CCBlogs thinking critically, living faithfully

The church... is not the master or servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state. It must be the guide and the critic of the state, and never its tool.-- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Blogger and friend Ted Gossard posted this quote from Dr. King on his blog last week. It led to a good exchange between the two of us and some others. I expressed to Ted that while I fundamentally agreed with King, my concerns when it comes to the church and the state are two-fold: First, while the church clearly can play the role of the nation's conscience, the church is much more than that. It is in and of itself its own nation with its own political integrity. Second, I suggested that once Christians align themselves to closely to the cause of the state, it by default becomes the tool of the state.

I had not intended to comment on this on my blog, but then I read a post by Shane Raynor who writes,

Christians should go out of their way to avoid aligning with any political parties or obviously partisan movements. This includes tea party organizations, the Republican Party, the Democratic Party, even Sojourners. We live in a culture where everything has become “us versus them” and no one wants to recognize the fact that, politically at least, the truth– along with a good percentage of Christians– are often somewhere in the middle of the spectrum. The problem with identifying with political groups and ideologies is we often become more associated with those groups than with Christ. If I’m more of a kindred spirit with a nonchristian who shares my politics than with a fellow Christian who doesn’t, then doesn’t that say a lot about who my god really is?

Ten years ago I would have disagreed with Shane. I remember hearing George Hunter say one time that both political parties needed to have Christians as members in order to keep the organizations honest and accountable. At one time I agreed with Hunter. But in the last decade I have come to see that the only people that Christians in the Democratic Party want to hold accountable are Republicans. And the only persons that Christians in the Republican Party put under scrutiny are the Democrats. Thus what indeed happens is exactly what Shane notes-- Christians who identify with the Democratic Party identify more with nonchristians who share their politics, than with Christians who don't. And the same, of course, is true with those Christians on the Republican side of the political aisle. Indeed, for those of us who spend any time on Christian blogs where politics is discussed, the posts and subsequent comments do not concern the politics of the Kingdom per se, but the politics of left and right. Indeed, as one reads through the discussion, one wonders what is specifically Christian about the debate. Even posts specifically on the politics of the Kingdom often move exclusively to the politics of right and left.

I have no doubt that most of those reading this will disagree with me, but I concur with Shane. I have come to believe that as long we believers identify and line up too closely with one side or the other, with either the Republican Party or the Democratic Party, Christians will unintentionally eclipse the politics of the God's Kingdom and our prophetic voice and witness as the church will be undermined if not completely muted. Hunter's suggestion that Christians should join both political parties to hold them accountable sounds good, but in the final analysis those Christian individuals who do so, while well-meaning and sincerely motivated for the good, end up being the tools of the party they have joined.

Indeed, what does our politics say about the God (god?) we worship?

I welcome all to comment whether you agree or not. This is an important discussion, so let's have it.

Any Methoblogger who would like a link included in the MBDL, email your post to me at umweeklyroundup(at)yahoo(dot)com. Your link will be posted within two weekdays. No blog will be listed more than once a week.

Today's posts from the Methoblogosphere:

Pat LaPorte comments on worship at the beach in City Island, New York.

Chet Pritchett posts on the Solidarity Picnic in Washington DC.

Dan Dick writes being United Meth-old-ist.

Calling all Hacker Pastors-- Read Jeremy Smith.

Sue Whitt ponders the vanity of vanity.

Beth Quick posts her class notes on continuity and change.

Randy Willis reflects on the future of the United Methodist Church.

Thoughts on VBS from Greg Milinovich.

Greg Hazelrig posts his thought for the day on John 8:2-11.

Shane Raynor comments on Sojourners, Tea Parties, and America.

Any Methoblogger who would like a link included in the MBDL, email your post to me at umweeklyroundup(at)yahoo(dot)com. Your link will be posted within two weekdays. No blog will be listed more than once a week.

Today's reads from the Methoblogosphere:

Tim Bonney writes on making disciples of Jesus Christ.

Randy Olds posts on the Imitation of Christ.

"Ask, Seek, Knock"-- a sermon by Jim Parsons.

Greg Milinovich sees a simple reminder of his vocation.

Dave Faulkner ponders the shape of the digital future.

Exegetical notes on the Battle of Jericho from Brian Russell.

Melissa Yosua-Davis reflects on blogging and the demands of seminary.

Matthew Kelley is learning that parenting changes everything.

Reflections on finding one's way in Christianity- a post from Henry Neufeld.

Guy Kent speaks on the silent witness.

Some places I have roamed on the Internet Highway:

When is government pork really pork?

What should Christians do with Mel Gibson?

They let anyone drive these days.

On the need for a stable currency.

Are we being governed by technocrats? (HT: Scot McKnight)

Holy character vs. handsome charisma.

Some wonderful places to get away from it all.

Did Jesus die on a cross?

"We are not sent to a 'place' but to be the 'alternative' in the place where we are."

The danger of manufactured pre-determined diversity.

Any Methoblogger who would like a link included in the Methodist Blogs Daily Links (MBDL), email your post to umweeklyroundup(at)yahoo(dot)com. Your link will be posted within two weekdays, No blog will be listed more than once a week.

If you discover that a link is not correct, please email me at the above address.

*Thanks to everyone for their email submissions!*

The week in review in the Methoblogoshere:

The Methodist Blogs Daily Links--Monday 7.19.10

The Methodist Blogs Daily Links--Tuesday 7.20.10

The Methodist Blogs Daily Links--Wednesday 7.21.10

The Methodist Blogs Daily Links--Friday 7.23.10

This week's Best of the Methoblogosphere!

John Meunier: "Tools with Nothing to Fix"

Kevin Watson: "Diets and Christian Discipleship"

A new Gallup Poll has ranked states by the religiosity of their populations. I have to confess, I am never sure quite what to do with these kinds of surveys because I think it matters what people mean when they say they are "religious." I also want to know as well what people mean when they say religion is important to them in daily life. (Does it mean they pray daily? Does it mean they think nice spiritual thoughts everyday? Do their beliefs regularly motivate them to works of charity?) Also, in good Barthian fashion, I am not crazy about the notion of "religion." Nevertheless, here are the ten most religious states and the ten least religious states in the Union:

Most Religious

1. Mississippi
2. Alabama
3. South Carolina
4. Tennessee
5. Louisiana
6. Arkansas
7. Georgia
8. North Carolina
9. Oklahoma
10. Kentucky and Texas (tie)

Least Religious

50. Vermont
49. New Hampshire
48 Maine
47. Massachusetts
46. Alaska
45. Washington
44. Oregon
43. Rhode Island
42. Nevada
41. Connecticut

Anyone who has any thoughts on this is welcome to comment. You can read the entire Gallup Report here. USA Today also has an article here.

Any Methoblogger who would like a link included in the MBDL, email your post to me at umweeklyroundup(at)yahoo(dot)com. Your link will be posted within two weekdays. No blog will be listed more than once a week.

Today's reads from the Methoblogosphere:

Dave Nichols writes on prevenient grace.

Tim Good offers his thoughts on executions.

Lauren Porter reflects on the Bible's secret ingredient for leadership.

Tools with nothing to fix-- a post on General Rules from John Meunier.

Brad Smith comments on the joys of being a victim.

Michael Ledbetter on Jesus as our Living Hope.

Greg Milinovich writes on Bella, God, and the sinful nature.

"Distracted"-- a sermon by Jim Parsons.

Greg Hazelrig posts his thought for the day on Romans 1:16.

Kevin Watson reflects on diets and Christian discipleship.

Cathy Turner posts on dumbbells... the weights... not some people.

Football, adversity, and the Bible-- some thoughts from Robb McCoy.

Pastor Deb writes on the laundry list of 10 good things.

Brian Vinson loves it when Christians live out their convictions.

Randy Willis shares his thoughts on being formed by our practices.

Upon the mall food court-- prayerful ponderments from Betty Newman.

What's an enemy? Andy Bryan asks the question.

Sky McCracken cogitates on spiritual disciplines and patterns of holiness.

Taylor Burton-Edwards writes on the Great Commission: texts, translations, and culture.

Blake Huggins posts on Ricoeur and the exigency of language.

Plan Ahead: 2011 United Methodist Calendar Now Available

Ten Designs Offered

United Methodist Communications
Office of Public Information
http://www.umcpresscenter.org/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 11, 2010

Nashville, Tenn.: The official United Methodist Program Calendar – United Methodist Communications’ top-selling resource – is now available for 2011 in 10 convenient designs. Calendars include information on liturgical colors, lectionary readings, Special Sundays, and more.

“Leaders across the church rely on the official calendar to carry out the church’s mission,” said the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of United Methodist Communications. “It offers important programming details that aren’t found in other calendars, from Pentecost to World Communion Sunday.”

The calendar is available in 10 designs, ranging from electronic to a pocket size that shows a week-at-a-glance. The most popular designs, known as the Standard and the Classic, measure 8.5-by-11 inches and contain monthly planning checklists, lectionary Scriptures, liturgical colors, dates of special Sundays and celebrations, descriptions of offerings, and church agency contact information. A DVD with giving stories and stewardship help is included with the Standard and Classic calendars.

The double-sided Deluxe Wall calendar now features a year-at-glance in two formats: traditional monthly block on the front and horizontal timeline (31 day columns across by 12 month rows down) on the back. Other designs include a large desk blotter and a notebook calendar with pages for a three-ring binder. Available separately is a notebook binder with a calendar, calculator, pen, and pockets for notes and business cards.

An electronic calendar – compatible with Outlook, Google calendar, iCalendar, and most calendar applications – is also offered.

The 2011 calendar is themed around the church’s four Areas of Focus: combating the diseases of poverty by improving health globally; engaging in ministry with the poor; creating new places for new people and revitalizing existing congregations; and developing principled Christian leaders for the church and the world.

To place an order, call toll free (888) 346-3862, or visit www.umcom.org/calendars.

Media contact:
Diane Degnan
ddegnan@umcom.org
615-742-5406 (w)
615-483-1765 (c)

Historian Richard Brookhiser has stated, No aspect of his (Washington's) life has been more distorted than his religion.(1) On the one extreme many historians have called Washington a fully "dyed-in-the-wool" Deist whose references to prayer and life after death were nothing more than affirmations for public consumption whose beliefs were more traditional, to those on the other end of the religious spectrum, such as Tim LaHaye who has argued that if Washington were alive today he would be a Bible-believing evangelical Christian.(2)

The difficulty is found in Washington himself who, while commenting on prayer, Providence, and life after death, never actually elaborates on his doctrine of God (was it Trinitarian?), nor does he ever comment on his understanding of Christ nor atonement. And if Washington ever commented on doctrine to his wife Martha in private correspondence, we will never know since upon her husband's death in December of 1799, Martha burned all their personal letters.

Coupled with this is the fact that Washington's most influential early biographer, Mason Weems, consciously fabricated stories about Washington, including the famous story of his youthful indiscretion in chopping down his father's cherry tree. It is Weems who told the story of George Washington kneeling in prayer in the snow at Valley Forge. And while such a story, as we will see, could have been true, it comes from a source which is quite suspect and, therefore, of little help.(3)

What we know about Washington's faith in his own words comes to us in his comments on Providence, prayer, and the afterlife.

In characteristic fashion of the day, Washington often refers to God with the word "Providence." Some historians have drawn the conclusion from this that Washington clearly had Deistic leanings. And while it is true that the terms "Providence" and "Nature's God" were characteristic terms of those who embraced Deism, Michael Novak demonstrates sufficiently that such terminology had caught on in the religious culture at large.(4)

The matter of understanding Washington's understanding of Providence, therefore, is not to be found in the term itself, but what we can determine from the contexts in which it appears in his writings. Clearly for Washington Providence was not cover terminology for fate or a vague kind of force. Throughout the American Revolution, Washington credits Providence for preserving the army while speaking of Providence in personal ways. That some historians have interpreted Washington's words as cover language for his Deistic leanings is less about the work of the historian and more about a cynical approach to a valid historical interest. Unless it can be demonstrated otherwise (as in the case of Weems) that a person is being disingenuous, we should give the subject of our historical concern the benefit of the doubt in sincerity. All of us expect no less from others in their interpretation of our convictions. We should do no less for those characters of concern who are no longer here to answer for themselves.

Washington's views of Providence are also seen in his comments about prayer and life after death. Clearly Washington believed in prayer as more than a psychological exercise and life after death for the first President was a real and blissful existence.

During the American Revolution, Washington often called on his troops to set some time aside for worship and prayer. Mapps writes, Many of his (Washington's) associates were Deists, and many Deists considered praying a waste of time. But we know that some others, though having no hope of diverting God from a predetermined course, believed that prayer had value as a conduit to obtain divine inspiration. Washington quite conceivably went farther than this. He believed that the deity intervened in human affairs. Therefore it would not have been inconsistent for him to petition for such intervention. There are reports of his praying at various stages of his life.(5) Having said that, however, we do know of one obvious Deist who was open to the possibility that God might answer prayer-- Thomas Jefferson; yet Washington seemed more than simply open to the idea.

Washington appeared to have a strong confidence in the afterlife. Upon the death of his stepdaughter, Patsy Custis, Washington remarked that she was in a more happy and peaceful abode. In a letter to a Mrs. Stockton Washington mentions his belief in the immortality of the soul.(6) Most Deists were agnostic on the afterlife, though another well-known Deist, Benjamin Franklin, affirmed it.

Two other matters require our attention. While George Washington was a Vestryman in the Episcopal Church, he was not a regular church-goer, particularly before the Revolution, although he was known to attend worship on special occasions when it would not necessarily have been expected of him, such as on the day of his presidential inauguration.

Second, not only is there no evidence of Washington ever having taken Holy Communion, there are specific reports of Washington having declined to do so even though his wife Martha, who was with him, participated.

So what do we make of all this? It is difficult to say. Washington's understanding of Providence cannot be said to line up with the typical Deism of his day. His belief that God answers prayer and his affirmation of the afterlife were not typical of Deistic thinking, although we know that some Deists were at least open to the consideration of such things. His lack of regular church attendance really tells us nothing about what he believed, except that he lacked a robust ecclesiology, which many believers lacked then as well as today. And while his refusal to partake of Communion is quite rare, and while many Deists thought the Sacraments unimportant because they were based on silly superstitions, Washington never explains why he never communed. So we are simply left to guess as to whether he found the Sacrament to be an outmoded practice, or if he continually felt himself to be unworthy. Whatever the reason, history reveals no clues.

In the final analysis, it is probably not wise to classify Washington either as a Deist on one end or a Bible-believing, evangelical Christian on the other. The evidence is too sparse to allow either conclusion. And in spite of his views on Providence, prayer, and eternity, we will never know his convictions on Trinity, Christ, and atonement to name just a few doctrines. We must also be careful in wild speculation as to why he never comments on such matters. It could be that Washington never mentioned doctrine because he knew his views would be publicly controversial. It could also be that like many in his day, his faith was that of a private Anglican. It could also be that like more than a few Christians, even today, doctrine was not something he was particularly interested in nor concerned about.

Brookhiser is right; Washington's religious views have been distorted. Not only that, they have been appropriated by two extremes in order to serve a particular agenda. But the faith of the first President of the United States cannot be appropriated in such ways and still hold on to the reality of serious historical scholarship.

Fortunately, the faith of our next Founder is not so ambiguous-- John Adams.

Previous Posts

The Faith of Our Founders #1: Introduction

The Faith of Our Founders #2: Deism

---
NOTES

(1) Richard Brookhiser, Founding Father: Rediscovering George Washington (New York: Free Press), 1996.

(2) Tim LaHaye, Faith of Our Founding Fathers (Green Forest: Master Book, 1996).

(3) Mapps, The Faiths of Our Founding Fathers.

(4) Michael Novak, Washington's God: Religion, Liberty, and the Father of Our Country (New York: Basic Books), 2006.

(5) Mapps, The Faiths of Our Founding Fathers.

(6) Novak, Washington's God.

Any Methoblogger who would like a link included in the MBDL, email your post to me at umweeklyroundup(at)yahoo(dot)com. Your link will be posted within two weekdays. No blog will be listed more than once a week.

Wednesday's links from the Methoblogosphere:

Do we get what we ask for? Read Tony Mitchell.

Richard Hall offers some market musings.

Katie Ladd reviews the movie "Inception."

John Battern wonders if there is a reason for everything.

Thoughts on the Lockerbie terrorist bomber hoopla from Daniel McLain Hixon.

Shane Raynor writes on Union Theological Seminary and Glenn Beck.

Randy Olds reviews the movie "Wesley."

Beth Quick posts her notes on Wayne Meeks, The First Urban Christians.

Guy Kent reflects on voting this week.

Dan Dick posts on bracing for impact and making a difference in the church.

Social scientists who spend their time studying things I would never think of studying have shown that the average individual in the developed western world is impatient when it comes to even the little things in life. For example:

-When entering an elevator and pushing the button for the desired floor, if the doors do not start to close within 3 to 4 seconds, the average individual will push the button a second and possibly even third time.

-Individuals who regularly pass fast food restaurants during the day while driving, tend to fix quick meals at home at a higher percentage than those who are not so exposed.

Some scientists are now suggesting that our culture of speed, ease, and information overload are even rewiring the twenty-first century human brain toward an impatient disposition. Some skepticism of that claim is certainly in order, but can anyone seriously question that our way of life in the twenty-first century west discourages patience?

Some things take time. As much as we are aware of our impatient culture, we also know that certain things cannot be had overnight. From the time that radish seeds are planted until harvest is three weeks. Some varieties of watermelon take three months. An impatient gardener will likely not plant the latter and simply opt to purchase it in the grocery store.

Proverbs 19:11 states, "Those with wisdom are long on patience." How many foolish decisions are made when people in a crisis act before thinking. How many times do we wish we were able to reconsider a decision made realizing, after the fact, that we hadn't thought it through sufficiently. I realize that some things require quick action, but patience is indeed a virtue that we need if wisdom is to flourish in our midst; and most importantly, patience with one another in the midst of our daily responsibilities is necessary if we are to relate to one another in a wise way.

After all, God has been extraordinarily patient with each and every one of us.

Any Methoblogger who would like a link included in the MBDL, email your post to me at umweeklyroundup(at)yahoo(dot)com. Your link will be posted within two weekdays. No blog will be listed more than once a week.

Posts to ponder from the Methoblogosphere:

Dale Tedder posts a few notes on family worship.

David Meredith writes on a day of prayers and solidarity.

David Garvin reflects on evangelism in the postmodern era.

Some thoughts from Kim Matthews on listening to God while multitasking.

Steve Heyduck asks, "Where is your growth?"

Brian Russell posts his notes on Joshua 2.

"God gives but does not share"-- a sermon by Ken Carter.

Lorna Koskela comments on evil.

Sally Coleman writes on the need for communication.

Andrew Stoddard reminds us that Jesus isn't hard to understand; he's just hard to follow.

Do you like President Obama's choice of General Petraeus to replace General McChrystal in Afghanistan?

Any Methoblogger who would like a link included in the MBDL, email your post to me at umweeklyroundup(at)yahoo(dot)com. Your link will be posted within two weekdays. No blog will be listed more than once a week.

Today's reads from the Methoblogosphere:

Who can live in God's presence? Reflections on Psalm 15 from Craig L. Adams.

Angela Shier Jones comments on clerical errors, child abuse and women's ordination.

Henry Neufeld reminds us that it's the season for political literature.

Ask... knock... a reflection on Luke 11:1-13 from Sue Whitt.

Jeremy Smith writes on ministry leadership as foil.

Andrew Thompson posts on sheep and shepherds in the Methodist ministry.

Dave Faulkner ponders the farewell season.

The Reason for God-- a review by Guy Williams.

Mark Conforti posts his sermon leftovers on Luke 10:25-37.

Richard Heyduck writes on the latest from the Call to Action Steering Committee.

Almighty God, the fountain of all wisdom, you know our necessities before we ask and our ignorance in asking: Have compassion on our weakness, and mercifully give us those things which for our unworthiness we dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask; through the worthiness of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer

Some places I have roamed on the Internet Highway:

Is there a distinctively Anabaptist witness?

If you are walking with Jesus are you ready for some uncertainty?

To be called and to be sent...

Here is someone who says the financial reform bill is better than nothing.

Someone else says that the financial reform bill missed the point.

Are students today technologically savvy?

Was the destruction of Pompeii God's revenge?

Would you get an Alzheimer's test?

NASA has discovered 25,00 never before mapped asteroids.

Is Scott Brown the new John McCain?.I thought The Flat Earth Society was a long gone thing of the past, but it still exists and has approximately 60 members.

Any Methoblogger who would like a link included in the Methodist Blogs Daily Links (MBDL), email your post to me at umweeklyroundup(at)yahoo(dot)com. Your link will be posted within two weekdays. No blog will be listed more than once a week.

If you discover that a link is not correct, please email me at the above address.

*Thanks to everyone for their email submissions*

The week in review in the Methoblogosphere:

The Methodist Blogs Daily Links--Monday 7.12.10

The Methodist Blogs Daily Links--Tuesday 7.13.10

The Methodist Blogs Daily Links--Wednesday 7.14.10

The Methodist Blogs Daily Links--Thursday 7.15.10

The Methodist Blogs Daily Links--Friday 7.16.10

This week's Best of the Methoblogosphere!

Bishop Robert Schnase: "Fishing"

Jason Byassee: "More on Numbers"

Any Methoblogger who would like a link included in the Methodist Blogs Daily Links (MBDL), email your post to me at umweeklyroundup(at)yahoo(dot)com. Your link will be posted within two weekdays. No blog will be listed more than once a week.

If you discover that a link is not correct, please email me at the above address.

*Thanks to everyone for their email submissions*

The week in review in the Methoblogosphere:

The Methodist Blogs Daily Links--Monday 7.12.10

The Methodist Blogs Daily Links--Tuesday 7.13.10

The Methodist Blogs Daily Links--Wednesday 7.14.10

The Methodist Blogs Daily Links--Thursday 7.15.10

The Methodist Blogs Daily Links--Friday 7.16.10

This week's Best of the Methoblogosphere!

Bishop Robert Schnase: "Fishing"

Jason Byassee: "More on Numbers"

Does the American economy require more government stimulus spending?