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Dennae Pierre, writing at Facebook:

“A lot of pastors chose trying to defend the chruch from some kind of “false social justice teaching” (that isn’t even being embraced by Christians in their church) at cost of learning how to reconcile and be in unity with Black Christians. Had they chosen the later, they could have become the kind of disciples who could rightly divide the word of truth AND strengthen their witness to the gospel. But because they chose the former they’ve only stepped away from tables and caused harm to the very people their church has been segregated from for generations.”

I appreciate this so much. Is there a kind of teaching out there in some churches that elevates social programs and human problem solving over deeper spiritual truths and the need for ultimate redemption by no one but God in Christ? Yes, of course.

Nevertheless the defensive and accusatory posture in regards to any mention of justice (including “racial justice”), as if this is not a core theme throughout the Scriptures, that I have personally encountered by many “evangelicals” (that purportedly take a high view of the Bible), has been baffling and heartbreaking.
A “gospel” that neglects or denies real implications for justice–first in the church and second in the wider society–as a necessary outworking of the Christ’s redemptive work is less than biblical.

“He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.”

–the Magnificat (Mary’s song)

I am grateful for the teaching of the Church, so clearly articulated at the time of the Reformation, that we have a true encounter with God in corporate worship…and we are confident in this not because we get the ritual or the music or the sermon just right, but because God has promised to meet us as an act of grace and mercy and faithfulness.

It is an honor and privilege and joy to witness in my own feeble way to the only True King, my Lord Jesus.

I am in perpetual awe of how unlike any other ruler he is, how he gives of himself instead of taking from his subjects, how he dispenses mercy to the self-condemned without limit, how he realizes justice for the oppressed, how he heals the sick and binds up the broken–in a word, how he loves!

Praise to you, Lord Christ!

Love is prior to unity. Grace and mercy are prior to agreement.

“You will be dead, so long as you refuse to die.” – George McDonald

Last night’s shameful “debate” confirms the inability of earthly nations and leaders to offer lasting hope, a compelling moral/ethical vision, or a way to understand the world in themselves.

Look to Jesus instead.

It’s not “being right” that makes us right with God, but the righteousness of Christ.

We are in a season of confusion, disinformation, and distraction.

God’s Word incarnate, Jesus Christ, as revealed in God’s Word written, the Holy Scriptures, will be a lamp to light your next step.

There’s no reason to be afraid.

You won’t have all the answers all the time, but you can follow the one who is Wisdom in the flesh.

Read your Bible with an open heart. Receive the Sacraments with gratitude. Pray with a fervent faith. And love each other with the love of the Lord.

Keep your eye on the prize.

I think there is a difference between “keeping the peace” and peacemaking.

In the first, tension is avoided for fear of conflict/disagreement destroying relationships. In the second, a certain kind of tension is actively sought out so that working through it together, relationships are strengthened.

In the first, a surface-level appearance of same-ness (not the same thing as unity!) must be maintained. In the second, a true and deep communion/knowing is desired even if that means acknowledging deeply embedded differences openly.

In the first, the status-quo is maintained, even when ultimately harmful or unhealthy. In the second, careful discernment leads to steady movements closer to the heart of Jesus.

In the first, discomfort is avoided. In the second, a kind of suffering is embraced.

The church in America continues to wrestle with things like how to realize racial reconciliation in our unique context, how to love one another across the political party divides, and how to present a distinctive and credible witness to the truth of the Gospel.

In order to move forward in ways that are faithful to Jesus and demonstrate true love between us, I believe we must renew our commitment to true peacemaking over and against keeping the peace.

Soundcloud is so aggressive in suggesting their pro option that I just moved everything over to BandLab, where I’ve been spending a ton of time lately anyways. Everything Soundcloud does for me, BandLab does about 10x better…and for free at the moment.