NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 Religion and the Presidents NURTURING Jimmy Carter: Part Two FAITH goodfaithmedia.org Journal & Bible Studies WHEN WORDS AREN’T ENOUGH Artist encourages seeing through the eyes of others FACING OUR INDICTMENT It’s right there — in black and white FAITH & POLITICS A mix or a mess? FAITH/SCIENCE Does science change the way you read the Bible? Newfrom Nurturing Faith Books • How can Christians follow Jesus’ command to love our neighbor in the political realm? • How can the local church help form members for responsible Christian citizenship? • How can your church engage in advocacy issues and work for justice? ••• The Mission of Advocacy: A Toolkit for Congregations, based on a partner- ship between the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Wilshire Baptist Church, provides guidance on modeling an effective and positive public witness in divisive times. Focusing on issues such as predatory lending, immigration and racial justice work, veteran advocates Stephen K. Reeves and Katie Ferguson Murray offer concrete suggestions to help ministers and laity recognize advocacy as a natural extension of church ministry. Available now at goodfaithmedia.org/bookstore Feature 2 Great Bible Study NF IS IN YOUR HANDS!J Nurturing Faith Bible Studies by Tony Cartledge are scholarly, yet applicable, and conveniently placed in the center of this journal. Simply provide a copy of the journal to each class participant, and take advantage of the abundant online teach- ing materials at teachers.nurturingfaith.net. These include video overviews for teacher preparation or to be shown in class. See page 21 for more information. FOR SHORT!TERM BIBLE STUDIES NURTURING FAITH BIBLE STUDY SERIES Revelation: All Things New Ephesians: Upward Faith Psalming the Blues: At the Intersection of Praise and Pain A Place for Praise: Ancient Psalms for Modern Times Five Scrolls for All Times: Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Eccelesiates, and Esther Orders: goodfaithmedia.org/bookstore or (615) 627-7763 Ideal for groups seeking insightful, applicable Bible studies: Sunday school classes, weekday gatherings, Wednesday prayer meetings, retreats, annual Bible study emphases. Bulk discounts available. Nurturing Faith Journal & Bible Studies are now part of Good Faith Media. OUR TEAM OUR MISSION JOURNAL STAFF N John D. Pierce, Executive Editor F Nurturing Faith Journal provides relevant Bruce T. Gourley, Managing Editor J Tony W. Cartledge, Contributing Editor/Curriculum Writer and trusted information, thoughtful analysis Jackie B. 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POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to: P.O. Box 6318, Macon, GA 31208-6318 • (615) 627-7763 • © 2020 Nurturing Faith • All rights reserved. PATROL & CONTROL Storytelling has long shaped the practice of policing INSIDE By Terrell Carter VOL. 38, ISSUE 6 44 NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020 FEATURES 6 WHEN WORDS AREN’T ENOUGH PEACE ON EARTH Artist encourages seeing Dave Combs brings through the eyes of others soothing music By Rebekah Gordon videos to new audience 10 FACING OUR INDICTMENT By John D. Pierce Ignoring white supremacy within American Christianity is costly 56 By John D. Pierce 50 RELIGION AND THE THOUGHTS AMERICAN PRESIDENTS 5 Whether a lost year, or a year 41 Reconsidering expectations: Part Two: Jimmy Carter of losses, 2020 will have ministers or managers? (1977–1981) ‘lasting e!ects’ By Christopher Adams By Bruce Gourley By John D. Pierce 42 A MIX OR A MESS? 59 GETTING WET 9 More than a voice on the phone, Words of caution about the A Baptist preacher ruminates on Jannie is a friend relationship between faith the holy waters of baptism By John D. Pierce and politics By Lamar Wadsworth By J. Brent Walker 13 Second Thoughts: Kudzu, kinfolks and me 46 COMMON GOOD By John D. Pierce The Bible teaches us to live communally, not selfishly 14 White supremacy and theology By A. Roy Medley By John R. Franke 58 Lipscomb University salvages 17 In memory of Robert buried archaeology program By Larry Hovis By Tony W. Cartledge Welcome Ernest 18 God works through 60 Embracing, advancing good C. Hynds Jr. Interns! honest conversations faith in face of a bad year 8 By Patrick DeVane By Mitch Randall Worth Repeating ..................................... 4 Lighter Side ........................................... 20 Diggin’ It ................................................. 58 Editorial ...................................................... 5 Classifieds .............................................. 40 Faith & Science .................................... 62 Cover image: Evie, by Susan Baker Cartledge. See story on page 6. 3 “For that rare friend who wants to see and understand all sides, I advise: ‘Read widely. Don’t leave cable news Worth or talk radio on in the background all day.’” Repeating Lay leader Ella Prichard of Corpus Christi, Texas (BNG) “There is a power in knowing that you and “It’s almost impossible to be a Christian in a culture your feelings and desires are not at the where Christians are in power.” center of the universe.” Pastor and author Brian Zahnd (Twitter) Norris Frederick, retired ethics professor from Queens University of Charlotte, N.C., blogging at philosophyforlivingtoday.org. “Although this movement is still fringe, it is likely that someone in your church or social-media circles has “On social media right now, people of conscience either already bought into the conspiracy or thinks it’s are deluged with opportunities to speak up or speak plausible and worth exploring.” out. In this frenzy, we must choose what to ignore, Executive Pastor Joe Carter of McLean Bible Church in Arlington, Va., what ethically demands response and what can be who published a FAQ on QAnon in The Gospel Coalition constructively engaged.” (MIT Technology Review) Amanda Hiley of Birmingham, Ala., on making wise social media choices (GFM Opinion) “Conscience was and remains an internal guide by which citizens determine and act in response to good “Good news isn’t good if it isn’t true. In this age of and evil, right and wrong, freedom and oppression. conspiracy theories and fake news, church leaders All persons, especially Christian persons, are to can empower parishioners, giving them tools to be function as citizens on the basis of their consciences.” tenacious truth-seekers.” Church historian Bill Leonard of Wake Forest University (BNG) Rhonda Abbott Blevins, pastor of Chapel by the Sea in Clearwater, Fla. (BNG) “When historians pick up their pens to write the story of the 21st century, let them say that it was your “QAnon is predatory drivel that undermines the generation who laid down the heavy burdens of authority of Scripture and pilfers trust we owe only to hate at last and that peace finally triumphed Christ. American Christians have a responsibility to over violence, aggression and war.” learn to identify it — and flee.” John Lewis, in an essay written just before