Curated topics for a disillusioned church
Holy Post host Phil Vischer begins by digging into the conservative and liberal labels that have morphed into ideologically constrained camps that vote according to party instead of personal conscience before finishing the 7-minute video with helpful advice on how Christians should vote. Hint--it starts with rejecting tribalism.
Founder and president of the Center for Christianity and Public Life Michael Wear says that American political parties put an improper moral burden on its people. Political parties are incentivized to cater to the public as a brand rather than appeal to the voters on specific issues. This strategy results in people believing something because they are part of a political party instead of educating themselves on specific issues. With that in mind, Wear suggests three concepts to consider while voting: Jesus is not confused about how our politics works, Christians don't go into politics for self-interest alone, and listen to others particularly those that disagree with us.
What is one way to love our neighbors? By extending empathy. One Million Thumprints founder Belinda Bauman believes empathy is one of the keys to healing a divided nation because it teaches us to love which in turn teaches us to listen.
The vast majority of humanity tolerate some form of violence towards their fellow human beings. We are pro-abortion, but anti-death penalty or pro-war, but anti-euthanasia. There is a distinct lack of consistency in our value of life. In Rehumanzie Aimee Murphy does a marvelous job of explaining the values and origins of the consistent life ethic (CLE) while showing the interconnectedness of issues associated with life. For example, the amount of money America spends on the military directly affects how much we contribute to fight poverty. Another example is the same drugs that are used in abortions are used in euthanasia.
Author Michael Wear argues that most Christians, specifically those who live in a democratic society, have an obligation to participate in politics as it is one of the ways we can love our neighbors. Yet, he humbly admits that he may be wrong and there are certain instances where opting out of the political sphere may be the correct action to take.
Important liturgical seasons, especially if you were not brought up in a liturgical church, such as Lent can be intimidating. Where do I start? How do I honor the season? What if I do it wrong? These questions, and many others, can prevent those with the best of intentions from engaging with the season. That is where Lent: The Season of Repentance and Renewal by Esau McCaulley comes into play. In a short, accessible 112 pages McCaulley demystifies, explains, and examines the traditions, the prayers, the rituals, and the Scriptures of the Lenten season.
Pastors have no problem guiding believers on how to follow Jesus in marriage, in the workplace, or at school, but few breach the subject of politics. In that vacuum social media and cable news does the discipling--not a pastor and not the Bible. Pastor Sam Haist of Redeemer Presbyterian Church (Indianapolis, IL) encourages pastors to provide parishioners with a distinctly Christian Biblical framework for how to engage in politics. He suggests focusing on principles before policies, using the curriculum developed by the Center for Public Justice, and prioritizing love which means treating people with dignity and respect in addition to a large dose of humility.
What would the world look like if Christians, and non-Christians, lived a life focused on a culture of hospitality and encounter? What if we rejected the pervasive consumerist culture that sees humans, especially the poor and the vulnerable, as commodities to be used? Professor of Medical Humanities at the Creighton University School of Medicine Charles Camosy, building upon the Consistent Life Ethic (CLE) advocated for by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, Pope St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis, provides a compelling framework and well-reasoned arguments for approaching sex, abortion, climate, non-humans, and violence, among other polarizing subjects, in Resisting Throwaway Culture.
As citizens of a kingdom not of this world Christians should use their faith to influence their politics, but many times the opposite is true. In an age of information overload Christians are being discipled by cable news instead of a pastor at a local church. As a result, Christians are being shaped by politics rather than by the Bible resulting in some of our churches becoming "political echo chambers." Author Brett McCracken calls on the local church to be a prophetic witness where diverse political opinions are found and critqued by eternal concerns of the kingdom of heaven.
The duplicity of human nature is a conundrum. We are capable of extraordinary acts of greatness and kindness, while at the same time, we are capable of profound evil and harm. This is true of all humans and even those that lead to monumental positive societal change such as Martin Luther King Jr. Marshall Fraday's Martin Luther King Jr.: A Life paints Martin as a fellow human being trying to find his place in the world. Is he doing the right thing? Is he the right leader for the movement? Is it time to give up? Does he change tactics? King deals with depression, failure, lust, success, and elation. Pride and humility are constantly warring within him.
Sunday to Saturday 
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