So goes the church, so goes America: blunt terms for institutional reform

There is something bigger going on here. Our country is crippled by a growing virus of anger and hate. Not to dismiss the reality of racism, but that is just one vein in which it runs. I'm heartbroken over how it must feel for a segment of our society to be in a constant feeling of loss of justice, of fear.

I've seen a few articles and posts written about the need for institutional reform in order to root out racism. Well, what does that mean in Midwestern white America? We can pray that God changes hearts, or pray for justice. I found myself typing out the words on a post shared that I was done praying for justice and am seeking what it means to pray for judgement. Justice cannot be delivered by an unjust system or institutions occupied by people who themselves are part of the problem. And if we cannot right the ship of justice because of our partisan divide (I don't think we can), then maybe it is time for God to bring judgement.

Proverbs 29:2 says when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. Proverbs isn't stating prophecy, but wisdom-facts. So I think we must ask ourselves in a democratic society, what responsibility do we have in delivering institutions that provide for justice? And where, in the spectrum of Proverbs 29:2, are we? We can each search our hearts and try to root out racism and hatred. We can "stand up" for those that are suffering because of it....but what does that really look like? The theology that there will always be a "sin problem" must not be an abdication of our responsibility, or guilt.

Let me break it down in the most blunt of terms.

If you vote for people who stoke hate in the hearts of racists, you are guilty of supporting the institution of racism.

If you confirm an elder at your church who you know tells racist jokes, you are guilty of bringing that institutional condition into your church.

If you are dismissive of seeing people hung in effigy because they are of the opposite party, you are guilty because you view the "other" as lesser.

If you see a tweet by Jerry Falwell Jr. about face masks and still support his ministry, you are guilty.

If 100,000+ is an acceptable loss, you are guilty of valuing "rights" over the right to life.

You are guilty if you subscribe to the division being created in this country, and even more so if you are the one tweeting it.

This has also infected all levels of society, and while the political scholar in me finds it fascinating, it is incredibly disheartening. What has happened in national politics with leaders tapping into unrest and anger has happened-is happening-on the state and local level. I should know. The base of support for politicians is what ultimately shapes the institutions we say are in need of reforming (geesh, if we really are saying that at all). Bluntly: corrupted people who vote for corrupt people result in corrupt institutions. I don't care what letter is in front of your name at the ballot box (or what letter your name begins with).

Anger stems from a perceived attack against one's well-being or ideals. The more you are being told that you are a victim of these attacks, the angrier you will become. Conservatives and evangelicals (I am both) are constantly told  by religious and political leaders and media that their values are under attack. They who know exactly how to craft it in a way to garner votes, dollars, or an audience. The remarkable, maybe prophetic aspect is seeing cult-like devotion take precedence over wisdom and Biblical values.

I began posting/commenting over the growing rage in our society about 10 years ago and how it must be addressed in churches. It feels like the fuse to the powder keg is rapidly growing shorter. I accept responsibility for what institutions I can influence with my vote, for what dialogue is had, or should be had, in-person and through social media. But I square the responsibility for real change, from the heart, on our religious leaders. They cannot mince words or scratch itching ears. As I posted earlier, America is in need of a prophet. Religious leaders who are part of the problem, who stoke division, have yielded themselves to political leaders for influence, are leading the flock away from truth and are by definition false prophets. It's time to remove the god of politics from church altars and hearts.

Maybe the institution in need of reformation is the church itself. God help us, but maybe the call for justice must be against the church in America. So goes the church, so goes America, and it's not going so well right now.

Prophet Needed: Apply within the American Church

About the beginning of this year, I kept feeling prompted to read through Jeremiah-a book I've not spent much time in. I started March 16, the day before the essential-only travel and stay-at-home orders began. Unplanned, I ended reading on May 1-the day it was announced there would be a loosening. Jeremiah became my pandemic quarantine devotional.

Jeremiah has a number of passages that we often hear quoted, such as "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you" and "even a fool, when he holds his peace is counted wise" and one that is often spoken as encouragement, and is on a sign atop my desk "I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11. This brings a great deal of comfort in tough times, doesn't it? But Jeremiah's message was that God's people had turned from Him, "the fountain of living waters" and created their own cisterns "broken...that can hold no water" (Jeremiah 2:13). They turned to worship things created from their own hands, and were found with the "blood of the lives of the poor innocents" on them. In the 21st century American church, what does this look like? What are the things we now worship, and where is our guilt in innocent blood that is shed?

I can start listing the things that have become a source of "worship" by starting with what I've seen on the steps of state capitols across the country. And I can show you a video of an innocent black man who lost his life earlier this year to what has become all too acceptable. And where are our church leaders? Why is it easier for Franklin Graham to stoke angst over religious liberties being jeopardized due to COVID-19, than it is for him to speak out against murderous racism?

I had mentioned to a friend last week that I had finished reading the book and debated blogging on it. I said what America needs is a Jeremiah. America needs a prophet of that caliber. Or maybe I should be more pointed and say that the church in America needs a Jeremiah. I think that too many of our pastors and so-called spiritual leaders are part of the problem in this age. Too many have stoked the rhetoric fanning flames of anger and animosity, in the name of God. But not knowing the power of God. Too many of our Christian leaders have grasped political power, which is what had happened in Jeremiah's day, and in Christ's day. And in so doing, led the people of God away from truth.

My friend sent a message a few days ago asking if I had written my thoughts out about Jeremiah. I hadn't, but I also conceded that no one listened to Jeremiah anyway...I'd anticipate the same would be true today.  Indeed, "oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her" (Matthew 23:37). Those Christians leaders who have spoken out against the political charms and chains the church has been wrapped in are quickly disregarded. Those who benefit financially and with access to power only double-down on leading the church astray.

Do we need a prophet for this age? Indeed. We need someone who will speak truth to power.

USS Indianapolis

A project in Indianapolis had me traveling to the Circle City on Friday.  When I searched the address, I saw that it was a mere stone's throw from the U.S.S. Indianapolis Memorial on Indy's cultural trail.  I arrived with my helper a little early and we documented the outside of the building. While waiting for the owner to unlock the doors, we walked the half-block to the memorial. I had heard about the monument while researching for a project in Jasper County. The architect for whom I was researching had worked with his son on the design of the monument, which features a granite ship-shaped slab surrounded by a plaza on the canal. Frank Fischer, the father, was a master at modern architecture and had served in WWII. I assume this is the reason his son, Joseph, included input from his father on the monument. The monument was dedicated in 1995. Frank Fischer died in 2008.

The U.S.S. Indianapolis was built between 1929 and 1931 when it was launched. It was commissioned in 1932. The contract price was nearly $11 million. In July 1945, the ship made a secret delivery of parts to build the first nuclear weapon used in combat. After the delivery, it headed to the Philippines and on July 30 was hit by Japanese torpedoes.  There were 1,195 souls on board. Approximately 300 went down with the ship. Of the remaining 890, only about a third of those, or 316 sailors survived. The wartime disaster was the largest single loss of life in the sinking of a ship.

Many of those 900 were victims of exposure, dehydration, starvation, saltwater poisoning, and shark attacks as those sailors in the water were there for five days waiting for rescue. Imagine watching your comrades being picked off one by one by sharks, or finally succumbing to the conditions. And some people want to cry about sitting on their couch and not being able to go out to eat for a 45 days.