Christian Ethics Today A Journal of Christian Ethics Volume 21, Number 1 Aggregate Issue 89 Spring 2013

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

Put Your Sword Away Patrick Anderson, editor...... 2

Bringing Transcendence In Play James A. Langley...... 3

Why the Red Letter Option? Tony Campolo...... 4

Two Kinds of Charity Natalie Carnes and Jonathan Tran...... 6

What The Presidential Election Told Our Money Culture Gary Moore...... 13

A way to Resolve Doubt About God – Today John Scott...... 16

When Language Smothers Conversation About Creation Care Charles Redfern.....17

Bid for State Religion Fails Nathan C. Walker...... 19

A Trojan Horse: Religious Opposition to the Contraception Mandate Aaron Weaver....20

A Modest Proposal for an Ideal Social Order Roger E. Olson...... 21

Poverty in Paradise Angela Fields...... 24

Mainstreaming Homosexuality for Christians? Mary Sue Abbott...... 26

Feeding the Homeless as a First Amendment Right Carissa Gigliotti...... 27

BOOK REVIEWS Modern Shapers of Baptist Thought in America William Powell Tuck...... 30 366 Devotionals from the 39th President Jimmy Carter...... 31

Special “Matching Gift” Received Christian Ethics Today has received a special $25,000 “matching gift” from the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation. Your generous gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar by this contribution, making Christian Ethics Today available to everyone interested in [timely, relevant articles on the important issues we all face. Put Your Sword Away… By Patrick Anderson

But Jesus told him, “Put your and then charge in on horseback ready access to powerful guns with sword away! Anyone who lives and shoot several arrows from under rapid fire capabilities, a huge number by the sword will die by the the neck of a galloping pony with of bullets ready for use, so powerful sword” (Matthew 26:52). speed and accuracy. With the six-shot that bodies explode upon impact. revolver, the Rangers acquired such Instead of swords and clubs, or even esus said this to Peter just after superior firepower that it was only a six-shooters, an angry mob would JPeter had drawn his sword and matter of time until the Comanches be armed to the hilt just like pirates struck Malcus severing the high were virtually destroyed. in Somalia or warlords in the Congo priest’s servant’s ear. Jesus had just So, picture the arrest of Jesus in a or drug gangs on the Texas-Mexico been identified by Judas to a mob setting where all the men were armed border, and Peter’s unwise action to bent on snatching him away for harsh with a Colt. When Peter drew his, protect Jesus could result in a shoot- treatment. Peter had the best weapon would he have survived? How many out of epic proportions. available to him, and he was intent people could have been shot and Hear Jesus say, “Put your AKs and on protecting himself and others, killed before Jesus had the chance Bushmasters and Glocks away….” especially Jesus, from criminal assault to say, “Put your gun away!” No I raise this scenario, readers of and the heavy hand of tyranny. wonder that the great lawman of the Christian Ethics Today, for us to con- Every gun enthusiast I know can 19th century, Wyatt Earp, required sider the extent to which the gun relate to Peter’s action. I never envi- control debate today is relevant for sioned Peter to be such an accom- us. I have been around guns -- guns plished swordsman that he could have A re-written gun held by both good guys and bad guys taken a foil and expertly lopped off -- all my life. I like the feel and smell an ear. Rather, I imagine Peter taking amendment suitable for of a gun. I have a healthy respect for a wild swing with a heavy sword, and the modern era would what guns can do. But today, guns I believe if Malcus had not ducked scare me more than they used to. Too he would have lost his head. In such replace an antique law many unstable people have them. Too a hostile setting he was lucky to lose with one which adapts much careless talk and casual gun- just an ear, and Peter was lucky to toting suggests a frightening specter have survived the response of the to modern technological of armed school teachers, college stu- crowd intent on arresting Jesus. The and cultural dents packing heat in class, anybody crowd was well-armed for their day, with a pulse and cash able to purchase with swords and clubs, the Scripture developments. an armory, more guns rather than says, and Peter’s resisting of arrest was fewer in our culture. It is like Wyatt a potentially deadly mistake. Earp, instead of requiring people to Imagine that scene had it occurred every man to check his guns when check their weapons as they came to in a town on the Western American he entered town. Earp knew how town, handing out guns to all comers. frontier in the 1880s when every man dangerous a well-armed citizenry was, The carnage resulting from modern was armed with a Colt revolver, the and how volatile the human psyche, firearms and other weaponry is well six-shooter as common as boots and how prone to violence. Wyatt Earp known to all of us. hats. That was the gun that Texas his- would use his own gun to crack a I cannot picture Jesus carrying a torian, T.R. Fehrenbach, describes in man’s skull to subdue him, and per- gun -- even, or most especially, for his book, Comanches: The Destruction mitted no more violence than could self-protection. I am not sure how of a People, as the weapon Texas be carried out with fists and boots. Peter managed to strap on a sword on Rangers adopted as soon as it was No guns allowed. Peter may have sur- the night of the arrest or whether any invented and marketed by the gun vived in Earp’s town when the arrest- other followers of Jesus were similarly manufacturers of the 19th century. ing mob came for Jesus. But what of armed. But I do hear the words of Comanches prior to that time had the towns where gun control was not Jesus when the weaponry was drawn. held a superior weapon, the bow and in effect? And I think those words can also help arrow. The Comanches would wait Now, imagine the arrest of Jesus us sort out and give context to the until a Ranger fired his weapon and taking place in American society “Right to Bear Arms” in 21st Century was reloading the single-shot pistol today, in a setting where people have America.

2 • SPRING 2013 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY I, for one, have put my guns away to keep and bear Arms, shall not be ment of the general right to bear for good. But there is more we could infringed”. The gun-rights people arms.” do. rally behind interpretations of that Perhaps here is a place Christian Professor Zachary Elkins of the amendment beginning in the 1980s ethicists can help connect the dots University of Texas recommended which expand gun rights for self- between “put your sword away” and recently in the New York Times a con- defense, an individual right. “the right to bear arms.” Rather than stitutional amendment to settle the Professor Elkins suggests the dis- waiting for a divided Supreme Court debate in America regarding what the agreement is between those who to settle the issue, a new gun-rights Constitution says about guns. He cor- do not understand “well-regulated amendment could articulate the rectly predicts a basic consensus exists militia” and those who do not under- basic consensus which seems to exist among Americans about guns in soci- stand “shall not be infringed.” A large between gun-rights advocates and ety. The argument for more robust majority of Americans recognize the gun-control advocates. gun control revolves around the first need for a modern understanding of In the 1980s a student at the clause of the Second Amendment, guns. A re-written gun amendment University of Texas wrote a term which says “A well-regulated militia suitable for the modern era would paper, received a C, and then being necessary to the security of a replace an antique law with one which embarked on a campaign that resulted free state”, a clause which has been adapts to modern technological and 10 years later in the ratification of the irrelevant for most of our history. cultural developments. The professor 27th Amendment. If that can hap- When those words were penned is right. As he says, Americans “who pen on an issue like compensation of American had no standing army, no propose responsible limits, like back- Senators and Representatives, why national guard, no airmen or marines ground checks, would welcome con- can we not successfully embark on a or sailors. stitutional support for common-sense campaign to replace the archaic 2nd The argument for absolute free- safeguards. Those who worry about Amendment with a new and relevant dom to bear arms revolves around the slippery slope of encroachments constitutional provision, and in the the second clause of the Second on gun rights would find comfort in process perhaps avert more deadly Amendment, “the right of the people an explicit reassertion and reinforce- violence? ■

Bringing Transcendence In Play

If I can lift up hope to a soul despairing,

Or strive for justice with the will to stay,

If I befriend another in burden-bearing,

Forgive a wrong through Christlike caring,

Oppose any of myriad evils with daring,

Or show a wanderer lost the way,

Or inspire fresh courage that may

defeating fears allay,

I shall share in bringing transcendence in play.

—James A. Langley

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • SPRING 2013 • 3 Why the Red Letter Option? By Tony Campolo

uring the first half of the could be used any longer in any kind who represent what has been called, D20th century, those who still of a positive manner. About that “The Radical Reformation.” embraced traditional Christian time, Billy Graham and Carl Henry, Red Letter Christians are opposed doctrines often referred to them- who was then the editor of the maga- to the partisan politics that have selves as fundamentalists. These were zine Christianity Today, began using a polarized our nation in such a way Christians who affirmed the doc- new label: “evangelical”. Once again, that civil discourse is becoming trines of the Apostles’ Creed; believed orthodox Christians had a word that increasingly impossible. When asked that the authors of Scripture were served them well, and it did so right if we are Democrats or Republicans, inspired and guided by God to write up until the middle of the 1990s. as best we can, we answer, “Please infallible directives for faith and Unfortunately, by then the word name the issue.” This is because practice; and were convinced that evangelical, like the label fundamen- on some issues we are with the “salvation” came as a result of having talist, also had accumulated negative Republicans and, on some issues, we a mystical transforming, relationship connotations. The name had become are with the Democrats. We are not with the Spirit of the resurrected politicized. Evangelicals had come to in lockstep with either party and, Christ. Those who identified with be viewed as married to the Religious when it is voting time, there will this movement did so in reaction to Right and committed to being part be Red Letter Christians who will “modernist” doctrines coming out of the most conservative wing of the vote for one party and others for the of Germany, which doctrines ques- Republican Party. Not surprisingly, opposite party. In each case, the vot- tioned the inspiration of Scripture, evangelicals gave the Republican ing will be done with a certain degree raised doubts about basic Christian candidate, Mitt Romney, 79 percent of ambivalence, in the recognition beliefs such as the virgin birth of of their votes in the 2012 election that neither party really represents Christ and the claim that He per- and were considered propagators of what the red letters in the Bible really formed miracles, and even raised the kind of partisan politics that was expect of us as individuals and as questions about whether or not He polarizing America. a nation.We believe that the Jesus was resurrected from the dead on These days, when someone is revealed in the red letters transcends Easter morning. designated as an Evangelical, red the ideologies of political parties and The label “fundamentalist” served flags go up. He or she is viewed very stands in judgment of what those them well until about 1928 or 1929. typically as being a reactionary, a ideologies represent. The fact that we From that time on, and especially Christian who is anti-feminist; anti- are not partisan does not mean that following the famous Scopes trial gay; anti-environmentalist; pro-war; we are not committed to political in which William Jennings Bryan anti-immigrant; and probably in sup- involvement. Quite the opposite. We argued against Darwin’s theory of port of the policies of the National believe that the teachings that we find evolution, fundamentalists began Rifle Association. Given this social in the red letters call us to bring the to be viewed by many as being reality, a group of us, some of whom values and teachings of Christ into all anti-intellectual, unscientific, and had been referred to as “progres- political discussions. extremely naïve. Added to that image sive evangelicals,” got together and Our critics responded to our new of anti-intellectualism was a creep- tried to ascertain whether or not we name by saying, “You people act as ing tendency among fundamentalists could come up with a new name that though the red letters of the Bible are towards a “holier-than-thou” judg- would not have the connotations that more important than the black let- mentalism that not only condemned the name evangelical was carrying. ters.” To that, we responded, “Exactly! those who deviated from orthodox After considering various options, Not only do we say that the red let- Christian doctrine, but any who did we’ve made the decision to call our- ters are superior to the black letters of not adhere to their prescribed legalis- selves Red Letter Christians. We the Bible, but Jesus said they were!” tic lifestyles marked by opposition to wanted to be known as Christians We pointed out that over and over such things as dancing, smoking, and committed to living out, as much as again in the Sermon on the Mount, the use of alcoholic beverages. possible, what the red letters of the Jesus declared that some of the things By the time the 1950s rolled Bible (the words of Jesus which are taught in the Hebrew Bible about around, the label, “fundamentalist” often highlighted in red) tell us to be such things as divorce, adultery, capi- carried as much negative baggage and do. This, of necessity, would ally tal punishment, and requisites about leaving many wondering whether it us with those, like the Mennonites, how money should be used had to be

4 • SPRING 2013 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY transcended by a higher morality.We As we read Jesus’ teachings in the can grasp the full meaning of the contended that when Jesus told us, in Beatitudes that if we do not show black letters until we first come to the sixth chapter of Matthew, that He mercy, we should not expect mercy, know the Jesus revealed in the red was giving us new commandments, we believe this precludes for any Red letters. Do any of us grasp all that is we decided to make the point that Letter Christians support for capital referred to in such passages as Isaiah they really were new commandments. punishment (Matt. 5:7). If someone 53 or Psalm 22 without first coming Jesus taught that we should love points out to us that a capital crime to an understanding of who Jesus was our enemies and from that, we con- should be punished with capital pun- and is, and what He did and taught? cluded that He probably meant that ishment, we argue that Jesus taught The Red Letter Christian movement we shouldn’t kill them. This, in turn, that the Law of Moses that prescribed is growing faster than any of us could probably raised serious questions as an eye for an eye and a tooth for a have imagined. The television show, to whether or not Christians could tooth is no longer binding for those Red Letter Christians, along with our participate in war. Consequently, who would be His followers (Matt. radio show, Across the Pond, is being many Red Letter Christians have 5:38-39). Jesus taught that we must accessed by more and more Christians committed themselves to non-violent love those who hurt us and overcome via the internet. Our website, www. resistance, refusing to be a part of the evil with good (Matt.5-43-45). RedLetterChristians.org, which among military. Several of them who already This is not to diminish the impor- other things has blogs from the move- were enlisted in the military service tance of the black letters of Scripture. ment’s many spokespersons, has had resigned. We Red Letter Christians believe that more than 1,100,000 unique hits dur- We pointed out that when Jesus the Holy Spirit directed the writers of ing its first year online. The response said to a young man that if he wanted Scripture so that all that they wrote to the invitation for Christians to sign to be one of His disciples, he must was inspired by God, but at the same up to be part of this movement shows be willing to sell all that he had and time we believe that the teachings that there is a wide audience of those to give the money to the poor (Mark of Jesus represent a fuller revelation who are looking for a new option for 10:17-27). That Jesus obviously went of God’s will than anything that we defining themselves as followers of way beyond the tithing concept of find in the Hebrew Scriptures. We Christ, the future of the church. ■ giving ten percent of one’s income also want to affirm that the black let- for religious purposes–a prescription ters all point to the Jesus we find in (One of the founders of the Red common among fundamentalists and the red letters (Heb.11:1-2; Col.2:9). Letter Christian Movement) evangelicals. Furthermore, we do not believe we Matching Gift Offer

Please meet the challenge of the special matching gift from the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation. For your generous gift of $100 or more, Tony Campolo has offered signed copies of his most popular books, and we will send a copy of one of them to you.

✓ Red Letter Revolution ✓ Red Letter Christians ✓ Stories That Feed Your Soul ✓ Connecting Like Jesus

Your generous gift will help us continue publishing Christian Ethics Today.

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • SPRING 2013 • 5 Two Kinds of Charity Natalie Carnes & Jonathan Tran, Baylor University

n a world of poverty, what does ity we mean to take it as seriously as Jones said she wants to use it to help Ithe Gospel require of those of us possible. The only reason we call it the two re-enter the workplace and who call ourselves Christians? Two “worldly” is that: 1) It is what most establish a stable source of income, immediate options arise, and we want people in America take to be char- rather than spending it to satisfy their to name them so we can take them ity, and 2) It is a model of goodness immediate needs. off the table. First, we could choose based on American ideals, not a “I really have emphasized wanting to do nothing. I could choose to turn model of goodness based on what to get them support so they can stand my head the other way, bury it in the the church is called to. The fact that independently,” Jones said, pointing sand of my nicely manicured subur- most Christians view worldly charity out it was a difficult decision to avoid ban lawn, barricade myself from the as appropriately Christian charity tells addressing their short-term needs. world’s desperation and figure out us everything we need to know about “If there’s any way for them to have how to hole up in some version of the how confused we Christians are on some stable income by the time I gated community and pretend noth- this question. (How readily American move out of the city, I would be really ing’s wrong. This is a wildly popular Christians replace “Christian” with happy.” option among both poor and rich “American!”) The fact that we Jones met the two men after she alike. Another option: we might try Christians tend to applaud this kind attended a Christian worship confer- to figure out how to get rich off the of charity, that we tend to aspire to ence that inspired her to reach out to desperation. I could look around at it, shows that we are worldly, if by the less fortunate. the world in all its desperation and “worldly” we mean resembling, not “At the beginning of the year I went say, “How can I make money off of distinguishable from, everybody else to the conference, and my real focus that?” As crude and even rude as that in the world, including those who do was to live like Jesus did in a really sounds, it is one very attractive way not consider themselves Christians. practical way,” Jones said. “One of the to go. More people are asking, “How A telling example of worldly char- big things that I had been thinking can I get rich off the desperation” ity ran on a Christian publication about a lot was serving the poor.” than “How do I serve the desperate?” recently. On the cover of this par- Jones said she felt compelled to pro- Since those two options are not viable ticular publication is the photo of a vide extra jackets to needful strangers, for those who seek to follow Jesus, young Caucasian woman with two “We look at our closets and we see let’s take them off the table. jars of coins, a smile that could light all these clothes that are not being So let’s say we go the way of dis- up a room, and a headline lauding used…” Jones later came up with cipleship as the church has tradition- her charity. There is no better way to the idea to hold a coin drive to raise ally understood it, then, what would get at this understanding of charity money for them. “I guess my idea ini- be demanded of us? In the following, than to quote the article, which is not tially was if we raised enough money we offer two answers to this question very long. Note that the reason this maybe we could help them,” she said. and point to the one we think must story is on the cover of a Christian “I was thinking to help them get out be the answer for those who take publication is because it is largely of that house and that we could help seriously Jesus’ Lordship on the amaz- what we Christians tend to take to them get a deposit on an apartment. ingly important issue of what Christ be the model for how we are to relate ... As I was talking to them they said described as “doing for the least of to the poor. Not only do we have a they preferred to stay there ... and I these.” (Matthew 25:44-46) model of charity here, this model is didn’t think that was going to be best being held up as an example of what for them.” Worldly Charity Jesus calls us to: Jones’s fundraising efforts consisted The first option we will call “worldly Bethany Jones led an effort that of asking fellow members of her charity.” By calling it worldly charity, raised more than $100 in a single life group and church to contribute we do not mean to belittle this kind day for two unemployed men whom pocket change toward their efforts. of charity. We do not mean “worldly” she and a group of friends met in a Instead of just coins, she said, many as in “sinful”. We simply mean char- Wendy’s restaurant parking lot a few life group members gave larger dona- ity according to the world; worldly weeks ago. tions. charity may be worldly, but, for us Although the group hasn’t yet Fellow life group member Robert Americans, it is charity nonetheless. decided exactly what resources it Smith said the efforts to help others Rather than belittle worldly char- will purchase with the money raised, made him and the rest of the group

6 • SPRING 2013 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY stronger in their Christian faith. sentimentalities, serving in principle In this article, it means helping them “Once you step out and love some- or in the abstract. Worldly charity get jobs, which necessitates their get- one who really needs it, you grow so isn’t limited to telling poor folks Jesus ting cell phones, which Jones and her much,” Smith said. “You really feel loves them, but rather requires great friends help arrange: “I really have like you’re living for a purpose, and lengths, that you show them through emphasized wanting to get them sup- the purpose is to give glory to God.” your actions, through your money, port so they can stand independently,” (We have generalized names and your jacket, your effort, that Jesus Jones says, admitting that it was a details and omitted the title of this loves them. difficult decision to avoid address- publication because this story is indic- Fourth, this helpful and practical ing only short-term needs. “If there’s ative of so many instances of what something you do, this service to the any way for them to have some stable we are calling worldly charity and the poor, will require something of you. income by the I move out of the city, positive attention it draws.) In this story, this woman gives of her I would be really happy.” And by this Now we could start by criticizing time (that could otherwise be spent she shows she understands that the this picture, but we want instead working), her energy (that could problem is bigger than this encounter to take it seriously as a possibility otherwise be used at her church), her outside Wendy’s. for Christian discipleship. After all, attention (where she could otherwise Finally, worldly charity requires and Jones names Jesus as her inspiration be watching television), and of course results in self-examination: How am I and it is her desire “to live like Jesus her money (which she could other- living a purpose-driven life? Do I need did in a really practical way” and her wise use). In giving of her time, her all my coins? Do I need jackets I don’t Christian faith was made stronger by energy, her attention, and her money, use? What does it mean to really help the experience. If we were to imagine she gives. someone? What would Jesus do? The discipleship like this then what would ultimate benefit here is not for the it would it involve? In examining this two homeless men, but more so how example, we come face-to-face with This picture of charity the two homeless men benefit us, the the prevailing understanding of what rich person, toward self-realization, charity is, what faithfulness is, what doesn’t allow us to go to self-actualization, deepening of one’s loving the poor is. Wendy’s without taking relationship with God. Worldly char- If this is a picture of worldly char- ity is part of one’s bigger personal ity, then what does worldly charity into consideration the journey toward goodness. require of us? First, it requires that we homeless man sitting in As a picture of what it means to see the poor as worthy of moral con- relate to the poor, worldly charity is sideration. It requires that we think of front of Wendy’s. When pretty intense; it requires a lot of us. the presence of the poor as something we see poor people, we We can say as this publication was worth thinking about, not something need to take notice. obviously saying by featuring this we can easily disregard. This picture story so prominently, that worldly of charity doesn’t allow us to go to charity is laudable; it is commendable. Wendy’s without taking into consid- We can say that if everyone lived like eration the homeless man sitting in Fifth, it requires that you gather and Bethany Jones, the world would be a front of Wendy’s. When we see poor encourage others to participate in better place; or at least we can say that people, we need to take notice. helping the poor. Worldly charity even though not that many people Second, it requires that we do necessitates that you see the problem regularly act like Jones, people should something. Our noticing someone as requiring others to join in, and so act like her. is our noticing that we need to do you will have to mobilize (as she does We can also say that many of us something in regards to that person. with her life group and church) group have had situations just like the one It requires that we involve ourselves action. The article talks about a larger Jones faced outside Wendy’s, and in that person’s story, which presumes purpose, and so helping this person many of us have acted commendably, that person has a story. Jones, in this is a collective enterprise, her and her just like Jones. And when we volun- story, helps us to humanize the per- friends doing this thing together. teer worldly charity, many of us feel son, as a person in need who comes Sixth, it requires that you see the good about it. In the cases I don’t give across our path and so intersects with problem as systemic. In this case, away my jar of coins, because I’m too our lives. Jones recognizes these two men need selfish, or too rushed or too scared, or Next, it requires that the something jobs, need work, have needs beyond whatever, still I think I should. we do is something helpful, practi- the “immediate” needs they are ask- And finally we should observe that cal, something like giving money for ing for; and so helping them will if you live like this, if much of your rent, getting a jacket for the cold. require some recognition of their life looks a lot like worldly charity as Worldly charity doesn’t ask for cheap needs beyond those immediate needs. expressed in this article, you’re bound

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • SPRING 2013 • 7 to get on a few covers. You’re bound will have jobs. The non-negotiable is is the inspiration for the rich to do to be applauded, and esteemed and her future, not theirs. It is an entirely good things with their riches. We do held up as exemplary. You’ll be seen different thing if she says, “I will not these things because we want to be as a model for what charity and even move, I will not leave the city, until like God, assuming God is like us… Christian faithfulness looks like. these men have jobs. So deplorable is affluent and able to give away God’s And this is important. Why? Because this injustice, so great their need, that stuff. We do these things because it worldly charity requires, as we said, I will tie my fortune to theirs.” strengthens a relationship with God sacrifices, and we are a people who The second is embedded in the which we can be certain of, even in need our sacrifices noticed, applaud- first: Worldly charity requires we have the midst of our riches. Worldly char- ed, and even rewarded. Having our compassion for the poor, but that ity assumes God is not offended by worldly charity lauded encourages us compassion cannot overwhelm us. our riches, that God is happy to be toward greater worldly charity. This is a basic principle of capitalism in company of our money. It assumes All this makes worldly charity look as Adam Smith devised it. It was not God does not mind sharing Lordship really good. But is it Christian? There that Adam Smith did not have com- with mammon. The poor are the is no doubt that it involves giving of passion for the poor or that market godless and what we do is bring God ourselves, that it is moral, that it’s of capitalism doesn’t allow for compas- to them by bringing our money to benefit to ourselves and others, that it sion and care for the poor. It does; them. This isn’t to say we don’t have is worthy of moral praise. (It is after it’s just that compassion is granted anything to learn from the poor, but all on the cover of a Christian publi- its place and cannot overwhelm the we aren’t gonna’ get God from them; cation.) But is it Christian? Well, we system. The system is to stimulate their god is untrustworthy. How do won’t know until we unpack what an economy that will first make us we know? Because they are poor. Christ requires on these matters. We prosperous and secondly take care of If their god were trustworthy, they won’t know what following Jesus is the poor; but notice, there can be no would be like us: that is to say rich. like until we turn our attention to taking care of the poor, the think- This feeds a final implication: Even Jesus and examine his life. ing goes, if there are no rich, if the though it produces poor people, the Even before we do that though, we poor are allowed to overwhelm and larger system we live in is just and can already get a sense of the things undermine the system. The poor are should be promoted, and we promote worldly charity isn’t asking of us, thought about but as an afterthought. this system to a significant degree the sacrifices it does not require, the Giving to the poor our coins is the by trying to get the poor involved in picture of goodness it isn’t pushing. logical conclusion of the system we it. Worldly charity assumes that the Worldly charity requires sacrifice, live in; there is nothing radical about systems of market capitalism and its but not much sacrifice, sacrifice but it, only the natural result of lives of global spread over the earth are funda- not self-sacrifice, not sacrifice of our excess. Our system produces excess, mentally sound and morally beneficial selves. Worldly charity allows us to excess riches and excess poverty, and and the best thing we can do for the keep ourselves; it allows us to keep those with excess riches should give poor is incorporate them in its infra- our lives as is; to, in the encounter of their excess. But never should such structure. That’s why it’s so important with the poor, keep our lives intact. giving be done in a way that jeopar- to get these two homeless men phones So in this case, Jones gives away coins, dizes the system that produces riches. so they can get jobs, because if we can not her bank account; she does not A third implication: Worldly char- get them to be participants, not just do as the Good Samaritan who says ity doesn’t ask you to live differently recipients, they will lead productive to the innkeeper, “Here’s access to my than the world. It encourages you to lives, furthering the system. They, we money, take care of him, give him live in and of the world, to do as the think, want to be just like us -- rich. whatever he needs, whatever it takes” world does. We know worldly charity We help the homeless person because (Luke 10:35). She gives coins. Her is extolled in this world; that’s why we see in him a rich person trying to stuff remains hers. She helps these instances of it end up on magazines get out, and it is our job to help that people, on the way to whatever else and newspaper headlines. We hear happen. Never is the justice of the she was doing, to wherever else she stories all the time of worldly charity system—the meritocracy that requires is going; her well-laid plans remain in all the ways we’ve just described, some to be poor and some to be rich, the same. Remember, she says, “If and those stories are almost always that encourages consumerism, hoard- there’s any way for them to have paired with adulation, extolling the ing, humiliating disparity between some stable income by the time I virtues of worldly charity. To live this rich and poor—put into question. move out of the city, I would be really way allows you to live with the grain The poor person we encounter is not happy” such that the goal is that, by of the world. meant to force the question, “What is the time she moves, they will have And this relates to the next sugges- wrong with this world that she has to jobs—what is assured in this equation tion: Worldly charity assumes God is live like that?” is that she will move, not that they on our side, the side of the rich. God We are not saying that worldly

8 • SPRING 2013 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY charity is not good. It is good. We away almost all of his salary, he takes The rich find him off-putting. It is just don’t know that it’s particularly the money allotted to him for travel rumored that at one rich person’s Christian. Nor are we saying people expenses, and he gives it all away. All house, he remarked, “What beautiful shouldn’t commit to acts of worldly this charity attracts others. Learning clocks! What beautiful carpets! What charity. As we said, the world would to see him as a trustworthy man, peo- beautiful dishes! They must be a great be a better place if more people ple entrust him with more and more trouble. I would not have all those did. We are saying that when we do money. And he simply gives more and unnecessary objects, crying incessantly worldly charity, we should not have more away. Victor Hugo describes it in my ears: ‘There are people who overmuch confidence that what we like this, “Like water on dry soil; no are hungry! There are people who are are doing is Christian. matter how much money he received, cold! There are poor people! There are he never had any.” poor people!’” He got an early ride Christian Charity When the bishop visits the vil- home from that party. Worldly charity requires sacrifice lages in his see, he walks or goes by The bishop cannot quite give away but not deep sacrifice; compassion, donkey since he has given away his all his excess. There is one luxury but not overwhelming compassion; a travel funds. And rather than preach that the bishop indulges. He has six global consideration of poverty with- at people, he talks to them, hold- silver knives and forks and a silver out a global indictment of systems ing up to them the examples of their soup-ladle and two large candlesticks, that create poverty. Worldly charity neighbors. “Look at the people of which he has inherited from a great- allows us to believe that God is on the your neighboring village! They have aunt. He cannot seem to give them side of the rich and that we can con- given to the poor, the widows and the away. And he says more than once, “I tinue living in the same general pat- find it difficult to give up eating from terns that we have always lived. silver dishes.” And so he eats his mea- But as Christians, we are not Worldly charity allows us ger meals in his modest home on fine called to worldly charity but to silver. It is his one luxury. Christian charity. The difference that to believe that God is on This bishop represents for Victor “Christian” makes is illumined by a the side of the rich and Hugo something more than worldly character in Victor Hugo’s novel of charity. The bishop, after all, is a revolutionary France, Les Miserables. that we can continue Christian figure who constantly talks The character is a minor one, a bish- living in the same about his life in terms of the gifts of op who is serving a church seen as out general patterns that we God and Christ. The bishop, that is, of touch with the life of the common thinks of all his possessions as gifts people. Soon after he assumes his post have always lived. from God, gifts with which he is as bishop, the bishop realizes that his entrusted to give to others. They are palace is adjoined to an overcrowded not his possessions (lest they come to hospital, which has barely enough orphans the right to have their mead- possess him), but gifts to be held as room for the 26 beds it contains. ows mown three days before everyone they are received, with open hands. After visiting the hospital, the bishop else. They rebuild their houses for His charity stems directly from his insists that there has been a mistake: them freely when they are ruined.” It understandings of God’s charity to The sick must have his palace, and is always the justice and righteousness him. So out of this charity, the bishop he will live in the small hospital. So of neighbors, never of himself, that gives up his nice beautiful home for against protests that a bishop cannot the bishop elevates. He ends up on no a small one, eats a simple daily diet, possibly entertain and fulfill his duties local newspapers. If people ask about wears shabby clothes, and renounces as bishop in such a small and modest him, he points to others. what is due him. place, he moves into the hospital. The tiniest details of the bishop’s The bishop, in these ways, models a Then he draws up his budget. life are described. There is a whole form of Christian charity deep within Bishops, being prelates of the state, chapter devoted to the way the bishop the Christian tradition. It is a form of did pretty well for themselves in eigh- wears his robes for too long and charity that recognizes the common teenth-century France. The bishop in has to conceal its shabbiness with a gift of God’s creation, which under- our story made £15,000, equivalent cloak. As his clothes are shabby and stands that apart from God, we have to about $285,000 today. Yet he gave uncomfortable, his meals are modest, nothing; we quite literally are nothing. away everything but £1,000. That even meager. Unless there is a guest One response to this common gift is a means he gives away 93% of his sal- to entertain, he eats boiled vegetable- saying in the Christian tradition that ary, or about $265,000, so that he and-oil soup. He gives all excess away has been largely forgotten: “In need lives on $20,000. Yet this is not a to the poor, and they love him --love all things are common.” What that worldly charity, but a Christian one, that draws him into yet more giving. means is that the hungry have a prop- and so goes even further. After giving But not everyone loves the bishop. er claim to the excesses of the rich.

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • SPRING 2013 • 9 It is not the privilege of the poor to criminal feel trusted, and in turn, the Hearing this story, one might rejoice receive from those better off, but their criminal responds to that trust by that poverty is no longer as much a right to demand from their wealthier becoming the novel’s hero. But the problem now as it was in revolution- Christian brothers and sisters. To give story doesn’t end there. This, after ary France, and how fortunate that away riches is a Christian obligation. all, isn’t a story about worldly charity, the poor are not so oppressed as they And the charitable Christian is the but Christian charity, which lays bare once were. Yet in terms of aggregate one who can hear the cries from her the thin niceness of worldly charity. numbers there are more poor on Earth items of luxury, “There are poor peo- Valjean has been treated unjustly, now than there has ever been, and we ple! There are poor people!” Let the inhospitably, and unkindly for years. in 21st century America oppress the one who has ears to hear, hear from He has learned that the world is not poor in our own ways: zoning require- one’s cars, one’s gadgets, one’s savings a place where he can trust or depend ments, licensing regulations, unjust and investments: “There are poor on anyone, bishop or not. His life labor practices, political exploitation, people! There are poor people!” is determined by habits of survival. begging laws, capital flight from Back to our bishop. On the door- And so that night in the bishop’s resi- exploited lands, and so on. If the cost step of this charitable man’s home dence, he is haunted by thoughts of of charity in revolutionary France arrives the novel’s hero: Jean Valjean. the silver on that table at dinner. It was to give away every luxury, trade There is nothing particularly heroic torments him. A life empty of charity nice homes for smaller ones, eat sim- about Valjean at this point in the runs its course: Valjean takes the silver ply, and recognize excess as properly story; later in the story he will become and flees into the night. He takes the claimed by the poor, what is the cost heroic but only by the charity of oth- bishop’s one luxury. of charity in current day America? ers. When we catch up with Valjean, The bishop’s housekeeper—who There are deep differences between he has served many years in prison for is also his sister—is enraged. She the Christian charity modeled by the stealing bread and trying to escape. informs the bishop that his one pre- bishop and worldly charity. Where He has been turned out of shelter cious item has been stolen. After a worldly charity requires that we make after shelter as innkeepers discover he pause, the bishop refuses the descrip- small sacrifices, Christian charity is an ex-convict. No one wants to risk tion of “stolen.” “In the first place,” he demands much more painful ones. It being near a criminal. When he shows asks, “was that silver ours?... I have for requires, not giving a few coins, but up at the bishop’s house, Valjean has a a long time kept that silver wrongful- giving away sizable chunks of one’s “rough…and violent expression in his ly. It belonged to the poor. Who was bank account. Christian charity means eyes.” He is, as Hugo describes him that man? A poor man, evidently.” not giving away old jackets but wear- “hideous.” He is exhausted and angry. And so having already been more kind ing jackets even when they are shabby And he is hungry. to Valjean than anyone had ever been, so that more people can be clothed. Stumbling across Valjean, the bish- the bishop gives to Valjean his one It means reconsidering transportation op invites him for dinner and shelter. luxury in life. options, sacrificing convenience and Unaccustomed to receiving any hos- Valjean does not get very far with comfort to aid those who have no pitality, Valjean “stammers like a crazy the silver before the authorities arrest options at all for transportation. man.” He is still more astounded him, suspicious looking fellow that This speaks to the second point of when he is served dinner on precious he is. They march Valjean to the compassion. Where worldly charity silver. Replying to Valjean’s astonish- bishop. Determined to return Valjean doles out compassion in small doses, ment, the bishop replies: “This is to the galleys for life, the authorities Christian charity swims in an ocean not my house; it is the house of Jesus are ready for the bishop to expose of compassion that flows from the Christ. This door does not demand Valjean’s lie that the bishop gave him life of God and floods our lives and of him who enters whether he has a the silver. They arrive in the bishop’s choices. The compassion of the bishop name, but whether he has a grief. You home. Before they can say anything, so overwhelmed his life that it swept suffer, you are hungry and thirsty; the bishop sees Valjean and rejoices: away the bishop’s attachment to his and so you are welcome.” During “Here you are! You forgot to take the silver. And this speaks to a third point his visit, Valjean can’t believe it; he candlesticks I gave you, which are about worldly charity. Where worldly knows not the source or motivation also silver and should fetch you about charity preserves the shape of one’s of the bishop’s unending charity, there 200 francs.” With no charge to press life, Christian charity, with its out- is no accounting for it. The bishop, against him, the authorities release pouring compassion, does not. It will in turn, urges him toward the joyful Valjean and leave. The bishop presses inconvenience your life; it will trouble hospitality of his Father awaiting him the candlesticks into Valjean’s hand. you. It does not ask what spare change in heaven. In this gift, the bishop’s Christian you have, but rather: How have you If the story ended here, we might charity is made perfect. When need lived in such a way that you have so have a nice, feel-good tale. The bishop faces luxury, he renounces luxury, no much spare change around? What can uses his home and silver to make the matter how attached he is to it. “spare” mean in a world where 35,000

10 • SPRING 2013 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY children die a day from poverty? with ears to hear know what words thirsty, and he gave us his blood; While some will love you for it, it he gives those who did not feed the homeless, and he gave us the Church; will make you seem weird to others hungry, welcome the stranger, clothe naked, and he clothed us in the Spirit. and annoying to still others. You may the naked, or attend the prison- This is what the church witnesses seem eccentric, and you will have a ers (Matthew 25:41-43). While the to when it welcomes the suffering, hard time fitting in with the world bishop is like Jesus in his poverty and hungry, thirsty, homeless and naked. as it currently stands. You, like the his charity, Jean Valjean is like Jesus This is the way of discipleship: the bishop, will be shown an early exit in his needfulness, in his hunger, his way of the Cross, the giving of our from the party. homelessness, and even, let’s not for- very selves in imitation of Jesus giving Why would a person want to live get, his criminal status. of his very self, so that others may no this way? Why did the bishop want Jesus is the poor whom we are longer suffer the ravages of poverty. to live this way? The bishop was liv- called to serve. He is God who came To live this way is not to be more ing in response to the common gift to us as a poor man, with nowhere than human or less than human. It is of creation, in imitation of the one to lay his head, in the form of a to live into the fullness of our human- who gave us that gift. He was striv- servant. There is no way to worship ity, as that fullness is revealed to us by ing to be like Jesus, the one who said: this God without serving the poor. the Son of Man. Blessed are the poor, for theirs is the And serving the poor, as Jesus makes Here is the fifth point about kingdom of God. Like the bishop, clear, is a way of caring for God, worldly charity. Worldly charity does Jesus also throws his lot in with the whether we know it or not. Here we not indict the systems of the world. poor. He also gives away the one are coming to the fourth point about Yet Christian charity is born out of luxury that he can claim: equality worldly charity: where worldly char- the greatest indictment of all worldly with God. And he has also invited the systems: the Cross. Against the undeserving to a meal. In the Gospel seductive logic that global capitalism of Matthew, Jesus anticipates his sec- There is no way to produces “just” winners and losers, ond coming, the consummation of all the heart of the Christian tradition things. He describes the Son of Man worship this God without is God, Love Itself, crucified by a sitting on his throne in glory, with all serving the poor. And system that claimed worldly justice the nations gathered before him. It is as the backside of worldly charity. time to invite guests to the everlasting serving the poor, as Jesus Christians should maintain a healthy banquet, the joyful hospitality of the makes clear, is a way of skepticism of political and economic Father. And he turns to one group systems, especially those that claim to and says, “Come, you who are blessed caring for God, whether mete out justice, since such claims to by my Father; take your inheritance, we know it or not. justice crucified the one who is truly the kingdom prepared for you since justice. This does not mean refusing the creation of the world. For I was to use worldly systems, but doing so hungry and you gave me something ity assumes God is on the side of vigilantly, keeping God’s ends in view. to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me rich, Christian charity acknowledges What does all this mean for those something to drink, I was a stranger God as the one made poor for our of us today who live comfortably and and you invited me in, I needed sakes. Jesus is the quintessential poor well? If God suffered death that we clothes and you clothed me, I was man, and the needful among us are might not be hungry or homeless, sick and you looked after me, I was the poor whom those of us who live what are we called to suffer that oth- in prison and you came to visit me” in excess and luxury are called to live ers might not have a different kind (Matthew 25:34-36). for. Jesus reveals that God is with the of hunger and homelessness? As we But these righteous folk do not poor, and so the one who wants to be cannot worship the God made poor understand. “Lord, when did we see with God should seek God among without serving the poor, neither can you hungry and feed you, or thirsty the poor. we worship the God who gave every- and give you something to drink? In Christ, God lived with the poor, thing if we demand to hold on to our When did we see you a stranger and and God died with the poor. This is things. What does the Gospel require invite you in, or needing clothes and where the depth of Christian charity of us, and what would satisfying those clothe you? When did we see you is made known to us: on the Cross requirements resemble? Consider sick or in prison and go to visit you?” with Christ. The Cross, where we Shelley Douglass of Birmingham, The Son of Man’s reply should haunt crucified Love Incarnate, who came Alabama, Hugo’s saint in everyday us. “Truly I tell you, whatever you to us as a poor man that we may no life: did for one of the least of these broth- longer suffer hunger, thirst, home- I live in Ensley, one of the poor- ers and sisters of mine, you did for lessness, and nakedness. For we were est neighborhoods in Birmingham, me” (Matthew 25:37-40). And those hungry, and Jesus gave us his body; Alabama. For the last 19 years I’ve

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • SPRING 2013 • 11 been hospitaller at Mary’s House, a the concomitant white-skin privilege, grain more deeply than on the Cross Catholic Worker house of hospital- I struggle to see the world through of Christ? ity primarily for families. I sleep in other eyes. As a person convinced that Are we haunted by the Cross? When what was a sun porch, a small room a nonviolent revolution is the only we pass the many crosses most of us with lots of windows tacked on to final answer to the questions of war encounter in churches and jewelry and the back to the house…Ensley used and injustice in our world, I battle my home decoration, do they call out to to be a bustling little city of its own. own lethargy and despair to discover us, “There are poor people! There are Now the brickworks and industrial new, Gospel ways of living my beliefs. poor people!”? If Jesus gave his body infrastructure stand idly crumbling, As a follower of Jesus’ way, I try to and blood, the Church and the Spirit, never having recovered from the steel live his simple teachings about loving that we may no longer suffer poverty, exodus many years ago. The people the enemy and sharing possessions. what are we called to give? The answer of Ensley struggle. Young people I fail often. I hope that sharing these is not as easy as worldly charity. It will who have prospered have moved on struggles might open some questions cost everything. It will run you against to better neighborhoods; elders who for all of us, and perhaps help us the grain of this world, against that remain here don’t have the money to see together a new way forward. brutal cross. Giving away your last for repairs – or even for bills. Houses (http://paxchristiusa.org/2012/08/11/ luxury, being counted among the least deteriorate, and when the elders die reflection-in-birmingham-hope-and- of these, throwing your lot in with the their houses sit empty and unclaimed poverty-in-the-belly-of-the-beast/) weakest against the most powerful, all for years, moldering away amidst Compare the quoted stories of these will run you against the grain weeds and trash. Ensley is full of poor Bethany Jones and Shelley Douglass, of the world. And yet, laid up against and forgotten folks. Our city schools and ask yourself, “What is the cost the grain of this world, we live with are wretched, our streets are crack- of Christian discipleship?” It is not the grain of the universe. For Christ’s ing and decaying, we have blocks of the worldly charity of the Bethany cross identifies lives poured out as the boarded-up stores and a church on Jones in all of us, which allows us to very grain of the universe, the very every block. With the exception of a live with the grain of the world and meaning and identity and purpose of few revitalization efforts, Ensley has receive its praise and adulation— all things. ■ been left to fend for itself. The people maybe even magazine covers—and so of Ensley get ignored or written off costs very little. Christian charity calls Natalie Carnes and Jonathan Tran in a city short-hand: high-crime us to live like Catholic Worker Shelley both teach theology and ethics in the district, dangerous neighborhood, Douglass, not with the grain of the Department of Religion at Baylor wouldn’t want to live there. I have world, but with the grain of the uni- University in Waco, Texas. This paper known parents who wouldn’t allow verse—with the grain of the kind of was initially presented at the 2012 their children to come for a work-day creatures we were made to be: humans “No Need Among You” Texas Christian at Mary’s House, fearing for their divinized into the life of God. And Community Development Conference. safety… As a white person born with where do we feel the severity of that

Your financial support of Christian Ethics Today is very important. We depend on gifts from our readers. As Bill Moyers says, “Look upon these pages as you would a campfire around which we gather to share our life experiences -- the stories, ideals, and hopes unique to our understanding of faith. Then imagine what we lose if the fire goes out.” Please help us keep the fire burning. Gifts to Christian Ethics Today are tax-deductible. Please use the envelope provided in this journal.

12 • SPRING 2013 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY The People Vs. The Prophets: What The Presidential Election Told Our Money Culture About Evangelical Christianity By Gary Moore

“Jesus and Paul spent no energy on earth. I can think of very, very of whom have worried about the on trying to clean up the Roman few people who have stewarded their firmness of Mr. Romney’s commit- Empire, despite their terrible prac- time, talent and treasure as faithfully ment to their causes earlier this year, tices of abandoning infants, peder- as Rev. Graham. Yet I had to wonder say they are unconcerned about those asty, and gladiator games. Indeed, if the ad, which I understand is to and other recent comments that have the people Jesus denounced most appear in several other papers, was brought a more centrist cast to the harshly, the Pharisees, were some the best possible use of the donations Republican presidential nominee.” of the most moral people on earth. of Christians. As I told friends who Even conservative Christian political He did not give us the challenge of work in the Graham’s ministries, the strategist Ralph Reed was quoted by imposing our morality on others, ad was so blatantly partisan I couldn’t the October 9th issue of the Journal but rather of spreading a far more imagine it being the idea of Rev. as observing: “It will be ironic if radical message, that God loves Graham. Yet the Journal contained the first ticket in history without a sinners. Politics is based on power, another article on October 19th that Protestant got the biggest share of the and power always causes divisions said Rev. Graham and Franklin had evangelical vote in history.” [while it corrupts what it touches]. met with Governor Romney the pre- I’ve long described the ironies in It is very difficult indeed to get vious Friday and Rev. Graham “all evangelical thinking about politi- across a message of love and power but offered his endorsement.” cal economy. Still, the ad dumb- at the same time...Sometimes I feel He apparently did even more. The founded even me. Rev. Graham like a liberal among conservatives Journal also reported the ministry’s famously misjudged President Nixon. and sometimes like a conservative website deleted a long-running com- We might remember that Senator among liberals. I have conservative mentary about Governor Romney’s George McGovern, who had stud- theology--I believe the Bible--but Mormonism being a religious cult. ied theology, had been a war hero that leads me to ‘progressive’ opin- I’ve often noted the possibly cult-like, before denouncing the Vietnam ions about politics, because the and definitely herd-like tendencies War as immoral. Perhaps reflect- Bible has much to say about justice of evangelicalism, particularly when ing the people’s vote for Baal at the and helping the poor.” Evangelical it comes to economics. So I’m glad foot of Sinai and vote for Barabbas author Philip Yancey we’re finally being more graceful before Pilate, McGovern lost in a toward others. But the church might landslide to Nixon. Despite Nixon’s I was recently invited to submit a have more credibility if such decisions popularity with the people, which white paper for an upcoming sym- are made on theological grounds the Gospels remind usually includes posium of evangelical stewardship rather than political grounds. A key a few Pharisees, who the Gospels leaders. I considered the monumental biblical value is that Truth is Truth, say “loved money,” history will long moral and spiritual challenges we whether Pilate gets it or not. Truth is remember Nixon as one of the more face in helping our political-economy rarely as dependable when spoken by immoral men who occupied the more closely reflect the biblical and politicians. We should be quite hesi- White House. So I’ve long believed traditional values of our faith. I tant to tie our faith to such. that Rev. Graham, who no one will decided to write that we can’t really For example, the Journal’s October ever accuse of loving money, even if lead our nation in that direction if 12th issue said: “Mitt Romney many evangelical televangelists do, we’re following politicians. I had no would likely have raised eyebrows, was very wise since Nixon’s demise more submitted the paper than a full if not protest, had he said during to carefully explain that he might be page ad in The Wall Street Journal the Republican primaries that ‘no conservative and a Christian but was told me I had chosen a very timely legislation with regard to abortion’ not a member of the religious right. subject. The ad was placed by no less would be part of his agenda, that Still, Journal surveys often remind our than the Billy Graham Evangelistic federal regulation is ‘essential’ or that money culture that evangelicals are Association. young illegal immigrants should be far more “enthusiastic” about politics It featured a large picture of Rev. able to keep work permits issued by than any American voting bloc. Graham, who I have greatly admired President Barack Obama. But con- Paradoxically, I believe it has been for at least fifty of my sixty-two years servative leaders and activists, some Dr. Graham’s willingness to transcend

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • SPRING 2013 • 13 politics that has given him such influ- Christianity Today has published an be a human being and treated as one ence with politicians. That parallels article about the Bible being “The are not incorporated into the econom- my belief that the religious right-- Greatest Story Never Read.” Peter ic calculus of capitalism.” The prophet which does not include many evan- Wehner of the American Enterprise Isaiah cautioned us about such reali- gelicals like Yancey, Ron Sider, Tony Institute has written about our major- ties regarding some clergy and theolo- Campolo and myself--loses consider- ing in cultural minors while neglect- gians when he asked: “Is anyone more able political power as conservative ing what the Bible put in bright blind than my servant, more deaf than politicians can take it for granted. Yes, neon lights, much of which is about the messenger I send?” (Is (42:19-20). the religious right greatly influences the dangers of riches. They should The prophet Moses had the own- primaries and local elections. But as make religious leaders quite wary of ers of fields round the corners so the indicated by Governor Romney’s late endorsing a mega-wealthy CEO of a needy could harvest what grew there. move to the center, which is probably Wall Street private equity firm. They He did the same with the second pick- his natural home, swing voters who should make us even more wary of ing of grapes and olives (Lv 19-9-10). transcend highly partisan positions a running mate who said he entered He shut down all economic activity hold the cards in presidential elec- public service because of atheistic each seventh year for environmental tions, and therefore in nominating philosopher Ayn Rand, whose fond- reasons (Ex 23:10) and told people Supreme Court justices, the chairman est hope was for capitalism to replace not to work on the Sabbath (Ex of the Federal Reserve, and so on. Christianity as America’s religion. 23:12). You couldn’t permanently The other irony is therefore that the The Bible is quite clear that God sell property as it was created by and religious right’s partisanship, which didn’t think much of a king as the owned by God, not you (Lv 25:13-23 will likely only be reinforced by Rev. people would prefer him over God (1 and Dt 8:17). If you made a loan, you Graham’s ad, is likely the primary S 8:18-20). It also cautions us against had to forgive it each seventh year as reason presidential candidates give putting our trust in any human leader, bondage can political and economic little more than lip service to social presumably of either political party, (Dt 15:1). None of that falls within issues. Perhaps you noticed that dur- as no human can save us (Ps 146:3). the efficiency-driven logic of capital- ing speeches and ads to those beyond Yet when the people insisted on a ism. It teaches us that we are free to the religious right, Governor Romney king, God lovingly told us that king do with our wealth what we want as virtually never mentioned abortion should not be rich or he would feel we “made it” and own it. Note those and same sex marriage. better than the people and grow out teachings were Law, not moral sug- Virtually everything was about eco- of touch, a very common complaint gestions. Of course, Jesus spiritualized nomics, and growing the economy about Washington elites (Dt 17:14- such teachings when he told the rich in particular. Yet Jesus pointedly 17). That is likely a major reason young ruler he had to sell what he had asked “What will it profit you if you the prophet Samuel preferred the and give it to the poor before he could gain the whole world and lose your shepherd boy David to Saul, who the follow the Spirit. Jesus also said it soul?” Rev. Graham’s ad did not men- people preferred. Solomon went on would be very, very difficult for a rich tion that key biblical value. The ad to tell us that we’ll muddle through man to enter the kingdom of God on was very emotional in saying Rev. when the king is concerned with jus- his own merit, which would presum- Graham is approaching his ninety- tice rather than money (Pr 29:4). He ably be true for those following a rich fourth birthday and this might be his also warned that we will be punished leader. last election. It added: “I believe it if we’re in a hurry to grow rich (Pr I’ve learned such biblical values is vitally important that we cast our 28:20). sound like “socialism” to conservative ballots for candidates who base their Few conservative ministers appar- Christians, which is why most conser- decisions on biblical principles and ently still understand it but revered vative ministers talk about abortion support the nation of Israel. I urge corporate management consultant and marriage. One ministry that is you to vote for those who protect the Peter Drucker, who once taught the- particularly influential with conser- sanctity of life and support the bibli- ology, once wrote these words. They vative Christian foundations even cal definition of marriage between a would have made Rev. Graham’s ad reviewed a new book recently that is man and a woman. Vote for biblical far more enriching for Journal readers, entitled Defending The Free Market. It values this November 6.” not to mention voters: “I believe it was written by Father Robert Sirico, I’ve now asked several ministers is socially and morally unforgiveable founder of The Acton Institute, across the theological spectrum where when managers reap huge profits for which recently prepared a steward- the Bible teaches about abortion themselves but fire workers. As societ- ship study Bible that was published or same sex marriage and no one ies, we will pay a heavy price for the by the evangelical publishing house can tell me. The ad did not cite its contempt this generates among mid- Zondervan. I’ve had the privilege of sources either. That’s fairly standard dle managers and workers. In short, teaching with Father Sirico and saw fare within evangelical Christianity. whole dimensions of what it means to him again recently. He’s a graceful and

14 • SPRING 2013 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY honorable man. But he’s so politi- now ranked seventh in the Global imagine Obama saying 18 to 20%, cally conservative his work has often Competitiveness Survey. which is where they’ve been since been published on the editorial page What the ad conveniently failed to WWII. But I can’t imagine him pub- of The Wall Street Journal, a fact that mention, in the half-truth fashion licly stating anything as radical as the irritates many of his fellow Catholic that has become habit on both sides 8% that anti-taxer Grover Norquist theologians as much as Paul Ryan’s of American politics, was that five of openly seeks when having the GOP insensitivity in seeing soup kitchens the six nations ranked ahead of us are sign his famous pledge. That’s truly as photo ops. So it didn’t surprise me the European nations that the presi- “right wing social engineering” of the that the review of Father Sirico’s book dent is supposedly trying to emulate. experimental and utopian sort. began: “Socialism has been discred- It also failed to mention federal taxes I obviously don’t care for the secu- ited.” have declined in Obama’s first term larization of Europe, anymore than Again, Peter Drucker would be until they are the lowest since WWII, the secularization of America. As a amused by that proclamation. In his at 15% of GDP. Those nations, and Lutheran, I understand that Northern book The Pension Fund, Drucker the non-European exception, are, Europe is increasingly secular as it wrote: “If socialism is defined as in order: Switzerland, Singapore, prospers. But I also see remnants of ‘ownership of the means of produc- Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands the Protestant ethos regarding charity tion’--and this is both the ortho- and Germany. Even Singapore is toward neighbor at work. For exam- dox and rigorous definition--then noted for having a government that is ple, Christian micro-enterprise minis- the United States is the first truly quite active in the economic sphere, tries, like Opportunity International ‘Socialist’ country [as workers owned as is the government of China, which on whose board I served, who are most of America’s stock through their seems to frighten most conserva- engaged in work among the third pension funds].” Drucker clearly tives who believe in an omnipotent world poor know the Scandinavians understood why Reinhold Niebuhr God. The nations just under the give multiples of what the US does as thought biblical values insist any US include: the United Kingdom, official foreign aid. Religious sociolo- serious Christian must be a socialist, Denmark, Norway, Austria, Belgium, gists, like the evangelical Barna Group though not necessarily a statist, or France and Luxembourg. We just and Robert Wuthnow who study one who believes that secular govern- associate Europe and socialism with the mainline at Princeton, know ment alone, rather than God and decay as our media always focuses on Americans may go to church a lot Godly government, must equitably the negatives, which are primarily in more than Europeans do but we also share the wealth. southern Europe these days. compartmentalize our faith from our Such highly debatable economic Even the ultra-conservative Forbes daily lives, and particularly our eco- teachings by many conservative magazine has published an article nomic lives, just as faithfully. Christian leaders appeal to our that there is much we might learn Peter Drucker might therefore sug- politicized culture. They’re why I from Denmark. It has the happiest gest it’s time all we Christians grow constantly receive emails from con- people in the world, lower unem- more humble, as well as less parochial servative Christians like the one I got ployment with more retraining for and politicized, so that we might con- last week. It was a newspaper article the unemployed, a higher economic sider the “best practices” of our neigh- headlined: “Destroying America growth rate, a more dynamic busi- bors around our Creator’s world. The from Within.” It began: “President ness climate for small businesses, Graham ad likely suggests that will Barack Obama has been trying to higher per capita wealth and much probably have to wait until this gen- transform America to become more less federal debt related to GDP. Yet eration of evangelical leaders die off like a European nation, to be another its government takes about 50% in and the next generation of evangeli- socialist state. Obama’s ‘transforma- taxes of what the average Dane makes cals enters the promised land. Until tion’ to socialism is a serious matter, while our governments take about then, we might seriously consider the and could very well be the end for 30%. Even evangelical theologian social exhortations of the ad while America as a free nation and super friends have estimated that Moses balancing them with these two eco- power.” All that might be worth the dictated 23% or more social spending nomic quotes. The first is from Peggy divisiveness it causes in both church after the needy were provided access Noonan, President Reagan’s favorite and culture, perhaps even Christian, to the fields belonging to others (Dt speech writer who is now a featured if it was grounded in reality. But 23:24). President Obama’s friend writer at The Wall Street Journal: “The even the pro-Romney forces unwit- Oprah Winfrey once did a special other day I met with a Chinese dissi- tingly acknowledged it is nonsense. on Denmark, probably as he and dent who has served time in jail, and One anti-Obama ad by a super-PAC she value gross domestic happiness whose husband is in jail in Beijing. I that ran over and over in my neck as much as gross domestic product. asked her if the longing for democrat- of the woods decried the fact that If asked where he would like to see ic principles that has swept the gener- under Obama, the US economy is our federal taxes in four years, I can (continued on page 23

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • SPRING 2013 • 15 A Way to Resolve Doubts about God—Today By John Scott

fter reading countless arguments moments, just as I still believe in the of down-to-earth charity (Matthew Aon both sides of the God debate sun at midnight. In short, I found to 25:31-46). The Bible also says faith -- and finding many almost incom- be true the old saying: without good works is dead -- not just prehensible -- I decided that just A person with an experience is never at weak -- dead (James 2:14-26). The seven plain truths were enough to the mercy of someone who has only an Quran and Hebrew scriptures contain settle the issue. argument. similar warnings. This doesn’t mean 1. Atheists have doubts, too. The 4. Idle belief isn’t enough. When a we are not saved by grace through world’s leading atheist, Richard patient puts “faith” in a heart surgeon, faith, but we may be judged by evi- Dawkins, has acknowledged that that’s not just assuming the surgeon dence of our faith. atheism is an “assumption” that can- is alive and calling him “Doctor.” Charity may be required proof of not be proved. When asked if that That won’t fix the patient’s heart. faith, not just an option for bonus leaves open the possibility that God The patient must actually obey and points. does exist, he said, “Any scientist trust the surgeon. Likewise, Jesus 7. Choosing faith is best. Many stud- would leave open that possibility; we said calling him “Lord” isn’t enough ies confirm that those who choose can’t be dogmatic and say it is certain (Matthew 7:21) and the right way faith -- and pray, worship, and follow that God doesn’t exist.” isn’t easy (Matthew 7:13-14). the Golden Rule—live healthier and Therefore, to be an atheist is a choice— As Billy Graham said, “Faith is a ‘total happier lives than those who don’t. but we could call it a bet. commitment,’ not just ‘intellectual They also have higher hopes for heav- 2. Doubts are only natural. As acceptance.’” en. Anyone who doesn’t choose faith Thomas Edison said, “We don’t know 5. One rule speaks volumes. Jesus is, by default, making the same bet as a millionth of one percent about said one rule “sums up” God’s law an atheist. So I asked myself this ques- anything.” So we must make choices (Matthew 7:12). Before Jesus, Rabbi tion, and gave the obvious answer: without being certain of all the Hillel had called that rule “the whole Which choice would I rather regret if facts—as when we marry, have chil- Torah,” and said, “All the rest is it turns out to be wrong? ■ dren, or eat at a restaurant without explanation” (Shab 31a). It often knowing what goes on in the kitchen. gets buried beneath layers of debated References: Richard Dawkins, The If we waited on absolute certainty we doctrines, but if you drill down to the God Delusion (2006), 51, paperback might never make a decision about original bedrock creed of any major (2008), 73-74; Billy Graham, Peace God or anything else. religion—including Islam (Hadith with God, Revised and Expanded Therefore, to believe in God can also be of Bukhari 2:6)—you will find some (Word Books, 1984), 113; Frank a choice—but we call it faith. version of this cardinal rule: Do unto Newport, God is Alive and Well 3. Faith leads to proof. Francis others as you would have others do unto (Gallup Press, 2012), Chapter III Bacon formulated the scientific you. Therefore, those who commit “Religion is Good for Your Health.” method, but said the best proof is acts of cruelty in the name of religion experience. William James observed are way off course. John Scott is a retired lawyer and that we gain experience by acting as The Golden Rule is the ultimate moral author of Uncluttered Faith: How a if something is true before we know compass. Professional Skeptic Came to Believe in it is. William Ralph Inge said, “Faith 6. Helping others is essential. There God, a book that received high praise begins as an experiment and ends is no more obvious or urgent applica- from Foy Valentine and Bill Moyers as an experience.” My faith experi- tion of the Golden Rule than to help (www.unclutteredfaith.com), and was ment profoundly improved my life. others who need food, water, clothes, “strongly and enthusiastically” recom- It also led to moments when I had no and shelter, and to help those who are mended by Darold Morgan in Christian doubt that God was there. At other sick or disabled. Jesus placed the high- Ethics Today, Summer 2012, 30. times I trust the memories of those est possible importance on that kind

16 • SPRING 2013 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY When Language Smothers Conversation By Charles Redfern

he coal mine’s canary is hack- Assisi, who cherished the animals and serious problem, and that humans are Ting, spitting, gasping, and turn- plants. causing it,”9 and, “we agree that cli- ing blue – so yell at it. Question its And just to make sure everything’s mate change is real and threatens our motives. Tell it the fumes are imagi- on the up-and-up, we’ve had our economy and national security.”10 nary. Drop hints that it’s wheezing a inside people: Sir John Houghton, Republican Senator John McCain heretical wheeze. an evangelical, co-chaired the of Arizona wrote the first quote Cold reality prompts the canary’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate in 2007, along with Senator Joe cough. Fact: The world’s glaciers are Change, one of the important agen- Lieberman. Republican Senator shrinking. Fact: the polar ice caps are cies issuing alerts.6 Katharine Hayhoe, Lindsay Graham wrote the second melting. Fact: 2012 was America’s a Billy Graham fan,7 pastor’s wife, and in 2009 along with Democrat John warmest recorded year and the Texas Tech university professor, has Kerry. The senators, along with retired world’s ninth hottest.1 Another fact: served as an IPCC reviewer. generals and admirals alarmed about Peter Doran and Maggie Kendall The evidence, the Bible, and his- climate change’s potential security Zimmerman discovered that 97% of toric Christianity motivated 280 concerns,11 implicitly invite us to all active climatologists are agreed: leaders to sign the petition, “Climate behold the opportunity. We can shelve human activity spurs the Earth’s ris- Change, An Evangelical Call to annoying labels. Let’s brew enough ing temperatures and glacial melting.2 Action.”8 The names read like an caffeine to spike our blood pressure, Then there are the reports: A federal evangelical VIP litany: Andy Crouch roll in the whiteboards, and brain- advisory draft released in January, of Christianity Today; Jack Hayford storm while pacing back and forth 2013, predicted catastrophe unless of the International Church of with our alpha personalities on full policies change,3 as did a World Bank the Foursquare Gospel; Gordon P. display … warning in November, 2012.4 Hugenberger of Parkstreet Church No. I’m “liberal.” I’ve failed a vague These facts and reports – as well as in Boston; Bill Hybels of Willow orthodoxy test, which means I’m droughts and a super storm – resem- Creek Church; Duane Litfin, presi- worse than erroneous --I’m sus- ble that poor canary, whose death sig- dent of Wheaton College; Gordon pect. Forget evidence, the biblical naled dangerous methane levels and MacDonald, editor-at-large for mandate for stewarding creation, the need for action. Leadership Magazine; David Neff, precedent, and recognized authori- This Is Easy editor of Christianity Today; Tri ties. According to a 2007 CNN Surely evangelical Christians, my Robinson, pastor of the Boise article, Tony Perkins of the Family tribe, can explore this dilemma with- Vineyard; Berten Waggoner, national Research Institute speculated that cli- out fear. No historic creed is at stake director, Vineyard USA; and Rick mate change is part of a leftist agenda and Scripture advocates creation Warren, senior pastor of Saddleback threatening evangelical unity.12 Jerry care: We’re the Lord’s designated -- to name a few. What’s more, 44 Falwell proclaimed this from his pul- stewards (Genesis 1:27-30). We were Southern Baptist leaders, including pit on February 25 of that year: “I am called to “guard” God’s sanctuary (a the Convention’s current president today raising a flag of opposition to more literal rendering of the word- and two past presidents, signed this alarmism about global warming ing in Genesis 2:15). Our Earthly the initiative, “A Southern Baptist and urging all believers to refuse to rule fits Walter Kaiser’s description: Declaration on the Environment and be duped by these ‘earthism’ worship- “The gift of ‘dominion’ over nature Climate Change.” pers.”13 Calvin Beisner, head of the was not intended to be a license to A Wrench Is Thrown misnamed Cornwall Alliance for the use or abuse selfishly the created order But something is amiss. In some Stewardship of Creation, suggested in any way men and women saw fit. circles, calling attention to the hack- the worries are “an insult to God.”14 In no sense were humans to be bul- ing canary betrays skewed orthodoxy He also insinuated that diminishing lies and laws to themselves.”5 Kaiser and questionable patriotism, swaying our oil dependence aligns us with is right: God’s leadership motif is many. I was once blasted as a “liberal” the unfaithful steward of Matthew “help” (Psalm 121:1-2), and service (perish the thought) because I agreed 25:14-30.15 After all, the oil is there; (Matthew 20:28). Psalm 19:1-4 testi- with these assertions: “There is now God gave it to us. We should use fies to God’s glory in creation and a broad consensus in this country, it. (The same logic would render us Romans 8:18-22 looks forward to and indeed in the world, that global fickle if we fail to smoke marijuana its redemption. Kudos to Francis of warming is happening, that it is a as well; after all, it’s there for the ask-

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • SPRING 2013 • 17 ing.) His organization veers close to would have evaporated if Dan Rather bless him; nor is Beisner. Their dark rendering anthropocentric climate fell into quicksand. suspicions about doctrinal error and change a theological impossibility in I try to tell people I’ve never seen earth worship and leftist plots involve its Evangelical Declaration on Global An Inconvenient Truth, but no one character assassination, not genuine Warming: “We believe Earth and its believes me. argument. Christopher Monckton, a ecosystems—created by God’s intel- Gotcha … Maybe Not British climate change denier, is no ligent design and infinite power and For a brief moment in 2009, scientist either – although he’s been sustained by His faithful providence it looked like the climate hailed by the Wall Street Journal, — are robust, resilient, self-regulat- change deniers were onto some- the National Review, and Rush ing, and self-correcting, admirably thing. Computer hackers stole more Limbaugh – and he’s often quoted suited for human flourishing, and than 1,000 e-mails from a research to counter-balance the climatolo- displaying His glory. Earth’s climate unit at Great Britain’s University of gist majority. Johann Hari adds this: system is no exception. Recent global East Anglia. The e-mails, dating back “When challenged, Monckton has warming is one of many natural some 13 years, held reams of infor- admitted to a weakness for ‘telling cycles of warming and cooling in geo- mation, “everything from the mun- stories that aren’t actually true.’”19 logic history.”16 danities of climate-data collection to Facing Ourselves That’s naïve. History shows that our comments on international scientific Evangelicals such as I can be prim, species is not immune to world-wide politics to strongly worded criticisms irritating finger-waggers. My forbears calamity. Nature and human activity by climate-change doubters,” to in the faith frowned on alcohol, wed in a ghoulish marriage during quote Bryan Walsh of Time.17 There cigars, cigarettes, and carousing. We the fourteenth century. Commerce seemed to be references to oppressing lectured theological liberals because, flowed over new trade routes between opposition, withholding information, in our view, they wandered from the East and West, conveying flea-bearing pressuring editorial boards of aca- Bible. We cried out against immoral- rats. The fleas leaped onto humans demic journals, and skewing research. ity and we were the anti-materialists. and infected them with the Black Besides, the e-mails weren’t nice. I’m sure many folded their I-told- Death. Roughly half of all Europe The unit’s head, Phil Jones, took a you-so arms when the US Surgeon died. leave of absence pending an investiga- General first warned of smoking I long to ask: Who defines unity? Is tion. – and again when the secular world assessing evidence and asking ques- As it turns out, parliamentary and began preaching on alcohol’s hazards. tions inherently disruptive? Is it university investigations exonerated We were sometimes overbearing and wrong to seek solutions to a poten- Jones. Perhaps he could have been silly, but – after apologizing – we can tially grave problem – especially more forthcoming and more couth, at least feel moral vindication. since there are virtually no doctrinal but, in the words of the parliamen- Not now. Beisner, Perkins, and oth- risks (Beisner notwithstanding)? tary committee: “In the context ers still hold influence. They would Apparently, yes. I’m a pagan “earth- of sharing data and methodolo- have us believe in the same type of ism worshipper.” I’m divisive and gies, we consider Professor Jones’s propaganda that the tobacco com- part of a leftist plot – never mind that actions were in line with common panies preached in the 1950’s. We’re Perkins was flourishing a rhetorical practice in the climate science com- ignoring God’s first commandment ploy with a one-two punch: Levy a munity.”18 References to performing to humanity as long as we remain in nebulous charge no one can disprove; research “tricks” were in-house slang their pall. To put it bluntly, we’re in then, as the opponent reels, accuse for legitimate scientific procedures – a state of disobedience; we’re no dif- him of divisiveness. Any challenge and yes, Jones and his e-mail partners ferent from the theological “liberals” fulfills the charge. Few can stay were a little rough. In other words, we’ve decried. It’s time we stop judg- calm and ask: Who is calling whom boys will be boys – especially when ing and start repenting – before the names? Who flings the accusations they don’t anticipate the theft of their canary breathes its last. ■ and mows down the straw men? Who private e-mails. What a scandal! is really divisive? Who Made Me An Expert? Charles Redfern is a veteran journalist But none of those questions stem I hear the cry: “You’re not a scien- and pastor, with over 20 years’ experi- the accusatory tide. Deniers of cli- tist!” How true – and I would love ence in conflict transformation and mate change grab any real or imag- to be proven wrong. Scramble up organizational healing. The author’s ined flaw. I’ve been warned, over some eggs and smear them on my full contact information, and the foot- coffee and doughnuts, that I’m falling face – but do it with firm evidence, notes, are available in the online edition prey to Al Gore, who, apparently, is not with conspiracy theory and at www.christianethicstoday.com. evil incarnate and wields hypnotic hints and allegations. And remem- power. The ice caps will recover if he ber, Perkins is no scientist either; vanishes just like the Vietnam War nor was Falwell before he left us,

18 • SPRING 2013 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY Bid for State Religion Fails by Nathan C. Walker

ccording to a lawsuit filed last ister C. Welton Gaddy finds the of the laws of the United States, and Amonth by the American Civil Defense of Religion Act “comical,” the Constitution and laws of North Liberties Union, the commissioners saying that Ford and Warren “claim Carolina . . .” (Article VI §7). of North Carolina’s Rowan County the First Amendment only applies Even if Ford and Warren succeeded have, over the past five years, opened to the federal government and the in laying the legal framework for 97 percent of County Board meet- Tenth Amendment empowers them to establishing a state religion, which ings with explicitly Christian prayers. ignore it.” one would they choose? In the county Professor Gary Freeze of Catawba History reveals additional ironies. In of Rowan alone, there are fourteen College characterized these meetings 1776, in its first constitution, North different Christian denominations as “religious revivals,” designed for the Carolina formally disestablished the and one Reform Jewish community. commissioners and residents to give a Church of England as its colonial Would Ford and Warren re-establish “shout-out for Jesus.” state religion. It did so fifteen years the Church of England or legally Former Rowan County Board com- before the states ratified the U.S. Bill elevate the members of their own missioner, Carl Ford, runs a local of Rights ensuring that “Congress religious traditions–the Baptists or Baptist radio station and is a mem- shall make no law respecting an estab- Methodists? What status would they ber of the Rowan Tea Party Patriots. lishment of religion, or prohibiting grant other Rowan residents, such as In January, 2013, he began his first the free exercise thereof.” Put simply, Seventh-day Adventists, Mormons, term as a state representative in North Carolina was far more progres- Catholics, or Jehovah’s Witnesses. North Carolina’s General Assembly. sive in its disestablishment of religion What about the Reform Jews? By his thirteenth week, he received than Congress. Though Ford and Warren were national scrutiny for attempting to After the Civil War, the states rati- willing to ignore the North Carolina subvert the First Amendment of the fied the U.S. Constitution again in constitution which guarantees that U.S. Constitution when he and fel- 1868 with the passage of the 14th “no person shall be denied the equal low Representative Harry Warren Amendment, whose due process protection of the laws; nor shall any (R-Rowan), a Methodist, filed the clause brought the states under the person be subjected to discrimination Defense of Religion Act of 2013. This umbrella of the national Bill of by the State because of… religion…” Act asserts that the U.S. Constitution Rights. The U.S. Supreme Court (Article I §19), House Speaker Thom does not prohibit states from mak- reaffirmed this principle in 1947 by Tillis (R-Mecklenburg) was not. ing laws with regard to established ruling that “neither a state nor the Aware that preferential treatment for religion. Twelve additional represen- Federal Government can set up a a particular religion is illegal under tatives co-sponsored the resolution, church. Neither can pass laws which the U.S. and North Carolina con- including House Majority Leader, aid one religion, aid all religions or stitutions, Speaker Tillis announced Edgar Starnes (R-Caldwell). prefer one religion over another.” on April 4, 2013, that the Act would The ideology expressed in North North Carolina’s 2013 Defense of never come to a vote, effectively kill- Carolina’s Defense of Religion Act Religion Act, however, declares that ing it. By doing so, Ford and Warren is typical of the Tenther movement. this state “does not recognize the were prevented from eroding the wall This movement, launched by Tea authority of federal judicial opinions.” of separation that has stood in North Party Patriots across the country, By declaring North Carolina exempt Carolina for 237 years. ■ includes a series of legislative initia- from federal judicial opinions, Ford tives invoking the Tenth Amendment and Warren are at odds with their Nathan C. Walker is a Ph.D. Candidate of the U.S. Bill of Rights, which own state constitution, which reads, in Law, Education, and Religion at grants powers to state governments “every citizen of this State owes para- Columbia University. He is the co-editor when these are not explicitly assigned mount allegiance to the Constitution of Whose God Rules: Is the United to the federal government. Tenthers and government of the United Sates, States a Secular Nation or a Theolegal claim that the Tenth Amendment and no law or ordinance of the Democracy? with foreword by former allows them to reject national regula- State in contravention or subver- British Prime Minister Tony Blair. tions on guns and health care and, sion thereof can have any binding This essay was first published in apparently now, to establish a state force”(Article I §5). They have also Sightings, a publication of the Martin religion. broken their swearing-in oath to “sup- Marty Center for the Advanced Study of Though a Baptist like Ford, min- port and maintain the Constitution (continued on page 23)

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • SPRING 2013 • 19 A Trojan Horse: Religious Opposition to the Contraception Mandate By Aaron Weaver he Obama Administration Baptist Theological Seminary and and other outspoken opponents of Trecently unveiled new rules popular bombastic blogger, declared the contraception mandate ought to to resolve the controversy over the that the Obama Administration’s acknowledge that indirect funding is Affordable Care Act’s “contraception original rule proposal “was a shell- not some new heinous crime against mandate.” Churches and church- game, and this latest ‘change’ is only religious liberty. Taxpayers across our related groups such as associations more of the same.” Burk continued, nation at the local, state, and federal and denominations continue to be “Obamacare’s abortion mandate is levels have been forced to indirectly fully exempt from the requirement the most egregious violation of reli- (sometimes directly) subsidize some- to provide contraception cover- gious liberty that I have ever seen. It thing they do not agree with whether age on their health insurance plans. must not stand. Let’s hope and pray it be cervical screenings at Planned However, a new proposed rule will that it doesn’t.” Parenthood, a misguided war or mili- grant an accommodation to a non- Samuel “Dub” Oliver, president tary action or a thoroughly sectarian profit religious employer with a moral of East Texas Baptist University, (distinctly evangelical) education objection to providing contraception also voiced his displeasure with offered at Oliver’s East Texas Baptist. coverage. This accommodation would the new proposed rules. When his I do wonder whether this continued direct the health insurance company school filed a federal lawsuit along- controversy is really about religious that the employer contracts with side Houston Baptist University last liberty. Let’s be honest here: Christian to provide separate coverage to an year, Oliver claimed that the Obama conservatives have not done a great employee on the insurer’s dime. Administration had offered “the nar- job defending the Helwysian vision of Not surprisingly, this accommo- rowest definition of a religious insti- universal religious freedom in recent dation did not satisfy the Obama tution ever propagated by the federal decades. They have, however, done a Administration’s many critics who government.” In response to the new swell job of advocating for a “religious have loudly insisted that the president proposal, Oliver told a local reporter, liberty” that privileges Christians is waging a “war on religion.” Leith “People say you won because the above all. This penchant for privilege Anderson, president of the National government has said you don’t have is seen in their consistent support for Association of Evangelicals, called to provide [contraception] as part of voucher programs in the evangelical- these new proposed rules “minor your health plan. That’s what they’re dominated South and no-strings- modifications” that are “a distinc- saying, but they’ve created this sepa- attached federal aid to Christian tion without a difference, a work- rate thing that we’re going to have churches and organizations to provide around that doesn’t work.” Anderson to indirectly fund or attach ourselves social services. So, it is a bit humor- declared that the new changes are to.” ous to see the Southern Baptist eth- “bad news for all who love religious There is something incredibly ics agency invoke the Establishment freedom.” The Catholic Church ironic about a university president Clause in their argument against the did not welcome and affirm the complaining about having to “indi- contraception mandate. Southern new proposal either. David Gibson rectly fund” something deemed mor- Baptists, like most Christian conser- of Religion News Service captured ally objectionable. Baptist schools vatives, have flippantly disregarded Cardinal Timothy Dolan’s response like East Texas Baptist might not be the Establishment Clause for many with a report titled “Catholic Bishops able to survive in the absence of indi- years now. Rebuff Modified Contraception rect (and direct) funding from the Southern Baptist executive O.S. Mandate.” government. When state legislators Hawkins, president of Southern Just three days after these new were considering cuts to the taxpayer- Baptist’s Guidestone Financial rules were announced, the Southern funded Tuition Equalization Grant Resources, recently tipped his hat to Baptist Convention’s ethics agency scholarship program, Oliver and what I believe is the real motivation signed an amicus brief filed with the every other president from a private of many Christian conservatives in Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Christian college and university in this ongoing controversy. Hawkins which concluded that the new rules the state of Texas banded together said of the new proposed rules: “We continue to violate both religion and started shouting from the roof- recognize, with regret, that these pro- clauses of the First Amendment. tops. posed regulations do not achieve the Denny Burk, a professor at Southern For the sake of honesty, Oliver (continued on page 25)

20 • SPRING 2013 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY A Modest Proposal for an Ideal Social Order By Roger E. Olson

hat a subject! And such a less a true democracy. actual “place” in society will be once Wtask! The enormity of it is Where my vision of an ideal social the veil is lifted and the social order overwhelming, so all I intend to do order will probably become contro- commences. They do not know, for here is give a bare bones, that is skel- versial, especially with many conser- example, whether they will be advan- etal, outline of what I regard as the vatives in the United States, is my taged or disadvantaged. All they know ideal social order. It draws on what I belief in basic human rights beyond is that there will be inequalities. understand to be the social principles those explicitly stated in our Bill of The question is: What would of the Kingdom of God tempered Rights. people decide about an ideal social by present realities. Thus, this vision What is the basis of my vision of order under the veil of ignorance? assumes an “already but not yet” the ideal social order? It is twofold: Well, who can know for sure? I don’t idea of the Kingdom. For example, I my understanding of the Kingdom read Rawls as claiming he knows with assume that in the Kingdom to come, of God (what life in it will look like certainty. But he put forth suggestions people will not need external incen- because of Jesus Christ as its head) and argued for them. I happen to tives to invent, create and work for and the social contract theory of phi- agree with him. He argues that most the common good. Here, under the losopher John Rawls. people under the veil of ignorance, conditions of sin, we do. However, I Now, I know some folks will get off not knowing their vested interests, do not assume that everyone is totally board immediately when I mention would opt for an ideal society ruled depraved so that there is no altruism Rawls—especially some Christians by the “maximin principle.” (As a alive in people. And I assume the who abhor his secular liberalism. I say liberal Rawls also argues they would reality of common grace ameliorating we can plunder the Egyptians. That establish maximum individual free- the depravity of humanity and mak- is, the fact that Rawls was a secular dom balanced by the maximin princi- ing some measure of civil righteous- humanist (so far as I know) does not ple.) What is the maximin principles? ness possible in the secular order. invalidate everything he said. In fact, It is the maximizing of the minimum. I assume that representative democ- I find some of his ideas (not his secu- First, Rawls assumes, and I agree, racy is the best form of government lar humanism or overall liberalism) that people generally need incentives with the state being accountable to to be something like what missiolo- to invent, create and produce. Short the people through elected repre- gist Don Richardson called “created of the Kingdom, people will not be sentatives and kept from absolute analogies for the gospel” in cultures at their most productive without the power by a set of checks and balances. yet untouched by the gospel of Jesus promise of the possibility of financial I also assume that the ideal social Christ. Another way of putting it is reward. Rawls also assumes, and I order is constitutionally based with Justin Martyr’s idea of the logos sper- agree, that wealth (in the broadest strong protections of civil rights such matikos—the “seed of the logos” in sense, not just money) can be created. as we have in the Bill of Rights. I everyone. Yet another way of putting Without financial incentives, most DON’T assume that our American it is Clement of Alexandria’s maxim, people will not contribute to the cre- form of government is necessarily the “all truth is God’s truth.” ation of wealth which is important for best possible. I think representative Rawls (in A Theory of Justice) the common good. democracy can take several structural argued that justice is fairness and Second, however, Rawls assumes forms such as our three branches of fairness is what most people would and I agree, that under the veil of government with one person, the decide (as social policy) under the ignorance people will want to protect chief executive, as head of govern- “veil of ignorance.” He asked read- themselves from destitution in case it ment and head of state, or a parlia- ers to imagine an “original condi- turns out they are disadvantaged such mentary system with two separate tion” (like a social convention prior that they are not in a position to reap persons as heads of state and govern- to any actual social order) in which the rewards of productivity. ment. A constitutional monarchy can people have opportunity (and neces- So, third, Rawls argues, and I agree, also be an example of representative sity, I assume) to decide on the rules under the veil of ignorance people democracy. The Swiss Federation, the under which they will live. In this will structure their ideal social order Republic of Switzerland, has a gov- original condition all the participants so that there are genuine possibilities ernment that looks very little like that decide under the veil of ignorance. for financial gain but combined with of the United States but is neverthe- That is, they do not know what their structures that will automatically raise

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • SPRING 2013 • 21 the standard of living of the disadvan- tunity to the disadvantaged, opportu- I truly believe this is what people taged as the advantaged produce and nity to participate in the economic life would decide for their social order prosper. Rawls rejected the idea that of the society (per the U.S. Catholic under the veil of ignorance. But some a rising tide automatically raises all bishops). Such is for the common people ask “What is the value of this the boats. And I agree. “Trickle down good. Without it, eventually, a chroni- veil of ignorance if such an original economics has not worked.” Since the cally underemployed class will develop situation never actually exists?” They “Reagan revolution,” the rich have which will result in revolution, violent don’t understand social contract the- been getting richer and the poor have or otherwise. ory. The point is to be able to argue been getting poorer (in America). So how does this fit with the need to someone who proposes, supports Rawls was clearly seeking to justify for incentives? The jobs offered by or imposes a different social order, redistribution of wealth and I agree the government would be minimal in “That is not what you would propose, that it is necessary. We cannot tolerate terms of salaries or wages. People in support or impose under the veil of a social order in which the rich simply those jobs would not be as prosperous ignorance—if you did not know your continue to become richer and the as they would be working in the pri- vested interests and advantages or poor continue to get poorer and the vate sector. But neither would they be disadvantages.” It’s a critical principle middle class thins out. homeless or destitute. Part of their job for supporting certain social policies However, what does “redistribution situation would be training for work and opposing others as based solely on of wealth” mean? In my experience, in the private sector and/or the offer advantaged persons’ vested interests. too many people react to the term in of low interest loans to start their own In other words, it’s a form of reason- knee jerk fashion assuming it means businesses and get out of government ing. monetary handouts to the undeserv- employment. I think such a social order is com- ing poor (those who simply refuse to This would totally replace “welfare” patible with the gospel, with the work for a living). That is not what in any traditional sense. In other Kingdom of God. It is at least more I mean by it and I do not think that words, in this ideal social order, every- compatible with that than are other is what Rawls or most social liberals one capable of working would be social orders. And it is realistic about want. required to work, if nothing else by humanity. It recognizes (as commu- I’m going to leave Rawls’ specific picking up trash along roadways. If nism does not) that we are not yet in proposals behind now and offer my they have children not yet in school, the Kingdom. own proposals. I think what most the government would provide child I also happen to think that people people under the veil of ignorance care during the hours they work. in the original condition, under the would want for their ideal social order They would be required to be seek- veil of ignorance, would create a social (out of self-interest if nothing else) is ing employment in the private sector. order with universal health care paral- not a “welfare state” where people are Anyone who simply refused to work lel with universal education -- that is, rewarded for not working. What they would have their children taken away open to all, funded by taxes, but not would want, and create, is a social and put in foster care or humane guaranteed to do everything possible. order in which everyone has opportu- institutions (with visitation rights). That is, free health care would sustain nity to improve their standards of liv- There would be no cash outlays other life and relieve pain but not provide ing, a social order in which work and than temporary emergency assistance elective surgeries (for example). People credit are guaranteed, but not without (in the form of vouchers) and disabil- would be free to purchase supplemen- qualifications. ity income for the truly disabled. tal health insurance for things like The right to meaningful employ- The only way to make this work replacement of teeth (and crowns), ment resulting in a living wage was would be to have a sufficiently high reconstructive surgery, etc. part of President Franklin Roosevelt’s minimum wage for the private sector How would all this be funded? Well, “Second Bill of Rights” (1944). It is to make employment there attractive. for one thing, by spending less (than also part of modern Catholic social So what about those median situa- America does) on “guns” and more on teaching. Some call it socialism. I tions where persons are in the “work- “butter.” America’s “defense” budget is won’t be deterred by labels. The right ing poor” category and need partial bloated. Reduce it by half and use the to meaningful employment with a assistance such as food stamps? In my billions upon billions of dollars freed living wage is, I believe, as much a ideal social order that would be avail- up to guarantee full employment. basic human right as the right to free able but able-bodied people receiving Much of the defense budget and speech. It’s the next step in a truly food stamps or any other form of gov- spending is wasteful. Cut down on enlightened progressive social order. ernment assistance would be required top level salaries and spending on high Redistribution of wealth, then, to do some kind of work to earn it. tech weapons that are not necessary would not be “taking from the rich to Work is humanizing; not working and to defend our own country. Gradually give to the poor.” It would be taking receiving financial assistance (when phase out much of the military (as from the advantaged to give oppor- one is able to work) is dehumanizing. we are in peace time or could be if

22 • SPRING 2013 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY we chose to be) and concentrate our (as I have described it here at least The People Vs. The Prophets national resources on human devel- twice before) -- and our desire to opment. approximate the humane community (continued from page 15) I can, of course, anticipate objec- of the future Kingdom of God as ation of Tiananmen Square has been tions from both social-political much as possible within history. And, accompanied by a rise in religious conservatives (“socialism!”) and of course, our love for the disadvan- feeling--a new interest in Buddhism, Hauerwasian Christians. To the for- taged and for the common well being Taoism, Christianity. She thought for mer I say, labels don’t scare me and of the human community because of a moment and looked at me. ‘Among I think the present order of things the grace of God shown to us in Jesus the young, I would say their religion is simply inhumane (millions upon Christ. ■ is money,’ she said. I nodded and said, millions of homeless persons includ- ‘Oh, that’s our religion too.’” ing children) and too far from any- Roger E. Olson was recently named to The other quote is from Professor thing even vaguely resembling the the Foy Valentine Professor of Christian John Schneider of Calvin College, Kingdom of God for me to be com- Theology and Ethics at George W. who wrote: “It is possible to envision fortable with it. And my vision isn’t Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor a time when evangelicals have the true socialism which, by definition, University. ‘consistent Christian perspective tools’ means public ownership of the means [or holistic economic worldview] of production. To the latter I say that they require in this area of life. But I don’t understand how it conflicts it is probably best to expect Christian with authentic Christianity to pro- theology for life under modern high- pose and support social reforms. The tech capitalism to come mainly from reforms I here propose would take where it now does--from Jewish, place by public choice through elec- Catholic, Reformed, and Lutheran tions of representatives who support sources, in which traditions exist and enact them. I’m not advocating Bid for State Religion Fails for relating doctrines of creation to violent revolution. Nor am I advocat- (continued from page 19) matters of redemption in a modern ing that Christians “take the reins of economic context.” In less academic power” and use violent means to con- Religion on April 11 2013 and is pub- words, the study of best practices as trol or manage history. lished here with permission. advocated by management experts Admittedly, what I have offered like Peter Drucker suggests evangeli- here is far from comprehensive. And, References cals might deepen humanity’s sensitiv- of course, “the devil is in the details.” Abby Huntsman, “NC Resolution ities to the plight of the unborn and But it seems to me every proposed Controversy,” HuffPost Live interview such while the rest of us evangelize social order arrangement has prob- with Professor Garby Freeze, April 4, the evangelicals before they unwit- lems of implementation. It’s a matter 2013. tingly evangelize the world for capi- of setting forth principles and then, C. Welton Gaddy, “On religion, talism with sins of commission and through trial and error, making them North Carolina boldly goes where the omission. ■ work. We do it all the time. My pro- Constitution forbids,” April 4, 2013. posal is simply that Christians and Capital Broadcasting Company, “State Gary Moore is a Sarasota-based invest- others who agree adopt this basic religion proposal dies in House,” April ment counselor who has authored many proposal and begin working together 4, 2013. publications and articles on the moral- toward its implementation fixing House Joint Resolution 494, A Joint ity of political-economy and personal problems as we go. The basic outline Resolution to Proclaim the Rowan finance. His comments are included is similar, of course, to ones already County, North Carolina, Defense of in the More Good $ense newsletter in being implemented, in varying ways, Religion Act of 2013. Filed April 1, an effort to expand stewardship lead- in some northern European countries 2013. ers’ understanding of broader economic and Canada. I see no reason why John Celock, “North Carolina May issues. the United States of America cannot Declare Official State Religion Under learn from those social orders and New Bill” [sic], The Huffington Post, move in their direction in our own April 3, 2013. way. Ours will be distinctly American Lund v. Rowan County, North just as theirs are distinctly Canadian Carolina. Filed March 12, 2013. and Scandinavian, etc. Nathan Hardin, “Lawmakers file Someone may ask what’s distinctly Rowan County Defense of Religion Christian about this proposal? Well, Act,” Salisbury Post, April 2, 2013. the motivation--Christian humanism North Carolina State Constitution.

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • SPRING 2013 • 23 Poverty in Paradise By Angela Fields

ost children have grandiose noisy households, synergized with less life and had to excel with a fraction- Mdreams of what they would like social support, underfunded schools alized education. For years, I never to be when they become an adult. and lack of access to books and com- joined conversations because I felt as if For me, I never really had a dream. puters make rebounding nearly imper- I could not contribute anything mean- I mean, I have always wanted to vious. 7 ingful. As a result, my voice, gifts and become someone of significance but I sat still on the train a few weeks talents were suppressed. I had no idea how it would happen. ago listening to a group of women Again, I am not pointing any fingers My upbringing, neighborhood and bash public schools who fall behind. for the woes of a fractionalized educa- family life, never brought to bear the She said, “My husband finally has a tion. It would just add another finger notion that greater possibilities were job at a charter school in Milwaukee, to the groups of fingers that are already obtainable. Therefore, it feels rather you know… a school where students extended at someone or something. surreal that I am writing this essay as a actually want to learn.” Laughter However, I am saying that in moving masters-prepared woman. I also never erupts as her friends clamored in forward, the proverbial “we” should imagined that I would garner a seat agreement. The phrase “with children be mindful of the legislative decisions at a luncheon for the United States who want to learn” bounced from my which further negatively impact those Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan. ear to my heart and made its home living with the effects of poverty and At the luncheon held during the there. ofreceiving a substandard education. Democratic National Convention, The woman on the train continued, It seems as if local and national Duncan addressed the importance “I am so happy he is no longer teach- budget issues almost always affect edu- of early childhood education. As it ing in public schools. He can actually cation and safety net programs.The stands, the future of seven and eight enjoy his job.” I was speechless. sequestration affects the two funding year olds is defined by the third grade. Having lived through this experi- area that under-served children need According to a study conducted by ence, it saddens me to hear people ste- the most.The stability of a student’s Professor Donald J. Hernandez of reotype students who struggle without home is as equally important as that of CUNY–Hunter College, the third a full understanding of the barriers a student’s school life. grade is so critical because it is the imposed on them. But it is also fair Legislating budget cuts that would first time students make the transition to say, some people just do not care. adversely affect the disenfranchised to from “learning to read to reading to Researchers have examined many assist the wealthiest creates an unnec- learn.” 2 Third graders now have to dimensions of poverty and education essary crisis. Cutting funding to safety understand different concepts and dis- citing acculturation, traumatic stress, net programs damages students who sect the information for themselves.3 or lack of positive fixtures as being the families are facing economic hardships. Duncan drove home Hernandez’s real problem with these students. Cutting funding to struggling already point that children who do not make Poverty, and its effects, is so multi- underfunded schools stretches teachers the transition fast enough will begin faceted that each study could be who are forced to do more with less to fall behind. The study conducted accurate. While not pointing any fin- and makes hiring much-needed social by Hernandez also found that “third- gers, as to the cause and effect of this workers for the children impossible. graders who lack proficiency in poverty, I ruminate on the tension of Moreover, with the onset of charter reading are four times more likely to the struggle under-developed adoles- schools, the majority of students who become high school dropouts.” 4 cents face by the time they reach high need the focused attention of such a Now, let us incorporate the ele- school. Mental anguish and exhaus- school are exempt from attending. ment of poverty. Poverty subjugates tion may prove too great and many Everyone has troubles. As long as opportunities for children to develop adapted to the life in view. In other we are living, this life brings plenty. skills and talents lauded by society.5 A words, many give up as the pull of However, additional problems com- “host of social, political, cultural, and poverty in ‘paradise’ is much too bur- pounded onto the fragile situation economic factors…contribute to a… densome to handle. could cripple a class of people for gen- culture of poverty” 6 which adds to With a lot of help, I was able to erations. the devastation the least valued people withstand the pull of poverty, but now This is where my divinely appointed have to endure. Drugs, gang activ- I faced a new battle. I had to over- calling hit its highest point. I have a ity, mass unemployment, abandoned come the constant feeling of being left Mosaic calling to be a voice for the dis- homes and businesses, crowded and behind. I was woefully unprepared for advantaged and marginalized commu-

24 • SPRING 2013 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY nity. Moses was the first community solving conflicts, proposing improve- a vision. “Then I heard the voice of advocate according to the dynamics ments, setting goals, and creating the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? of Exodus 5. Moses, in Exodus 5 positive change. And who will go for us?” And I said, could be understood as a freeing agent Children who struggle under the “Here am I. Send me!’” (Isaiah 6:8 for a particular group of people who pressures of poverty and inadequate NIV) ■ ‘utter(ly felt a) sense of helplessness” 8 educational opportunities through no because of an uninformed legislative fault of their own, grow into labels 1 system.’” Therefore, Moses was seek- that become indicative of who they 2 Annie M. Paul, “Why third ing a sociopolitical transformation. are. Dysfunctional, unintelligent and grade is so important: The Matthew I am called to facilitate complex col- lazy are labels placed on top of hard Effect,” Times Magazine (September laborative conversations between the work and confined effort. I can attest 26, 2012): http://ideas.time. community and the power source. I that even if one manages to escape the com/2012/09/26/why-third-grade-is- am working as someone who has lived environment, the labels are champi- so-important-the-matthew-effect/ among both groups of people. I real- oned in larger arenas. The solution 3 Ibid. ize the hurdles involved in first break- is to provide a level of equity for the 4 Ibid. ing through to stereotype and disclose children through education or teach- 5 Portia D. Rawles, “The Link a person worthy of a conversation. ing them to collect straw. This mea- between Poverty, the Proliferation Exodus 5:15-18, paints a picture of sure will demonstrate worth and help of Violence and the Development hardened labor as a result of systemic the people grow out of poverty. In of Traumatic Stress among Urban deficiencies; laborers are subsequently essence, let the people go so that they Youth in the United States to School stereotyped as lazy. The inherent ste- may celebrate and come to themselves Violence: A Trauma Informed, Social reotyping of the people could lead as ordained by the Creator. Justice Approach to School Violence,” one to believe that their own laziness Community advocates also mobilize Forum on Public Policy Online, (2010 is the core of their hardship. However, the communities toward conducive Number 4): p3. the text depicts hard-working people efforts with the hope of creating a 6 Ibid. with little opportunity for upward new community. The new communal 7 Rawles, p2. mobility. The misconception by the atmosphere allows all people to come 8 Terence Fretheim, entities in power kept the people self- together around a common cause and “Interpretation, A Bible commentary repressed.9 Hence, the demoralization act in support of everyone’s shared for teaching and preaching: Exodus” is engrafted into the people caus- interests. But to further increase the (Louisville: John Knox Press, 1991), ing them to lose faith in their voice. requirements while removing the 84. Moses’ goal as community activist and necessary elements results in divine 9 Fretheim, pp84-85. advocate was to represent the com- accountability. munity on key issues and facilitate As the narrative ends, Moses learns conversations designed to enlighten that liberation is a slow and tireless A Trojan Horse powerful groups on how to respond process. I, too, understand it will take (continued from page 20) to the plight of the people. Advocates time; dedication and sacrifice to reach ultimate goal of removing objection- are responsible for improving com- this goal. I also understand that it will able forms of contraception coverage munities by addressing power issues, be hard to achieve without God and from the health care arena.” Did you get that? Religious liberty is not the ultimate goal. The ultimate goal is not an expansive exemption for those “In 2007, 10 companies owned 67 percent of the seed with a conscience claim. The ultimate market. These corporations control the playing field, goal is to deny women access to con- traception! Wow. Hawkins should be because they influence the government regulators. thanked for his honesty. For the sake They’ve been known to snatch up little-known varieties of religious liberty, let’s hope others of seeds, patent them, and demand royalties from will be more honest moving forward. ■ farmers whose ancestors have grown the crops for centuries. The result is that our seeds are disappearing, Aaron Weaver is Communications Manager for the Cooperative Baptist and we miss out on the exquisite tastes and smells of an Fellowship. Weaver blogs at The Big enormous variety of fruits and vegetables.” Daddy Weave and is the author of Rick Burnette, Agri-missionary. James M. Dunn and Soul Freedom (Smyth & Helwys, 2011). This article first appeared at

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • SPRING 2013 • 25 Mainstreaming Homosexuality for Christians? By Mary Sue Abbott

o many articles in the magazine, has not been and likely never will be school teachers are being required to Swhich I find very interesting, scientifically proved to be an immu- present homosexuality in a positive seem to be taking the view that since table trait. Even if it were would par- light and incorporate the achieve- so many people are changing their ticipating in these kinds of intimacies ments of “gay” people in their lessons minds and taking an attitude of be the best decision for a Christian? even if some cases these persons never “times are a-changing” that we must Even if a beloved friend or family self-identified as “gay.” I can’t imagine all accept mainstreaming homosexual member “came out” I would not a music teacher playing a recording of behavior and “gay” marriage. We risk endorse or encourage their relation- the “Nutcracker Suite” to a group of doing great harm to the family unit ships though my love and respect for fourth graders and then telling those that provides the stability and security them would remain unchanged. children that Tchaikovsky was prob- children need by allowing any alterna- If a daughter should have given ably gay. tive “pairings” or other innovations to birth out of wedlock my support Is it not in keeping with Christian marriage to compromise our biblical and love would be unwavering but ethics for those of us who have the understanding of the honorable estate I would have advised against any immutable trait of being persuaded instituted by God. more sex outside marriage. I sense an that marriage is between a man and a My political views are practically attitude of since everybody is accept- woman and that homosexual activity all liberal democrat. I am opposed to ing lifestyles that reject traditional is unwise, unhealthy and displeasing abortion on demand but fear any legal marriage then those of us who cling to God? ■ interference that would keep a doctor to this standard must “get with the from giving and acting on his or her program.” Mary Sue Abbott is a reader of best medical advice. I fear the idea Much strong evidence exists that Christian Ethics Today and is a member that a doctor and patient, following children have a much better chance to of Gambrell Street Baptist Church in good medical judgment, could have flourish when raised within the corral Fort Worth, Texas. This response to our that choice criminalized. So I must be of a loving, responsible, legal marriage Special Issue is representative of several pro-choice. of their biological or adoptive moth- we received and expresses the opinion of The desire for homosexual activity ers and fathers. In California public many readers.

We will send you a copy of Al Staggs' new book, What Would Bonhoeffer Say? for contributions of $50 or more. We also have copies of T.B. Maston's Why Live the Christian Life? Foy Valentine's Whatsoever Things are Beautiful Calvin Miller's The Philippian Fragment

26 • SPRING 2013 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY Feeding the Homeless as a First Amendment Right By Carissa Gigliotti, Houston Graduate School of Theology

n recent years, an increasing num- in Smith and their rejection of RFRA, for whom giving alms and comfort to Iber of municipalities are enacting a number of states enacted their own the poor is as much an act of compas- laws that restrict individuals’ rights legislation to re-establish the “com- sion as a part of religious doctrine.”11 to feed the homeless in public places. pelling interest” test.7 Though not all Homeless advocates like the Many Christians see feeding and religious advocacy groups support the NLCHP feel that serving food in caring for the poor and standing up enactment of a state RFRA, they may public parks “not only nourishes for justice as clear biblical mandates. help churches combat local “anti- people in need, but also may help Christian churches and organizations homeless” laws. connect them to services that could in many cities have sued the govern- help them move off of the street.”12 ment, claiming that homeless feeding Anti-Homeless Laws The NLCHP argues that “the moral bans violate their First Amendment In recent years, cities all across the imperative to care for the neediest right to free exercise of religion. This United States, such as Myrtle Beach, among us and preserve and protect paper will highlight cases in Las Cincinnati, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, the human dignity of all people is a Vegas, Orlando, and Philadelphia Phoenix, San Diego, and Atlanta, deeply entrenched American value. and the potential impact of their out- have passed municipal ordinances It is reflected in the religious beliefs comes. and practices of Americans of diverse faiths and in [the country’s] most Free Exercise of Religion In some cities, religious sacred political writings and founda- Beginning with Sherbert v. Varner, tional documents.”13 374 U.S. 398 (1963), the Supreme groups have successfully Court used a “compelling interest” worked together with A Biblical Mandate to Feed the Poor test to determine whether a law vio- their elected officials Living justly and showing care lated the Free Exercise Clause of the for the poor were requirements God First Amendment.1 This meant that to craft laws that both placed on the people of Israel.14 “any law that burdens religion must protect the municipality’s These same principles are reinforced be subjected to strict scrutiny and for Christians through the teach- can be upheld only if the government interests and the ings of Jesus. In Lk. 4:18, Jesus tells has a compelling interest in the law’s homeless’ rights. those he is teaching in the synagogue enforcement.”2 However, in 1990, that he has come “to bring good in Employment Division v. Smith¸494 news to the poor” (NRSV). Many of U.S. 872 (1990), the Supreme Court restricting or prohibiting the shar- Jesus’ teaching reveal God’s care for rejected the “compelling interest” test ing of food with homeless persons.8 the poor.15 Jesus even says that the and established a new “neutral law” According to the National Law kingdom is prepared for those who standard.3 This means that “all citi- Center on Homelessness and Poverty care for the least among them (Mt. zens must obey the law, and neutral (NLCHP), cities have used four main 25:34-40). Christians believe this pas- laws of general applicability, includ- tactics to stifle food sharing in public sage requires them to feed the hungry ing those that burden religion.”4 places, including: permit require- because Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, After outcry from religious groups ments, imposition of group size just as you did it to one of the least of in response to Smith, the United limitations, zoning restrictions, and these who are members of my family, States Congress passed the Religions selective statute enforcement.910 you did it to me.” (Mt. 25:40). Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) Matt Pearce, in his Los Angeles Since biblical times, Christians in 1993 to legislatively restore the Times article, “Homeless Feeding have shown care and concern for the “compelling interest” test in Free Bans: Well-meaning Policy or War needy.16 Some Christians feel that Exercise situations.5 But, in 1997, the on the Poor?” explained the two the best way to demonstrate con- Supreme Court struck the law down competing sides of the homeless feed- cern for the poor is reaching people with respect to state and local gov- ing debate when he said that “city where they already are. This is one ernments in City of Boerne v. Flores, officials usually cite safety and public of the reasons why individuals and 521 U.S. 507 (1997).6 As a response health when trying to regulate the organizations are leaving the walls to the Court’s erosion of First feeding of homeless people, which is of their churches and taking food Amendment free exercise protections often the province of religions groups into the streets where the homeless

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • SPRING 2013 • 27 live, even in the face of persecu- ban.26 In August 2007, the U.S. an important part of their religious tion under homeless feeding bans.17 District Court granted a permanent tradition.34 Since it is food sharing, These Christians who are guided by injunction on the homeless feeding communion would also have been their faith to operate regardless of the ban.27 In 2012, the City Council prohibited. potential risks to themselves while voted to change the rules pertain- The district court judge ruled fighting against the “criminalization ing to homeless persons in public against the City, stating that the of homelessness” can find plenty of parks, including removing the 2006 ordinance did not serve a legitimate encouragement from Scripture.18 language which had been declared governmental interest and “more unconstitutional by the district than incidentally burden[ed]” the Churches and Religious Groups court.28 congregation’s free exercise of their Fight Back Just days after Las Vegas approved religion.35 The City was therefore In some cities, religious groups a homeless feeding ban in public enjoined (stopped) from enforcing have successfully worked together parks, the City of Orlando passed a the ordinance.36 However, on July with their elected officials to craft similar ordinance. The July 24, 2006 6, 2012, a three-judge panel of the laws that both protect the munici- law made it illegal to serve food to Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals pality’s interests and the homeless’ groups over 25 people on public reversed the district court’s ruling, rights.19 However, other cities have property within two miles of City stating that the ordinance did not not responded to this method of Hall without a permit.29 Like in Las violate the church’s First Amendment engagement. On the basis of their Vegas, proponents of the Orlando free exercise rights because the ordi- biblical mandate to care for the needy ban were home and business own- nance was neutral, generally appli- and feed the poor, religious organiza- ers who said the homeless prevented cable, and had a rational basis.37 In tions in some cities have sued their protest, members of Orlando Food local governments, challenging anti- Not Bombs are still feeding the feeding statutes on First Amendment Perhaps the most homeless in public parks in violation grounds and under their states’ encouraging case for the of what they consider to be an uncon- RFRA laws. Three such lawsuits, stitutional law.38 brought in Las Vegas, Orlando, and church in the struggle Perhaps the most encouraging Philadelphia, are the focus here.20 against homeless case for the church in the struggle On July 19, 2006, the Las Vegas against homeless feeding bans comes City Council approved an ordinance feeding bans comes from from Philadelphia. On June 1, 2012, that made it a crime to give out free Philadelphia. the City of Philadelphia passed an or low cost meals to homeless persons ordinance that prohibited feeding in city parks.21 Proponents of the more than three people in public ordinance, including local residents, them from using the park and made parks, making exceptions for family claimed that attracting the home- the area less safe.30 Christian oppo- picnics and City-sponsored events.39 less to parks made them unusable by nents of the law said that it was God’s Opponents of the ordinance said that others.22 The ordinance would have will for them to feed the homeless in this was the Mayor’s attempt to keep required law enforcement personnel this area.31 the homeless away from tourist attrac- to be able to distinguish a homeless In October 2006, the Florida tions, while the Mayor argued that person from a non-homeless person ACLU sued the City on behalf of two his goal was to move food sharing based on who looks like they could groups, Orlando Food Not Bombs indoors for the safety and dignity of receive food stamps or government and the First Vagabonds Church of the homeless.40 assistance.23 Opponents of the ordi- God, claiming the ordinance violated The ACLU filed a lawsuit on nance noted that public parks where their First Amendment rights.32 behalf of four Christian churches and many homeless persons congregated Orlando Food Not Bombs is a organizations, Chosen 300 Ministries, were often miles from the area of the political group that believes food is The Welcome Church, the King’s city where the soup kitchens were an essential human right and feeding Jubilee, and Philly Restart, claim- located, making travel to them dif- the homeless is a form of expression; ing that the feeding ban violated ficult.24 Often, removal of the home- First Vagabonds Church was started the Pennsylvania Religious Freedom less from areas near soup kitchens was by Pastor Brian Nichols, who was Protection Act (PRFPA) and the done through police sweeps of the himself formerly homeless, to serve Free Exercise Clause of the First area.25 this population.33 Each Sunday, Amendment.41 On July 12, 2012, The American Civil Liberties approximately 40 church members Judge William H. Yohn, Jr. granted Union (ACLU) of Nevada filed a participated in a worship service held a temporary injunction against the request for preliminary injunction in a public park, including partak- City’s enforcement of the feeding ban to stop enforcement of the feeding ing of the sacrament of communion, while the case was being decided.42

28 • SPRING 2013 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY Then, on August 9, 2012, Judge Yohn stood up for the protection of vari- Religious people are in a position to issued his final decision, permanently ous forms of religious expression and be a strong voice for the rights to care prohibiting the City from enforcing against government attempts to define for the homeless. As has been seen the feeding ban, but not a require- what activities “count” as authentic in cities like Philadelphia, a small ment to participate in food safety practices of one’s faith. Mayor Nutter group of active, concerned citizens training prior to such public feeding and the City attempted to reason that can challenge unjust laws and make on City property.43 because the feeding ban did not stop a difference to the homeless in their This case included expert testi- churches or individuals from “praying communities. Those already engaged mony and evidence from each of the or preaching or reading the Gospel or in the fight against criminalization religious groups stating their convic- engaging with the homeless,” that it of homelessness will not doubt be tion that feeding the homeless was was not a violation of their rights of watching what unfolds in Philadelphia a “fundamental tenet” of their faith free expression.48 Judge Yohn remind- closely. and a “religious obligation.”44 They ed the Mayor and the City that it was Conclusion also believe that part of their mission neither within their authority nor the Justice, care, and concern for the is to minister to the homeless “where court’s to determine the significance poor are foundational tenets of the they are found.”45 Under the PRFPA, of one religious act over another.49 Christian faith that are shared with a a municipal agency cannot substan- Judge Yohn also stated that “there is number of other religious traditions. tially burden a person’s exercise of a strong public interest in protecting Secular poverty and homeless groups their religion without the ability to the free exercise of religion” and that and some for-profit companies also prove that their actions represent a the “food-sharing programs benefit share this mission and are allies in the compelling interest and that they are the public interest.”50 quest to care for the poor. Christians using the least restrictive means of have a responsibility to stand up for accomplishing the goal.46 Since the the rights of those who lack a voice ordinance prohibits sharing food with Christians have a in government. While the first course the homeless and needy anywhere of action should be to listen to and near where they sleep along Benjamin responsibility to stand openly sit at the table of dialogue with Franklin Parkway, the ministries that up for the rights of those local government officials regarding have within their mission to minister homelessness issues, if this approach to the poor where they are found who lack a voice in fails, the courts may be an option. If would no longer be able to do this; government. the trend started by Judge Yohn in the therefore, Judge Yohn determined that Philadelphia case is upheld on appeal this prohibition did constitute a “sub- and continues in other states, religious stantial burden” of their free exercise If Judge Yohn’s opinion holds up groups will have another viable avenue rights under PFRPA.47 The City has through the appeal process, religious to challenge laws that prevent them appealed the decision. groups, particularly those in states from living out the biblical mandate with RFRA laws will have a strong to care for the poor. ■ Potential Impact of Philadelphia precedent to rely on to bring lawsuits Decision on Free Exercise to stop anti-homeless laws like feed- The full bibliography and footnotes are In his opinion in Chosen 300 ing bans. This is a pivotal time in found on the web version on our web- Ministries v. Philadelphia, Judge Yohn First Amendment free exercise law. site.

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • SPRING 2013 • 29 “Of making many books there is no end...” Ecclessiastes 12:12 NRSV

Modern Shapers of Those who are remembered as beautifully in a chapter on a feisty Baptist Thought professors include persons who wrote defender of religious liberty, James M. in America about the Bible, ethics, church his- Dunn. The Baptist passion for mis- by William Powell Tuck (Richmond, tory, sociology of religion, pastoral sions is evident in the chapter about Virginia: Center for Baptist Heritage & care, and preaching. Those who are Alma Hunt. Baptists’ love for good Studies, 2012. 544 pages. Hardcover, $45.00. Paperback, $24.00) remembered as pastors served mega- preaching is evident in several chap- churches and tiny churches, urban ters, perhaps especially in the chapter Reviewed by Fisher Humphreys churches and country churches, about Gardner Taylor. Baptists’ com- traditional churches and innovative mitment to evangelism is clear in the n the four centuries since the churches. chapter about Billy Graham. Baptists’ IBaptist movement was launched, Tuck gives us more than bio- love for the Bible and for the study of Baptists have become immensely graphical vignettes of his subjects. He the Bible is seen in several chapters, diverse. President Jimmy Carter is carefully discusses their ethics and too, perhaps most fully in the chapter a Baptist; so are the members of theology and how these shaped their about Frank Stagg. Topeka’s Westboro Baptist Church lives and their work in the church There is a great deal of ethical which pickets the funerals of and the world. thought in this book. The chapter on American soldiers. Liberal Carlyle In the chapters about pastors and Walter Rauschenbusch displays the Marney was a Baptist, and so was other preachers, Tuck provides a theological ethics that underlies the Fundamentalist Jerry Falwell. magisterial review of their sermons. social gospel. The chapter on Martin The diversity in Baptist life is Tuck has taught preaching in several Luther King, Jr., displays the theo- evident in a splendid new book by schools, and his studies of these pas- logical ethics that underlies the civil William Powell Tuck. It contains tors provide multiple insights into rights movement. There is a chapter essays on the life and work of 24 some of the great sermons of the on Henlee Barnette who was an influ- Baptists who have been influential in twentieth century. ential professor of Christian ethics America over the past century. Tuck also provides something I during the twentieth century. In each essay Tuck explains why the had not anticipated, an assessment Tuck is an excellent story-teller. He person is important. There are chap- of the legacy of each of his subjects. provides insightful details without ters about a musician, a historian, This is an important contribution, losing the big picture. He shows how an evangelist, a university chaplain, and I found the assessments to be his subjects lived out their theology two political leaders, three African- judicious. and ethics in their lives and work. Americans, four women, and at least Baptists’ greatest contribution This book is a joy to read, and I rec- six of the best-known preachers in is probably their commitment to ommend it enthusiastically. ■ America in the twentieth century. religious liberty. Tuck displays this

“I am outraged at the proposals that say we should both give the richest Americans more tx cuts AND take 70% of the cuts in federal spending from programs that empower poor folk… From 1979-2009, the bottom 20% of American families saw their income drop by 7.4%. For the top 20%, it jumped 49% and for the top 5%, it jumped 73%. In 2010, the top 25 hedge fund managers earned that year a total of 25.3 BILLION dollars – more than a billion per person! And yet some important politicians want to cut even more taxes of these folks…on the backs of poor people.” Ron Sider, president for Evangelicals for Social Action

30 • SPRING 2013 • CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY Through the Year cal background of the author, and Particularly relevant in his book with Jimmy Carter frankly, rejoice in a day by day aware- are the daily prayers which close the 366 Daily Devotions from the 39th ness that there is an author who has a comments. Interestingly, these daily President by Jimmy Carter; Zondervan, profound knowledge of the Bible and guides are excerpts from his Sunday 2011, $24.00 a remarkable ability to apply biblical School notes. He has taught -Sunday a book review by Darold Morgan truth to everyday life with its endless School in a Baptist church in his array of challenges. If you like this day hometown of Plains, Georgia for mul- ost of us have a favorite devo- by day guide to your devotional life, tiple years. These notes form a rich Mtional book for the days of a this reviewer can guarantee you that harvest of spiritual commentaries on a year, books which have meant much this volume will bless and strengthen wide range of biblical texts. Consider to us spiritually. Browsing recently in your quest for personal spiritual this review also to be a not-so-subtle a local bookstore, this reviewer found insights. reminder that most of us would profit in the new book section this most President Carter continues to amaze from attendance in a good Bible class recent addition from the agile and many of us with his grasp of today’s ourselves – with a good teacher, of fertile pen of Jimmy Carter, the 39th realities and demands, combined with course! president of the United States, a book a deep personal faith in God which This good book deserves a wide cir- somewhat unlike some of his other constitutes the ultimate foundation of culation. ■ volumes. his multi-talented life – not far from Forget, if you can, the politi- his ninth decade.

“America has never been an especially capitalist country. The postal system, the land-grant provisions for public education, the national park system, the Homestead Act, the graduated income tax, the Social Security system, Medicare, Medicaid, the G.I. Bill – all of these were and are massive distributions or redistributions of wealth meant to benefit the population at large. The whole point of state universities has been to create an elite so large the name no longer serves, to create a ruling class that is more or less identical with the population.” Marilynn Robinson, quoted by John M. Buchanan in Christian Century, October 3, 2012.

Thank You! ... for reading Christian Ethics Today ... for referring the journal to friends and loved ones [... and for your gifts of support. [

CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY • SPRING 2013 • 31 CHRISTIAN ETHICS TODAY FOUNDATION NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE Post Office Box 1238 PAID DALLAS TX Banner Elk, NC 28604 PERMIT 4525

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

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 • Maintain an independent prophetic voice for Christian social ethics • Interpret and apply Christian experience, biblical truth, theological insights, historical understanding, and current research to contemporary moral issues • Support Christian ecumenism by seeking contributors and readers from various denominations and churches • Work from the deep, broad center of the Christian church • 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 • 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 com- pany 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 pub- lished four 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 ap- preciated.” 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 Fisher Humphreys, Chair Patricia Ayres Aubrey H. Ducker, Jr. Babs Baugh Darold Morgan Tony Campolo Kelly Reese Carolyn Weatherford Crumpler David Sapp Carolyn Dipboye 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: OUR ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBERS Pat Anderson Office: (828) 387-2267 P.O. Box 1238 Cell (863) 207-2050 Banner Elk, NC 28604 VISIT US ON OUR WEB SITE: www.ChristianEthicsToday.com