Dear Friends,
I’m posting this Wednesday’s podcast on Tuesday morning, June 24, as I leave in a few hours for Boston to attend my daughter’s graduation from the Berklee College of Music, a Master’s degree in hand. “Pops” is very proud. We’ll stay at a “Motel Six” or some other luxurious accommodation about halfway, as neither knees nor eyes are up for the 900-mile, 14-hour jaunt from Indy to downtown Boston in a single day.
I look forward to the road trip. Time to clear the mind, talk to my “soulmate,” Debby, and listen to some Bill Evans and Bach along the way. I thought of taking a break from this week’s “show,” but have been drawn in by the rancorous, hyperbolic language so reflective of our age. With your encouragement and “The Well-Tempered Clavier” playing in the background, I’ve finished the last paragraph or two this morning and pass this modest essay along to you for your consideration.
Prayers continue to abound for friends in Israel and the surrounding area. May the Spirit guide our leaders and grant wisdom to those who are in power to bring peace to the region.
Blessing upon blessing to you—our readers and listeners of The Church’s One Foundation.
Pressing On,
D. Paul
“LOVE YOUR ENEMIES”
Rock Singer, Ronnie Winter, frontman for the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, has made his political position official in an Instagram Video, dated Saturday, June 14. Slightly abbreviated, it reads:
Hi, I’m Ronnie Winter. I sing for the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, and I actually follow what Jesus says. If you’re a Christian and you’re watching this and you voted for Donald Trump, shame on you. You are not allowed to come to my shows. I don’t want you there. Don’t come to my shows…forever, not just like these four years. Don’t come to my shows because…you’re going to hear the actual words of Jesus, and you’re going to see a lot of acceptance from all areas of life and races, and you’re just going to see a lot of harmony. OK? That’s not what you’re about, OK? Don’t come. Refunds are available. Forever, don’t come. Goodbye.
Whew … that’s quite a mouthful. In an earlier interview (“Alternative Press, August 2020), Winter is quoted as saying, I want to unite everybody because we can actually do that. Surely, this “follower of Jesus” must know that precluding 50% of the body politic from your concerts is hardly a unifying gesture. Best known for his platinum-selling 2006 debut album, “Don’t You Fake It,” perhaps Winter is desirous of “more time in the spotlight,” regardless of the eventual fallout. The New York State Fair, where he is scheduled to play in August, has gone on record: “Everyone is welcome at the Great New York State Fair.” Apparently, no one will be turned away at the turnstile, as Red Jumpsuit Apparatus’ show is free to attend with one’s general admission ticket to the NYS Fair.
Sadly, Ronnie’s “alternative rock/emo/pop-punk” voice echoes around our dining-room tables and sacred sanctuaries, the Church submitting to its accusatory tone by allowing politics to alter our mission—to love one another despite our differences. My brothers and sister in Christ, we know this to be true: we all come to Jesus just as we are, regardless of our political persuasions. But now, in this heightened, polarized climate, if you voted for Trump, you’re not a Christian; if you voted for Biden or Obama, you’re not a Christian. On both sides of the aisle, there is a “beam in our eyes,” judging, condemning, vilifying the other if they don’t agree with our politics. It has made the Church highly exclusive, spiritually incestuous in nature—our wanting to be surrounded by like-minded people. I can relate, though.
Thirty-five years ago, I had, or so I thought at the time, a “come to Jesus” conversation with my father, who I seem to be referencing frequently lately. “Tom & Pearl” were visiting us from Indianapolis. It was a summer afternoon. Dad and I were sitting alone in the house high in the Hollywood Hills. I asked him, probingly, “How is it possible that two people, who claim to love Jesus, can have such a contrasting worldview—such radically different political positions?” My father still felt Richard Nixon was justified in the Watergate scandal and cherished his vintage “In Your Heart You Know He’s Right” Barry Goldwater bumper sticker on the back of his Lincoln Continental. By contrast, I was attending the most progressive Episcopal Church west of the Mississippi, certain that Nixon was a liar and Goldwater and Regan were warmongers and homophobic zealots. Some of our subscribers may agree with my perspective at the time; the point being, though, that in my self-righteousness, bolstered by the political minions of Hollywood, I was, in truth, asking my father—accusingly, “How can you call yourself a Christian with your political beliefs?” I was arrogant in my certitude, unkind in my tone, and judgmental of him personally in my condemnation. Of course, he was a better man than I, asking me the next morning to forgive him if he had in any way been unkind to me.
We do the purity of the Gospel and the witness of the Church a gross disservice, dear friends, when we ask our congregants, either directly or by implication, that condemnatory question: “How can you be a Christian if you voted for so and so?” We would do better to take our cue from the welcoming New York State Fair—for the gospel feast is a gracious spread open to all irrespective of their political stripes, offering all the riches of salvation—free of charge! And you won’t need a refund! Better than being cued by the NY State Fair, let’s be prompted by Christ himself—But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those that persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. If you love those who love you what reward will you get? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect (“complete in goodness” Weymouth New Testament), therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:44-48 NIV).
A great acting teacher in NYC used to admonish his pupils to “leave your emotional baggage at the stage door.” I believe the Lord Jesus Christ asks us to leave our politics at the church door. Disappointing as it may seem to some, there will be no litmus test in heaven regarding one’s political or church affiliation. How much stronger, vital, unified would the Church of Jesus Christ be if we worshipped together—pew after pew—recognizing the commonality of every person: a sinner in need of a great Savior!
That old Anglican hymn comes to mind for some reason:
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy
like the wideness of the sea;
there’s a kindness in His justice
which is more than liberty.
There is welcome for the sinner,
and more graces for the good;
there is mercy with the Savior;
there is healing in His blood.
For the love of God is broader
than the measure of our mind;
and the heart of the Eternal
is most wonderfully kind.
If our love were but more simple,
we would take Him at His word,
and our lives would be illumined
by the presence of our Lord.*
Amen
*Author: Frederick William Faber (1862)
Tune: WELLESLEY (Tourjee)
THE CHURCH’S ONE FOUNDATION IS JESUS CHRIST HER LORD!
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