What a Difference a Century Makes

Whatever your political allegiance–or non-allegiance, like me–the election of an African American to the Presidency of the United States is a historic event, and that is an understatement.

Whatever direction your vote went last Tuesday we can all rejoice that another ethnic and racial barrier has been breached.

A century ago, when Jim Crow laws were in full force, very few African Americans could even vote much less hold governmental office.  A half-century ago, when segregation still reigned, an African American President was unimaginable. A decade ago, the only African American in the United States Senate–Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois–was defeated in her re-election bid.

Change, indeed, has come to America!

Change has come to Churches of Christ as well.

In 1902 an author (initials G.P.O.) in the socially progressive (by comparison with other journals among Churches of Christ) Christian Leader (November 11, p. 3) opined that given their ignorance, emotional immaturity, and general idleness “the repression of the negro vote in the South may even prove a blessing in disguise by turning the negro’s attention towards self-improvement and the necessity of making a living by toil.” With historical hindsight–and recognizing that had I lived at the time I probably would have agreed–I can only say, Wow! Plus, this appears in the only journal among Churches of Christ that had a regular column by an African American preacher and educator, Samuel Robert Cassius.

Fifty years ago Churches of Christ were silent about segregation and if they were vocal, they were usually defending the status quo (see Bobby Valentine’s blog for an illustration of such in 1957). The silence of our major periodicals in the late 1950s and early 1960s during the birth of the Civil Rights Movement is deafening and chilling. One would only need to read through some of the articles from the 1950s and 1960s at Don Haymes’ anthology to get a feel for how deeply Churches of Christ were embedded in their southern culture. Listen to just one example: “The good, honest and sincere Negroes do not want integration as is attempted today. They know that they are happier and can serve God and their fellowman by remaining as God intended them to be and the purpose for which he created them.” Patronizing and self-serving; another (hindsight) Wow!

Last Tuesday, many within Churches of Christ voted for Obama, especially those who have come to see that voting for social justice is just as important as voting against abortion–both are pro-life orientations. Deuteronomy, for example, is just as concerned about just wages, fair treatment of aliens, and protection for the poor as it is protecting innocent life. Unjust wages and abortion, I believe, are both murder (read James 5:1-6, for example).

In my estimation neither candidate in this election was without flaw on the question of life. But I will leave that issue to the conscience of each reader and voter.

The deed is done. Whatever the political and policy ramifications, the racial witness here is a welcome one. It is a step in the right direction as far as race relations are concerned in this country.

Whether Obama will implement good policies is a different question and one upon which I will not comment. For now, I think we can enjoy the particular change that the election of an African American represents just as I would have also enjoyed the change that the election of a woman to the Vice Presidency would have represented as well. Either way would have been progress.

As for the future….in God we trust; I neither trust Obama/Biden nor McCain/Palin.

Marx, Paul, and Obama? A Comment on “Spreading the Wealth”

“From each according to their ability, to each according to their need.”

                 Karl Marx

“At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality [fair balance, NRSV; or, equity], as it is written ‘He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little” [quoting Exodus 16:18].

                  Apostle Paul, 2 Corinthians 8:14-15

The former quote has become quite popular in some circles since Barbara West quoted it when she asked Joe Biden a question about Obama’s supposed Marxism.

There is something quite healthy about Marx’s point. Indeed, there is something quite biblical about it…sort of. 

Paul writes something similar and even grounds it in God’s distribution of manna in the wilderness. When God distributes wealth (manna), he intends to supply the needs of the impoverished and those who have too much share what they have with those who have too little. God provides every blessing in abundance and blessed people scatter those gifts to the poor (2 Corinthians 8:8-9, quoting Psalm 112:9). God’s creative intent did not design poverty and the kingdom of God–whether Israel (Deuteronomy 15:4) or the Jesus community (Acts 4:34)–should have no needy among them.

Within the community of God this sharing is voluntary. Giving to the poor in both Israel and the Jesus’ community was a choice. It was not violently coerced. Marx, however, was willing to employ violence in his pursuit of economic justice.  In addition to the quote that heads this post, Karl Marx also said, “The last capitalist we hang shall be the one who sold us the rope.”

The kingdom of God, hopefully embodied in Jesus’ church, willingly and generously gives so that there is equity. This does not mean there is no private property or that some will not have more than others. Rather, it means that everyone has what they need. Disciples of Jesus share their wealth, sell their possessions to give to the poor, and announce good news to the poor. They do this out of the riches of the grace God has supplied rather than out of duty, threat, or coercion. Unfortunately, and admittedly too true of me, disciples often do not trust God sufficiently to share their abundant resources with the needy so that those who have too little have enough.

But we move too quickly when we say that it is purely voluntary. The Torah regulated Israel’s treatment of the poor.  It did not coerce lending to the poor, but there were legal protections for the poor and legal provisions for the needy that hindered and even restricted the open-ended growth of wealth. 

The law required the cancellation of debts every seven years.  This hindered the wealthy from exploiting the poor through interest rates and permanent indebtedness.  I wonder how many credit cards college students would receive in the mail if every seven years their debts were wiped clean. This legal provision regulated financial predators.  The return of the land to original families at Jubilee prevented the rich from unlimited wealth through the acquisition of property.  Generational wealth based on land ownership was limited. The Jubillee regulation was partly intended to hinder the acquisition of land to limitlessly enrich a particular family.

Israel’s example of how government can regulate wealth and protect the poor provides some fodder for discussion.  I tend to think unrestrained capitalism is a problem, but neither do I find socialism or Marxism particularly beneficient to the poor or a discouragement to elitist luxury.  Humanity is “naturally” (“by nature” through our sarx) evil, covetous, and greedy whether in a capitalist or socialist society.  

Yet, government, according to Romans 13, is ordained by God to protect the innocent and punish evil. Economic injustice, as the prophets of Israel make clear, is an evil. Given the systemic evil and greed within the structures of society (whether capitalist or socialist), I think government should play a role in restraining greed, pursuing economic justice [e.g., protecting the poor from predatory practices that prey upon their circumstances], and assisting the poor.

I am not a specialist in economics. In fact, I have no doubt that my ignorance is much greater than my knowledge. I wish I knew how to pursue economic justice in American culture. I know I don’t have the answers. I tend to think a restrained capitalism is the best system and can accomplish the greatest good for the poor, but I don’t feel myself qualified to determine whose economic policies, McCain or Obama, are best. I wish I knew though I believe both have a heart and interest in protecting the poor from exploitation.

I do not intend my blog to become a place for political partisanship. My interests are larger than the election of a particular President. I am not advocating for either on this issue. I can see it both ways and I am uncertain about which economic policy is best for the poor and growing the economy.

I am bothered by those who seem to think that only Obama cares for the poor or middle class.  I am bothered by those who will vote for McCain simply because they want to keep their money. I tend to think that McCain and Obama are fighting over a middle ground of some kind–protect the poor, assist the poor, but do not punish the wealthy simply because they are wealthy. 

I am not even an economic specialist when it comes to my own lifestyle.  I “tithe plus,” but it still seems inadequate to me.  I drive cars over 100,000 miles and don’t buy new cars.  I shop first at Goodwill.  But it still seems inadequate to me. I am rich…and I certainly don’t make anything near $250,000. 

I suppose my point is this.  Disciples of Jesus share their wealth. Government has a function to punish evil, including restraining the evil of economic greed and injustice.  How that should play out is uncertain to my mind. I simply don’t know, but I don’t have to know.

What I think I know, however, is that disciples of Jesus spread their wealth around and give their gifts from God to the poor. This is my point, a reminder to myself and perhaps to others.

Whoever is elected, McCain or Obama, my allegiance to the kingdom of God means I will share my wealth with the poor. Whoever is elected, McCain or Obama, God will accomplish his will and continue to introduce his kingdom into the world. Whoever is elected, McCain or Obama, has little to nothing to do with the in-breaking of God’s kingdom.

P.S. Charitable giving by the candidates according to tax returns (where not all charitable giving is recorded, at least for my family).

McCain personally gave 26% of his income in 2007 and 18% in 2006 plus donating his book royalties since 1998 which totals almost $2,000,000.

Obama and his wife gave less than 1% from 2000-2004 but 5% in 2005 and 5.7% in 2006 (book deals gave the family increased income in the last few years).

Biden and his wife gave .03% in 2007 and .01% from 1998-2007.

Palin and her husband gave 3.3% in 2006 and 1.5% in 2007.

Lest We Fear….

It is better to take refuge in Yahweh than to trust in flesh.  

It is better to take refuge in Yahweh than to trust in rulers.

Psalm 118:8-9

Middle class Americans are worried about their stock portfolios, retirements, and home mortages.

Others are worried about what they will eat today, what they will wear as winter draws near.

Republicans wring their hands in worry over a future Obama administration and Democrats are terrified that McCain-Palin might actually win.

Others suffer under oppressive regimes without freedom of speech or religion.

Americans worry about the escalating cost of health care and the inconvenience of waiting roooms.

Others watch their children die from polluted water and the inaccessibility of medical care.

In whom or what do we Americans trust? Our economic investments–our treasures laid up on earth? Our political leaders–human counsel and direction?  Our military–in our “horses and chariots”? Our constitution–human wisdom and governance?

Trusting in our own resources and rulers generates fear because our resources and rulers are feeble and fallible.  When we trust in ourselves, fear will ultimately arise because we know our own faults and have seen enough of our own history. We, therefore, are either uneasy with ourselves or we are self-righteous in our confidence. Life ultimately reminds us that we are powerless over our futures. We are not in control.

Trusting in God, however, roots out fear. Trusting his love removes the shame of past failures and the fear of future realities, whatever they may be. Recognizing God’s sovereingty–his power over all things–roots out fear. Such trust is a process–never perfectly embraced but hopefully progressively learned and lived.

Believers who become so emeshed in political and economic worries, so emeshed that their hearts are filled with fear over the future and their words are peppered with derision, believe in something other than the God of the Story who loves, rules and wins.

Lest we fear, let us remember that our Father is in heaven–he is the transcendent sovereign lover, and he knows the way we take–he “knows” not only in the sense of cognition but in the sense of care, empathy, and compassion. This is the God we trust.

At the same time, while we do not trust in our own resources or rulers, we also recognize our call to co-rule this world with God and co-create the future with him. We are not isolationists but participants.  We pursue mercy, justice and faithfulness, but we leave the results with God.

Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal humans, who cannot save…

Blessed are those whose help is in the God of Jacob, whose hope is in Yahweh their God.

Yahweh reigns forever.

Psalm 146:3, 5, 10

Suggestion: Read the whole Psalm to see the hope! 

 

Here it is just in case you don’t have the time to search for it…..Praise the LORD!

 1 Praise the LORD. 
       Praise the LORD, O my soul.

 2 I will praise the LORD all my life;
       I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

 3 Do not put your trust in princes,
       in mortal men, who cannot save.

 4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
       on that very day their plans come to nothing.

 5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
       whose hope is in the LORD his God,

 6 the Maker of heaven and earth,
       the sea, and everything in them—
       the LORD, who remains faithful forever.

 7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed
       and gives food to the hungry.
       The LORD sets prisoners free,

 8 the LORD gives sight to the blind,
       the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down,
       the LORD loves the righteous.

 9 The LORD watches over the alien
       and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
       but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

 10 The LORD reigns forever,
       your God, O Zion, for all generations.
       Praise the LORD.

Jesus as Community Organizer

I hesitate to venture into the turbulent political waters that my title might suggest. I have waited a few days so that emotions can subside a bit, including my own. But I am disturbed by both the right and the left, by both Republican and Demoncrat….by Christians on both sides of the aisle. I am disturbed by many things but I am particularly alarmed by bringing Jesus into the conversation in such a way that it enables and excites political sniping and sneering.

Give me a few paragraphs to get to my point….so hang in with me.

The Obama campaign has appropriately highlighted Obama’s time as a community organizer which reflects his investment in and social concern for community life. Whether one agrees with the kind of community organizing he did (and I’m not interested in that question in this post), it does say something about his social consciousness and willingness to work in the trenches. That should be applauded.

Unfortunately, when the choice of Palin as the Republican Vice-Presidential nominee was announced, the Obama campaign seemed to belittle her role as a “small town” mayor and often referring to her as “mayor” without also mentioning her executive role as Governor of a State. Some heard this as a put-down of her experience as mayor. Yet, being a small town mayor (and previously involved in community events like PTA, etc.) reflects a similar interest in community similiar to community organizers.

So, the stage was set for a tick-for-tack. Palin–seemingly in response to the Obama camp’s devaluation of her mayoral experience–retorted: “I guess a small town mayor is sort of like a ‘community organizer,’ except that you have actual responsibilities.” It was a humorous jab. I think Palin had a point–a mayor is an elected official with fiscal public trust unlike a community organizer. However, to cast community organizers in a negative light is problematic because I would suggest community organizers are important in our culture.

The Democratic response to Palin’s zing was unfortunate. Multiple voices within the Democratic party replied with their own zinger: “Jesus was a community organizer; Pontius Pilate was a governor.” This is also a humorous jab. The valid point, I think, is that no one should undervalue what a community organizer does, but at the same time the negative tone protrays governors–only Palin?–in horrendous light.

I find the whole scenario distasteful. As Christ-followers, we honor community service, mayors, senators, and governors. They are all modes of public service. None deserve a negative put-down.

I imagine that Palin really does value community organizers and Obama really does value governors–both have said as much. But the political climate won’t permit genuine mutual appreciation without some kind of murderous thrust with the political sword–it is like a kiss that kills (remember Judas?).

But what is most disturbing to me is how Jesus has been used in the service of a political zinger….and Christians themselves have promoted such use. To use Jesus as political bard in order to shore up a Republican or Democrat is subversive to the mission of Jesus itself.

On the one hand, not all community organizing is the sort of thing in which Jesus would be involved. It is not carte blanche, right? On the other hand, the kind of community organizing Jesus did was to organize his own community–to “build” his “church,” to call a group of disciples into a community for the sake of society.

The community of Jesus is distinct; a different community; an alternative community. At the same time the community Jesus organized is not isolationist. The Jesus community invests itself in people, serving the needs of the hurting and wounded. The Jesus community heals, reconciles, and makes peace. The Jesus community speaks prophetically to society, including politicians. The Jesus community speaks for the weak, oppressed and neglected. But when Christians, whether Democrat or Republican, treat others with derision, condescenion, and disrespect, they conform to this world rather than being transformed by the renewal of God’s Spirit.

When we participate in political rancor, hurt and “cursing” (treating people as less than the image of God), we abdicate our responsiblity as light and salt in the world. Christ-followers should leaven the political acrimony and expose the political venom to the light.

Unfortunately, it appears we are no different; we are not distinct prophets but inflamed participants. We have become pepper rather than salt. We have been warring in the darkness rather than seeking peace in the light.

Obama, Palin and the 2008 Election

During the last election seasons (Fall 2004 and Fall 2006), I was living in Vienna as I taught in Lipscomb’s study abroad program.  I wish I were there now and blissfully ignorant of all the rancor, sniping, and despicable comments. And not so much from the candidates themselves (though they cross some lines) but from their supporters, bloggers, and media outlets.

It is particularly distressing to see Christians taking snipes at Palin during her speech and it is equally distressing to see Christians using insulting language towards Obama. It is almost as if loving our neighbors is not applicable to the political arena.  The kingdom of this world–and its political brawls–in such cases trumps the kingdom of God.  The language of Ashdod–the political rancour of attack–replaces the kingdom invitation to mutual forbearance and the search for mutual understanding.

The election cycle deChristianizes us, I fear. It puts the kingdom of the United States at the center rather than the kingdom of God. 

I recognize the need and value of policy debates, just as I recognize the need and value of Christians wrestling with how to be Christ-followers in a broken world and even disagreeing about how to do that.  But the debates and disagreements do not undermine the kingdom call to season our speech with salt and speak lovingly with each other.

Despite all the unpleasantness, I celebrate that both parties have broken ethnic and gender barriers in their own respective parties.  I celebrate that an African American can run for President on a Democratic ticket (which is quite a change from Democrats sanctioning slavery and passing Jim Crow laws in the 19th century).  I celebrate that a woman can run for Vice President on a Republican ticket (which is quite a change from Republican opposition to women’s suffrage in the 19th century).  These are historic moments. 

I celebrate them for what they represent to my mind. I celebrate them because it reflects a movement toward something greater than the United States of America.  It is a movement toward the embrace of the values of the kingdom of God where ethnicity and gender are no longer barriers to full participation in community. This is a positive moment in our history as a nation. It represents something better and greater than who will actually become President or Vice President.

Our nation, of course, is not the kingdom of God…far from it.  But it is redemptive for our nation to embrace the kind of diversity that welcomes women and African Americans to our nation’s highest offices. The election of Palin or Obama will be progress on that count.  If there is any “joy” in this Presidential season, this is the joy I experience.

Unfortuantely, for me, this joy is overshadowed by the malicious attitudes and words that fill the political air.  Even in this moment when our nominees point us to the kingdom of God in terms I have just described, at the same time kingdom people are so emeshed in the kingdoms of this world that their speech is more like Ashdod than it is Jesus. 

I find myself even more entrenched in Lipscomb’s worldview as I hear the sounds of hatred, insult, and personal vendettas rather than of peace, love, and mutuality.  Perhaps Lipscomb was right….people cannot involve themselves in the kingdoms of this world without at the same time losing something of the kingdom of God in their lives.  Maybe he was right…I certainly see empirical evidence of that in this election season.