Paul wrote to the Ephesians:
“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, ...Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear... Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:25-32).
Sounds nice, doesn’t it? But I have to confess that I struggle to understand how that works in the “real” world. As one who considers Jesus Christ to be the ideal role model, I wrestle with how his referring to some people he encountered as “white-washed tombs,” and, to their faces calling them “You snakes!” and “hypocrites” fits with Paul’s words. Those labels don’t seem particularly helpful or tenderhearted to me. Evidently those on the receiving end of Jesus’ name calling didn’t appreciate it either. They conspired to kill him.
Since I believe Jesus lived a sinless life, I have to conclude that it is possible to be angry and confrontational without crossing the line into inappropriate slander and maliciousness. The truth can hurt, even when it is spoken in love. Sometimes the best and most loving thing we can do for someone is to get in their face, as Jesus did, and tell them they are full of b.s.
That said; I must remember that I ain’t Jesus. My anger, more often than not, does not take me in the direction of building up the recipient. It usually takes me on the slippery slope toward bitterness, slander and malice--winning at another's expense. Being angry without sinning is a state of being few of us master. That’s why it is essential to put one’s energies into cultivating kindness, tenderheartedness and forgiveness. I need to work on that.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
To Be Fair
As a former pastor who, on more than one occasion in moments of irrational exuberance, said things from the pulpit that got me into trouble, I have some sympathy for Reverend Jeremiah Wright and the mess his words have created. Words do matter and, once spoken, can never be retrieved. They often ricochet around and produce all sorts of unintended consequences. Especially is this true when they are spoken in anger and fierce critique. Jeremiah Wright and those associated with him, such as Barak Obama, will not be able to escape the fallout of his inflammatory rhetoric; certainly not when the words provide juicy fodder for partisan politics.
Barak Obama, who I'm sure would have preferred that no one had paid attention to Pastor Wright's controversial commentary, has been smoked out by the media as to where he stands on the seemingly anti-American views of his former pastor. I take Obama at his word that he does not agree with everything Pastor Wright said. After serving in the Illinois legislature and as a U. S. senator, which have put him in the public eye for several years, not to mention his year long run for the presidency, there has been zero evidence in his words and demeanor that he agrees with Jeremiah Wright. It would be as unfair to hold Obama responsible for Jeremiah Wright's bombast as it would to hold Mitt Romney responsible for the racist recent past of Mormonism. Or, to make John McCain responsible for every goofy thing his supporter, Pastor John Hagee has said. Although, it should be noted that the Obama campaign has repudiated and distanced itself from Jeremiah Wright while McCain recently accepted Hagee's endorsement with a hug in full view of the press. President Bush once said he had looked into the soul of former KGB agent Vladimir Putin and considered him to be a friend. Shall we run an endless loop on cable news of all the anti-American things Putin has said and use them to question Bush's patriotism?
If one rejects the Obama candidacy over political philosophy or political party affiliation that is fair. But, if one ignores 400 years of racial history in America and refuses to recognize the reasons behind Pastor Wright's angry rhetoric, and deliberately exploits the controversy for political reasons, that is mean spirited and racist.
Barak Obama, who I'm sure would have preferred that no one had paid attention to Pastor Wright's controversial commentary, has been smoked out by the media as to where he stands on the seemingly anti-American views of his former pastor. I take Obama at his word that he does not agree with everything Pastor Wright said. After serving in the Illinois legislature and as a U. S. senator, which have put him in the public eye for several years, not to mention his year long run for the presidency, there has been zero evidence in his words and demeanor that he agrees with Jeremiah Wright. It would be as unfair to hold Obama responsible for Jeremiah Wright's bombast as it would to hold Mitt Romney responsible for the racist recent past of Mormonism. Or, to make John McCain responsible for every goofy thing his supporter, Pastor John Hagee has said. Although, it should be noted that the Obama campaign has repudiated and distanced itself from Jeremiah Wright while McCain recently accepted Hagee's endorsement with a hug in full view of the press. President Bush once said he had looked into the soul of former KGB agent Vladimir Putin and considered him to be a friend. Shall we run an endless loop on cable news of all the anti-American things Putin has said and use them to question Bush's patriotism?
If one rejects the Obama candidacy over political philosophy or political party affiliation that is fair. But, if one ignores 400 years of racial history in America and refuses to recognize the reasons behind Pastor Wright's angry rhetoric, and deliberately exploits the controversy for political reasons, that is mean spirited and racist.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
John McCain & John Hagee
“Agents of intolerance,” is how he labeled such people in his previous presidential bid. Now, in the hopes of shoring up support from the conservative wing of the GOP, we see John McCain cozying up to one of the foremost agents, Pastor John Hagee of Houston. So much for “straight talk.”
Hagee’s intolerance is legendary. Among the things he is noted for is declaring Catholics to be the “Great Harlot” of the Book of Revelation. That is not a new concept invented by Hagee, but he has been especially effective in slamming Catholics via his considerable television and media influence. Standing in front of his mega-congregation with a giant mural depicting his tidy explanation of how he imagines the end times will unfold, he lambasts everyone who sees things differently than he does. Followers consider him to be an authority on a 19th Century theological aberration known as Dispensationism with its emphasis upon a pre-Tribulation rapture of the “true” Church.
He is especially noted as a staunch supporter of the State of Israel. He has been honored in Israel for his support and is regarded by many Jews, such as a leader of the local Jewish Federation with whom I spoke recently, as an ally. Like McCain, they shrug off Hagee’s offensive side in exchange for political clout he brings to the table. I wonder how many of them have considered the anti-Semitic implications of his belief that Jews who fail to convert to Hagee’s Christianity before the rapture deserve to experience God’s wrath in a directed at them world ending holocaust that makes Hitler’s look like a Sunday School picnic?
Lately, Hagee has been making angry speeches calling for the United States to carry out a preemptive military strike against Iran. That’s right; Hagee wants the USA to blow up things and people in Iran. Forget peace making and turning the other cheek as Jesus advocated. “Bomb, bomb, bomb..., bomb, bomb Iran.”
Hagee has declared that Hurricane Katrina was God’s judgment upon New Orleans for the wickedness that resided there. If that is true, then look out Houston! Because I can’t fathom greater wickedness than the bigotry and war mongering that Hagee celebrates in the name of God in Houston.
Hagee’s intolerance is legendary. Among the things he is noted for is declaring Catholics to be the “Great Harlot” of the Book of Revelation. That is not a new concept invented by Hagee, but he has been especially effective in slamming Catholics via his considerable television and media influence. Standing in front of his mega-congregation with a giant mural depicting his tidy explanation of how he imagines the end times will unfold, he lambasts everyone who sees things differently than he does. Followers consider him to be an authority on a 19th Century theological aberration known as Dispensationism with its emphasis upon a pre-Tribulation rapture of the “true” Church.
He is especially noted as a staunch supporter of the State of Israel. He has been honored in Israel for his support and is regarded by many Jews, such as a leader of the local Jewish Federation with whom I spoke recently, as an ally. Like McCain, they shrug off Hagee’s offensive side in exchange for political clout he brings to the table. I wonder how many of them have considered the anti-Semitic implications of his belief that Jews who fail to convert to Hagee’s Christianity before the rapture deserve to experience God’s wrath in a directed at them world ending holocaust that makes Hitler’s look like a Sunday School picnic?
Lately, Hagee has been making angry speeches calling for the United States to carry out a preemptive military strike against Iran. That’s right; Hagee wants the USA to blow up things and people in Iran. Forget peace making and turning the other cheek as Jesus advocated. “Bomb, bomb, bomb..., bomb, bomb Iran.”
Hagee has declared that Hurricane Katrina was God’s judgment upon New Orleans for the wickedness that resided there. If that is true, then look out Houston! Because I can’t fathom greater wickedness than the bigotry and war mongering that Hagee celebrates in the name of God in Houston.
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