Ironically the most honest and fair disagreement I've encountered personally has come from blue collar friends (which is perhaps understandable since class seems like a neglected variable in the whole mess), while the selfishness craziness comes from the suburban class.
I know it's a small factor, but I think theology has a role. A decade ago I was a gun-collecting, Pat Buchanan reading suburbanite who thought "getting the gospel right" really was the most important thing. If I had to put my finger on the one factor that started to unravel that whole worldview for me - it would be the work of NT Wright (and then also Rikki Watts, Gordon Fee, and Scot McKnight).
So many (sorta) friends at our old church are hunkered down waiting for us good patriotic Christians to get raptured away. But if Christianity is not just about escaping to a disembodied heaven - then much of evangelical theology needs a reset!
In 1982 or 83, I was at Western Seminary for my D.Min work - a professor's son had committed suicide and I attended the memorial service at Third RCA. It's was a remarkable service, profoundly sad, but centered in the baptismal grace of God, and our ultimate confidence in Christ. I said then, "Is it possible to have this kind of faith without all the concomitant weaknesses" present in West Michigan. The divergence has only grown stronger in recent years, but it's been there a long, long, time. The Dutch came came with a growl in their hearts - I often think of the two colleges - how they produce scholars and citizens who reach for the common good, and preachers and pundits who love to divide. It's not surprising, I fear, what's happening in Ottawa Co. but it's infinitely sad. What could be a gift turns into something truly rotten.
Thanks for this, Kristin. I have begun to question the old adage “All politics is local.” In the hyper-connected age of the internet and all the podcasts and siloed news and talk channels, along with the contagious nature of ideologies that knows no borders, it feels more like “All politics is global” nowadays.
The religious right has no interest in finding common ground. They believe they're in an existential battle for the future of America, and, more importantly, they intend to win.
Thanks for your thoughtful analysis, Kristin. As for me, it’s all a matter of doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly before God. All politics should start and end with loving people, not ideologies nor ideologues.
Ralph Reed pushed conservative fundamentalists to swarm local politics a generation ago and it’s been successful. What is particularly disappointing is that there is no alternative organizing from non-CN religious folks.
Kristin, thank you for this, and for your willingness to share your insights with those of us in the middle of the situation in Ottawa County. You rightly say “we have to find a way to deescalate, to listen to one another, to remember that we are more than our ideologies, and to trust each other enough to find ways to work together. But I don’t know how this works if both sides aren’t willing to try.”
It absolutely is going to be very difficult because our brothers and sisters in Christ who hold public office here, and who have signed the Ottawa Impact “contract” that pledges them to implement some very far-right ideological positions, refuse to meet or even talk with anyone who is not an Ottawa Impact supporter - even constituents. That includes the press. This is far, far more than a simple difference of political views, and it is tearing the county apart, including our public schools, because they occupy school board seats too. I know you know all of that. But some of your readers may not.
As a reader without religious affiliation I am struck by the argument presented on both sides that is that guidance and understanding must reside in Christian scriptures (whatever your reading of it is.) Ms Du Mez grapples with this in her own commentaries. The reality of course is that many many people both in the US and beyond follow other Gods and other scriptures. As long as any religion views the 'other' as the enemy or non-believer to be converted, ignored or at worst exterminated the foundation of a peaceful and generous US society is unsettled and at risk. Ms Du Mez appears to me to be on the cusp acknowledging that religion dogma (in any form) is not not the answer...but she struggles to carry the logic to the next step.
Hard to avoid the realization that the two original sins of the United States are stolen land and slave labor. And Jesus has nothing to do with these.
Ironically the most honest and fair disagreement I've encountered personally has come from blue collar friends (which is perhaps understandable since class seems like a neglected variable in the whole mess), while the selfishness craziness comes from the suburban class.
I know it's a small factor, but I think theology has a role. A decade ago I was a gun-collecting, Pat Buchanan reading suburbanite who thought "getting the gospel right" really was the most important thing. If I had to put my finger on the one factor that started to unravel that whole worldview for me - it would be the work of NT Wright (and then also Rikki Watts, Gordon Fee, and Scot McKnight).
So many (sorta) friends at our old church are hunkered down waiting for us good patriotic Christians to get raptured away. But if Christianity is not just about escaping to a disembodied heaven - then much of evangelical theology needs a reset!
Thank you for addressing this
In 1982 or 83, I was at Western Seminary for my D.Min work - a professor's son had committed suicide and I attended the memorial service at Third RCA. It's was a remarkable service, profoundly sad, but centered in the baptismal grace of God, and our ultimate confidence in Christ. I said then, "Is it possible to have this kind of faith without all the concomitant weaknesses" present in West Michigan. The divergence has only grown stronger in recent years, but it's been there a long, long, time. The Dutch came came with a growl in their hearts - I often think of the two colleges - how they produce scholars and citizens who reach for the common good, and preachers and pundits who love to divide. It's not surprising, I fear, what's happening in Ottawa Co. but it's infinitely sad. What could be a gift turns into something truly rotten.
Thanks for this, Kristin. I have begun to question the old adage “All politics is local.” In the hyper-connected age of the internet and all the podcasts and siloed news and talk channels, along with the contagious nature of ideologies that knows no borders, it feels more like “All politics is global” nowadays.
The religious right has no interest in finding common ground. They believe they're in an existential battle for the future of America, and, more importantly, they intend to win.
Thanks for your thoughtful analysis, Kristin. As for me, it’s all a matter of doing justice, loving mercy and walking humbly before God. All politics should start and end with loving people, not ideologies nor ideologues.
Ralph Reed pushed conservative fundamentalists to swarm local politics a generation ago and it’s been successful. What is particularly disappointing is that there is no alternative organizing from non-CN religious folks.
Kristin, thank you for this, and for your willingness to share your insights with those of us in the middle of the situation in Ottawa County. You rightly say “we have to find a way to deescalate, to listen to one another, to remember that we are more than our ideologies, and to trust each other enough to find ways to work together. But I don’t know how this works if both sides aren’t willing to try.”
It absolutely is going to be very difficult because our brothers and sisters in Christ who hold public office here, and who have signed the Ottawa Impact “contract” that pledges them to implement some very far-right ideological positions, refuse to meet or even talk with anyone who is not an Ottawa Impact supporter - even constituents. That includes the press. This is far, far more than a simple difference of political views, and it is tearing the county apart, including our public schools, because they occupy school board seats too. I know you know all of that. But some of your readers may not.
As a reader without religious affiliation I am struck by the argument presented on both sides that is that guidance and understanding must reside in Christian scriptures (whatever your reading of it is.) Ms Du Mez grapples with this in her own commentaries. The reality of course is that many many people both in the US and beyond follow other Gods and other scriptures. As long as any religion views the 'other' as the enemy or non-believer to be converted, ignored or at worst exterminated the foundation of a peaceful and generous US society is unsettled and at risk. Ms Du Mez appears to me to be on the cusp acknowledging that religion dogma (in any form) is not not the answer...but she struggles to carry the logic to the next step.