Letter to President Obama and Speaker Boehner

This is the text of an e mail that I sent to both President Obama and Speaker Boehner regarding their speeches on July 25 concerning the Debt Ceiling.

July 26, 2011

Dear Pres. Obama and Speaker Boehner:

As a concerned American citizen, I watched both of your speeches last night concerning the Debt Ceiling/Budget issues.  I have to say that I was completely disgusted with both of your speeches.  Both speeches were nothing but partisan rhetoric speaking “the company line.” 

The American people did not elect both of you to “do nothing.”  If 2 soldiers spent this much time arguing how to handle a military issue, people would die, and they would be held accountable.  When teachers disagree with the status quo, they are seen as ineffective and they are fired.  When executives of companies can’t reach an agreement, they are replaced.  Why should your positions be any different?

We Americans are tired of the political bantering and empty promises.  I’m sure you’ll both read this and say that the problem is from the “other person.”  And that is exactly what I am addressing. 

You and your parties are holding the American population and the population of the entire world as hostages to your ideological finger pointing.  Do you not realize lives and livelihoods are at stake here?

I urge both of you to imagine the lives of regular Americans and come to an agreement rather than using your ultimatums and scare tactics.  Your current behavior makes me ashamed to call either of you “leaders” of our nation.

Gone Before Their Time

This is not the happiest post I'll have one here...If you're not in the mood for sad reading, you have my permission to go on web surfing to a more happy place.

It all started this week when I found out that a boy (well, a man now) who went to school with my sister and was one of her friends was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan.  Though I am not in favor of this war, and I oppose war in general, that does not mean I wish for anyone's death.  It is no secret that I am a Christian Pacifist (debate and justification of that issue is for another time), but as a Pacifist, I don't wish to see anyone die.  I knew this soldier in passing.  We hung with different crowds in school, but I knew him by name, and he knew me.  We never had a conversation other than "hi."  From what I've heard about him, he was a dedicated soldier to this cause, and he was "gung-ho" for all he did.  He leaves behind a family and a girlfriend of many years plus many friends.  What can we learn from a death like this?  It's easy to start political finger-pointing, but that won't heal anything.  How can we reconcile a 30 year old who had his whole life before him dying a violent and brutal death?  Our hope in God's Kingdom provides some solace, but God also created this life too.  And, if we take Scripture seriously, God's Kingdom is on earth and in Heaven.  Maybe more perfect there than here, but all who want it have a part of God's Kingdom within them.

Then, today, I found out that a year ago, a former student of mine from my teaching days (before going into the ministry) died.  I was a year late in finding out, but none the less saddened.  I was her music teacher when she was in 7th grade.  She was new to our school, but fit in immediately.  She was a very sweet girl who could also make you want to pull your hair out at times.  She was a typical 7th grader.  Hyper, happy, moody, but a wonderful student to teach.  Her death was not a "violent death" per se.  She had a heart condition and died after going to rehab following surgery.  She was 17 years old.  Why did this young person die?  Why would God take her and yet let lying/cheating/murdering/etc. people live?  I can't answer that question except by going by a theme in the Book of Job.  The theme isn't this explicit, but in the vernacular, we'd say "Shit Happens."  But, this is so much more than "shit."  It's depressing and it's not fair.  She'll never graduate, go to another school dance, go on a date, go to college, find a job, get married, have a family, or answer God's call to her life.  Did God take her? Or did it "just happen?"  While I can't answer with certainty, I think it just happened.  That doesn't mean God didn't act.  God brought her to the Kingdom.  God provided the seamless transition between this life and the next.  God gives comfort to those who grieve.  I don't understand it, and I don't like it, but if God's promises are true, and I have every reason to believe they are, this is something I will never understand except to say "God wins."

That girl marked the 4th former student I lost to death.  One girl died a few years back in Arizona where I started my teaching career.  I don't know the circumstances of her death.  I lost a 3rd grade boy, who would have graduated around this time by being hit by a car.  I was the first teacher on the scene to help, but there was nothing I could do.  I also had a student who was cognitively and physically disabled die a few years ago from the illness that he'd had all his life.

These are just the people I know about.  My heart breaks thinking about it, but I believe that if it didn't break, I would be worse.  By the fact that things like this upset us, it proves that there is still goodness and love in the world.

Review of Generation Rising, ed. by Andrew C. Thompson

Let me start off by saying that it is difficult, if not impossible, for me to be completely objective in this review.  I had the pleasure of having Andrew Thompson as one of my preceptors (Duke's term for Teacher Assistants in large lecture classes) during my first year of seminary.  Andrew may be one of the most modest people I've ever met.  All through the semester, I had no idea he was an author or a well-read blogger.  He was the Preceptor for Church History spanning from The Reformation to the Present.  He is not only very smart in this area, but he can communicate it well.  I have nothing but respect for him as an individual, so it is nearly impossible for me to find any fault with this book.

Generation Rising is a useful book for those of us who are part of "Generation X."  Though it is directed towards the United Methodist Church, I think any Christian Denomination can find useful information and practices.  

Generation X is roughly the generation born between 1961 and 1981.  The boundaries are not that neat, so this is really an approximation.  I came in the latter half of this generation.  Ours is a generation who saw an explosion of technology probably not seen since those born around the time of World War I.  We went from seeing basic 3 or 4 channel Television to the cable/satellite Television we have not.  We started with pinball machines, and now we have elaborate gaming systems.  We learned to write and we were graded on our handwriting, and now next to everything is typed, and not on the electronic typewriters we learned on, but on computers.  We saw the computer grow from a useful tool to a way of life.  We only got to meet people from other areas or nations if we were lucky enough to take a vacation or if our teachers assigned us pen pals.  Now, we can get on the internet and talk to people around the world.

Thompson and the others who wrote chapters for this book recognize the unique situation of Generation X, but they recognize our need for real, as opposed to virtual, community.  

We grew up in a society where God became pushed to the side for T-Ball practice or Gymnastics.  Youth group was skipped so we could play with our soccer league.  I doubt this was a deliberate attempt to push God aside, but none the less, that is what happened.  

Thompson and his crew of authors recognize this, and they also recognize the empty feeling held by many of Generation X that "there has to be more to life than this."  They address this through unique, though equally important issues:  Discipleship, Holy Communion, Preaching, Evangelism, Small Groups, Missions, Race, Ecology, Youth Ministry, Young Adults, Ordination, and Internet Ministry.

It would be very easy to blast today's culture as immoral or not God centered.  But, this is NOT what the authors do.  They take our hunger for "something deeper" and channel it into their areas of expertise.  Throughout the book, though problems are noted, hope is the main theme.  This is a breath of fresh air to the message Generation X has received over the years: we are lazy, feel entitled, have no work ethic, too materialistic, etc.  While there is an amount of truth to these criticisms, this book transcends these problems and provides hope that we can live a life pleasing to God.  A life where we grow to know God more and more each day.  

The changes proposed in this book are not major changes.  They are not changes to "cheapen" church.  In fact, it could be argued that they are not trying to change anything, but rather look at things from a different point of view.  

As a new pastor and seminary student, I see many of my generation who are not church-goers.  Many say they are "spiritual," but not "religious" (What exactly does that mean anyway??).  But, I also see my generation stepping up to take the places of our parents.  Many of us are trying to raise our children in a faith and family grounded life.  

This book is revolutionary in that it provides ways to meet Generation X and make disciples.  These ways are not against the traditional ways, but rather, they are an adaptation of tradition.  At one time, printing pamphlets was revolutionary.  Now, we can blog, text, and create websites to do the same thing.

Whether you are United Methodist or not, I highly recommend this book.  The best part is that it is not a "how to" book, but rather one to guide the reader.  It does not give solutions, but it gives paths to those solutions.  It recognizes no two situations are the same, and each situation requires unique approaches.  Every pastor and lay member should read this book to see that the future is not "gloom and doom," but rather, it is one of "hope and joy."

Back to Kindergarten

In my "previous life," I was a music teacher.  All but one year of my 10 year career was in an elementary setting.  Some schools were K-8th grade, and others were K-5th grade.  So, trust me, I know kids!  I know that fingers will ALWAYS find a path to the nose...I know that rocks sometimes substitute as a snack...I've learned that given the opportunity, even a 5 year old can outsmart a rocket scientist.

In 10 years of teaching, I've learned many ways to pacify unruly children.  I've learned to assist in negotiation with child combatants so that within 5 minutes they will again be friends, and thus cause more problems for the teacher than for each other.

As I watch and hear the news on the "Debt Ceiling," I've been cursed with "flashbacks" to my teaching days.  I see "children," (i.e. Government Officials) who would rather resort to name calling than to cooperation.  I see those same "children" whining that they aren't getting their way.  (As an aside, the 11th Commandment in my classroom was "Thou Shalt Not Whine! - I even had a framed picture saying that).  And, those "children" then go get their friends (i.e. party members) to jump on the bandwagon to keep the fight going.  These "children" are good at finger pointing and the "he started it" mentality.

So, as a good American, I am offering my talents and service to help the Government get back to work.  I'm calling this a "Federal Government Kindergarten Revisitation." As my duty as an American, I am offering to allow ALL Federal Government officials to come to my ad hoc classroom.

The Government Officials will re-assume their 5 year old lives and review all the essentials of Kindergarten.  The curriculum will be as follows:

1. Playing Nice with Everyone- We'll use play-dough, crayons, dolls, and other toys.  Throughout this "free play" period, I will intervene when conflicts arise and reteach acceptable behaviors.  When John says "Barack" took all the green paint, I will teach Barak that taking the green paint that John was using isn't nice, and we'll work on using words like "please," "thank-you," and "I'm sorry."

2. Sticks and Stones Do Break Bones, but Names Still Hurt-  Using a chart on the chalk board, we will brainstorm acceptable and not acceptable names to call each other.  When name calling begins, again I will intervene in a loving way redirecting the student to use appropriate language and teach how to express anger in an appropriate way.  When Barack says that John called him a doo-doo head, after convincing Barack that his head is in fact NOT made of doo-doo, I will tell John that his name calling hurts and he should only use appropriate words.

3.  Sharing-  Sharing is best learned through play and it is the first step to compromising.  We will learn to share toys, snacks, and ideas.  We will face "Real Life" scenarios such as the following:  There are 2 students, but one baseball...Who gets to play with it?  Through guided practice, the students will realize the baseball is more fun when everyone can have a turn with it, and then I will teach them that by playing together, everyone wins.

4.  Responsibility-  Students will be given chores in the classroom.  Cleaning the classroom pet, sweeping up after snack time, and working together to perform their elected duties.

When issues become tense, the students will be warned.  If that does not work, they will receive a "time-out," and in order to diffuse many situations, there will be mandatory nap time after lunch.

So, President Obama, Rep. Boehner and all other government officials, this offer remains open.  I know that with some practice we can make you into the "best you that you can be!"  Oh yeah, and you'll also learn how to DO YOUR JOB...I mean if the rest of us "worked" like they're "working," we'd be fired...but that's a whole different story.

Meditations on Psalm 3

Psalm 3 (The NRSV version of the Psalm is in regular type, my meditations are in italics throughout the psalm)

Trust in God under Adversity

A Psalm of David, when he fled from his son Absalom.
¹ O Lord, how many are my foes!
   Many are rising against me;
² many are saying to me,
   ‘There is no help for you in God.’
          Selah 

(According to the inscription, David wrote this while fleeing from Absalom, his son who wanted his throne.  I don't have a throne, nor do I have many human enemies.  My enemies are often "internal" attacks on my spirit.  They are feelings of "not being good enough," "exhaustion," "tryng to combat hopeless situations," and so forth.  But yet, like David, my "foes" are numerous.  My "foes' tell me there is no help for me from God.  

Selah- While there is no standard translation, I read that it may mean something to the effect of "think about what was said."  It invites us to meditate on the passage we just read.  This may or may not be accurate, but it seems to be good practice...to consciously remind us to not just read, but internalize the scriptures.)

³ But you, O Lord, are a shield around me,
   my glory, and the one who lifts up my head.
⁴ I cry aloud to the Lord,
   and he answers me from his holy hill.
          Selah 

(This passage shows both the nearness of God and the Separation, or "Holy otherness of God."  God is with us.  God is our shield...even against our internal enemies.  God lifts our heads from despair to hope.  But yet, God is a Holy Other.  God resides apart from us.  This makes very metaphysical sense.  How can God be away and yet near?  Only God knows that answer.  But, the message is clear - God hears and answers.)

⁵ I lie down and sleep;
   I wake again, for the Lord sustains me.
⁶ I am not afraid of tens of thousands of people
   who have set themselves against me all around. 

(I sleep and I wake - all normal "everyday" activities.  And through the normal, God transcends our reality into God's reality.  To say I am not afraid can be misunderstood.  I am afraid...if I were alone.  But, God is with me (and you), and fear needs not have hold of us.  No matter how strong the problem, our God is stronger).
⁷ Rise up, O Lord!
   Deliver me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
   you break the teeth of the wicked. 

(Here we ask God for deliverance....But deliverance from what???  From our enemies?  I have very few external enemies (if any).  My greatest enemy lives within myself.  It is the voice that says I'm not good enough, I'm not smart enough, I'm not worthy of God's love.  But, the Psalm goes on to say God will strike my enemies on the cheek and break the teeth of the wicked.  Notice it doesn't say God will destroy enemies.  God will just "put them in their place," because after all, they are God's children too whether they know it or not.  In our internal struggles, God will turn our self-doubt to humility.  A humility that doesn't raise us to God's level, but yet lets us know we are valued and loved.)

⁸ Deliverance belongs to the Lord;
   may your blessing be on your people!
          Selah

(God decides how to deliver us, but the promise of deliverance is there.  God will remove enemies, whether they are external or internal.  And God will bless all of God's children - that is the whole world -- Selah - Think about it).

A Review of James H. Cone's "A Black Theology of Liberation"

To be clear, maybe I have no right to review this book.  Some may even question whether I have the right to read this book.  I am, after all, a white male...one of the privileged class.  One of the historic oppressors about whom this book is criticizing.  I will readily admit that I cannot fully appreciate this book.  I've never been called the "N" word.  My car has never been stopped because of my race.  People don't follow me in stores to make sure I'm not stealing.  I can live basically wherever I want in this country without people wondering if I'll make a "good neighbor."  These are just some of the examples of why I may not be qualified to read this.  

This review is going to be from the perspective of a White American Male.  I can do no other review.  I also think Cone leaves this option on the table in that "White" and "Black" are not just "colors" of people, but rather distinctions.  "White" to Cone means oppression and "Black" means oppressed.  He concedes that a person of a white race could be "black" in the sense that he/she is oppressed or has renounced oppression and joined forces with the "black," or oppressed people.

Cone wrote this book a little over 40 years ago during the height of the Civil Rights Era.  He states in his epilogue that the history and events cannot be separated from this book, and that in 2010 (when he wrote his new epilogue), he was surprised that people still found this book meaningful.

I found this book by "accident."  I was at the North Carolina Conference's Annual Conference, and found this book in the Cokesbury display.  Several months earlier, in our Old Testament class at Duke, we had a guest lecturer on Black Theology.  Unfortunately, the speaker was given the wrong time, so I was only able to attend part of his lecture as I had a role to play in that day's Chapel Service.  Later, I was able to listen to the mp3 of this lecture, but, it was not comparable to being there in person.  

I decided to challenge myself from "traditional" European (and Patristic - N. African/Asian Theology) and read this book with an open mind.  I have to admit that Cone challenged me from the beginning.  His basic argument is White = Evil, and Black = those who must be liberated.  Am I evil as a White person?  Or does Cone have a different or more nuanced view?

The answer to that question is complicated.  Cone recognizes that some racially white people have embraced racially black causes, but that whites can never fully embrace the cause.  We can back out at any time.  Blacks, don't have that luxury.  Even the most accepted Black person to the white population is still black and must face the discrimination that goes along with that.

At first, I found Cone to be a radical racist, but after reading, I realized this was a man who had a true knowledge of scripture and the deeper meaning of scripture.  His concept of "black" and "white" were not always racial distinctions, but though they did hold racial distinctions, he asserts that one can go from one "color" to another. He compares the struggle of Black Americans to the story of Israel in their liberation from Egypt.  The Exodus holds a central place in Cone's theology.  Therefore, to live the story of God, one must renounce all types of dominations of other humans (similar to Egyptian treatment of the Hebrews) and embrace and even identify with the "Black" or oppressed individuals.

Cone makes very controversial statements by saying that "God is Black."  He is not saying that if we could see God, we would see a God with Black skin, but rather we see a God who is the God of the oppressed.  Jesus is Black in the sense that he came to "set the captives free."  Any departure from this, according to Cone is unChristian.

I would recommend every person of every race to read this manifesto and critically engage it into their everyday lives.  While the problems of the 60's-70's have changed somewhat, racism and classism remain.  We "White" skinned people should work to identify with the oppressed.  We may never fully identify, but we should never stop trying.  

While this is a theology of race, it is also a strong message of the Gospel.  Jesus came to set people free.  As called by Jesus, we too must set people free.  This includes eradicating racial/class stereotypes we all hold.  This includes making friends with those who are different from us.  This includes REAL understanding (as much as is possible) of the struggles of others, and then acting to help people struggle for freedom.  Until oppression ceases, all humanity is scarred.

As I said, I can never fully appreciate what Cone has to say.  I've experienced discrimination, but my experiences are trivial compared to African-Americans and other oppressed groups.  But, in the same breath, as a Christian, our family is all people.  One person's struggle belongs to all of us.  

Yes, I have toned down Cone's argument.  I have made it apply to my circumstances.  Cone says I (and others) should shed our whiteness.  In this aspect, I wish he had been more explicit as to what this means.  For example, I don't see myself as exploiting others, but I'm sure on some level I do.  May God show all of us how to identify with the oppressed and how to join in their struggle.