Bishop Todd Shares Guidance on Current Issues
Recently, Bishop Todd Hunter, the bishop for our diocese Churches for the Sake of Others (C4SO), shared his thoughts with clergy in our diocese about some particularly pressing questions in this pandemic time. But these questions are not limited to clergy. We may all have to confront them at some point, so we wanted to share some excerpts from Bishop Todd’s message with you.
What Do I Do About the Increased Level of Politics Entering the Church?
Pastors [and other Christians] are increasingly under the pressure of partisan politics wrapped in Bible proof texting. Politics now seems to supersede both science and religion. We, the teachers of God’s story, cannot let the discussions and debates that emerge from the COVID crisis be framed by partisan politics—and the ugly civil discourse that carries it along. We have our own frame: a personal Triune God, his purposes in human history and its telos. Current political persons and ideas are real, and either helpful or harmful. But put against the proper backdrop of the redemption of the whole cosmos and all eternity, they are minuscule, time-bound and temporary. Why then should we let them dictate the rhetoric and imagination of the Church and potentially divide us?
Examples of political proof-texting we will see in the coming days:
Acts 5:29: Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!”
Of course! No one would argue to the contrary. But the context here is that the apostles were being forbidden from “teaching in Jesus’ name” by religious authorities, not civil ones (though effectively there was some crossover in Jewish life). No current US governmental authority is demanding that of the Church. In fact, one could reasonably argue that over the last eight weeks, teaching in Jesus’ name has been received by more people around the globe than at any other eight-week period of time in human history.
Hebrews 10:25: Do not give up meeting together…
Of course! We have not given up meeting. People are striving hard to keep meeting in creative and anointed ways online. And again, the context of Hebrews 10 does not align with our current context. Hebrews 10 is a pivot of sorts from detailing the superiority of the latter covenant, to how to live it out. The writer knew that some of his hearers were confused about faith and thus lagging in its practices, including regular, edifying fellowship. Some of his hearers may have also been confused about, or afraid of leaving, synagogue meetings and attending (or associating with) new “Christian” meetings. The writer of Hebrews surely was not picturing modern church buildings and telling people to go there. He was saying that fellowship with other Christians in worship is crucial to discipleship and thus to living into the Superior Covenant of Christ. Every pastor I know is striving to provide fellowship and worship—just not in our familiar physical spaces.
I do note this: No one is proof-texting: Greet each other with a holy kiss… (2 Cor. 13:12).
We will also see appeals to the religious rights afforded to churches in the American Constitution—namely to assembly and free speech.
Again—of course! Who doubts this? Which agency is trying to take it away? Our most brilliant minds are trying to thread the needle between biological, economic and mental/social health issues.
Rights vs. responsibilities: The emphasis for followers of Jesus is not on what rights we can claim for ourselves. The focus is: In what ways do those rights give us the freedom to live into our responsibility to serve God, neighbor and enemy? In the kingdom of God, it works like this: We claim our responsibilities as the meaning for our life, and we use the rights afforded us in any given setting to joyfully carry out our duties.
This was the precise attitude of Jesus. It has formed the basis of spiritual transformation into Christlikeness and has sparked the worship of him for 2,000 years. Paul gives us a window into the motivation of Jesus:
Philippians 2: Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death--even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Paul further spells out the proper use of freedom in Galatians 5: You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
Yes, government should be held accountable to protect our rights. But our job is to live our Divinely-given responsibilities in whatever setting we find ourselves. Along with our neighbors, it seems to me that the poor, the marginalized and the elderly are the proper focus of our responsibilities right now. But how exactly? Social distancing helps with disease spread, but it is simultaneously putting many low-wage earners out of work. These same people groups are then exposed to huge fears and the mental and social destruction that comes with it. This, it seems to me, is the complex question of the day for those trying to be the people of God for the sake of others.
Maybe this question points us in the right direction: What does it mean to be a blessing in your city?
Genesis 12:3 is the paradigmatic idea for the people of God: blessed to be a blessing to others. It is fulfilled in Jesus, the Messiah, and continued in his people. Jesus was the model human, and the first fruits of those to come after him. We see this throughout the scriptures. For example:
Acts 3:23: And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, 'Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.'
Ephesians 2:10: For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
John 20: Even as the Father sent me, so I send you…
How Do I Deal With Emerging Conspiracy Theories?
Conspiracy theories are too often deeply cynical. A cynical worldview is not spiritually healthy. It completely misses the superintending of history by God. No real conspiracy can undermine the work of God. Sometimes they bring it about. Think about Judas. If there is a true charge of someone doing something wrong in the context of this pandemic, let it be made. Defend it with facts. Naming evil can be helpful—an act of service. But to merely engage in the sport of conspiracy theories out of desperate fear or confusion is counter-kingdom and destructive. A general attitude of cynicism does not facilitate the work of the Spirit. It cannot allow for rest, confidence and peace.
Should Getting Back to Normal Be the Driving Goal Right Now?
I’ve already said that fellowship/worship is crucial to discipleship. We are doing that the best we can given local, state and federal guidelines.
I wonder if our best testimony, now and upon the reflection of history, is fast from normal church and discover the spiritual truth that fasting is feasting. Giving up something (food, or in this case normal church) gains us a richer feast: an increased manifest presence and voice of God. Paul helps us cultivate an attitude that is not stoic or fatalistic, but grounded in Christ:
1 Timothy 6:6: Godliness with contentment is great gain.
Philippians 4:11,12: I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
We have a lot of spiritual riches that can sustain us for a time of crisis, even if it lasts 12 to 18 months:
Romans 5:1 (NLT): Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
2 Peter 1:3 (CEV) We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God’s own power, when we learned that he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness.
How Do I Think About the Complex Problems Associated with COVID-19?
The virus vs. the economy vs. mental and social health. Thinking comprehensively is a high and important calling in our era. Sometimes we are just too tired and unfocused to do this—I get it! But I do think we want to consciously steer clear of the kind of selective thinking that fits the explanatory schemes of partisan politics but falls far short of the Divine Narrative.
It makes me want to say: Solomon, where are you? Who of us would like to make the big decisions needed here? Who has the breadth of knowledge and wisdom? Some humility and goodwill is called for now. I empathize with the vast economic harm being done and the very human desire to work. But this moment in time seems to be an outlier of historic proportion. That means some big instincts must be examined carefully. And, just to be practical, it seems to me that if we don't solve the biology/virus, the economy won't really recover and the mental health of millions will not be healed. The law of unintended consequences could mean that churches who try to meet too soon could inadvertently make things worse.
If you find yourself stuck in these complicated issues, you have a couple of elegant, simple places to run:
The Great Command to love God and others
The Golden Rule to positively love and serve others as you would want for yourself
This is a fantastic time to be alive—to be a Christian leader! Everyone who has always wanted to make a difference now has context to do so. God, please give us the gifts and fruit of your Spirit to animate, energize and guide our work. Show us what to do and say. Give us a willing and glad heart to follow you for the sake of the vulnerable of every kind: the sick, the economically devastated and those experiencing psychological torment.
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bishop Todd Hunter