Hard To Hold!
“Only when something is lost can it be found. Only when something dies can it be born again.” [1]
I have lamented over the past week about the current state of the United States. It has been an extremely challenging time for me, so difficult that I have had to protect my peace by limiting the conversations that I engage in. I have declined invitations to events and performed ANOTHER sweep of my social media accounts, hiding or unfollowing folk that are posting ugly messages. I am weary and feel like my faith in humanity is fading. This is an unfamiliar space for me. My expectations of people that profess to follow Christ is greater than what I am seeing in this political season.
I reluctantly picked up Losing Our Religion to read. Carrying all the emotions of a disappointed Christian, I picked it up not expecting what I found. Surprisingly, it provided just what I needed. Russell Moore deconstructs Evangelical Christianity with honesty and transparency. He addresses many of the things that I am struggling with providing a perspective that I needed. I wish that I could say that I felt better, I did not but I did gain a clearer understanding of some of the motivations of Evangelical Christians, at least from his vantage point. Honestly, I still remain a bit weary about the future. Moore offered this quote from C.S. Lewis, “Knowing that, we can be faithful in the moment, even when we don’t know the future, the outcome, our success or failure or even how to gauge those things.” [2] I suppose that I can be faithful and still hold an uncertainly about the future. It is a confusing space to be in, but it is where I am currently.
The awfulness that exists inside all of us has been amplified in a horrendous way in this election season. I have read the most awful comments about immigrants, people of color, the LGTBQIA community, and women of all races written by Christians. It has been truly discouraging, frightening, and simply put-confusing. As a consideration, Moore shares, “Lewis reminds us, the crises we face are unveilings of awful realities, heightened manifestations of awful things, but they are all preexisting conditions. We don’t know what the future holds-for our democracy, for our church.” [3] It is difficult, at times, to cling to the belief in humanity, in people’s ability to act as Christians. Moore offers two rhetorical questions that he describes, “are very real questions, but they are heightened intensifications of what we face every second of our lives.” [4] I felt compelled to offer a commentary to these questions. He asks:
- “Will the center hold” [5] I sure hope that it doesn’t. I don’t think that we can trust or clearly identify the traditional/historic center.
- “Will our social and civic norms hold or splinter apart?” [6] I have so many doubts and questions about how we have defined our social and civic norms. Do we have the same ideals and beliefs? How can we trust the “traditional mainstream norms” social or civic?
I am left with more questions about how to hold all of these things and remain faithful, hopeful, and loving when I see these things rapidly disappearing around me. I am also left with a deep disappointment that I don’t know what to do with and a fear that gives me concern for the future of the nation, the future of the church. Perhaps the most profound statement/question that Moore shares is also the starting point for the way forward. He states, “You can resolve to do better for future generations, but you are only one person. What can you do to follow Christ in a time when the church seems to be losing credibility at rapid pace?” [7] We can follow Christ and should do so for future generations. Although we are limited in our individual power, our collective power can promote meaningful change in the world and in the Church. I am desperately trying to cling to this!
[1] Russell Moore, Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America (NY, NY: Sentinel, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, 2023), 25.
[2] Ibid., 51.
[3] Ibid., 51.
[4] Ibid., 51.
[5] Ibid., 51.
[6] Ibid., 51.
[7] Ibid., 49.
About the Author
Jonita Fair-Payton
5 responses to “Hard To Hold!”
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Hi Jonita,
I got a bigger spark of hope this week in Asia. I love your comment, “…our collective power can promote meaningful change in the world and in the Church.” Jesus put his hope and trust in us. I’m not sure (at times) that was a great idea:) He still believes in us and gives us the power to change. I keep telling myself it takes just one more faithful step. You are making those steps everyday and encourage me to keep making them too!
How would you define the traditional historic center and how would you define the change you want to see?
Jenny,
I would like to see the center as less of a defining line but a starting point. I would like to see us hold the love of Christ in our hearts as we attempt to understand each other, listen and hear one another.
Well said! Thank you, Jonita!
Hi Jonita,
I empathize with the conditions Moore describes in his book. However, I love your strong sense of hope in Christ.
My question is, does the National Council of Churches in the United States have the authority to bring the churches in America together to work together to resolve this issue?
Dinka,
I think change and unity must be led by the community of believers. I don’t any one Council can make it happen.