If the notes of disagreement that I have received from members and friends of the congregation are any indication, the messages of the past several weeks have struck a chord. In this season after Pentecost, through the first 13 weeks of this season, I planned to shape an understanding of our Christian calling that is fulfilled when we subject ourselves to the power of God's indwelling Spirit. This theological view of human nature is, obviously, quite controversial.
The anthropology here suggests that human beings - all and each one - are of the same essential nature as Jesus. Especially in the Gospel According to Mark, Jesus is a human being, who is adopted by God in Baptism in order to accomplish God's will on Earth. It is not Jesus' essential nature as the Son of God that renders him able and willing to do God's will, but the power of God's Spirit upon and within him.
Over the past several weeks, events have invited us to apply the lesson of adoption in the Spirit to a radical sense of equality. If every person receives the same Spirit, then each one is to be held as important, worthy, valuable and as potential to God's reign and realm. Therefore, where and when there are incidents of discrimination, we are invited to stand with Christ against them. This includes the fact that black people get pulled over by police for no reason, as happened last week to a member of the congregation. I understand that white people get pulled over too, but it is typically for a reason or reasons. When an officer has to manufacture a reason for pulling over a motorist, then the officer is overstepping her or his authority. This happens disproportionately to minorities. It is an injustice.
Clearly, when a white supremacist enters a traditionally black church in Charleston, South Carolina and guns down nine innocent Bible study participants, it is an injustice. What is even more tragic is that we, as a society, continue to produce persons who are so filled with anger and hate that they would take such violent action. In fact, it seems that we are more supportive of radicalized words of hate, judgment, rejection and partisanship. Personal attacks are commonplace. We vilify "the liberals" or blame everything on "the conservatives." We call each other things like "stupid," "ignorant," "ugly," "fat," or "delusional." All of it is angry, violent, and judgmental. It is injustice.
If we are ever to live in God's will, if we are ever to establish God's reign and realm on Earth, then that work must begin with a renewed sense of commonality, unity and a rejection of that which divides and separates us. We must start with the very essence of human nature. If each of us is like Christ Jesus, then no one will tolerate mistreatment of any brother or sister. No injustice would be supported or condoned.
June is Gay Pride Month. It may be uncomfortable for some to think that a recognition of LBGT rights and openness and affirmation of alternative life-styles is a separate issue. But is it not. It is the same issue. Acceptance and embrace of LBGT persons is about justice.
Apparently, not everyone agrees. Yes, I am aware. And, yes, I am sensitive to the controversy. I firmly and wholeheartedly believe, however, that it is time that we get over our sometimes subtle biases and stand with Christ for the benefit of every and each person.
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