Dan Z wrote:In the midst of this growing societal dysfunction, and as a result of our non-resistance and our strong two-kingdom theology, I believe we Anabaptists have a unique opportunity to point to a better way in Jesus - but only if we are prepared for what is ahead.
This thread is dedicated to discussing how we Anabaptist might respond proactively to what is, I suspect, just the beginning of turbulent times:
I'd love to hear your answers too, Dan.
I am assuming you are using the broader definition of Anabaptists. If you don't want responses from people like me who are not plain Mennonites in this thread, please let me know, and I'll put it in another thread. I'm going to take one question at a time. This post is only 1/2 of an answer to the first question ...
Dan Z wrote:1) How do we insulate ourselves and our faith community from the ideological propaganda designed ON BOTH SIDES to lure us into taking sides in the cultural/political war raging all around us?
Some Anabaptists really are quite separate. But I've noticed that even some Amish have bought into conspiracy theories, it's hard to be completely separate. If my Facebook feed is any indicator, there are definitely plain Mennonites who are weighing in strongly on culture war issues. On the other end of the spectrum, there are MC-USA churches who seem to think that weighing in on every political issue is their major ministry.
I'm not sure we can be in this world and be completely insulated.
I'm reminded of this verse:
Matt 10:16 wrote:Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and pure as doves.
He's sending them into a bunch of villages in Galilee where pretty much everyone is Jewish, so this does not apply only to missionaries in persecuted countries, it applies to us here. As sheep, we are vulnerable, and there are wolves. So what does Jesus tell us to do? Well, actually, he tells us what to be. Wise as serpents. Pure as doves.
Let me start with the second.
Pure as doves
The word literally means "unmixed", and is always used metaphorically in the New Testament.
Mounce shows where the word is used:
- Matthew 10:16
“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent (akeraioi | ἀκέραιοι | nom pl masc) as doves.
- Romans 16:19
Your obedience is known to all and thus I am rejoicing over you. But I want you to be wise as to what is good, and innocent (akeraious | ἀκεραίους | acc pl masc) as to what is evil.
- Philippians 2:15
so that you may be blameless and innocent (akeraioi | ἀκέραιοι | nom pl masc), children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like stars in the universe
Some translations say "harmless" as doves. I don't think that's really an accurate translation. Mounce suggests this definition:
ἀκέραιος wrote:pr. unmixed: hence, without mixture of vice or deceit, sincere, blameless, Mt. 10:16; Rom. 16:19; Phil. 2:15*
I don't think that means we don't reach out to sinners, tax collectors, or prostitutes. Jesus certainly did. And he spent a great deal of time socializing with them. But when we do that, we need to know that we are among wolves. Actually, we are also among wolves when we are with Pharisees, Sadducees, and Zealots. Jesus reached out to them too. They weren't entirely pure either.
Of course, this means we can't be white supremacists. But I also think this means we have to steer clear of conspiracy theories, victimization narratives, and grievance narratives - including white victimization narratives, and white grievance narratives. White supremacy is rooted in the same victimhood culture we recognize in others but do not see in ourselves, and there are echoes of this victimhood culture in many of our churches. Our faith is not about being white or black or any other ethnicity, we are followers of Jesus, who the anti-Semites despise, there is no longer Jew nor Greek, and our identity is in Jesus Christ. If we are pure, we promote Jesus Christ, not "Republican Christianity" or "Democratic Christianity" or "white Christianity" or "our heritage" draped in Confederate flags or Kwaanza celebrations. At the same time, we should want justice and mercy for all people - after all, Jesus calls these two of the "weightier matters of the law." At the very least, we should have compassion, and we should pray.
1 Tim 2:1-4 wrote:I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
And I think we should also be servants to the victims, as God leads. We should look for ways to be God's reconciling love to those who need it. That's as important as any words we preach or pamphlets we hand out. We cannot be light if the salt has lost its savor. And we cannot be pure if we look like we are part of Antifa. We need to have our own voice, based in compassionate love. I think we should search for that voice, search for the right way to show that love. Maybe the best approach is to find a black church and build Habitat houses together, or sponsor refugees together with them, or do prison ministry together with them. Or maybe the churches in Charlottesville could have a another prayer meeting before the next rally, then have a potluck together after the rally and go clean up the trash together. Perhaps they could even have the picnic in another park, far away from the ruckus, with a sign saying "From every tribe and nation." The best way to witness to the Kingdom of God is to be the Kingdom of God. Together. Remember that many of those who are threatened are our brothers and sisters. I would rather not tell them "go in peace, be warmed and filled."
I realize that the Quiet in the Land will take a different approach, preferring to separate themselves from all of this. That's also valid. I don't have much insight into your churches, but I would urge you to take purity and prayer seriously, even if you do not engage on the ground. And when we consider the mote in our own eye, I suspect we might all do well to look at grievance, victimization, conspiracy theories, tribalism, politicized hostility, and identities that divide Christians. If those things are present, separating from the world in order to remain pure has lost its value. If those things are present, engaging with the world in order to be God's reconciling love has lost its value. And perhaps we can challenge each other to maintain this purity without insisting that either approach is the only right one.