Unfundamentalist

Above All, Love

Speak the Truth in Love

by in Christian Issues

“Speak the truth in love” is a phrase that some Christians love to toss out when they encounter disagreement, as if repeating those trite words will magically win debates. All too often they use it as a license to spew pet positions in a manner is that is far from actually being loving.

For example, Al Mohler, in a recent post on the Supreme Court’s same-sex marriage decision, wrote: “We are charged to uphold marriage as the union of a man and a woman and to speak the truth in love.” As if that solves everything.

Let’s take a closer look at what “speak the truth in love” actually means.

The phrase appears in the Bible in Ephesians 4:15: “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”

The key words here are “speaking the truth,” which is a translation of the single Greek word ἀληθεύοντες (alētheuontes), a participle of the verb ἀληθεύω (alētheúō), which is generally translated as “to speak truth.” But, though verbal communication may certainly be part of what ἀληθεύω means, its most literal translation is “truthing” — it’s simply the verb form of the noun “truth.”

About this word, theologian John Stott said:

‘Speaking the truth in love’ is not the best rendering of his expression, for the Greek verb makes no reference to our speech. Literally, it means, ‘truthing in love’, and includes the notions of ‘maintaining’, ‘living’ and ‘doing’ the truth.

The verse in not… [Read more…] about Speak the Truth in Love

"40 Questions For Christians Now Waving Rainbow Flags"

by Buzz Dixon in Christian Issues, LGBT

The Gospel Coalition website has posted the following questionnaire and commentary from Kevin DeYoung, senior pastor of University Reformed Church in East Lansing, Michigan:
“[P]erhaps what’s been most difficult is seeing some of our friends, some of our family members, and some of the folks we’ve sat next to in church giving their hearty ‘Amen’ to a practice we still think is a sin and a decision we think is bad for our country. It’s one thing for the whole nation to throw a party we can’t in good conscience attend. It’s quite another to look around for friendly faces to remind us we’re not alone and then find that they are out there jamming on the dance floor…

“If you consider yourself a Bible-believing Christian, a follower of Jesus whose chief aim is to glorify God and enjoy him forever, there are important questions I hope you will consider before picking up your flag and cheering on the sexual revolution. These questions aren’t meant to be snarky or merely rhetorical. They are sincere, if pointed, questions that I hope will cause my brothers and sisters with the new rainbow themed avatars to slow down and think about the flag you’re flying.”

Fair enough, Kevin. I’ll take you at your word that you are sincere in your desire to understand why we believe what we believe.

1. How long have you believed that gay marriage is something to be celebrated?

From the moment I realized that sexual orientation was either innate in most human beings from birth; or… [Read more…] about "40 Questions For Christians Now Waving Rainbow Flags"

Be Ye Kind One to Another

by Jill Crainshaw in Christian Spirituality

The media is noisy these days with opinions about controversial issues. People on both sides of these issues advocate for something they call “kindness.” Earlier this month, I was in the presence of death three times in six days. I was also in the presence of extraordinary kindness. This kindness has made me consider: what sort of kindness cultivates Gospel justice and mercy in the midst of contention?

A friend’s uncle died first. He was a kind man. Many people said so at his funeral. I knew that about him too. He and I had shared few conversations. No matter. Hands leave impressions that linger, and kindness lived in his hands. His were hands trusted by puppies and people and plants that welcomed his touch. William taught people to fish and to grow a salad in their backyard. He cooked breakfast for his beloved of more than 50 years and “had tea” with his grandchildren and their dolls. Kindness—God’s kindness—lived in William’s hands.

They said Cynthia was kind too. I am a volunteer on-call chaplain at a local hospital. I was called in on a Sunday, the same day as William’s memorial service. When I arrived at the hospital, Cynthia was near death. “She is the kindest person I have ever known,” her daughter said. “I want my daughter to be like her.” Cynthia volunteered for several organizations in town, and she had owned her own business. But what Cynthia will be remembered for, her husband insisted, is her generous spirit. She was kind to family members and friends. Her… [Read more…] about Be Ye Kind One to Another

Breaking Down Southern Baptist Rhetoric Against Same-Sex Marriage

by Chuck Queen in Christian Issues, Current Events

While Southern Baptists have been vocally repenting of their support for slavery and Jim Crow since 1995, they have done virtually nothing to actually make amends. One of their own members, an African American pastor, noted that if the SBC was serious they would champion policies that would actually make a difference, such as criminal justice reform, education reform, and the alleviation of child poverty (and we could add others like immigration reform and confronting voter suppression laws).

So, did Southern Baptists make any attempt to bring forth fruits worthy of repentance when they met in Columbus for their annual meeting (the hate killing of the Emanuel Nine took place after their convention)? Oh no, it was oppositional energy that fueled the fire, not a vision for the common good.

Instead they passed a resolution against same-sex marriage asserting that traditional marriage is the clear teaching of Scripture. In a statement supporting the resolution issued by current SBC President Ronnie Floyd and signed by 16 past presidents they affirmed, among other things,
What the Bible says about marriage is clear, definitive, and unchanging. We affirm biblical, traditional, natural marriage as the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant for a lifetime. The Scriptures’ teaching on marriage is not negotiable.
Ronnie Floyd, addressing the Convention said,
Our first commitment is to God and his word – nothing else and no one else. And I want to remind everyone today, humbly,… [Read more…] about Breaking Down Southern Baptist Rhetoric Against Same-Sex Marriage

Will Someone Please Tell Christians That the LGBT War Is Over?

by in Christian Issues, Current Events, LGBT

View image | gettyimages.com

On March 9, 1974, Hiroo Onoda, a Lieutenant in the Imperial Japanese Army, at the behest of his former commanding officer, turned over his sword and rifle and formally surrendered to authorities, thus ending his 30-year holdout in the Philippines where he had continued to fight in a war that he refused to believe was over. He was one of the last Japanese holdouts, soldiers who, due to poor communications or misguided loyalty, continued to fight for months and years after Japan’s surrender.

On June 26, 2015, the United States Supreme Court, in its decision on Obergefell v. Hodges, declared that same-sex marriage is legal in all 50 states. But Christians across the country refuse to accept the implications of that decision. Like the Japanese holdouts after Word War II, they continue to fight on, seemingly oblivious to the political, social and theological realities around them.

Here are a few excerpts (reproduced verbatim) from some of the emails received by the NALT Christians Project in just the last 3 days from Christians who have hunkered down in their theological bunkers and continue to take pot shots at anyone who poses a challenge to their beliefs:

While the bible does not mention homosexuality in the majority of scripture, the fact that is in mentioned and clearly defined as sin, is enough.

—————————————————-

u err, and teach others to do the same. which makes u a… [Read more…] about Will Someone Please Tell Christians That the LGBT War Is Over?

Love Doesn't Really Win (or does it?)

by Chuck Queen in Current Events

View image | gettyimages.com
On Friday, June 19, Dylann Roof, charged with nine counts of murder in the shooting deaths that occurred at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, appeared before a bond hearing court. Family members and friends were permitted to speak to the suspect. Roof could hear them, but he couldn’t see them.

Chief Justice James Gosnell powerfully set the tone before inviting statements [these statements can be read here],
 Charleston is a very strong community. We have big hearts. We’re a very loving community. We’re going to reach out to everyone, all victims…

We have victims, nine of them. But we also have victims on the other side. There are victims on this young man’s side of the family. Nobody would have ever thrown them into the whirlwind of events that they have been thrown into. We must find it in our heart, at some point in time [the judge here perceptively knows that forgiveness is a process], not only to help those that are victims, but to also help his family as well.
What a great example of how a magistrate can create a context for grace to prevail over condemnation.

Anger was clearly acknowledged, but in redemptive, not destructive ways. Felicia Sanders, mother of Tywanza Sanders said,
We welcomed you Wednesday night in our Bible study with open arms. You have killed some of the most beautiful people that I know. Every fiber in my body hurts … and I’ll never be the same. Tywanza was my son … my hero … may… [Read more…] about Love Doesn't Really Win (or does it?)

Compassion for the Charleston shooter

by in Current Events

View image | gettyimages.com

As I learn more about the shooter, even through my anger, I can feel compassion for him.

How? Why?

Because he’s a screwed up kid who had a shitty life who clearly never had the love he needed to be nurtured and whole. And who, in that void, filled his life with destructive things.

So let’s talk about white culture … and how it throws children away.

Let’s talk about how heterosexual marriages of one man and one woman aren’t some utopian panacea of ideal parenting.

Let’s talk about the lack of family counseling, the lack of human knowledge and understanding of human psychology, the lack of healthy communication and relationship development.

I’ve asked myself, “who am I angry with?”

And it’s us. I’m mad at us. I’m angry that in 2015, with all that we know and all that we have — the vast resources available to us as a country — we still can’t get our shit together to have a better society than we do.

And I’m angry with people who don’t get it, people who don’t understand, who can’t see the big picture, and who return to their self-protective ego defenses of denying, defending, deflecting, minimizing and rationalizing in matters such as these.

If you don’t understand racism — don’t act like it doesn’t exist.

If you don’t understand human psychology – don’t act like it doesn’t exist.

If you don’t understand why we’re so upset “this time” — you haven’t been paying attention to the cumulative effect of all the other times.

As mothers, we… [Read more…] about Compassion for the Charleston shooter

Warning! This World Has Redefined the Word Love

by in Fundamentalism

A UC reader recently shared the above image via our Facebook Page (you have Liked our FB page, right?). Since we’ve tackled “Christian” memes in the past, and since this one conveys sentiments that we regularly hear from our friends on the (far) right of the political and theological spectrum, I thought I’d take a moment to address its not-so-subtle points.

This world has redefined the word love
This world (as opposed to other worlds?) definitely hasn’t redefined the meaning of the word love. Love has a standard dictionary definition that, as far as I’m aware, still accurately reflects modern usage.
Acceptance of all false religions
No one should accept any false religion, let alone all false religions. Why on earth would you believe something that’s false? What we should do, however, is accept the reality that many people have religious beliefs that differ from our own, and that, from their perspective, we’re the ones who hold to a false religion. And, given that disparity, the best way to promote peace and understanding is to avoid terms like “false religion” entirely and instead seek to find common ground and shared beliefs.
Tolerance of all sinful behavior
As long as sinful behavior doesn’t break the law or directly affect our lives, we do have to tolerate it. This doesn’t have anything to do with love, it’s just life.
Tolerance of false doctrines
We also have to tolerate false… [Read more…] about Warning! This World Has Redefined the Word Love

Christian Fundamentalism's Grand Illusion

by Chuck Queen in Fundamentalism

I recently wrote two pieces published at Baptist News Global (“A Scripture Lesson on Fundamentalism” and “What does a progressive Christian statement of faith look like?) that ignited a response I repeatedly hear from conservatives.

Their claim is that progressive Christian faith is based on subjective criteria not rooted in any objective reality. Of course, their objective reality is their inerrant Bible.

One frequent commenter on my articles said:
“The authority for what is written begins and ends with those that wrote it. . . . These so-called progressives don’t use the term infallible but in reality they see what they wrote [the reference here is to the Phoenix Affirmations] as correct without any authority except themselves.”
Another who is also a frequent contributor of articles on the website said:
“I fail to see how on the progressive worldview any of these [the Phoenix Affirmations] can really be taken as more than mere expressions of personal preference . . . How do we decide which is right and which is wrong? . . . how do we know what is true and what is not? Surely you have defined truth for you, but without an objective standard, how do we know that your truth is any more true than any others? [emphasis mine]”
My response to this line of argument is that all religious belief and experience is subjective – all of it.

The above critic continued:
“If all spiritual truth is subjective, then it’s not really spiritual truth. It’s spiritual opinion . . . you… [Read more…] about Christian Fundamentalism's Grand Illusion

A Transgender Christian Loses Her Church but Keeps Her Faith

by Brettany Renee Blatchley in Christian Issues, LGBT

This is a long and difficult road for many of us — queer and straight…

When the “other” kind of person turns out to be someone who is respected, liked, and loved, then who that person is will collide with who that person is assumed to be. This is a God-moment when seeds of reconciliation or rejection are sown.

…God has been leading me to connect with various Christian congregations in my area, growing and developing a godly, sisterly relationship with them. Because I live “simply open” about who and what I am, at some point when our relationship deepens, the fact that I am a married Christian woman of transgender experience will become apparent in natural, relaxed, and even winsome ways — in God’s time…

…Last Wednesday, at an “agape” potluck and Bible study, it was “time” — my status and authority as a transgender person became very relevant to the discussion and I gently made my disclosure, acting in great vulnerability from a position of spiritual strength…

…This Sunday at church was a good time of worship. Much was preached, sung and prayed about how this church, this part of Christ’s Body, was especially attuned and welcoming to people on the margins, the people “other churches” reject. We were admonished that “they will come here for Jesus’ love: be prepared!” They didn’t realize that I had already been among them as an “unpresentable” part of The Body. I was cautiously optimistic…

…Last evening, I again joined the “agape” group with my spouse. We… [Read more…] about A Transgender Christian Loses Her Church but Keeps Her Faith