Category Archives: change

“Triggers” Keep Us from Truth, Part 1

To all who are “triggered” by the free exchange of ideas:
Be careful what you agitate for…once you go down the road of restricting liberty of conscience and expression, you will find there is no end to the paranoia, lust for power, and totalitarianism lurking just below the surface. We now have the marginal at the center and the center at the margins.

The lessons of the French Revolution, the evils of the USSR’s formation and expansion, Mao’s murderous Cultural Revolution, Pol Pot’s destruction of Cambodia, Iran’s self-immolation…all of these started with words like “freedom” and “the people” and ended with authoritarians killing “counterrevolutionary” people. 

Now we have feminist pioneers being eviscerated for not wanting men to compete in women’s sports. Science is thrown out the window and feelings reign supreme. Religious business owners (only Christian, by the way) are targeted for destruction. Arresting thieves becomes a cause for accusations of a “history of racism” with college leaders agitating…and when found out, hiding behind the very First Amendment they hate so much. 
Cambridge scholars cannot speak at Oxford. Former Muslims are forced off platforms. Exposure of jihadism becomes a cause for accusation of another “phobe.” 

We can do better in a free and virtuous society. But we must have the character and courage to debate without rancor and live peaceably with our deepest differences.

Observations of Our World

I am very concerned with the triumph of emotivism in academic/intellectual circles. Critical thinking is not confined to a culture, gender or race. Critical thinking needs new attention so our dialogues move us toward truth, and, where possible, principled compromise on policies. Please friends, let’s be unafraid listen with humility and observe with objectivity.

In our polarized world, there two things that offer hope:

  1. shared encounters in community worship; and
  2. shared engagement in God’s work that renews our communities. God’s presence expands our hearts in holy love and practical work expresses our unity in service.

For centuries, human beings have sought meaning. In our century, we are debating the meaning of being human. Grateful for the Biblical story that offers identity and hope, humility and purpose.

Lord, please heal us.
Heal our hearts: touch our deepest wounds as use us as emissaries of compassion.
Heal our heads: liberate our minds from captivity to crowds and release fresh thinking.
Heal our hands: deliver us from selfish motives and methods and unleash innovation and integrity for the common good.
Lord, heal our land, one prayer, one kind word, one sacrificial act at a time.
Amen.

Celebrating Today

Today. Let’s celebrate:
Today, millions of families welcome new children.
Today, many future spouses will say, “Yes!” to proposals of marriage.
Today, thousands of agencies are working for clean water, justice for the poor and community flourishing.
Today, the gospel is being preached, churches are being planted and many martyrs are receiving their eternal reward.
Today, neighbors of all faiths or none are helping each other.
Today, young women and men are discovering and dreaming of medical cures, technology serving humankind and spaceships to the stars.
Yes, there is divorce, famine, injustice, oppression and war…but sometimes we need celebration and gratitude.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inseparable Truths

Inseparable:
Faith, hope and love.
Spiritual, emotional and relational maturity
Grace and truth.
Faith and works.
Deeds and words.
Love for God and neighbor.
Worship, work and witness.
Liberty and virtue, freedom and responsibility.
Our Adversary wants to dis-integrate our soul and society.
Christ holds the universe – and our lives – together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Summer Letter to the Presidential Candidates

Dear Secretary Clinton and Mr. Trump,
Congratulations. The race is on.
You each must answer fundamental questions about America’s future:

What is your ethic of human dignity, from conception to coronation, and how do we treat the vulnerable?

Will you affirm without qualification the first freedom of the First Amendment – complete freedom of conscience/religion and repudiate all attempts at enforced theocracies of any kind?

Will you call on all allies everywhere to affirm human dignity and equality and freedom of conscience, repudiating all slavery and dhimmitude?

Will you outline a real strategy against ISIS and other terror groups that includes our allies?

What is a hospitable and wise immigration policy?

How will federal budgets be balanced?

What is our posture toward Israel and a Palestinian Authority still dedicated to her destruction?

How do we really heal racial divisions?

How do we balance the blessings of global free trade with concern for American workers?

How will you balance free enterprise with proper ethical oversight?

AND…What are the virtues that nourish true liberty and what are the responsibilities of every citizen?

Madame Secretary and Mr. Trump,
Our times call for statesmanship, not gamesmanship. Our times call for conciliation and conviction, courage and humility, not ad hominem attacks. It is easy to label and libel – much harder to articulate the vision and sacrifices necessary to secure the future. Self-love and lust for power are the road to personal and national self-destruction. Please articulate a way forward that ensures the common good without a nanny-state and unleashes ethical enterprise and compassion for all.

Waiting for character and vision.