Year-end reflection on 2019

I want to share briefly some the highlights of the year 2019 with my friends. I know they are busy, so I understand they may not have the time to read this. However, for those interested, here are a few moments that stand out.

Our most exciting news was the purchase in November of a 2011 Jeep Sport Wrangler with about 27,000 lilies on it. Is low mileage and reasonable price made it perfect for our need to have a reliable beach car-second car, and from what Suzanne has now decided is our church car. We sold the SUV quickly.

Some of our other exciting news is on the technology front. The story begins with a simple savings. We saved about $100 a month by going to only Internet from Spectrum, which we can do because we pretty much watch only movies on Netflix and Amazon Prime. I got an Apple Watch Series 4 in March. I have thoroughly enjoyed it. This purchase meant that when I was ready, my next computer would be a MacBook Air, which I purchased in the Fall. The switch from Windows to Mac has been easy, especially since Microsoft Office for Mac is so easy to install and use onedrive. We purchased iPhone 11 for Suzanne, and its camera is a large improvement. I save the best technology news for last. We also purchased a 65 inch Sony Bravia OLED optimized for Netflix and the appropriate Sony DVD player for 4k quality DVD. The picture is amazing. We have Amazon Alexa for music in home and SiriusXM for music radio in the Ford Focus. 

In addition, we have enjoyed friendships and meals with several persons. Bill and Joyce have been good friends. So have Cato and Susan. We have enjoyed Palm Harbor UMC, Pastors Dave, with whom I had a wonderful lunch, and Cathy, and the Bible Buddies class. The class is studying Romans, which of course I love. I like to think I have helped.  The class went to Rumbas in Oldsmar, which was a very good time. I go to the Wing Men on Tuesday, a group of guys that meet at Sonny’s Barbecue. 

We had a wonderful time at Ruth Eckerd Hall to see 111 years of Broadway. In March, we say Stayin’ Alive, a Bee Gees group that was awesome. We saw Modern Gentlemen in March at Ruth Eckerd Hall, not as good as the other events were, but still a good time. We saw the musical Titanic at Francis Wilson Playhouse with some friends. 

In a similar vein, some movies we enjoyed were Bohemian Rhapsody, One Upon a Time in Hollywood, Best of Enemies, Avengers: End Game, Ad Astra, The Joker, Richard Jewell, Harriett, Downton Abbey

Of course, continuing relationships with family and friends from a distance keeps us discovering new things. We had a nice visit with Kayli, Suzanne’s granddaughter, when she came in March. Greg and Alice Conrad are friends from Crawfordsville who come to this area for part of the winter. He loves to golf. We went to an Astros-Phillies spring training game in March. We also met Darryl and Linda Lane from Logansport, but who also have a home in North Port. We met at the Beach House. My sister Lynn, Hallie, and Mia came for a too-short visit in April. We have discovered Safety Harbor, a nice little spot east of us on Sunset Point. We got to see a group of Manatees there. It was wonderful to have Suzanne’s son Tim here for almost three weeks. I continue telephone conversations with Chuck Britt, and of course, with sons Michael and David.

I have had a strong interest in sports and fitness throughout my life. It continues in retirement. On the struggling side of health, I began and ended the year with congestion that benefitted from Mucinex. I also needed a root canal in January. The dentist visit continues to be expensive. I developed tennis elbow that hindered me in the middle of the year. My primary care physician finally suggested it was time to stop resting it and start playing. Suzanne has done well, but still struggles with her levels of energy. On the positive side of fitness, I have found a wonderful tennis partner in Angel. He and his wife, Brenda, have become lunch partners occasionally as well. Nice walks on Honeymoon Island as well. I have continued with LAFitness and my routine of exercise: arms and shoulders weight-lifting, core and legs, and back and chest weight lifting. I do my yoga Sunday and Monday, my rest days. I still do some running. I have met a group of guys from Top of the Word who play Stickball in the part near where I live. It has been a great time on most Friday mornings. I had to deal with my plantar facia again, which slowed me down as well. I did have a very good visit with the primary care physician. I have had several bike rides to Clearwater Beach. I want to do more. Blood work was all good. Even my cholesterol which tends to be high was okay. In this area,

On social media, I have a twitter feed and a Facebook page. I occasionally post political, cultural, and other articles of interest. I will not get into such matters here.

The United Methodist Church is going through a great deal right now. I have written my reaction to General Conference in February 2019. I remain convinced that the UMC could chart a course that separates it from other mainline Protestant denominations and embraces a genuinely orthodox, Protestant, and evangelical that would have a global witness. I suspect that it will embrace the decline of other mainline denominations, further isolating it from Christian tradition even as it identifies itself with the Progressive political left. 

In July, it was a privilege to assist Pastor Cathy with communion in the absence of Pastor Dave. 

I have continued in a reading group by telephone with Glenn Knepp and Lynn Eastman. We studied Hans Urs von Balthasar Theo-Drama. We read Veli-Matti Karkkainen and his five volume work that took the global religious setting seriously. It was nice to eat with Lynn Eastman and his wife at the Columbia House. We read John Haught on Theology of Nature. We read Teilhard Phenomenon of Man. I read Karl Barth, Church Dogmatics rapidly this time, amazed that I missed so much. I have been trying to plug up a hole I sense at the end. Since Barth did not finish his project, the sense I have is that I need to at least chart the direction I think Barth was going. I am satisfied with what I think IV.4 was going to be. I am still pondering Volume V. I finished reading Church Dogmatics in a relatively short period in April. I tried to read one part-volume a week, but slowed down when I got to the Doctrine of Reconciliation, which was also the time when I got a bit sick. Read great book on Lord’s Prayer and eschatology by David Höhne. Good study of Ethics of Freedom by Jacques Ellul. John Webster was insightful on Barth’s Ethics of Reconciliation. Eberhard Jungel, God as Mystery of the World, is likely the best theology book I have read in a long time. He is a student of Karl Barth. My other retirement project has been to review Bible studies and sermons and construct articles based upon lectionary passages called Lectionary Pondering. I have continued to learn from my younger self, which I have enjoyed. Toward the end of the year, I started reflecting upon the stages of my life. I am not obsessing over this one. Nostalgia is not a good path travel. At the same time, I like to think I am learning from my journey a bit more.

Suzanne and I are grateful for the opportunity to live in Clearwater, FL. We have regular walks in downtown Dunedin and Safety Harbor. We enjoy this life. I like to think I have communicated some of that enjoyment in this brief reflection. 

UMC General Conference 2019

I offer a brief statement concerning the General Conference that met in St. Louis on February 23-26.

I supported the traditionalist plan. Chris Ritter has done some amazing work. Rather late in the process, he seemed to gravitate toward the Connectional Conference Plan. I did not study it enough, but I am sure that if he supported it, it must have been a good plan. The traditional plan largely kept the language regarding sexuality the same as it has been in the United Methodist Book of Discipline. Its affirmation of love toward all persons due to the sacred worth and dignity of all persons is a good place to begin. Its recognition that marriage is between a man and a woman is part of a proper understanding of scripture and the traditions of the church. The plan did strengthen accountability for bishops and Boards of Ordained Ministry to abide by the covenant represented by that book. Sadly, former bishop Willimon has led the way in calling it draconian. I reject that. I do not think the way to handle differences within the Body of Christ is by breaking the covenant or using deceit to wiggle your around clear statements. You are no longer a faithful dialogue partner when you demonize the other as hateful, bigoted, and an oppressor. I find it a sad commentary on our life together that we even need a plan that strengthens accountability. It shows that division has already occurred. We as a denomination, through our leadership, refuse to acknowledge that division. A truly courageous Council of Bishops would have led the way in prayerfully acknowledging this reality and presented some kind of two church plan, or even a possible affiliation on matters the two groups hold in common but completely separate in other ways. They would have separate episcopacy and discipleship agencies. In any case, the bishops did not have the courage or vision. They do not now have the courage and vision of a global, Methodist, protestant, orthodox movement that could bring healing and renewal. The American churches need to listen to what the global community is saying to us. Instead, the American church, represented by most of the bishops, general agencies, and famously by Adam Hamilton and Michael Slaughter, has adopted a superior and almost colonial attitude toward many of the global church. It has continued its arrogance toward the evangelical community.

Most of the bishops as well as general boards and agencies long for acceptance within the progressive ideological tribe in American politics. It embarrasses them that the UMC has stood firm in human sexuality. Its abortion stance is also too conservative for some. These leaders of the UMC look down upon the many persons who are conservative and/or evangelical. The positions of the UMC regarding sexuality are an embarrassment to these leaders, especially when they are in meetings with their progressive friends. The progressive tribe demands conformity, and the UMC is not yet in full compliance with the progressive agenda. The failure of American leadership to drag the denomination into the progressive orbit is notable. The responsibility for their failure is largely due to organizing efforts of conservatives, evangelicals, as well as the growth of the denomination in Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe. As a political conservative, I have been glad that at least a few provisions in the Book of Discipline reflected something from the conservative-traditional side of the spectrum, at least in its official documents. I knew the hierarchy devoted itself to the Left of the political spectrum, but at least its official statements were moderate to some degree. They tried to find a middle way. The statements on human sexuality and abortion represent that middle way.

The One Church plan represented the first step toward uniting the UMC with the progressive political cause. It would eventually lead the UMC to adopt the full agenda of the LGBTQ caucus. This caucus promotes a culture of sexual confusion. In American and western European culture, due to the influence of the caucus, authorities are making decisions that affect female sports based upon the “T” part of the caucus. These decisions will make it increasingly difficult for women to compete successfully. Making gender a matter of personal decision is the ultimate in perspectivism in philosophy and the ultimate in the denial of biological fact. Beyond this specific caucus, I do have a concern that the logic will lead toward a demand to accept polyamorous relationships as well.

The biblical argument is clear. In the following brief discussion, I will be alluding to well-worn biblical material. I do so because opponents of the traditional plan have a polemical approach that seeks to lock those who hold traditional views on human sexuality into a wooden, literal approach to the Bible. One could make a strong case that such an approach is impossible for anyone holding to orthodox positions, the doctrine of the Trinity being the supreme example. I will assume the reader has some familiarity with the biblical discussions. In the Old Testament, the prohibitions against sexual expression outside of marriage between a man and a woman are well known. The prophetic argument that the Lord and Israel have a marriage relationship based upon the relationship between bride and groom is an important one. The New Testament uses the image as well in the relationship between Christ and the Church. Mark 10:2-16 makes it clear that Jesus understood marriage between a man and a woman. Paul in Romans 1:24-27 makes it clear that human beings who do not have the Torah are still accountable for how they handle truth and goodness. As human beings turn away from truth, they also turn away from purity, engaging in acts degrading of the body and unnatural intercourse. Ben Witherington III has offered a good defense of the position that both Jesus and Paul knew of loving homosexual relationships. They rejected them as acceptable practice among the people of God. Their argument derived from a consideration of what God intended for human sexuality in Genesis 2. I might add the Song of Solomon as well. Now, if I heard a conversation within the Bible that some loving relationships outside that of committed and faithful male-female relationships were possibly acceptable Christian behavior, then I would be more open to that conversation today. The only conversation within the biblical tradition in this matter is whether men can have more than one wife and can add concubines. The interpretation of the church has been on the side of a negative answer, limiting men to one wife. Now, the fact that we find no consideration of marriage relationships outside that of male and female suggests its difference with other practical matters that require thoughtful consideration. I mention just a few due to their influence on the discussion of human sexuality. These subjects have made their way into General Conference legislation as a way to attack upon the traditional view of human sexuality. For example, some of the statements of Jesus suggest divorce is an absolute no, some suggest no except in case of adultery, and Paul (I Corinthians 7) even suggests other possibilities. Another example is women preachers. Paul seems to have a conversation with himself about this, suggesting that women should be silent in church, but when they prophecy (!), they should respectfully wear a covering over their heads. Paul addresses females as heads of his house churches. Further, Luke makes it clear that the Holy Spirit fell upon sons and daughters in order to prophecy (Acts 2). A third example is slavery, which both testaments seem to assume as legal and a possible practice in which the people of God can engage. Yet, the humanitarian concerns in the both testaments are clear. Further, the household rules of Paul make it clear that master and slave have the same Lord. The little letter of Philemon moves us in the direction of rejecting slavery. Famously, Paul can say that in Christ, we are neither slave nor free. In these cases, the Bible has a conversation in process that we have a responsibility to continue, even when it means correcting the tradition. If I were to give a full account of the good life, I would go to the Ten Commandments, Matthew 5-7, Love of God and neighbor, the theological virtues (faith, hope, and love), the household rules in the New Testament, I Corinthians 13, and the list of virtues and vices (such as in Galatians 5-6) in the New Testament. We do not need the concept of buckets that Adam Hamilton suggested in order to treat the Bible and tradition with respect, even while we allow the Bible to correct tradition. We simply need a responsible and canonical approach to biblical material. Let us be clear. The good life is a matter of obedience because we are sinners. We struggle in different areas due to wrong desire. With sexuality, many people deal with the allure of another sexual partner. Many people struggle with a strong tendency toward deception and lying. Others struggle with coveting the possessions of others and giving in to envy. Many people wrestle with their pride and arrogance. Many people must fight against their slothful approach to life in general and to Christian discipleship in particular. Many people succumb to the misuse of their speech, descending into empty and harmful chatter and gossip. Some people struggle with a tendency toward physical violence. Obedience is difficult for us all. It requires prayer and spiritual friendship to fight some of our deepest battles.

Here is the difficulty we face. If we say the Bible is not our guide regarding the good life (holiness, sanctification), then it will not be long before we also start setting aside the Bible regarding its witness to the revelation of truth. If I were to give an exposition of that truth, I would turn to John 1:1-18, Romans 1-11, Galatians 3-4, II Corinthians 5-6, and I Corinthians 15. I would also turn to the creeds of the church. For many Christian leaders today, the allure of following a different lord than the Lord Jesus Christ is strong. For many persons in the West, progressive political and economic ideology has become the god and the progressive elite in academia, media, and entertainment have become the community or tribe to which they want to belong.

If the United Methodist Church, and in particular, its pastors, Bishops and their superintendents, and general boards and agencies, could seize upon the opportunity this General Conference has given it, it could lead to genuine renewal. We could separate ourselves from the narrow fundamentalism of some groups and invite people into thoughtful, biblical reflection. We could separate ourselves from the narrow progressive ideology that pervades the academic, entertainment, and media worlds. We could be an agent of healing in the midst of the divisive American political climate in the way we encourage respectful conversation within the bounds of our covenant as represented in the Book of Discipline. We could refuse to march in lock step with neither the progressive movement or with the political right. We do not have to continue the colonial spirit toward our brothers and sisters in Christ in other lands. We have the opportunity of engaging fellow believers in thoughtful biblical and theological discussion. We could discuss matters of truth. We could discuss what constitutes good, holy and sanctified lives. If we truly want a way forward, the possibility is present to do so. We could do so in way that unites with the concerns of Roman Catholic and Orthodox traditions, recognizing that a conciliar approach to our practice of theology is the wisest course when considering major changes. John Wesley provides an example of drawing from the Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant traditions in forming his view of Christian perfection. We could engage the matter of human sexuality in a similar way. In particular, we need to exercise great care that our theology does not follow the whims of the current cultural and intellectual climate. In other words, rather than alienating itself from so much of historic Christianity around the globe, the UMC could open the door to deeper conversation.  

However, the allure the leadership experiences as it seeks to conform the UMC to the progressive ideology is strong. I do not expect the United Methodist Church as constituted to travel the path outlined in the previous paragraph. In fact, what I have written would no doubt receive the label of hate-filled rhetoric. I hope a reasonable person reading this would notice no hate. All persons are of sacred worth and dignity. The truth can be a hard truth to share with people you love and respect. I do have a love for truth and goodness. We need a two church plan for the sake of the mission of the church. We need to acknowledge that division has already happened. We need leaders bold enough to see it and act upon this acknowledgment. 

Reflecting on 2018

As we close 2018, I find it helpful to look back just a little. Suzanne and I wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Suzanne really got into decorating for Christmas this year. It has been a treat. We have been watching Holiday movies and generally have a good time with friends. Some of you will disagree with what I write, for I share with you some thoughts as well as the enjoyable things we have done this year. It is all right to disagree!

Suzanne and I want you to know how much we thoroughly enjoy Clearwater, FL. We look forward to the winter months, which never have snow, but it can get into the 40s. We enjoy the Gulf of Mexico and the beaches. It is all very relaxing. It is wonderful to have everything within about 15 minutes. Sam's Club, Whole Foods, Pet Smart, Publix, theaters, and the Mall are all so close! We love downtown Dunedin as well. We parted with year 2000 red Mustang and now have leased a Ford Focus. We hope to have the last of the furniture bought this year. Yes, we are still in The Breley Apartments, and are in no hurry to leave. At the close of the year, it feels like we have gone from a year long vacation to a luxury vacation. Trust me, we are doing plenty, and I am doing much preparatory work for publishing, but we are also thoroughly enjoying the relaxed pace. We continue going to movies and watching both Amazon Prime and Netflix a lot. We are particularly impressed with Man in the High Castle and The Good Place. Disappointed with The Ranch Part Six this time. We also watched The Americans, to which we need to return, and Game of Thrones, Season 7.

Suzanne and I have enjoyed Palm Harbor UMC, with Pastors Dave and Cathy. I was a confirmation mentor for Matthew Jack Clayton. We have participated in a small group, Bible Buddies, on Sunday morning. This group had a nice class party at Ozona Blue in Palm Harbor. I have participated in another small group, Wingmen, which meets at Sonny's Barbecue.

During spring break, we had a nice visit with Mick, Bethany, Mattie, and Emily at Sea Sea Rider and walk in Dunedin.

On the personal side, I am ending the year physically very good. However, I had a pulled hamstring due to baseball and plantar flacitis due to poor arch in the shoe I was wearing. It was fun playing baseball again. However, I think I am done with sports. It took several months to get over the physical issues. It slowed me down too much. LA Fitness helped in providing enough guidance on exercising to keep me going. With the help of my Garmin watch, I keep track of my sleep patterns and getting in my 10,000 steps. Toward the end of the year, I have enjoyed jacuzzi, pool, and sauna as well. I was running a little high in my cholesterol at the beginning of the year, so I have been eating and exercising differently. New friends Jason and Teresa, who have since moved to Michigan, were very helpful in this area, as well as just being good friends. My exercise pattern is Arms and Shoulders Monday, Core and Legs Tuesday, and Chest and Back on Thursday. The other days, I may get in a long walk or a run.

Suzanne wrestled with energy levels in the second half of the year. She went to some doctors. We hope she is getting some good direction now. Her energy seems to be doing better.

In addition to Jason and Teresa, we have enjoyed new friends Mark and Karen. We went with them to the Dunedin Christmas Boat Parade in December. It is always nice to have friends from Indiana, Darryl and Linda, join us. Gregg and Alice Conrad from Crawfordsville visited as well. It has been nice to receive calls from Craig Andrews as well. New friends at PHUMC are numerous. We have enjoyed them all. Carl and Bonnie went back home. We had a nice supper at the home of Rick and Sandy. We had a very nice surprise with Indiana Fred and Judy Gearhardt at Bon Appetite. A colleague and friend, Dean Fager, died. We had a break together in Logansport, Indiana with other colleagues in the town, usually once a week and Buffalo Wild Wings. 

Suzanne's son Tim was with us August 5-13. It was nice to go on the Starlight Cruise with him out of Clearwater. He spent much time on the water and the beach. He also went to his first professional baseball game as we saw the Clearwater Threshers play. We look forward to more visits.

  In April, we missed Easter at the church due to the offer of a time chare in Key West. It was very nice accommodations. The island was nice, of course, but Clearwater is a better beach.

We know much is happening politically. I remain concerned about the national debt. I am pleased about the Supreme Court nominee. Very proud of the speech by Susan Collins on the Senate floor. Socialism is a failure while capitalism is the protection of people for their economic freedom. I like the deregulating of the economy, which is lessening the power of Washington DC and federal agencies over the economic and private life of the country. I like the notion of defeating ISIS and then getting out of Muslim nations. Staying indefinitely in Muslim nations is just not a good idea for any nation of the Western tradition. Very pleased with the Florida election results of Ron Desantos for Governor and Rick Scott for Senator. I have enjoyed following Candace Owen and Charlie Kirk on Twitter. I have been very concerned with the rise of violence from the Left, whether with Antifa or other George Soros funded groups. I was very disappointed in the funeral designed by John McCain, who showed that even war heroes can age in the direction of a petty mind. In contrast, George HW Bush showed and his family showed great class and traditional values for his funeral. Suzanne remains a strong supporter of Trump. I have been more cautious. I do not view him as a traitor, as some of clergy colleagues do. Obviously, since my wife and many other good friends are strong supporters, I do not think Trump supporters are dangerous, as many of colleagues seem to think. The whole Russia thing seems a little silly to me. He is clearly a patriot. A good article on comparing the Trump obsession with Ground Hog Day might be helpful. I make my judgments based upon individual policies, many of which I like and some of which I do not. I refuse to allow my life to revolve around him, however. Too many of those who seem to hate him get so worked up over everything, interpreting everything in the worst possible way. That seems distorted to me. I hope the articles I post about these matters reflect such a spirit. Victor Davis Hanson had a good article on Nation V Tribe. Another article places Trump in the context of populist movements. Another article examines the rhetoric of Trump in light of Aristotle. Given the progressive and elitist trends in the Democrat Party, another author makes the case for the GOP becoming the working class party.

We had a very nice 71st birthday for Suzanne at Bon Appetite in Dunedin

with some friends, Bill and Joyce, Cato and Susan, Jarvis and Dianne.

The United Methodist Church will have an interesting and important General Conference in St. Louis, MO next year. My own hope is that we will affirm the Traditional Plan with a gracious exit. It helps the denomination stay close to traditional Christian sexual values, it helps in ecumenical discussions, it helps us stay connected to the global and in particular the African and Asian churches. Besides, Karl Barth and Wolfhart Pannenberg, my two favorite theologians, would agree. If you would like to pursue it further, my exposition of Mark 10:2-16 is relevant. I invite comments. Among the matters that concern me is that the issue is far broader than simply heterosexual-homosexual. An article on transgender ideology is very good here. I agree with Barth, though, when he said that discussion of sexual matters need a clear mind and strong heart. Again, as many have said, the Christian notion of marriage is one it holds out of love for all persons.

I continue reviewing and reflecting again on past sermons and studies through my lectionary posts. I so thoroughly enjoyed preaching an teaching. The Bible has been so much part of my life. It has been so renewing and refreshing to revisit these studies over the years, to appreciate old insights, and to receive fresh insights. I invite friends and family to check in once in a while. I was particularly pleased with posts on Job 1-2, Job 23, Job 38, and Job 42. I thought I had an interesting approach in Song of Solomon 2.

I have been part of a reading group that has challenged me to keep reading theology. We have done much with Hans Urs von Balthasar, including his work on Karl Barth and the first of his trilogy on theology, "The Glory of the Lord," which is his theological aesthetics. Although the group did not continue immediately with the rest of his theology, I did, reading his Theo-drama on the Good and his Theo-Logic on the Truth. We also discussed Sonderreger and Garrish. In the evangelical tradition, we read Alvin Plantinga. Someone I am following on twitter challenged me to read one part-volume of Church Dogmatics per week. I have kept to the challenge pretty close. I have completed reading Volume III, and am ready to do some writing on that volume. Chuck Britt has continued to be a good friend with whom I keep in touch through the phone.

I went to Indianapolis in June. I was at the last Indiana Annual Conference I will likely every attend. I participated in the ordination of Glenn Knepp. I attended a Fathers and Family luncheon, the organization for which my youngest son David now works. I also officiated at the baptism of Alice, the daughter of David and Kari. I stayed with David. Good visits with Michael as well. It was all good. Two weeks got a little long, however.

Again, we know that God blesses you as you conclude one year and begin a new year. I conclude with a few pictures that simply remind me of some of the beauty of this year.

A Response to a District Superintendent

The District Superintendent of the Gulf Central District of the United Methodist Church wrote in her July Newsletter a brief article that has stimulated me to write a brief article in response. I hope what I share is a faithful, respectful, and loving response. I started seeing connections that she either did not see or did not want to see. To put it simply and directly, she does not connect her observations regarding lack of institutional health, her hope for full inclusion of the LBGTQ community, and her perspective on the cultural context in which congregations serve their communities.

The District Superintendent expressed her desire to help the United Methodist team in the district to move forward in the new conference year. She admits it will not be easy. She identifies the following reasons.

Struggling congregations

Buildings needing maintenance

Reduction in financial giving

Shrinking and unmet budgets

Pastors and leaders pushing against the inertia drawing the church inward

This sounds much like a list most of the District Superintendents in Indiana, my home Annual Conference of the UMC, could offer as well. I am not sure how true this list would be throughout the United States.

                She expresses her hope that the denomination at its called General Conference will debate and decide its position on human sexuality and full inclusion of the LBGTQ brothers and sisters.

                She then identifies the climate and culture in which the church in the United States carries out its ministry.

Families surrounded by polarizing politics

Growing nationalism

Immigration crisis

Global instability

A healthy economy

Digital technology enabling us to stay connected to everything and everyone

                I think it worth a few moments of my time, and I hope you time, to unpack the issues she identifies.

Part of the climate and culture in which Christianity works is one that longs to have free expression of its sexual desires. It wants unrestricted affirmation in this area. This is not new. Since Freud, many people have viewed traditional morality as oppressive. Few seem willing to admit that sexual desire can become a form of oppression. Sexual desire is beautiful and part of our natural condition. Yet, finding proper ways of expressing such desires is part of a healthy approach to adult relationships. Churches need to find a faithful and loving way to offer their guidance in this important area of human life. The guidance Jesus (Mark 10:6-9, basing himself in Genesis 1-2) and Paul (I Corinthians 5-7, and rules for the Christian household n Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3) offer a sufficient basis for faithful guidance that the church ought to offer today. I am aware of the challenges in interpreting such texts. At the same time, we are clearly dealing with marriage between a man and a woman. I realize that this position now receives the criticism that it is takes the Bible in an overly literal and simplistic (fundamentalist) way and arises out of bigotry. Many of my friends in the United Methodist Church would view it in this way. In this brief discussion, I can only assure that I do not have a fundamentalist view of the Bible. I can also assure you that I love respect the many heterosexual persons I know who have not followed the guidance provided by Jesus and Paul. The same is true for any other persons who express their sexual desire in ways not consistent with Jesus and Paul. Jesus and Paul invited us to love our neighbors. As created in the image of God and having the potential of allowing God to conform them into the image of the Son (Romans 8:29), each person deserves my respect and love. Each person is of sacred worth. They also deserve the truth of the change God desires to bring into our hearts and lives.

                In identifying polarizing politics, growing nationalism, and immigration crisis as part of the climate and culture in which the churches must face the challenges of ministry, I invite you to ponder. How we identify the issues with which culture challenges the church will provide insight into what one thinks the church must do. I have already suggested that her failure to identify sexual expression as a cultural issue to which the church needs to respond is important.

                Further, polarizing politics is obvious, and has been a staple of American life in the course of my baby-boomer life. The 1960s were polarizing. Nixon and Watergate were as well. Opponents of Ronald Reagan called him racist, uncaring for the homeless, uncaring of those who contracted AIDS, and one who might start a nuclear war. The House of Representatives impeached Bill Clinton. George W. Bush was fascist and had people who made movies about assassinating him. Barack Obama faced strong opposition to his attempts to nationalize the health care industry. We know Donald Trump has managed to unite the radical Left with the never-Trump conservatives. Yes, politics is polarizing and this concern is not new.

                 The DS has a concern for nationalism. Here is another place where I part company. I hope the churches throughout the world love the country in which the minister. I am not sure how any local church conducts its ministry if it hates its country. A genuine love of country is part of our love for the people to whom we minister. The cultural, economic, and political life of the nation is of concern to God and ought to be of concern to the church. Every nation has its imperfections. The church needs to be part of improving the values by which people conduct themselves in the public square and strengthening the institutions of society. The church is one of those institutions. It relies upon the health of the cultural, economic, and political order. I say this in a practical way, for it receives its funding from people participating in those institutions.

                I find myself far more concerned, then, with the growing anti-Americanism in the culture and among political leaders. I see it in academia as well. The rejection of the western cultural heritage (Plato, Aristotle, Christianity, Reformation, and Enlightenment) is of concern to me. The unrelenting attacks upon the founders of this nation remain of concern to me. Yes, I am well acquainted with these attacks. Yes, I am well aware of the birth defect of this nation regarding slavery and race. However, the founders of this nation began a journey of liberty. Among many academics and theologians, lifting up the Marxist critique of the West is another form of anti-American expression. The desire of many to move toward a form of politicizing every aspect of American life through government agencies regulating as much of American life as possible is about as anti-American as one can get. We forget the oppression that government can impose upon its citizens.

                The immigration crisis is a matter of caring for our neighbors. The concern is for people who enter the country illegally. The concern is that people with bad intent may be part of that number. Another concern is that too many want to enter the nation to receive the free education and welfare. My point is only that such concerns are not nationalist in a bad way. They are not racist. They arise out of genuine concern for the health of the neighborhood.

                The way we identify the cultural challenges may well affect the result that we find in the local churches. What bothers me is that the DS sees no connection between the result of declining budgets and so on with the way she has expressed her hope for full inclusion and the way she identified the cultural challenges. That failure to offer respect for the concerns that many Americans have regarding what is happening in the culture and churches regarding sexuality, as well as genuine expressions of love for country, may well be part of the reason for the institutional decline she also notes. To put a finer point on my concern, if the United Methodist Church is not able to find a way to affirm the Bible on matters related to sexual expression and to affirm its love for this country in its founding principles and desires for liberty, then I do not see a way forward toward healing its institutional decline.

                I invite reactions and I would value thoughtful response.

Moltmann Conference at Florida Southern 2017

On November 28-29, 2017, I had the privilege of going to Florida Southern College for the Willis Lecture. Its theme was The Future of Christian Theology. The 90^th Birthday of Jürgen Moltmann was the occasion. I had the privilege of talking briefly with some of these persons, including Moltmann.

Jürgen Moltmann was a privilege to meet. He graciously signed books for me and took a picture with me. When I approached him and shook his hand, he asked me who I was. I told him I was a just a United Methodist pastor who read many of his books. At his age, he has had some significant losses recently, including an important “dialogue partner” in Wolfhart Pannenberg. He had also recently gone through the death of his wife. I asked him what his experience of aging had been. I have been thinking of such things, since I was just turning 66. He said that aging is a journey to loneliness. He clearly is a gracious and humble man. As I continue to age, I can only hope I will age as well. One had to listen carefully to his lecture, for he could be difficult to hear. He opened with a discussion of the themes of Christian theology since WWII. When he approached offering his suggestion for the future, he paused. He looked at us with a smile. He said something like this. “Of course, I realize that you may not follow the guidance of your teacher. After all, I did not follow the direction of my teacher.” It was a nice bit of levity.

His lecture focuses on the need for an ecological turn and a turn to the Spirit.

            After WWII, theology arises out of Church and Christ center, with the confessing church, Church Dogmatics, kerygmatic theology. Theology became preaching to the choir. It protected theology from political theology. Contextual theology made the context the text of theology. Since 1990, theology sought academic respectability. The home of God is the world. The church is to be among many truth-seeking communities. He referred to his friend John Polkinghorn.

            If our world is to survive, an ecological turn needs to occur.

            He admits that he focused so much on the future coming of God that he forgot the present coming of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit connects eschatology to the present. The future of theology is the coming of God.

            Florida Southern has a reputation for the largest collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.

           

Steffen Loesel, a former student of Moltmann, analyzed the different approaches of mainline and evangelical communities toward secular culture. He referred to the tension between relevance and identity Moltmann discussed in Crucified God. He seemed put off by emerging worship, contemporary, and coffee shop churches. He seemed to favor a style that was liturgical, sacramental, and somewhat mystical. It struck me that we will not ever dissolve the tension between relevance and identity. The approach he favored would not generally appeal to me. I would be more in favor of many styles of being church, but all of them communicating with each other in a way that keeps everyone aware of the tension between relevance and identity.

            Miroslav Volf seemed focused on the tribalism of the Christian community. He wants to see theology contribute to human flourishing. Theology is a way of life seeking self-understanding. He wants affinity between life and thought. Theology is for pilgrims on the way. We experience this affinity in a proleptic and ec-static way. He is arguing against

putting theology in an isolated sector of life and intellect. I liked his approach and I want to do more reflection with him through his writing.

The conference was well worth attending. I met some wonderful people. I am a political conservative. Here is the thought that I had. The theme of the conference was the future of Christian theology. Why can we not think of the future of theology as an embrace of the freedom implicit in democracy and free enterprise? Freedom and all it entails, including regard for the worth and dignity of others and embodied in social institutions, is an important aspect of human flourishing. If theology does not figure out how to escape Marx, communism, and socialism, it will die, and it will deserve to die.  

If you have any interest in architecture in general or Frank Lloyd Wright in particular, Florida Southern College is a good place to visit. The angles are interesting in terms of the layout of the school and the buildings.

Boston Declaration: A Personal Declaration in Response

https://thebostondeclaration.com/

A friend brought The Boston Declaration to my attention. It was part of an email from the Indiana Annual Conference on November 30, 2017, apparently promoting it as worthy of our theological and political consideration. My friend wrote that he considered responding to the Declaration. That comment began the process that has resulted in this brief reflection. I have respect for many of those who signed the document. Since I have read the books of some, they surprise me that they have signed a document like this. It will probably help any potential reader to read the declaration first. Rather than analyze the document, I have written my own declaration. I have embraced the flow of the Boston Declaration. However, I have used it as a foil for my declaration. In doing so, please understand that I am giving the Declaration great respect. I hope my response is respectful, seeing some common ground but acknowledging large areas of disagreement. 

I am just one follower of Jesus, whom I believe to be a Jewish prophet and teacher of wisdom, as well as the promised Jewish Messiah, the hoped for Son of Man, and therefore Son of God and Savior of the world. The Christian community needs to hear in a new and powerful way his message of love for the neighbor, love for the enemy, and his beatitude upon those who make peace.

We live in a cultural setting in which outrage against inappropriate sexual behavior has become highly politicized. People have what appears to be moral outrage at private behavior when it conveniently advances their political agenda but turn away when it becomes politically expedient. Such selective outrage at private moral failings reveals the importance of the political issues involved. Voters have too often had such difficult decisions forced upon them by the political process. 

We live in a cultural setting when people rightly express outrage against the small numbers of those who advance white supremacy, (one is too many) while conveniently ignoring the rise of violence and the shutting down of free speech on campus and other settings, simply because such intimidation and violence advances the progressive cause and beats opponents into silence. We can celebrate the advances made in race relations in America. Racism is the birth defect of this nation. If we have the eyes to see, we will see the influence of the Civil Rights movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as evidence of correcting this defect. The changes in legal, political, economic and cultural standing of racial minorities are a celebration. Yet, too many persons, organizations, and political parties, depend upon alienating races rather than bringing them together. 

Christians as individuals and communities need to have boldness and courage to resist the forces that divide and alienate. Such a path is a risk. It involves costly discipleship. It might mean our preferred tribe, which is that collection of people and organizations who think like us, will disassociate from us. It might have to embrace the fact that in this cultural climate fellow Christians will judge and exclude us. Following Jesus today involves reminding people that their political opinions ought not to become idols. Jesus has become the property of a tribe. Jesus is greater than their political agenda. Jesus did not have a political or economic agenda. In fact, if we have come to political opinions, we need to hear Jesus in the voices and ideas of our political opponents. We need to hear the voice of Jesus outside our tribe. Christians agree that the poor need always to before us as we contemplate our political and economic views. We must always oppose the forces that separate and alienate on superficial grounds, such as economics, social status, religion, or race. We must also be mindful of the forgotten men and women in a free enterprise system that have the vision and passion to use their talents in a way that finds and creates needs among people and devise plans to fill those needs and desires. Such creativity requires faith and hope in the future, as well as love for family, community, and nation. It has led to improving the material lives of all persons, including the least of these. We need to have a rebirth of respect for the pursuit of happiness and respect for private property, both of which are important for the economic well-being of all.

We can be grateful for the biblical challenge to choose life (Deuteronomy 30). The West has inherited a tradition of philosophy and religion, of politics and economics, which provides the intellectual and practical resources that will improve life. The diversity of cultural setting is impressive, whether from eastern and southern Europe, from the Middle East and North Africa, and eventually from northern Europe and America. These resources encourage openness to learn from and tolerate views that derive from other cultural traditions. Such resources have advanced the cause of freedom in such a way that they encourage on-going social reform. For that reason, the economic advances made by all persons, regardless of gender, race, or sexual orientation, is one that all Christians can celebrate. “Following Jesus today means choosing life, joining the Spirit-led struggle to fight the death-dealing powers of sin wherever they erupt.” The Holy Spirit, the giver and sustainer of life, bids us to choose paths that lead to life for self and for others. Too many people choose death. We see death in the too many abortions. We see death in the sexual obsession of so many. If we have the eyes to see, we see death in the abuse of drugs. We see death in the political decision to stifle free enterprise and the use of private property through federal taxation, bureaucracy and regulation that leads to economic stagnation rather than creativity and growth. We see death in locating sin among the wealthy and powerful, making them the object of envy and hate, instead of recognizing our common bond with them in sin and potentially our common bond of faith. Too many who profess Christ are actually part of the alienating forces in America today, as they focus upon the superficial differences of race, gender, sexual orientation, social status, and economic status. Such differences, while important, do not define us as human beings or as believers in Christ. Christians who fire the flames of suspicion and alienation between such groups do nothing to advance the ministry of reconciliation God has given the church (II Corinthians 5:18-20). Too many Christians adopt a stance of critique toward a tradition and toward a political and economic tradition while at the same time participating fully in that system. They are enjoying the benefits of freedom and relative economic well-being while supposedly advancing an alienating critique from a morally self-righteous position. Their critique, offered from what appears to be the moral high ground, is in contrast to their lives, which rely upon participation in the system they profess to critique.

In reflecting upon such matters theologically, the identity of God becomes important. This God asks people to do justice, to love kindness, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8). This God asks of all people to honor God and to do what is right (Acts 10:34-35). God has created humanity in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), regardless of the superficial differences humanity has created. Behind the diversity in which humanity lives, moves, and has its being (Acts 17:28) is the unity humanity has as creatures of God. The path of following Jesus involves recognizing the blessing of God upon the poor, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, the meek, those persecuted for the sake of righteousness, and the merciful (Matthew 5:1-10). Uniting with the people of Israel, following Jesus involves loving God with all that we are and loving our neighbors as ourselves (Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Leviticus 19:18, Mark 12:28-34). As Jesus received the Spirit in his baptism by John, as the Spirit empowered him in his teaching, healing, and exorcism, as the Spirit empowered the early church and the first believers, the Spirit will lead us in the world today. This means willingness to discern the places where evil shows itself in this world, the courage to oppose it, and the willingness to suffer for the sake of righteousness. The spiritual danger is always present that those who oppose evil will find that evil overcomes them. Resentment against the existing order of democracy and capitalism, for example, can become a secret poison. Such resentment can become its own form of slavery that people carry with them wherever they go. No one has the right to hold the possibility of a new world brought by human action, even if we delude others and ourselves into thinking Jesus is with our brand of politics and economics. Even if successful, such a proposal will become another oppressive existing social order that will inspire resentment and opposition. Evil is not the answer to evil. Discontent, hatred and insubordination toward the existing social order forgets that every human system lives in the shadow of evil (Karl Barth, Romans, p. 480-1). In opposing evil, we run the risk of becoming like what we oppose. The revolutionary who fights oppression too often becomes like the oppressor (George Orwell, Animal Farm). 

As a follower of Jesus, I find in him my rest, peace, and salvation. I mourn the coarseness of our politics. I mourn the disrespect Americans show to their political opponents. I have a particular concern with how people are bringing Jesus into their political ideologies. Far from honoring Jesus, such attempts actually reveal the idolatrous attachment we have toward our politics. We reveal our desire to have Jesus to serve our political ideology (Karl Barth, Romans, p. 378). I lament the broken lives and homes of this nation. I lament the alienation that so many people feel from a nation that has steadily grown its respect for the worth and dignity of its citizens. I lament the alienation some citizens feel from an economic system that has created so much opportunity for people to pursue happiness. I lament the sometimes-justified feeling of alienation people have from the police, military, and others who defend this nation devoted to freedom. I lament the failure of so many Americans to understand that we live in a dangerous world and that therefore the nation needs to defend itself. I lament a divided church in its understanding of the role of the Bible, the teaching of the apostles, the classical teachings of the church, and the role of the political views of its members. The failure to show honor to other Christians has been a failure of immense proportions in terms of their witness in the world. In particular, bringing Jesus into our particular vision of the responsibility of government brings dishonor to Jesus. It suggests that the only thing that matters is politics and economics. It fails to see the spiritual issues that afflict humanity and which only the risen Christ can heal. 

America is full of false ideologies. Among the deepest is the failure to recognize that the ideas that established America, especially its devotion to liberty, limited government, and constitutional rights are the best hope for the world. Such ideas have shown that political and economic freedoms are beautiful partners in expanding the wealth of a nation, the freedom of its citizens, and the respect that institutional life offers individuals. Such ideas do not isolate the wealthy as particularly evil or the poor as particularly virtuous. The more people can feel their worth and dignity finds respect in the political and economic spheres of cultural life, the healthier the nation can become. Respectful participation will always lead to healthier individuals. The ideas that founded America have become increasingly part of the world, not only in Europe, but also in Asia and Africa. The false ideology in America places at the feet of America exploitation, racism, sexism, and empire that more accurately lays at the feet of communist and fascist movements, as well as other forms of totalitarianism. Today, the greatest danger to those who love liberty is militant Islam. We live in a violent world. We show love to the neighbor when we defend them. In particular, opposition to the hateful ideology that we find in militant Islam deserves the full support of the church and individual Christians. The willingness to give hateful labels to such concerns (homophobia, islamophobia, racist, and so on) betrays its own bigotry and unwillingness to engage reasonable discussion and debate. Such rhetoric attempts to put one on a moral high ground that one does not hold while shaming any opposition to a particular view of the role of government in this nation. Such an approach is the path to its version of fascism. Such an approach will never acknowledge that it may have much to learn from the opposition.

As one who worships the God of Israel and seeks to follow Jesus in this world, the invitation is always present to choose today whom I will serve (Joshua 24:15). As a call to action, I am just one person. I want to do my part in this setting. I want any reader to know that I choose to make political and economic commitments that are life-giving. As such, I will treat the stranger with love. While respectful of the differences human beings have created, I also recognize that beneath the differences are common humanity and our existence as creatures God has made. I look forward to the spread of regard for the worth and dignity of all persons. I long for a time when Christians can be with each other in the way the risen Lord is with us today through the presence of the Spirit. I want to work with others for a reasonable care of the earth. Instead, so many people seem to use the language of care for the earth as a mask for a socialist and anti-capitalist agenda. I hear in the deep divisions in our world a call for my feeble efforts to bring healing. I will work against anti-Semitism. I will work against any effort to dehumanize the Muslim. I gladly open myself to the wisdom that will come in our global setting from religions differing from my own and from those who have no religion.