Introduction:
This cause speaks to my deepest convictions
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
(Matthew 5:9)
I will have to be honest, when I
first spoke to my father-in-law about this idea he was forming, it terrified
me. What could be the ramifications for supporting such a project? Where could
all this lead? Could I be a part of such a radical movement? However, what
frightened me the most was how the essence of the idea resonated with my soul,
with my deepest self.
How could it be that I felt it
right and good to give a voice to people that fundamentally disagree with my
deepest convictions? How could it be that I want to allow “the other side” my
full, undivided attention? And, how could it be that I want my fellow Americans
to hear their cry as well? Isn’t such conversation dangerous to the sort of
America I dream of living in? It still shakes me to the core.
I made a commitment to my God
several years ago to live as pure and single-minded towards His will as I
absolutely could. I have not done this as well as I would like, but I have
remained committed to doing my best. As a matter of making such a promise
practical, I began to practice a life of testing all things, not just with my
mind, although rationality is certainly a part of my process, but through my
heart as well. The question that began to dictate my life was, “Does this
resonate with the heart and mind that Christ has given me?”
When Curt first mentioned “The
Other Side” to me, it resonated in the depths of my being, but I was not sure
how I could put words to my convictions. How could I express and interpret the
feelings in my heart with the biblical framework and language of my mind?
This essay is my attempt at
answering this question: This is my
coming out for “The Other Side.”
First, a word to the non-Christian:
My leveraging this campaign for my Christian
purposes…
Who are we—the Christian and the
non-Christian—in relation to one another? I feel like my introduction has
already given you a look into who I am at my core. I am a Christian, a man who
calls upon the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ. I am sure that gives some
non-Christians pause. What could possibly be my motive for wanting to have a
conversation with you? I know that many of you feel just like many in the
Church, that Christians and secularists relate to each other, at least in the public/political
sphere, as combatants, persons trying to vie for the continual formation of the
nation as we each see fit.
At least on some level you and I are
“against” each other. I want to force prayer in schools upon your children and
push the Ten Commandments in your face in the public square, and all you are
asking is that I shut up, that I keep my thoughts to myself. I have no right to
talk to you when you don’t want to be manipulated by my outmoded worldview.
Perhaps this isn’t how you feel. Me either. But, isn’t this the caricature we
have painted of each other. I won’t speak for you, but I think that the
American Church has blame in this. We have caused division where we are called
to make relationships. As a matter of fact, if you can put up with a little
Christian-ese, I encourage you to read the following sections of this essay as
I address my fellow Christian on this very topic.
I hope that I have already made it clear
that I want to hear your side, but I will be honest and upfront with you. I see
“The Other Side” as an opportunity for Christianity. The See The Other Side Social Action Initiative is about everyone
giving everyone else his or her attention in respect, and I have something I
want to say to everyone. Yes, part of my joining the conversation is to
influence our culture with Christian ideas. I am stepping into what I see as a
burgeoning bastion of peace, made for a pluralistic society, so that I might
influence you with my faith, but that should not deter you from joining this
cause as well.
First of all, I do not believe in
coercion, and I feel assured that the See
The Other Side leadership would not tolerate any attempt at strong-arming
or propagandizing since such action is antithetical to their cause. The
initiative's leadership and growing community is made up of a diverse population
of Christians and non-Christians, liberals and conservatives, and so on. So, I
am sure that any attempt to control the conversation will be cut off by the
leaders of this initiative as soon as it begins.
As a matter of fact, I only believe that
supernatural grace can lead you to the same faith that I share with the Church.
If you do not believe such supernatural realties exist, you can probably safely
assume I will not have a chance at converting you. See The Other Side is simply a place to be heard, if people will
listen, and I have something to say.
If I make a difference with my words,
good, if not, at least I’ve had my opportunity. Second, you are not forced to
read or listen to my views, or the views of anyone else for that matter. You
might be here because you are weary and you simply want to locate peaceable persons
with your own like views. Although the hope of this initiative is to have
people dialogue, it is your prerogative to listen to other’s appeals.
Finally, you have the same chance to tell
others how you see a better tomorrow and a better America. If your ideas are
truly better than mine, then, perhaps, you will have a better chance than I at
influencing those in this common cause. You can have a chance to influence me
just as much as I have a chance to influence you. In my opinion, this is what
made our nation so great in the first place. Diverse people with diverse ideas
persistently debated with mutual respect and civility to form a great nation.
That is the true genius behind America.
So who are we in relation to each other?
We are fellow Americans, and America is diverse. Too often we hear snippets of
others’ views, and, before they can finish their thought, the other side yells,
“That is un-American.” I guess if you are a Marxist, that epithet could apply,
but we use the term too loosely today. Just because you do not share in my
faith and ideals, this does not mean we are not in this together. We have to
learn to speak to each other with respect or our own internal bickering will
dismantle this country from the inside out; forget about what the rest of the
world wants to do to us; we have a problem right here in our midst we must
address.
While I will soon speak to my fellow Christians at length
about Christian influence and winning people to the Church, I also believe in
simple American civility. Even if you never come to believe what I believe, I
still want to be loving and respectful to you. This is not simply about growing
the faith. I also believe in the simple value and virtue of respect between all
peoples. This will benefit, not only the Church, but also all Americans. That
is something I believe a lot of us can agree upon. Are you in?
I am supporting “The Other Side”
Why support a group that is not “for” my views?
I want to raise awareness to my support
for the See The Other Side Social Action
Initiative, and I want you to consider joining me as a part of this
initiative. What is See The Other Side?
It is an initiative designed to promote civility in the public square. This
group is dedicated to raising awareness to the negative effects of public
hatred, name-calling, censorship, and hostility, especially as it relates to
our political discussions about how we can move our country forward.
How do they plan to accomplish their
calling to create a more civil America? They plan to tell stories. Without bias
or blame, this organization will give society a look into the lives of various
persons living with the ideals they have chosen and the consequences that go
along with such ideals. See The Other
Side plans to show both sides of various debates, such as gun rights,
immigration reform, and LGBT rights. So, what is the position of this
organization on all these various topics? Read their words for yourself:
Our SAI campaign is designed around a
fundamental commitment to be as non-biased as a group can be that is biased
against hatred, bigotry, and slander. Beyond this stance, this SAI is
committed to remain neutral concerning the opinions, ideals, and stories we
tell… The See The Other Side team values the views and opinions
of others to such an extent that we want to provide a place in which all
persons from all sides of our nation’s various debates and discussions can be
heard. So, in fact, the larger community that makes up our SAI will
be filled with people with deeply held convictions and varying opinions… As for
us, the core leadership of this SAI, we are humbly forfeiting our rights to an
opinion, so that we might reserve our right to have a larger discussion with
everyone. Until we can accomplish our goal of influencing our overall culture
to allow everyone, from the most traditional to the most progressive, the right
to an opinion, while also providing all these people mutual respect and
civility, we recognize that we live in a country that believes that if someone
is not “for my side” they are “against me.” See The Other Side is not
against anyone. We are for everyone. So, for now, we respectfully stand in the
gap.
How can a non-Christian campaign ever
serve my Christian ideals and purposes, especially when it presents stories
from sides that I would consider “other” than my faith-informed side? Can a
Christian really support a team of people that choose neutrality?
I will speak at length about this in a
moment, but I think American Christians have confused their mission. They have made
protecting America synonymous with protecting the faith, and I do not think
this is our primary calling. We have become about defending America against the
secularists and non-Christians, but our mission is not to protect America
“against” the other, but to fight “for” the heart and soul of the other. For
too long, many Christians have thought that the way to see a better America is
to be combative, but this has actually been antithetical to our real cause. Our
mission is to spread the Good News for the sake of the world.
Instead, the world has seen us take a
position against them, in which we
say, “We want things our way,” and those ways are not Christian ways, but the
ways of selfishness as we try and make a more comfortable and tolerable America
by the Pharisaical project of white washing tombs. I am worried that some of
the damage has become almost irrevocable.
The meanness of some that call themselves followers of Christ has left a
stain on the Bride of Christ.
I am concerned that no matter how sincerely
I reach out with an offering of friendship through love for the non-Christian,
my words might fall on deaf ears, and the deafness is not simply the fault of
those to whom I am reaching out, but is a reaction to prior hurt caused by
mistreatment and disingenuous offerings from “Christianity” too concerned to
have our own way so as to experience comfort, instead of providing a real look
into the freedom of Christ that we as the Church enjoy, no matter the worldly
circumstances around us, as well as providing an offering to join that freedom
through grace by providing the other an invitation into His family on behalf of
the Father. To invite the other into the Church means we have to go out into
the world that often makes us feel so uncomfortable. So, we have instead tried
to insulate ourselves from the world. This was certainly not the way of Christ
who was called “a friend of sinners.”
If Christ’s way is really viable, and the
Church really wins hearts through love and respectful, gentle conversations
that makes real friendships as a means of vulnerably providing a look unto how
grace has freed each of us, then we, the Church, have to restore our ability to
have discussion with the world, and I believe that this is what this SAI is going to be able to provide all,
Christian and non-Christian alike, a safe place to simply talk.
They will encourage all sides to give each
other a voice, and if our message is truly Good News and peaceable people on
the other side can hear it, then I believe we will have a better chance at
winning precious souls than we have at the present moment. If we want to have a
conversation with the world, we have to be willing to join together with the
world in some forum or another with civility and respect, and I believe the See The Other Side forum is a well
thought out and safe place to step into such a community. If you believe this
is a good direction for us, perhaps consider joining me.
Finally, a message to my fellow Christian:
A Christian Nation?
What is our identity and heritage as the
American Church?
It feels strange to think that
what I fear most is that it will be my own brothers and sisters in Christ that
will disagree with me most for acting on my convictions by joining this
initiative. We agree on so much, not least that Christ is our Risen Lord who is
to direct our every step, but many persons of the Church are probably going to disagree
with me about the best direction for our country. Many Christians are not
disagreeable because they are ill tempered, unloving people, but they find it
their religious duty to “fight” for the moral well being of America.
I would not disagree that what is
best for us as a nation is a revival of principles (and ideally, a revival of
souls), but how we accomplish such a task is where we might disagree, and our
disagreement probably lies in our understanding of our own history and the
success of our faith in our nation’s past. For the sake of space (I have
already written an article far too long), my address to the church is only going
to hit the highlights of what I want to say. If you find yourself wanting a
little more explanation, click here (coming soon) for an expanded version of this section. So,
I will just come out with it. I am befuddled over the claims I hear from many
of my fellow conservative Christians:
“America is a Christian Nation.” I certainly hope not. Have you
been in the midst of a large public crowd lately and heard the language that is
now the norm? Have you recently turned on cable television? Have you taken in
any of the political conversations that are now being had? Have you not seen
our culture accept more and more moral laxity? Are drone strikes the actions of
“peacemakers”? Is spying on each other a “Christian” norm? Is the targeting of
certain constituencies by the IRS as to prevent them what is proffered others a
show of “justice and equity”?
If this is the reflection of a
Christian Nation, I have been mistaken on the impact, power, and nature of true
Christianity for far too long. Some might say, “Well, I remember a time when we
were, by and large a ‘Christian Nation,’ and that is the nation I want back
when I say, ‘Take back America,’” another phrase that confuses me. At best, what
I hear these persons saying is that there was a time when most Americans prided
themselves for their involvement in church and, at least outwardly, acted
accordingly.
But, that raises another question
that I must ask, “How do you think this past version of America became what came to be called a
‘Christian Nation?’” I am not denying that there might have been a time in
which Christianity had more positive impact on this country than this country
had negative impact on Christianity, but I do find some of the suggestions for
how this phenomenon came about a bit suspect, which lends to my discomfort with
the common saying, “Take back America,” especially when it is used as a
religious, political cry.
At least to me, this seems to
suggest that America, as a concept, was simply Christian, and that firm
foundation was stolen from “us,” the Christians of our nation who were the true
heirs of this project, by an invasive and subversive secular sect that somehow
played its tricks and sunk its teeth into the American identity and has not let
go since. Isn’t that what happened? Isn’t that how the Church lost prayer in
schools, the ten commandments in public arenas, and the right to reach out to
others without being considered a “hate group”? Well, perhaps it was not the
world’s attempt to subvert the Christian influence in our nation that permeated
our culture that made the difference. Don’t we expect the world will always be
at odds with the Church on the values we espouse?
Perhaps it is our combative want
to defend an unrealistic idea that has given the church the black eye. Perhaps
we are our own worst enemy. That we were founded to be a “Christian Nation”
simply does not resonate with the history I read. Perhaps Christians had a say,
and Judeo-Christian principles often prevailed, but that certainly does not
settle this as a black or white issue. Proponents of the claim that we were
created to be an inherent “Christian Nation” might say, “Ah, don’t you see? The
history you read is all part of this secularist plot to change the past to fit
its current paradigms.”
In all due respect, I think this
sort of blind defense of an alternative history steals away the supernatural
and profound witness of our own story as the Christian Church in our earlier
America. At best, our nation’s founding history, from the first settlers to the
Founding Fathers, is a mixed bag. Many came to this country seeking religious
freedom and utopia, but many others simply came to seek fortune. As for the
Founding Fathers, many were perhaps Christians, but many, perhaps the most
influential, were Deists, not Christians. This includes Franklin, Jefferson,
and more than likely Adams.
Perhaps our coming to be
considered so Christian as to make confusing America and Christianity such a
common phenomenon was not the work of a carefully laid plan in which our
founders would construct a practical Christendom through the construction of
the American government, which, in reality, is a project that can never really
produce a faithful nation, but, perhaps, the story is much more profound.
Perhaps, as profound and intellectual as men like Jefferson, Adams, and
Franklin were, we actually owe our thanks, not to politicians, but to
evangelists. Sure, some of the freedoms provided by our Founding Fathers made
for fertile soil for evangelist to sow freely the Word, but it was the
evangelists’ faithfulness to their message to which we owe thanks for the
explosion of faith in early America.
So, what happened? It is
undeniable that Christianity has throughout our past had great moments of
explosion, sweeping the nation like a wildfire and influencing even our
government in the process, most often for the better. How did we become a nation of Christians when we were not founded as a
Christian Nation? The answer is revival.
The first awakening (during the
time of the thirteen colonies) began in pulpits under the preaching of men like
Jonathan Edwards and on street corners by men like Whitefield. After people began to stir in their
spirits, other Christian movements began to latch onto the move of God’s
Spirit. Methodists and Baptist began their own outreach and perhaps benefited
the most in terms of converts. Indeed, this movement led by citizenry began to
solidify the thirteen colonies that at first did not really identify with each
other with any sort of deep commonality.
After the War of Independence, as
war often does, the zeal of the weary citizenry simmered. Westward expansion
made for an unchecked and somewhat lawless frontier, and men and women found a
new sort of freedom, a freedom from rules. However, towards the end of the
eighteenth century, a Second Great Awakening began. It started on the Northeast
coast, but the sudden devotion to Christian living, demonstrating real freedom
in Christ, took over the imagination of many, as they saw that faith lived in
earnest provided people with rich character and zeal.
Soon many evangelists began to
travel westward to preach and teach the Good News to the settlers of the
frontiers. While the citizenry gambled and inebriated themselves, the
evangelists would preach, and those seeking solace in play and drunkenness
often soon found a faith that would prove truly restorative. The awakening
became more and more emotional for people as they wept in sorrow for their sins
and joy for what God was doing in their lives. Again, the Methodists and Baptists were the most willing to
embrace this move of the Spirit, setting up camp meetings and revivals across
the nation. They did not only use deeply studied theologians to spread the
word, but average citizens, excited to share what they knew. Farmers and circuit
riders alike preached and preached, and Christianity grew and grew. America has
been reaping the benefit of the preaching of these average folks ever since.
This, I think, is a truer and a
more exciting narrative than many American Christians tell. Equating Church
growth with the success of the state is backwards. Instead, I see many of the
successes of the state as the result of the growth of the Church. If we want
this sort of America again, perhaps we should learn from these everyday men and
women who spread the faith in our land in the first place. Our current cry,
“Take back America,” is a battle cry against an enemy, real or imagined, that
takes on political overtones.
But, Christians of the Church are
not to fight against our enemies or legislate our morality. Instead, we are to
fight for the other, and this is what the evangelists of the Great Awakenings
did. They did not go running off to D.C. to make change the problem of Congress,
but ran headlong into society with a message of love and hope. They welcomed
people to a better way. They offered grace. If we do not get this, we have no
chance of winning the American public back to the Church. We do not need a
political revolution, but a Spiritual revival. This is the way of Christ who
was accused and being a friend to sinners. I hope I can live up to that insult.
I am a friend to sinners.
Where do we go from here?
What does it mean to be a Holy Nation?
So, what does it mean to change
our attitude about regaining an imagined “Christian Nation,” and, instead, go
for the much more spiritually realistic goal of becoming “a nation of
Christians” once again? It means we must live up to our higher calling as God’s
representatives to the world, His priests to the lost and dying. We must come
to realize that God, in fact, suggests that a “Christian Nation” does exist,
but that nation is not America, it is the nation of all believers, also known
as the Church:
Rid yourselves,
therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander.
Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by
it you may grow into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is
good. Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and
precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be
built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual
sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ…But you are a chosen race, a
royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may
proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his
marvelous light. (I Peter 2:1-5, 9)
Can we win America for Christ? I
hope beyond hope that this could be a reality. Maybe, just maybe, we can, but
not in the manner many within the Church have been thinking. It won’t be a
political take over, but a cultural and spiritual revival. Perhaps we can win
the culture back over to Christ if we radically live as the Church is called
and ought to live, as a kingdom of priests. The world, and often our own
America, says that to win and get our way, we have to do so by the acquiring of
power. We must forcefully impose “right” on others, but the Bible says that we,
the Church, will be defined by sacrifice: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall
inherit the earth…Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children
of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:5,9,10).
Yes, we live in America, but, if
our primary identity is the Church, then we are first citizens of the Kingdom,
and we need to, as ambassadors, model the values of our own heavenly nation
before we concern ourselves with “being American.” For so many Americans,
church is something that we happen to do, but the reality should be that for so
many Christians, America is somewhere we happen to live.
The true Holy Nation to which we
belong, the Scripture tells us, is an invisible nation, made up of all peoples
who call on the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ. And our mission is to be an
example of His way, as a Royal Priesthood. This is the will of our Lord: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a
hill cannot be hidden…let your light shine before others, that they may
see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:
14-16).
So, how
should a priest act towards those to whom he or she ministers, in our case, the
lost and dying world?
Every high
priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God
on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with the ignorant
and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; and because of
this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the
people. And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only
when called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not glorify himself
in becoming a high priest, but was appointed… Hebrews 5:1-5a
Our position towards the world
should be one of understanding and gentleness. As Christ lived, by His grace,
so shall I. Are you with me. Are you willing to a blessing for America by
showing her people a better way than simply the way of the world? Do you love
your country and wish for its prosperity? Then let’s act like the Church should,
for the Church is often the best influence on her nation. I love America, but I
am not merely an American.
I am a citizen of New Jerusalem
living in a fallen Babylon world. My Kingdom to which I have citizenry is not
of this world, but it is emphatically for this world, even when this world is
in rebellion against it. Christians of this age are all resident aliens,
citizens of another realm, but we are not against our own place of residence:
“Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I
have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it
prospers, you too will prosper” (Jeremiah 29:7). However, no matter what might
befall us, we all have eternity:
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21).
Ours is a life on mission, in which we interact with the world as Christ did, as a friend to sinners, to the other, not as an opponent to sinners.
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21).
Ours is a life on mission, in which we interact with the world as Christ did, as a friend to sinners, to the other, not as an opponent to sinners.
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger”
(Proverbs 15:1).
“The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouting of
a ruler among fools” (Ecclesiastes 9:17).
“Do
nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as
better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).
“Do not be
overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
“Let
us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual edification” (Romans 14:19).
“Let
your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how
you ought to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6).
“Let
no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building
up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear”
(Ephesians 4:29).
“You
must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to
speak, slow to anger” (James 1:19).
“With
it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the
likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and
cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so” (James 3:9,10).
All this leads me to one conclusion:
Civility is a virtue of the Kingdom, and this initiative is a practical means
for me to practice such a virtue.
Learn
more:
To be apart of this SAI or to simply learn more, visit their website and sign up to the
email list:
seetheotherside.us
You can also “like” them on facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/seetheotherside.us
As well as follow them on Twitter:
@STOS_Initiative
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