First, Brian Bantum, a theology professor, writes Is America's Honor a Christian's Honor? Thoughts on Glenn Beck and the "Restoring Honor" Rally (discovered through Eugene Cho's blog). A quick excerpt:
While conservatives such as Beck and Palin point to a time past when America had honor, I am puzzled. Presumably, Beck and Palin mean America had honor in the eyes of God. Presumably, this honor was due to our limited government and desire for individual liberty.
But if we assume this to be true, was God also honored with the systematic displacement of native peoples; the enslavement, lynching, and raping of African women, children and men forcibly brought to our “blessed” shores; and the continual repression of women’s votes just to name a few? Was God being honored when those atrocities were not only permitted, but nationally sanctioned? Is God not honored because millions more have healthcare? Is God not honored because I do not keep what I rightfully earned?
Secondly, Jim Wallis, author of "God's Politics," wrote a piece about the rally on his blog titled "An Open Letter to Glenn Beck." In his post, Wallis particularly challenges Beck's notion that "social justice" churches are bad, and are simply code for a form of Communism or Marxism.
And let’s talk about salvation. You have emphasized that you believe strongly in personal salvation, as opposed to “collective salvation.” As an evangelical Christian, I also believe deeply in personal salvation—it is the foundation of my faith. But we need to ask ourselves, what are we saved for? Is salvation just about getting a pass into heaven? Is it just for us? Or is it also for the world, and being a part of God’s work and purposes in the world today? When I read a passage like Matthew 25 or Amos 5, I believe it’s clear that God won’t hear my prayers if I don’t care for the least of these, or I refuse justice to those in need.
Wallis also warns of the danger of acting as a spiritual leader, and not just as a talk show host (which reminded me of James 3:1 - "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness").
Before, I thought you were just another cable news talk show host. But now, you are using the language of a spiritual and even a religious leader. You acted as though you now want people to look to you for that kind of spiritual leadership. But to invoke the name of God and the vocation of a spiritual leader has consequences. It brings with it a whole new level of responsibility and accountability. It will require a more civil and even humble tone than you are used to. It will likely mean saying some different things and, certainly, saying many things differently than you have in the past. Pundits and talk show hosts say things that divide, create conflict, and get good ratings. They appeal more to fear than to hope.
Interesting stuff from these two bloggers. I'm not sure that I have my opinions on "Restoring Honor" and the Tea Party fully formed just yet, but I'm working on it. I'm curious for other people's thoughts as well.
1 comment:
Thanks for this post, Tim. I'm glad you're back to blogging.
I certainly haven't formed many coherent ideas about this topic, but the whole thing makes me recoil inwardly.
I've just moved to a region where most of the people I meet claim Christianity, and most of the people I meet claim patriotism. And most of the people seem to think that their brand of patriotism is inextricably linked from their brand of Christianity. I find this troubling in many ways, perhaps most because people seem to evangelize their politics more vehemently than their faith. The judgment and ostracization that comes with having a different point of view is often quick and complete. I've heard someone say that he/she "wouldn't want that kind of person [of a different color, social background, faith] living in my town."
I shrink from this Glenn Beck rally mentality because I don't see the gospel in it. If it's playing on fear, it's not fear of God but fear of other people. The gospel of Jesus takes fear and turns it into love, not politics.
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