed world to fact, just the opposite has been the mon bond can only be some form of both the Third World and to the Asian case. Many Christians have resisted this civil religion. Civil religion certainly has world. Christianity is well equipped not change powerfully, reacting with vis- clear and present dangers: It sometimes only to survive, but also to benefit from ceral hostility, sensing that their faith offers itself as a false substitute for real the changes that are coming. is being challenged, along with their saving faith. It can serve to dilute “real” True, Christianity is losing the valida- entire world-view. To some degree they religion. It sometimes leads to very dif- tion of its culture. The faith must now are correct. ficult social tensions. But those dangers prove, and not assume, its relevance to Several characteristics of the new are the price that we must pay to gain the life of the community. In the long order have already become obvious, the help of civil religion in moving our run, this is a benefit to Christianity, and they are responsible for producing culture toward an ever-elusive unity. a healthy nudge from the nest of its the reaction of fear that has shown itself Human beings simply are not likely infancy. A faith that cannot prove its so often. First, as was indicated above, to give up public religious discourse. relevance to the life of its culture is Christianity is rapidly losing its special The challenge, then, is to shape that already on its deathbed. status. No matter how much we may discourse so it becomes a unifying, and Obviously, we live in times of incredi- wax nostalgic for that special status, no not a dividing, factor. ble tension. My own country is involved matter how angrily former Judge Roy Conclusion in military conflict in Afghanistan and Moore and company protest its loss, The urgent task before us, then, is Iraq. Our Congress is bitterly divided. that special status for Christianity is to redefine and safeguard the separation Our population is at odds as well, espe- simply not possible, nor is it morally of all religious establishments from the cially on matters of religion and politics. right, in a religiously diverse culture. state. While this may be frightening to Our educational system is a key casualty We are rapidly moving into a world many, it is important not only to the of this strain. Unfortunately, my nation where that special status will be a detri- unity of a diverse world, but also to is not alone. Other nations are experi- ment, not an advantage to Christians. the health and vitality of religion. Our encing similar stresses. A world divided Second, other religions are being Baptist forebears were not wrong about is a world in desperate need of cultural accorded a larger place in the public this fact. unity, and many are seeking it in a full forum. Community services of wor- A host of people fear, understand- retreat toward theocracy. ship are becoming inter- faith services. ably, that separation of religion and But God is not in that whirlwind. Clergy organizations are sometimes also government will lead to the death of God is in the still small voice that calls becoming inter- faith . Some religious faith. In actuality, however, history has us back to the faith of our forebears, people have reacted to this change by proven just the opposite to be the case. back to the lessons we should have withdrawing from the public arena, but Wherever separation has been practiced, learned long ago, back to one of the this is counter-productive. Religious it has provided a fertile environment noblest ideals our Baptist tradition has withdrawal from the culture ultimately for religion. This may be even truer in a given the world: the utter separation of erodes the foundation of social unity world where multiple religions are pres- the religious establishment from gov- on which religion rests. ent in a single culture. ernment. ■ Third, our version of civil religion is From my perspective as a Christian, changing. To some extent a redefined I am particularly impressed that a more 1 Samuel Huntington, “One Nation, civil religion (the third possibility list- broadly defined separationism may Under God? Numbers Say Yes,” ed above) is a corollary of a redefined offer unique benefits to Christianity. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, separationism. Personally, I believe that As the new order challenges religions June 20, 2004, B1. civil religion cannot be annihilated. to un-harness themselves from the cul- 2 Arnold Toynbee, Civilization on That is because religion, in the final tural restraints of the past, those reli- Trial and The World and the West analysis, cannot be extricated from gions will have the opportunity to find (Oxford University Press, 1948), culture. Religion is other than culture, greater relevance in a larger culture. 193. larger than culture, and must never be The Christian faith has a historical 3 Toynbee, 233.
$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%":r'"--r Today I Saw A Man By Wade McCoy, MD #FUIBOZ0LMBIPNB
oday I saw a man. We agreed to Today I saw a man recognize that but today I saw a real man. Tmeet at the nursing home. His his wife’s lips were dry. He went to Today I saw a man, a Christian wife, Millie, has Alzheimer's disease. the table and poured her a glass of man—a person that has truly taken on She requires twenty-four hour care. cold water. He then approached her the character of Christ. He is a humble I met him to make a medical visit carefully and placed the straw in her servant, though he's also a successful with her. As we got off the elevator, mouth. He patiently urged her to attorney. I saw a man put his wife’s he bounded toward her room like he drink because she looked dry. Today I needs before his own. I saw a man sac- was headed to the ice cream counter, saw a real man. rificing many hours of his day for his moving down the hall at a fast pace on Today I saw a man take the arm ill wife. his way to see Millie. At the end of the of his frail wife and walk to the door. At that moment, I realized that we hall he entered the last door to the left. He walked her out into the hall and sometimes do catch a glimpse of how Today I saw a real man. had her sit down while we reviewed Christ affects people. I realized that in Today I saw a man almost bounce her chart. He sat with me and we comparison to this scene, many other into the room of his ill wife. He looked over her medical data. We vis- matters that concern Christians seem knelt down beside her chair, more ited about her disease and her demise. petty. It became clear to me that the like a grandchild than a husband. He I watched as his emotions turned to Christian message is more about ser- leaned over and kissed her on the fore- grief. He wept. He didn't sob for him- vanthood and less about which politi- head and said, “How are you today self—on all that he was missing. He cal party speaks for God. I understood Millie?” He brushed her hair out of didn't sob because of the apparent the Christian message is about sac- her face and commented on how good burden his wife was placing on him. rificial loving more than it's about she looked. Today I saw a real man. He sobbed when he said, “I looked overcoming the band wagon of moral Today I saw a man go into the bath- at some pictures of Millie taken years issues that preoccupy the Christian room and get a hairbrush. He brushed ago. I remembered how smart and community cultural war machine. I her hair gently and rubbed the back of alive and lovely she was.” Today I saw understood that this message of Christ her head. He told her how pretty she a real man. is always more about being loving than looked. He looked down at her feet Today I saw a man lead his wife it is about being “right.” Today I saw and said, “Millie, your shoe is untied.” down the hall to the dining room to a man, a Christian man that looked He then knelt before her and tied her feed her. He would give her every bite more like Christ than I could have ever shoe before urging her to get up and she took at the meal. She no longer imagined. ■ go for a walk. Today I saw a real man. feeds herself. I parted ways with them,
r'"--r$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%": Faith, Family, and Finances By James E. Carter, Director Church Minister Relations, LA (ret.) /BDIJUPDIFT -"
Note: This address was delivered a minister to be a person of integrity. may not be an appropriate insignia on February 13, 2006, at the con- An effective, ethical Christian minis- for a white Cadillac with a red leather ference on “Ethics In Ministry” at ter is a person of integrity. interior. Truett Seminary, Baylor University, But this integrity is often tested on But this also means that a min- Waco, TX, sponsored by the CET several fronts. Consider at least three ister’s faith must be a growing faith. Foundation and funded by a grant areas in which the minister’s personal Learning about God, the Bible, and from the CIOS/Piper Foundation of integrity is often tested, three vital the relationship between God and Waco, TX. and essential areas in the minister’s humankind is a lifelong activity. As life: faith, family, and finances. 1 life unfolds and you encounter new he pastor proposed an ambitious Faith life experiences your understanding of Tand far-reaching outreach plan. Frankly, your faith relationship God and of spiritual matters should He presented it first to the deacon with God is not just a spiritual mat- grow. Spiritual matters always have a body, or the church board, and then ter, or even a religious matter; for a challenge to them and an element of to the congregation. Each group, minister it is also an ethical matter. mystery about them. Your faith must especially the congregation, had How real is your own faith? How sin- always be a growing, developing, some reservations about the plan, but cere is your faith? How authentic is deepening faith. it was adopted. your faith in God? In handling the holy, ministers can Why was the plan adopted with The minister is a pilgrim of become too familiar with spiritual these reservations? The plan was faith as well as a ministering per- things. The proverb reminds us that adopted because both the board and son. Continual spiritual growth is “familiarity breeds contempt.” Few the church body trusted the pastor. as important for the minister as it is ministers will treat the Bible or spiri- The adoption of the plan was not due for the parishioner. The Apostle Paul tual disciplines with contempt, but to the merits of the plan necessarily, advised, “Run in such a way as to get some ministers may treat both the nor the overcoming of the reserva- the prize. . . . I beat my body and Bible and spiritual disciplines with tions that some members had about make it my slave so that after I have such familiarity that they lose some of the plan, or even because all the ques- preached to others, I myself will not their mystery and wonder. tions were satisfactorily answered. be disqualified for the prize” (1 Cor. When David consolidated his The plan was adopted because the 9:24, 27, NIV). kingship over Israel and established people trusted the pastor. They trust- For one thing, this means that a the capital at Jerusalem, he moved the ed the pastor because they believed minister’s lifestyle should be con- ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. The that he was a person of integrity. sistent with, not contradictory to, narrative in 2 Samuel 6:6-7 records, The personal integrity of the the gospel. Preaching restraint and “When they came to the threshing minister is at the heart of both the personal discipline while practic- floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and minister’s personal life and his pro- ing conspicuous consumerism is not took hold of the ark of God because fessional life. When a minister faces consistent. Asking for sacrificial giv- the oxen stumbled. The Lord’s anger ethical issues in his or her life, they ing and personal commitment from burned against Uzzah because of his directly relate to that minister’s per- church people while refusing to give irreverent act; therefore God struck sonal integrity. sacrificially or to alter personal plans him down and he died beside the ark The word integrity derives from to meet another’s needs is not a con- of God.” One obvious element in the mathematical term integer which vincing testimony of Christlikeness. Uzzah’s death was that he showed too has to do with wholeness, one. The In one of my pastorates I would much familiarity with the holy. person of integrity is the person who often park next to a white Cadillac Ministers can become too famil- has it together, who has a unity or with a red leather interior in the iar with the holy. The spiritual disci- wholeness about life. This type of minister’s parking area of a denomi- plines and exercises they teach others integrity is built on the minister’s national hospital in a major Texas can become perfunctory to them. A relationship with Jesus Christ as per- city. That luxury car sported a per- serious ethical issue arises when min- sonal Savior and an on-going faith sonalized license plate with the Greek isters require of others what they do relationship with Christ. Integrity word doulos , meaning “servant” or not practice themselves or what they does not just happen; it is intention- “slave.” In a metropolitan area with practice so routinely that the act loses al. With good reason, people expect many pressing human needs, doulos all meaning. No matter how often a
$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%":r'"--r minister performs a wedding or bap- faith lives are to ring true. You do not Family tism, conducts a funeral, preaches a have to look for esoteric methods or Family is another area in which sermon, or offers a prayer, the event hidden keys to spiritual growth. For the minister’s integrity is often a mat- must never become a repetitious act ministers, and all Christians, spiri- ter of concern. For many years a bill- with no heart in it. tual growth comes from the regular board on Louisiana Highway 1 just Your faith impacts how you han- practice of prayer, Bible study, wor- north of the city of Natchitoches, dle the Bible. For the preacher, the ship, and witness. Louisiana, exhibited a message from Bible should never become simply Your faith helps to form your the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- the source of sermons and the text for character. God commanded Moses to Day Saints. The message proclaimed, preaching. The minister should read say to the people of Israel, “Be holy “No other success compensates for the Bible devotionally. As ministers because I, the Lord your God, am failure in the home.” This quota- we should approach the Bible “for- holy” (Lev 19:2, NIV). Jesus com- tion should be prominently displayed mationally,” that the Bible speaks to manded his disciples to “be perfect, on every minister’s desk and written my life and forms or reforms my life, therefore, as your heavenly Father is indelibly in his heart. rather than just “informationally,” so perfect” (Matt 5:48, NIV). The word In American non-Catholic church- that the Bible simply contains infor- translated “perfect” can mean “whole” es, the general assumption is that the mation to be explored and taught or or “complete” or “perfect for its pur- minister will be a married person preached. We must allow the Bible to pose.” Whatever meaning is assigned with a family. That assumption is continue to speak to our lives. 2 to the word, the basis of comparison reinforced by the ministerial qualifi- Other reading such as classic is God, made known in Jesus Christ. cations for both pastors and deacons Christian devotionals, sermons by The apostle Peter admonished us to given in the pastoral epistles (1 Tim pulpit masters, or contemporary “grow in grace and knowledge of our 3:1-11; Titus 1:6-9). Some church devotional materials should also be Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet groups even require that ministers used, of course. The growing minis- 3:18, NIV). To follow the directive be married and have children before ter needs to read theological, biblical, of Moses, the command of Christ, they are eligible for ministerial lead- historical, and ethical materials as and the admonition of Peter, a min- ership positions. With the median well as more general works. But the ister must continue to be a true dis- age of seminary students increasingly Bible and its message for the minister ciple of Jesus Christ, a student of the rising, many ministers have families is foundational to faith. Word of God, and a practitioner of before they enter the ministry. And, The common spiritual disciplines the disciplines of the Christian life. many of their spouses did not intend that ministers recommend to others Your faith is essential to your min- to marry a minister. must become their practice if their istry as well as your personal life. The stress of ministry can create
r'"--r$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%": stress on a marriage. How satisfying in quiet desperation or armed truce. principle applies to the minister. is the marriage? What is the quality Today some of those marriages are I preached a sermon one Sunday of the relationship between the min- being terminated. The incidence of morning on the Christian home in ister and spouse? divorce among clergy couples is high- which I said something like “you A Mississippi Southern Baptist er now, but it is still not well accept- may not catch as many fish or get as pastor conducted research on mari- ed. The failure of a clergy marriage is low a score in golf when you include tal satisfaction among pastor’s wives considered a tragedy, in many cases a your children, but the time with the for his doctoral dissertation. He dis- fatal tragedy, as far as continuation of children is important.” That night covered four factors that caused a ministry is concerned. the eight year old son of a university lack of satisfaction in their marriage. The problems ministers may have professor asked me if I would preach The four factors were: the disruption with their children also adds to the that sermon again. That afternoon of time together, the state of anxiety significance of family. Minister’s chil- his father had taken him to a park to brought on by church expectations, dren are not really a great deal differ- swing him and to play with him. The loneliness, and fewer days of dual ent from other children. They face time they spent together meant a lot devotions. 3 the same stresses and temptations to that child. The primary relationship in a cler- as others. And they experience the Commitment is another key for gy family is the relationship between same achievements and accomplish- a successful and satisfying family life the minister and spouse. That hus- ments as others. The incidence of for the minister. For each partner, no band-wife bond must be stable and ministerial problem children is not question should exist about the per- strong before the family can be stable likely any higher than other groups, sonal commitment in love that each and strong. but may be more apparent due to the has made to the other. Minister’s marriages are often con- high visibility of minister’s families, Commitment is also a way of build- sidered as models for marriage in the as well as some unreal expectations ing family solidarity. Children who see church and the community. Healthy for these children. Some high achiev- by their parents’ actions and attitudes marriages can model to others how a ers whose names are recognizable to that they love and trust one another couple can remain in love, stay mar- all were minister’s children. J. Clark grow up with a model of commit- ried, and function as a Christian cou- Hensley suggested, “ Look at Who’s ment in Christian marriage. However ple even when dealing with stress, long Who and you will discover more sons marital love is defined, exclusive work hours, inadequate income, and and daughters of clergymen than any commitment to one another must be the demands of children. Ministerial other profession.” 5 at the center. marriages can be a positive model of With these things in mind, con- Commitment to one another is the Christian home. sider two keys to a successful family both undergirded and strengthened But what if the model is nega- life for ministers: by commitment to Christ. In the tive? In a study of ministerial mar- Time together is a key for success- Maces’ study, 63 percent of the hus- riages David and Vera Mace wrote: ful ministerial family life. Obviously, bands and 65 percent of the wives “A Christian minister’s task is to time together is a difficult feat for a cited “shared Christian commitment proclaim the message of divine love ministering family. Time together can and spiritual resources” as the leading and to help those who respond to be reserved for the family by sched- advantage of ministerial marriages. 6 it to grow in love for one another. uling it and protecting it. Those By the very nature of ministry, A married minister can therefore be times are just as important as other ministers are often placed with per- reasonably expected to provide in his appointments a minister may make, sons of the opposite sex other than own marriage relationship an image and, actually, more important than a their mates. This calls for a high and example of how other people, lot of the other appointments. degree of trust on the part of the through their united love for God, A seminary chapel speaker once spouse. It also calls on the minister to can grow in the quality of their love said that if a minister were away from be a person of absolute integrity and for each other. When a minister’s home every evening, it would not one whom a spouse can trust because marriage does not demonstrate the make any difference to his children of his or her commitment. warmth and tenderness of human whether he was at church or at a bar. But what if the minister is not love at its best, an observer could He was not home with them. Perhaps married? Ideally, no difference should justifiably say, ‘If his religion doesn’t this is an overstatement, but it makes exist between a single minister and a work in this closest of all human rela- a valid point. Time spent with family married minister. Since we live with tionships, how can we be sure that it is necessary for a strong and fulfilling the actual rather than the ideal, we is really true?’” 4 family life. Every preacher has proba- know that in many cases a church For many years, divorce in a bly sermonized about affluent parents may hesitate to call a single minister. minister’s family was unthinkable. who gave their children everything People may question why that minis- Troubled clergy marriages continued they needed but themselves--that same ter is single. Married persons may be
$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%":r'"--r suspicious of an unmarried minister identified finances as a major problem tion into personal pay, housing and spending time with their spouse in for ministers and therefore an impor- utility allowances, automobile and the course of church work. Parents tant issue in ministerial ethics. other ministry related expenses, and may be hesitant to trust their chil- The warning was well-deserved. retirement benefits. The danger in dren with a single minister. Many ministers have not perfected this approach is that many ministers, Of course, the church should give the ability to manage money. Clergy especially younger ones with young consideration to whether the single have become so notorious in financial families, may opt for the immedi- minister is widowed, divorced, or a mismanagement that in some circles ate money needed for expenses and young minister still in school or just people are warned against lending neglect to put money aside for retire- out of school. money to the professions that begin ment, the education of children, or A church should never expect a with “p”: plumbers, painters, prosti- other future needs. A better approach single minister to spend more time tutes, and preachers. The low salary is for the church to divide the com- in ministry just because he or she level of most ministers could well be pensation into personal income, min- does not have a spouse and a fam- a contributing factor. istry-related expenses reimbursed to ily. And if the minister is widowed or Although ministerial salaries have the minister, and expenses for retire- divorced and has children at home, risen in recent years, the executive ment and insurance. the family responsibilities become director of the Minister’s Financial Given the fact that the minister’s even greater. A church should call a Services Association in Lubbock, salary is below average and that his or person to ministry on the basis of that Texas, observed that when a minis- her family has the same needs as sim- person’s dedication to Christ and the ter’s salary is compared to the median ilar families in the community, many ability to perform the tasks required. income of people across the nation ministers have performed nothing Neither should a church attempt to with graduate education, many min- short of the financially miraculous pay an individual less money for the isters “could possibly be significantly in adequately feeding, clothing, and same or similar ministry just because underpaid.” 7 educating their families. However, that minister does not have a family According to a Church there are enough examples of minis- to support. And the single minister Compensation Report compiled by ters who have owed money to many should be very careful about dating Christianity Today , Christian clergy merchants in town, who have been persons in the church family--gener- salaries rose an average of only 7.4 late in paying their bills, or who have ally, it is not a good idea. percent during the four-year period expected discounts, gifts, or special The same principles of ethi- under study, which was less than half favors that the belief persists that cal behavior and personal integrity the inflation rate for that same four- ministers cannot manage money. apply to the single minister as to the year span. Even when total com- Church leaders do not appreciate married minister. In some cases, the pensation, which rose 12.6 percent being embarrassed by their minister’s single minister will have to be even in the same period, was considered, financial irresponsibility. The dis- more certain that he or she has lived pastor’s salaries still lagged behind cipline to plan a budget, the ability ethically and above suspicion for the inflation, which was 16 percent for to live within that budget, and the ministry to be effective. that period. 8 art of balancing a checkbook are all The effectiveness of ministry is In the Christianity Today survey essential skills for a Christian min- something to be considered in the only 1 percent of the pastors felt ister. Handling finances responsibly minister’s family life. When the min- they were overpaid. Sixty-six percent may even be seen as a spiritual disci- ister has a wholesome and satisfying of the senior pastors and 59 percent pline. The failure to handle finances relationship with spouse and children of the solo pastors thought that they properly has diminished the witness then that person can be more effec- were fairly paid. That means, then, of many ministers. tive in ministry and more fulfilled as that 34 percent of the senior pastors Richard Foster referred to the a person. Ministers find it difficult to and 41 percent of the solo pastors “dark side of money” and the “light fight the devil in the world, the dea- felt that they were underpaid. Three side of money.” The “dark side of cons at the church, and the darling follow-up studies by Christianity money” relates to the way money at home all at the same time. Marital Today International in the decade of can be a threat to a relationship with satisfaction adds to the personal peace the 1990s were consistent with the God. The “light side of money” refers and satisfaction of the minister. original survey. 9 to the way in money can be used to Finances Churches often offer their min- enhance a relationship with God and A third stress point in ministerial isters a pay package in which they bless humankind. 10 life is finances. My college religion designate a lump sum for pastoral The misuse of credit is an expres- professor, R. H. Whittington, often compensation in the church budget. sion of the dark side of money. Many told his students, “Boys, pay your bills The minister is then given the respon- ministerial families are drowning and keep your zippers up.” He thus sibility of dividing total compensa- in an ocean of debt. Well-meaning,
r'"--r$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%": good-intentioned people have often free to accept it as a gift and respond encouraged ministers into more cred- accordingly, including a “thank you” 1 The basis for this article is found it than they can service on their min- note for the kindness. That is differ- in Joe E. Trull and James E. isterial salaries. Businesses may think ent from placing the clergy sign next Carter, Ministerial Ethics: Moral they are helping by extending easy to the gas tank of the car or of making Formation for Church Leaders. credit to their minister. But before an issue out of being a minister when Second Edition. Grand Rapids, the church leader knows it, the total the introductions are made. Some Michigan: Baker Academic, amount of money owed may be more people will give gifts to their minis- 2004. than he can handle. The result many ter as acts of love, not in response to 2 Charles B. Bugg, “Professional not be positive either for the ministry hints or requests or in an attempt to Ethics Among Ministers,” Review in general or for this minister in par- curry favor. These gifts are graciously and Expositor (Fall 1989), 562- ticular. accepted for what they are. 653. Related to that, the responsible The minister should certainly prac- 3 Glenn R. Putnam, An handling of debt is another essential tice the basic principles of Christian Investigation of the Relationship in Christian money management. money management, beginning with of Marital Pressures to the Marital Taking their cue from Romans 13:8, Christian stewardship. By definition, Satisfaction of the Wives of some think that a Christian should a steward is one who manages the Southern Baptist Ministers (Ed. have little or no debt. Some debt, affairs of another. Christian steward- D. dissertation, Mississippi State such as the purchase of a home, may ship speaks to a Christian’s manage- University, 1990), 44-46. be unavoidable. But the overwhelm- ment of what God has entrusted to 4 David and Vera Mace, What’s ing burden of more debt than can be that person. Christian stewardship Happening to Clergy Marriages? safely serviced should be avoided. is the total response of an individual Nashville: Abingdon, 1980), 24- Ministers are often given profes- to the grace of God. While steward- 25. sional discounts by health profes- ship is often narrowly defined only in 5 J. Clark Hensley, Preacher sionals and personal discounts by terms of money, it involves more than Behave! (Jackson, Miss.: Dallas businesses. While that practice may money. All that a minister is, as well Printing Co., 1978), 9. not be as widespread as it once was, as all that a minister owns, is a trust 6 Mace, 33. it is still prevalent in many locales. from God. How that trust is man- 7 Helen Parmley, “Pastor’s Pay in It probably began as an attempt to aged is Christian stewardship. Area Leads U. S.,” Dallas(TX) help the minister. The merchant was When it comes to money, the per- Morning News, October 17, favorable to the church and friendly sonal practice of Christian steward- 1987, 15-A. toward the parson. Knowing that ship is essential. For many ministers, 8 David Briggs, “Clergy Salaries the minister’s salary was low, he tried the tithe is considered a biblical stan- Lag Rate of Inflation,” to help the preacher by giving a dis- dard and a minimum starting point Alexandria (LA) Daily Town Talk, count. The health professional also for Christian stewardship. A min- March 21, 1992, C-8. For the recognized the minister as a fellow ister’s message on stewardship will complete report see the 1992 professional in a caring profession hardly ring true if the minister has Church Compensation Report, and responded by giving a profes- not practiced as well as taught gener- Carol Stream, IL: Christianity sional discount. Also, as a non-profit ous giving. We must practice what we Today, Inc., 1991. organization that functioned for the preach. 9 James D. Berkley, “What Pastors general well-being of the community, Faith, family, and finances. These Are Paid,” Leadership (Spring, a church discount to the minister was are three areas of major concern for 1992), 89; John C. LaRue, Jr., considered a form of donation. ministers. These three obviously are “Seven Findings about Pastor The minister’s insistence on a dis- not the only issues involved in ministe- Pay,” Christianity Today/Your count, however, or inquiry about a rial ethics. But they are each important Church (March/April, 2000), 88. discount before a purchase, only adds areas in the minister’s personal life, 10 Richard Foster, Money, Sex, to the perception of the minister as which can hardly be separated from and Power: The Challenge of the a money-grubber. Some ministers the minister’s professional life. In these Disciplined Life (San Francisco: have perfected the art of begging or areas, the person and the profession Harper & Row, 1985), 20-23. of making subtle suggestions to the are closely intertwined. How they are extent that people feel an obligation managed will go a long way toward to do them special favors. determining the minister’s effective- If a person knows that an indi- ness. Indeed, they determine the min- vidual is a minister and voluntarily ister’s integrity. Handling faith, family, offers a discount, that is a different and finances well will allow him or her situation. Then the minister may feel to be a good minister. ■
$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%":r'"--r Sunday—Marathon Day By Martin E. Marty, Martin Marty Center 6OJWFSTJUZPG$IJDBHP%JWJOJUZ4DIPPM
esterday, 40,000 atheists, agnos- gious city—not “Bible Belt Buckle” will head later in the week to public Ytics, Muslims, Jews, and secular- religious, but still heavily Catholic, high school games where they and ists gathered on the lakefront in our Protestant, Evangelical, and “African their children will sing “God Bless city for a sacred tribal rite. And sev- American.” America.” enty-four days from now, thousands But Chicago is really no different The question: Why insist on the will gather at a huge theater near the from anywhere else. Sunday morning legal support and not the voluntary? lakeshore to celebrate another rite. has simply and triumphantly become America, most scholars agree, displayed “You’re just kidding,” you might say. Marathon Day in most cities. We can religious vitality because churches and So I’d better explain. remember when Jewish bartenders other worshipping communities drew At 8 a.m. on Sunday, 40,000 run- in Milwaukee would substitute for on voluntary support and gathered free ners participated in the 28th LaSalle Christian bartenders on Christmas congregations. If legally privileged or Bank Chicago Marathon. They were Eve so the latter could attend mass or coerced endorsement and worship of supported or viewed by thousands, other worship. Will the attendees on God is supposed to have a good effect while others watched or listened Christmas Eve at Wicked all be non- on religion, where is the evidence? to a broadcast of the event at 10 Christians? Not likely. Eighty percent Now it’s time to protect myself. I a.m.—church time. As for the other of America’s citizens identify with know that marathon running can be event, I learned of it in a story about “Christian,” which led to my tongue- very “spiritual.” And the races can a Chicagoan who was eager to trade in-cheek deduction that the runners raise money for good causes: 6,000 for a ticket to a possible future White and the play-goers had to be non- of the participants ran for 43 charities Sox play-off game. His offer: “fifth- Christian. Otherwise “Christians” (and generated $100 million for our row passes to a sold-out, Christmas have given away their Holy Day and local economy). Eve performance of Wicked .” My wife Holiest Night. The single point here is that indif- assures me that Wicked is an enjoyable Time to editorialize: Also about 80 ference to worship and the activities of musical—a nothing wrong with it. percent of the American people when religious communities is a voluntary But: polled are ready to coerce witness to choice. Support, when it still comes, You might think that this week’s God in public places, on courtroom does not result from putting God in column should be called not Sightings and public-school walls. They want state-backed locales. Secularization but Squintings , because these evidenc- the state to deliver religion—even results from free choice. ■ es of “secularization” or “resacraliza- Southern Baptists want this!—to tion” on new terms are not headline mixed captive citizenries. The mara- This article originally appeared in items. But they occur a) on the Lord’s thon runners wore shorts without Sightings (10/10/05), a publication Day and then b) on the eve of one of pockets, but when they pulled on of the Martin Marty Center at the the two holiest days on the Christian slacks, they carried money fortified University of Chicago Divinity School. calendar. And this in a very reli- by the slogan “In God We Trust,” and
r'"--r$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%": Baptizing Illegal Aliens By David F. D’Amico, CBF Missionary for Hispanic Immigrants $BSFZ /$
uring the 1970s I taught at befriended by the membership and country. The pattern of being deport- DSouthwestern Baptist Theological after a few months they made profes- ed back to Mexico and returning to the Seminary. The Primera Iglesia Bautista sions of faith and asked for baptism. It U.S. is a recurring theme much alive in Mexicana of Fort Worth on the north was a joyous occasion when I baptized the contemporary political, social, and side of the city was without a pas- them—Don Pedro and Carlos. They economic landscape of our country. tor. We knew some of the members worked in construction without legal An American farmer in Yuma because when we arrived in Fort Worth papers like millions do these days in Arizona stated on NPR the day from Argentina, we became members the USA. No one in the church made President Bush visited the city during of the church and they welcomed us a big deal that they were illegal; they his effort to promote legislation related very warmly. were part of the church family. to immigration, “These people work Six of the church leaders came One Sunday Brother Caceres came hard in the fields. I pay them $16 per to see me at home to ask me about to Bible Study and with sadness told hour. No National Guard or fences becoming interim pastor of the church me: “La Migra se llevo a Don Pedro will keep them away. I do not have for six months. We discussed my y Carlos.” (“Immigration officers a way to check whether their papers responsibilities and I agreed to serve. deported Don Pedro and Carlos.”) are legal. They come, work, and then The six months stretched into thirty We all worried about them. My mis- spend their earnings in our city to the months as the congregation was happy siological reaction was, “Well, at least tune of $400,000 per year.” with my leadership and I was happy we evangelized these new Christians, I wonder if the churches in San ministering to them. who will return to their families and Diego, Yuma, El Paso, Laredo, and During that time there was a lay become a witness for Christ.” other border towns between the U.S. person from Mexico who was very About two or three months later and Mexico have the same mission enthusiastic about evangelizing. His during the Sunday morning wor- heart and attitude that the Primera name was Hermano (brother) Caceres. ship service, Brother Caceres came Iglesia congregation in Fort Worth did He was a character—a genuine leader to me with a big smile: “Don Pedro in the 1970s. and very funny. In his humble ways he and Carlos are back in Fort Worth.” In my heart I pray that there will be would exhort others to become more The church recognized and welcomed many illegal aliens baptized and sent evangelistic toward visitors. them back to the flock. back to Mexico as evangelists. Jesus Caceres invited two Mexican ille- Ever since then, I have kept this told the demoniac from Gadara, “Go gal aliens to attend the church—a story in my heart as a parable of the home and tell what great things God father and his son, a youth. They were complexities of illegal aliens in this has done for you”(Mk 5:19). ■
$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%":r'"--r The Real Tradition of Women as Church Leaders By Sandra Dufield, Freelance Writer #SJEHFWJMMF 1"
n claiming church tradition doesn’t of women, another argument cites leaders such as Thomas Aquinas— Iallow women to be ordained priests, the fact the twelve disciples were all “Woman is defective and misbe- Vatican and Catholic officials would male. It contends if Christ wanted gotten;” Gratian—“Woman is not do well to consider the history of their women to be church leaders, some of made in God’s image;” and even St. tradition. “The Twelve” surely would have been Augustine, who wrote, “What is the According to Dorothy Irvin, a women. difference whither it is in a wife or a Catholic theologian and archaeolo- While initially convincing, the mother; it is still Eve the temptress that gist, the traditional Christian church rationalization crumbles when anoth- we must be aware of in any woman. . had women priests and the archaeo- er pivotal distinction of the day is . . I fail to see what use women can be logical evidence of this is preserved for considered: ethnicity. The disciples to man, if one excludes the function of us to see today. were also all Jewish. Does this mean bearing children.” In the Church of St. Praxedis when we choose church leaders today, While the inferiority argument in Rome there’s a mosaic depicting only those with primary Jewish ances- is considered heretical in the church four women leaders. One woman, try can be considered as candidates? today, the unbiblical prejudicial con- Theodora (ca. 820 A.D.), has the title Every argument the Vatican and structs it upheld still exist. They have Episcopa above her head, which means other denominational officials give to been replaced and repackaged with a bishop who is a woman. block women’s ordination can be bib- expressions like “equal in essence, but In a cathedral at Annaba, in what lically and theologically challenged. unequal in function” and “different is now Algeria, is a mosaic covering Saying “no” to women priests and pas- roles.” The dismissal and diminish- the tomb of a woman. Along with her tors is nothing more than the “good ment of women has a modern home name, Guilia Runa, is her title pres- old boy” system at work in a sacred in the modern church. biterissa, which means female priest. institution, and the remnant of the Very early church tradition had The same title is on women’s tombs survival of sub-Christian thought that women serving in all areas of minis- in Rome. Two read, “Veronica presbi- leached into the early church, influ- try. The restriction of women in the tera daughter of Josetis” and “Faustina encing the way men and women were church did not derive from tradition, presbitera .” perceived. but from the gradual importation of Additionally, a fourth-century Elements of gnostic and ancient sub-Christian thought from outside fresco in Rome’s Catacomb of Priscilla pagan thought saw women as flawed, the church, infused into the church. shows a woman being ordained. She’s problematic, and more susceptible Until the Vatican and other wearing an alb under her chasuble, to malfeasance than men. The early denominational leaders acknowledge which is first worn at ordination. church failed to adequately challenge women’s call to full discipleship and Only priests and higher church lead- and eradicate these permeating cultur- reinstitute the tradition of women’s ers could wear it. Next to her, with al distortions—in time scripture was ordination, they will continue to his right hand on her shoulder, is a interpreted through the contaminated perpetuate constructs of the hereti- bishop, identified by his chair and his lens of the ontological inferiority of all cal thought that diminishes and dis- pallium, also worn during ordination. women. misses half the Christian community Although tradition is a key argu- This attitude is reflected in the based on an innate genetic distinction: ment used to oppose the ordination statements of prominent early church femaleness. ■
r'"--r$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%": CHRISTIAN ETHICS AND THE MOVIES Terrorism: Munich (2005) and Syriana (2005) #Z%BWJE"5IPNBT
hese two movies (both rated is a major departure from character. nine Black September leaders in the TR) represent Hollywood’s first Considering the body of Spielberg’s movie, the team manages to complete important efforts to engage in a seri- filmography, from E. T. through last its mission of cold-blooded revenge ous discussion about the ethics of ter- year’s remake of H. G. Wells’ War of against four of them. The drama is rorism. the Worlds, no one is more mainstream about the team members’ moral strug- Hollywood is “out of touch,” actor than he. gles as human beings with the ethics of George Clooney declared at the 2005 Middle Eastern terrorism has been what they are doing. Oscar awards ceremony in accepting a constant feature of modern history Munich’s underlying theme is that his statuette for Syriana . Referring for nearly a century. Zionism was “defending your home is costly.” The to civil rights and liberal causes, he a movement that came into public assassins make up a team of ordinary went on to praise movie-makers for consciousness in the 1920s. The con- men selected to be as unremarkable as their history of producing courageous flict has been escalating ever since. possible. Their bomb making expert films with bold social and political Israel was recognized in 1948. The was, in his real life, a toy maker. The themes throughout cinematic history. Palestinian Liberation Organization team leader’s avocation was cooking, In fact, most mainstream movies are (PLO) was formed in 1964 Western and his contact point with his infor- the opposite. Almost all major studio Airliners were hijacked by Arab terror- mant was a gourmet kitchen shop. products reflect conservative social ists in the 1960s. Black September, a The Palestinian terrorists they pursued values and go to great lengths to avoid PLO terrorist group, kidnapped and were also portrayed as otherwise decent being offensive. Movie making is an murdered eleven Israeli Olympic ath- intellectuals and family men. entertainment industry that neces- letes in 1972. The movie ends with the team sarily caters to popular tastes and the State sponsored terrorism against leader, self-retired from the mission, prevailing winds of public opinion in the U. S. was initiated by the Hostage settling into his new home with his order to attract the largest audiences in Crisis of 1979, when Iranian stu- young family in a Brooklyn apartment. a fiercely competitive market. dents held 52 Americans in the U. S. The movie’s final image, ominously, is That is why most issue-oriented Embassy in Tehran for 444 days. That a shot of the World Trade Center in movies are low budget productions by event influenced the defeat of President the middle background. independent producers. They have less Jimmy Carter’s re-election bid. Middle Syriana is set in the present day, in to lose. Eastern terrorism targeting the U. S., a fictitious Middle Eastern oil coun- Some examples of Clooney’s “out specifically, has been reported increas- try. The plot line is broken down of touch” movies that are impor- ingly since then. In 1993, a terrorist into separate sub-plots that follow the tant social texts include the powerful bomb exploded in the basement of the interrelated competing interests of Vietnam War movies, Platoon and World Trade Center. several parties. First, there is a pend- Apocalypse Now from the 1980s, a full Then came September 11, 2001. ing merger of two U. S. oil companies decade after the U. S. withdrew from President Bush’s speech of September with designs on a major Middle East Saigon. The Equal Rights Amendment 20 identified an individual, Osama oil field. Next, there is the CIA which was first proposed in 1921; the one we bin Laden, as our attacker. From that sees its mission to be to mastermind remember was from 1972. Yet the first point forward, the United States has the outcome. Next, there is a royal breakthrough feminist fable, Thelma been engaged in a “war against terror,” Arab oil family whose two sons have and Louise, was released in 1991. against non-governmental terrorist opposite ambitions for their country’s This year’s Munich and Syriana organizations, as well as so-called “evil” future allegiances. One is corrupt, and represent a couple of Hollywood’s pre- governments. Our tactics include both he wants to stick with America. The liminary forays into terrorism in the CIA operations, and the Iraq War that CIA, of course, supports him. The post-9/11 climate. Syriana is a prod- was launched in 2003 and still grinds other son, more progressive, wants to uct of Participant Productions, a new on today. shift the country’s oil exports to China. independent company, which also Enter Hollywood, getting in touch. Embedded within this story line there released Good Night and Good Luck, Munich is not a story about the ’72 is a young American energy consultant about McCarthyism (another Clooney Olympics tragedy per se. The story who sides with the more progressive vehicle). However, Munich is a Steven line follows the Mossad assassination pretender to the throne, in defiance Spielberg movie. For him, to take a team which Golda Mier sent after its of the CIA’s wishes. George Clooney controversial stance on a political issue terrorist perpetrators. Given a list of plays an amoral, entrepreneurial CIA
$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%":r'"--r agent who sells weapons to belligerent The movie was almost never fin- The Story. Based somewhat on parties on the side, one of whom turns ished. Francis Ford Coppola began Joseph Conrad’s The Heart of Darkness , out to be a militant Islamic group filming without having his produc- the plot is structured as a simple jour- who plays a big part in what happens tion money fully committed. To meet ney or quest, much like Huckleberry next. In the midst of this techno- the budget, he set a preliminary six- Finn or The Canterbury Tales , but with drama, there is that militant Islamic week filming timeline. Things worked a tragic tone. The protagonist, Captain group that is determined to attack the out differently than he hoped. It took Willard, is on a mission to locate and American oil company by means of a sixteen months to make the movie. “terminate with extreme prejudice” young, idealistic suicide bomber. Unforeseen problems caused major Col. Kurtz, a rogue Army officer Christian Ethical Issues about delays. He was constantly scrambling turned delusional god-like dictator, Terrorism: These two movies repre- to find new backers while trying to who proves to be an elusive quarry. The sent Hollywood’s first serious efforts keep the production underway, and story consists of numerous episodes of to get involved and engage in a seri- he wound up fronting several million what happens to Capt. Willard and ous discussion of the ethics of terror- dollars out of pocket, literally gam- his crew along the way, like stringing ism. These narratives use stories told bling everything he owned on it. pearls on a necklace. Willard’s trek by Hollywood’s icons to engage both Much of the Coppola’s script was up-river is often subjected to enemy sides in a discussion of such questions in rough shape as filming began, so ambushes and an occasional Playboy as these: he was constantly editing and re-writ- Bunny USO tour. Using such a plot What about state-supported lethal ing it. More than a few scenes were device, countless other quest stories covert assassination teams? What improvised while the cameras rolled, have been made into successful films. about the CIA’s covert warfare? What including most famously the hypnotic That’s nothing new. is the Western piece in the provoca- opening scene. You get drawn into When Col. Kilgore (Robert Duvall) tion of terrorist responses? What it as if you were watching a poison- cranks up the volume on The Ride about fundamentalist Islamists carry- ous snake loose in your room. We are of the Valkyries during his harrowing ing their faith through the instrumen- introduced to Coppola’s little-known helicopter assault on the Viet Cong tality of suicide bombers? What about leading actor, Martin Sheen, as Capt. village, he signals the movie’s overall American dependence on Middle East Willard, reeling about in his under- operatic qualities. Willard’s mission oil? What about the Iraq War? Is the wear in a seedy Saigon hotel room. turned into a sprawling, lengthy strug- U. S. now resuming a proactive mili- He broke a bureau mirror with his fist gle far beyond killing Kurtz. It became tary role as world cop? Are terrorists while he flailed about, drunk out of a personal quest to master one’s own merely armed Islamic freedom fight- his mind. In fact, he actually lacerated fate. ers? his hand during the take, because the Hitting the Movie Lottery. One For all of us, where is Christ in our mirror was real glass. And he really consequence of Coppola’s creative discussion of these issues of global oil was staggering drunk. technique was that after seeing all politics, war, and terrorism? For his small but important role as the disparate scenes he had “in the Col. Kurtz, Marlon Brando demand- can,” he could not think of a suit- War: Apocalypse Now ed a million dollar fee in advance. able ending. Three endings were He then pulled one of his trademark filmed. Coppola shopped an unfin- (1979, rated R) artistic diva stunts, showing up late ished version of one of his prints at he best movie class I ever for work and 75 pounds overweight. the Cannes Film Festival as a work- Tattended was conducted by Paul He had not read the script or the in-progress. Much to his surprise, Porterfield, media director at the novel on which it was based. Once on they gave his work the Golden Palm. University of Richmond. I invited Mr. the set, Brando fussed obsessively over Apocalypse Now subsequently received Porterfield, an amateur film buff, to his super-weird role, demanding line eight Oscar nominations, and won be the guest speaker one day for my changes and special camera set-ups, two. Coppola was nominated as Best class in rhetoric and film. He focused further delaying the proceedings. Director. The movie, the screenplay, the entire class period on the brief On top of those problems, Sheen and the editing all were nominated. opening montage of Apocalypse Now . suffered a major heart attack halfway Among other awards, both Coppola That introductory sequence packs through the production, too late to and Duvall received Golden Globes. many images into one continuous pan replace him with Harvey Keitel or The American Film Institute has listed shot of an air assault team dropping another actor. Sheen’s brother was Apocalypse Now as Number 38 in its napalm on a Vietnamese jungle. Many flown to the location and used in a few list of the Top 250 movies of all time. of those images are subliminal, as the scenes, shown from his back. When Coppola’s Personal Heart of Darkness. clip fades several double-exposures in filming resumed, a typhoon destroyed Roger Ebert’s original review of the and out of view. It sets the motif for the set, causing numerous other delays movie predicted that graduate stu- the entire 153-minute movie. stretching over several more months. dents would be cataloguing the images
r'"--r$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%": and metaphors in Apocalypse Now for movie, the plot is riddled with holes hippie generation. The Vietnam War, years to come, but there is only one and historical goofs. But as one man’s in short, was a story about America’s idea in it – that War is Hell. 1 Coppola symbolic quest for redemption in “heart of darkness,” her demonic pos- thought he was using Conrad’s literary a world without much meaning, session, during the 1960s and 1970s. boat trip up the Congo into “the heart Apocalypse Now still speaks to a many What were the “lessons of Vietnam?” of darkness” as a metaphor for the U. viewers. Many conservative politicians and mil- S. getting drawn into the Vietnam Christian Ethical Issues. What are itary hardliners would say that the big- quagmire. But at that stage in his life, the Christian ethical issues suggested gest lesson was all about matching the Coppola was using booze, and drugs, by Apocalypse Now ? correct tactics to the mission. The war and womanizing, to assuage his own First, there is the classic “heart of was lost, but it should have been won. psychological and spiritual imbalanc- darkness” motif that constitutes the Apocalypse Now as a social text says the es. Unfortunately, his problems were backbone of both Conrad’s novel Vietnam War itself was a national psy- not helped by his being the central fig- and Coppola’s Apocalypse Now . Kurtz chic episode reflecting our own heart ure in the middle of an multi-million is Satan incarnate, and Willard is of darkness in the world. Christian dollar moviemaking project that was possessed. Kurtz is the Great White ethical analysis of American foreign spiraling way out of control. Coppola Whale; Willard is Ahab. His mission is and military policies and actions since seriously contemplated suicide on a mission of self-exorcism. then might argue that we still have to more than one occasion. He lost one Second, as an allegory, Coppola study whether it is the proper business hundred pounds before his multifari- intended for Col. Kurtz to represent of our country to undertake unilateral ous ordeal was over. the megalomaniacal Vietnam war military interventions halfway around In the making of the film, Coppola policies of Presidents Lyndon Johnson the world. ■ was drawn into a metaphoric descent and Richard Nixon. (Remember, into his own spiritual darkness, where Apocalypse Now was the first movie to 1 Roger Ebert, Apocalypse Now, he encountered his own personal Hell criticize the war. Platoon and others Chicago Sun-Times, June 1, 1979. at every turn. The violent, chaotic came later.) Capt. Willard stands in for images that adorned Coppola’s epic the campus antiwar movement, trying David A. Thomas is Associate Professor of were subconscious depictions of his to bring them down and turn them Rhetoric, Emeritus, from the University of own spiritual disarray. How does a around. The crew on Capt. Willard’s Richmond. He retired in 2004 and now movie that was such a disaster in the river patrol boat for his mission was resides in Sarasota, FL. He may be reached making turn into one of the greatest a miniaturized cross section of San at [email protected] war movies of all time? As a Vietnam Francisco’s Haight-Asbury scene’s
$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%":r'"--r Either Way By Nathan Brown
There comes a point No loss . . . when one chooses between “something” and “nothing.” But if one chooses something, I’m afraid there’s work If you choose nothing, to be done—because now, there’s really no need to get reaching, seeking, hoping, upset or waste any time believing and dying . . . railing against those who and living . . . matter. have chosen something. And—if there is something, God is there, or he isn’t. how can one who Something is going on, believes in nothing blame or it isn’t. The one who believes in something for trying to express to the If someone chooses nothing, one who believes in nothing I have a hard time understanding that there just might be something an ounce of energy expended on to this something-thing? convincing those who believe there’s something, that Why wouldn’t the something- they are woefully misguided, people want to share with because there’s actually nothing. the nothing-people that there’s something more than the If there is indeed nothing, nothing of 500 cable channels? thinking, or wanting to believe, there’s something is really of no consequence. Either way . . . One just toys along with his I think I’ve made or her idea of something my choice. ■ and eventually dies into nothing.
This poem is from Nathan Brown’s new book, “Suffer Little Voices” (Greystone Press, 2005). The book is a finalist for the 2006 Oklahoma Book Award. Nathan is currently an adjunct lecturer in English at the University of Oklahoma and may be reached at HYPERLINK “mailto:[email protected]” [email protected].
r'"--r$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%": The Religion Show By Al Staggs, Chaplain and Performing Artist 4BOUF'F /.
We can keep “In God We Trust” on our coins, Retain “One nation under God” in our pledge, Place the commandments on every courthouse lawn, Pray at every class in our schools
And go to church every Sunday To pray for our troops and pledge allegiance to our nation’s flag Which stands prominently and proudly in the center Of our halls of worship,
But it doesn’t change the fact That we, as a nation, are waging monstrous terror.
It wasn’t God that the 50,000 Iraqi victims Saw in our impressive campaign of ‘shock and awe.’ It isn’t God that the world sees in our readiness To spread ‘freedom’ and ‘democracy’ at the end of a gun barrel.
It isn’t God that the poor of the world sees As we wage war solely for corporate interests And to prop up our lavish lifestyles.
We can profess Jesus as our Savior All we want.
Yet profession without practice is empty, Piosity without peacemaking is meaningless. Promoting family values without pursuing justice Is hypocrisy. It’s all just words, hollow words.
For the greatest evils are those which are committed in the name of God And for that reason, those who advocate war, those who find security In their ‘profession’ of faith in God, Suffer from the most acute delusions.
We go to war and victimize thousands And say ‘Lord, Lord.’ We send our poorest children to combat And we say ‘Lord, Lord.’ We demonize Muslims And say ‘Lord, Lord.’ We build our massive temples of worship And say ‘Lord, Lord.’
Yet our faith is as empty as those temples are On Monday morning.
We may have to wait till the judgment To hear the Lord answer, “Get away from me, I never knew you.” ■
$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%":r'"--r CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY A Journal of Christian Ethics
“We need now to recover the prophethood of all believers, matching our zeal for the priesthood of all believers with a passion for the prophethood of all believers.” —Foy Valentine, Founding Editor
MISSION The Christian Ethics Today Foundation publishes Christian Ethics Today in order to provide laypersons, educators, and ministers with a resource for understanding and responding in a faithful Christian manner to moral and ethical issues that are of concern to contemporary Christians, to the church, and to society.
PURPOSES U Maintain an independent prophetic voice for Christian social ethics U Interpret and apply Christian experience, biblical truth, theological insights, historical understanding, and current research to contemporary moral issues U Support Christian ecumenism by seeking contributors and readers from various denominations and churches U Work from the deep, broad center of the Christian church U Address readers at the personal and emotional as well as the intellectual level by including in the Journal narratives, poetry, and cartoons as well as essays U Strengthen and support the cause of Christian ethics Christian Ethics Today was born in the mind and heart of Foy Valentine in 1995, as an integral part of his dream for a Center for Christian Ethics. In his words, the purpose of the Journal was “to inform, inspire, and unify a lively company of individuals and organizations interested in working for personal morality and public righteousness.” When the Center was transferred to Baylor University in June 2000, the disbanding Board voted to continue the publication of Christian Ethics Today , appointing a new editor and a new Board. The Journal will continue to be published five times annually. From the beginning Christian Ethics Today has been sent without charge to anyone requesting it, “as money and energy permit.” More than ever before, your financial support is “greatly needed, urgently solicited, and genuinely appreciated.” The Christian Ethics Today Foundation is a non-profit organization and has received a 501 (c) (3) status from the Internal Revenue Service. Gifts are tax deductible. BOARD OF DIRECTORS Philip Wise, Chair Pat Anderson Aubrey H. Ducker, Jr. Tony Campolo Fisher Humphreys Carolyn Weatherford Crumpler Donald Morgan Carolyn Dipboye David Sapp
Contributions should be made out to the Christian Ethics Today Foundation and mailed to the address below. Your comments and inquiries are always welcome. Articles in the Journal (except those copyrighted) may be reproduced if you indicate the source and date of publication. Manuscripts that fulfill the purposes of Christian Ethics Today may be submitted to the editor for publication consideration and addressed to: UUÊ"1,Ê , -- -Ê Ê*" Ê 1 ,-Ê6 Ê ÊUU Joe E. Trull, Editor Phone: (940) 262-0450 9608 Parkview Court Cell (940) 230-6931 Denton, TX 76207-6658 New email: [email protected] 6-/Ê1-Ê" Ê"1,Ê7 Ê-/ \ÊÜÜÜ° ÀÃÌ> Ì VÃ/`>Þ°V
$)3*45*"/&5)*$450%": /0/130'*503( 641045"(& 1PTU0GGJDF#PY 1"*% "SHZMF 5FYBT %"--"4 59 1&3.*5/0
"%%3&444&37*$&3&26&45&%