Washington Week!
Brett Fuller, Dreaming In Black And White
Main Points & Primary Thesis: I’m not sure you can do an inspectional reading of this book…at least the first part. Fuller’s story, written simply but eloquently, pulls you in. Quite frankly, I think the story deserves some intentional engagement. Both Fuller’s personal story and his narration of black history in America serves his primary purpose: to help white Americans better understand and empathize with the experiences of black people (or in his own words: “…to help non-blacks—and maybe some uninformed blacks too—understand the imprint of the past upon us.” (1)). However, there is more: that education serves a purpose—to inspire his readers to long for racial equity and then to look to the Gospel vision of a multi-cultural people of God to inspire the church to be a part of racial reconciliation. The book ends with practical suggestions (and associated costs) on how people from the dominant culture can help facilitate this reconciliation, highlighted by Fuller’s three statements:
1. I feel your pain
2. I’m sorry
3. How can I help? (2)
The final pages, written specifically to young black people, is a stirring description of Fuller’s desire for reconciliation: beyond the necessary pragmatic and legislative changes, the most important change is a change of heart—agape love, that once and for all roots out the poisonous source of all our relational dysfunction. Lord…let it be so and help me know how to play my part.
Question: If I am reading you rightly, it seems like your primary strategy for addressing racial equity is also the end goal—that is, healthy, loving (agape) relationships. This seems to be both the pathway (ie. Reconciliation where we listen, understand, empathize, and help one another) and the ultimate destination where ‘brothers and sisters dwell together in unity and love (ie. Healthy relationship)’. Is that an accurate understanding of your book?
Brett Fuller, High Ceilings: Women in Leadership
Main Points & Primary Thesis: Fuller’s primary purpose in writing this short book is to articulate his understanding of the freedom and limitations of women in leadership. In short, his understanding of the Genesis account leads him to believe that there are limits to a wife’s leadership within the marriage relationship with her husband, who has authority over her. Outside of this relationship—in both the ‘secular’ and church world—a woman is free to use her leadership gifts without restriction based on her calling, gifting and capacity. Certain New Testament verses that seem to suggest otherwise are explained through the lens of 1st century cultural context.
Question: If the husband’s role as the ‘head’ of his wife (and her resistance to such authority) was a result of the curse/consequence of original sin, would there be any validity to seeing redeemed Christian marriage free from the curse—broken by Christ—so that both husband and wife mutually live out the selfless act of service, submission AND leadership within their marriage relationship and family where each spouse is best gifted and capable? Does the pre-fall distinction between Adam (cultivate & keep) and Eve (help do this) necessitate differentiation as it relates to authority or perhaps just distinction of roles?
Jim Wallis. God’s Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn’t Get It
Main Points & Primary Thesis: Jim Wallis sets out to prophetically apply Biblical values into current (2004) American political life. He says as much in his introduction: “The values of politics are my primary concern in this book.” (3) As the title suggests—neither major political party in the United States avoids his critique. As Wallis addresses current political issues, he touches on many topics that we have already engaged in through our previous reading list (Christians engagement in politics, War/Just war theory, economics, Israel, and race). Fundamentally, Wallis has written this book to share what he believes the primary ‘moral values’ that American Christians (and both political parties) must address. To do so, Conservatives need to broaden their application of biblical morality beyond abortion and family and Liberals need to acknowledge the place that faith inevitably has in the public sphere. It is a bold, compelling and challenging read for any Christian who wants to faithfully engage in the political life of their country from an informed Christian perspective (although not everyone will agree with all of Wallis’ conclusions or positions on the various matters addressed).
Questions:
1. Your description of the 2004 election and the deeply divided country is now 20 years old. Do you think our current situation in 2024 is simply a magnification of the same problems addressed in your book that have now festered for an additional 20 years, or are there new dynamics added to the national, social, Christian and political realities that have exacerbated the problem even further? If so, what are they?
2. You have been in this challenging prophetic space for some time and things seem less functional than ever before. I could imagine myself—in your position—either quitting or getting increasingly cynical/angry in my response and engagement. How do you persevere and continue to healthily engage (in faith, hope, and love) in the work you are called to?
(1) Brett Fuller, Dreaming In Black And White (S.L.: Bookbaby, 2021) 69.
(2) Brett Fuller, Dreaming In Black And White (S.L.: Bookbaby, 2021) 139.
(3) Jim Wallis, God’s Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn’t Get It (New York: HarperSanFrancisco, 2008) xviii.
About the Author
Scott Dickie
9 responses to “Washington Week!”
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Scott, did I hear in a recent cohort zoom call that you studied more of Jim Wallis’s works when you were in graduate school / seminary? If so, were there any surprises when you inspectionally read God’s Politics (or had you already read the book?)? You said that not everyone will agree with Wallis’s positions. I’m curious if you have read any other authors who have debated or disagreed with Wallis’s conclusions (e.g., I believe James Hunter has disagreed with some of his positions).
Hey Travis….yes…I ended up reading most of Wallis’ early works (1984-2005) in the early 2000’s…and then casually followed along with his more recent publications. From my casual observation, much of the the last 15 years of publishing are re-addressing the same topics that Wallis addresses in God’s Politics, with some updated language and examples. Having said that, I was curious why we were assigned a 2005 book as opposed to a more recent offering. To clarify: when I made the comment that not everyone will agree with Wallis’ conclusions, I was primarily thinking about our cohort–some of whom would hold to the historic view of human sexuality or others who would argue from a just war perspective. Of course, LiVecche and Mounk might have some push back to some of Wallis’ positions…as well as most Republicans when it comes to his social stance!
Scott, I just want to say how much I appreciate the questions you are asking our guest speakers and I hope we get to not only hear their answers, but dialogue on them. Being from Canada, how do you relate to what is happening in the current US election season and our political culture, in general? How is the political landscape different in Canada? What can we learn from you? As someone who has lived overseas and developed a more international lens from which to view my country, I feel like an outsider looking in most of the time.
Hi Jenny,
Yes…getting outside of our culture is a great way to further learn our culture, isn’t it? In Canada we have some similarities to what observe in the US–increasingly polemic and negative speech addressing other candidates of other parties, increasingly angry people upset at the system, and increasingly diverse perspectives on what shared narrative (if one still exists) will allow us to be a functional democracy. Where there is a difference, it seems, is (1) The ‘temperature’ of each of those items is about 50% less than what it appears to be in the US and it involves far fewer people (I would suspect even proportionately based on our population differences) (2) The high population of ‘Christians’ in the US and the complicating factor of ‘Christian Nationalism’ and other forms of power grabs to keep ‘Christianity’ at the centre of power and not the margins. We are already on the margins in Canada, so the desperate struggle to ‘fight for Jesus’ (incorrectly from my point of view) through political power seems to be a uniquely American thing. Those are at least a few thoughts…
Scott: I LOVED this question you asked:
Question: If the husband’s role as the ‘head’ of his wife (and her resistance to such authority) was a result of the curse/consequence of original sin, would there be any validity to seeing redeemed Christian marriage free from the curse—broken by Christ—so that both husband and wife mutually live out the selfless act of service, submission AND leadership within their marriage relationship and family where each spouse is best gifted and capable? Does the pre-fall distinction between Adam (cultivate & keep) and Eve (help do this) necessitate differentiation as it relates to authority or perhaps just distinction of roles?
I’ve always wondered how those who advocate for a “biblical marriage” i.e. complementarianism or wife in full submission to husband, can do so, when we are supposed to be living as redeemed people! If we are supposed to be living kingdom values – it makes no sense to continue to subjugate ourselves to the curse from Genesis!
Anyway, thanks for asking that question. I think it is important.
Hey Kally,
I do think there is biblical justification for a range of perspectives on this….otherwise we wouldn’t still be dealing with it….but for me, a clincher is the pre-fall declaration that man and women are both made in God’s image and, by extension, they collectively represent the most fulsome expression of God. If that’s the case, what logic would have God limit this fulsome presence in leadership within the church, and allow it outside the church in the ‘secular world’ (which didn’t actually exist in Genesis 1? Makes me want to lean toward inclusion of female leadership within the church, family and society….
Hi Scott,
Several of our cohort have questions regarding the “age” of the book and want to bring the author to the current political stage. I am interested in hearing how he responds.
Since Dr. LiVecche’s talk, I have been perusing the online magazine where he is the executive editor, http://www.providencemag.com. A place of Christian Realism that confronts current issues.
After my time in Ukraine, two books comes to mind.
1) Stay In Your Lane: worry less, love more, and get things done Paperback – April 20, 2023
by Kevin A Thompson, and
2) Rare Leadership: 4 Uncommon Habits For Increasing Trust, Joy, and Engagement in the People You Lead, by Marcus Warner, Jim Wilder
The first book cautions me about focusing my emotional, physical and spiritual capital on the tasks God has set before me.
The second reminds me that God has prepared me for work in Eastern Europe and the joy I experienced being back there should serve a reminder to stay focused.
A return to “tunnel vision” perhaps. But I am wrestling with this thought these days. Letting all the presidential election rhetoric pass me by.
Shalom..
Hi Russell…yes, I find it’s hard to know how ‘wide’ to keep our perspective on all the things that we are now exposed to every day (every hour!)…it can all get a little overwhelming, particularly when so much of it is outside of our control. I haven’t read that first book you mentioned…but I think that is probably good advice for me and others like me in the people-helping profession: stay in your lane! As I hear that phrase, I might, in these moments, interpret it to mean: [God speaking] “You can’t do everything, so don’t get too distracted or discouraged by all that other stuff…but you can do something….so go and do the something I’ve given you….And ps. If it doesn’t seem like you’re accomplishing much, just know that I get more joy out of your obedience and joy-filled persistence than I do from what you accomplish (because I could do that myself if I wanted to).”
Thanks for your interaction…
I liked your take and question regarding Fuller’s book on High Ceilings regarding domestic roles. If I am understanding your question correctly: Does being in Christ move men and women into a new operating system for the home? I personally believe it does, but I am curious what he says if you are able to ask. Looking forward to catching up in DC man!