My Washington Post: 3 Inspectional Reviews and Questions
The two authors represented in this post, come from very different backgrounds. Brett Fuller has served as a Senior pastor in his church for 30 years and he has served as an advisor to Republican president, George Bush. Jim Wallis is a theologian and political activist and has served as a spiritual advisor to Democratic president, Barack Obama. Both men have evidence of a love for Jesus, a commitment to the church, and have actively engaged in US politics as Christians. I anticipate the opportunity to hear their unique opinions on the challenges of leadership in America today.
Brett Fuller, Dreaming in Black and White
Fuller wrote this book in 2020, at a time when racial tension was particularly heightened in America. This book is about reconciliation of the races. Fuller’s dream for the church and the world is rooted in Jesus’ prayer for unity, found in John 17, and a vision of the heavenly throne room from Revelation. While sharing his journey, Fuller describes himself as a man who has always lived between the two worlds of black and white, having to translate the experience of one to the other. He has helped people understand one another. This has shaped his perspective of how reconciliation occurs. Fuller’s key argument in this book is that deeply understanding the experience of others is crucial before there can be true reconciliation. He makes the appeal to both groups of people to listen to one another, to seek to understand one another, and to forgive one another. The epilogue of the book reveals his belief that the battle being fought is ultimately spiritual. A battle between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. He calls Christians to fight this battle prayerfully, lovingly, humbly and strategically. While, he believes that politics plays a role in legislation, true reconciliation can only take place through those who fight the battle with spiritual weapons.
Questions
- As someone who has stood between both worlds and acted as a translator, what has been most difficult for you?
- Your argument is wonderfully based on biblical principles, what role could politics play in healing the racial wounds in America?
Brett Fuller, High Ceilings
In this book, Fuller proposes a hybrid egalitarian-complementarian position. This is a third way to view male and female relationships. He proposes, marriage as the place in which complementarian relationships are most appropriate. His key argument for a complementerian marriage is based on the fallen nature of relationships, with authority now designated to the man. However, the authority was not to be abused, but rather exercised in a sacrificial way to help the woman flourish. His argument for an egalitarian church is based on giftedness rather than gender. The lines of authority applied within marriage, do not apply to relationships outside of the context of marriage. Thus, women are free to assume any role of authority within the church. In brief, the only ceiling for a woman is that of giftedness, as it is for a man.
This is a brief read, 42 pages in my Kindle edition. It is not a theological treatise but rather a pastoral approach to these gender issues that seem to trip the church up regularly.
Questions:
- If men are the authority in the home and women assume more traditional ways of being in marriage, how does the egalitarian-complementarian model not give way to a male-dominated leadership in the church?
- How has the third way been received by people on both sides of the debate? Is there a view that struggles with your position more than the other? Why do you think that is?
Jim Wallis, God’s Politics
In God’s Politics, Jim Wallis writes about the unique interplay between religion and politics. Wallis sides with neither of the two US parties but challenges the political landscape. He argues that the role of religion is not to side with a party but rather to act as a prophetic voice to both. He notes that the privatization of religion has driven it underground and weakened its ability to speak publicly to those in power from a solid moral ground. This trend has forced religious people to pick a side based on issues rather than truth. The right ignores the issues of justice while the left dismisses faith. The book is divided into six sections. The first section identifies the current problem between faith and politics and then casts a vision to change the script. The next five sections outline a prophetic approach for the church on key political positions and policies. Wallace doesn’t tell the reader what to think on these issues but helps them to think critically and biblically. This honest and comprehensive book is filled with hope and a compelling vision for the church beyond partisan politics. I found it refreshing.
Questions:
- If you wrote this book today, how would it be different?
- Are there other factors, since you wrote the book other than the privatization of religion, that have further weakened the prophetic voice of the church? What do you think they are?
About the Author
Graham English
I was born in Cape Town, South Africa 30 minutes from Table Mountain, the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean. My family immigrated to Vancouver, Canada where I spent my teen years, met Wendy, and got married. We now live on the Canadian prairies in northern Alberta. I think God has a sense of humour. I'm a follower of Jesus, work in leadership and church development, love my family and walk a lot.11 responses to “My Washington Post: 3 Inspectional Reviews and Questions”
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Hi Graham, Being north of the US border, was there anything that stood out to you in these readings as being more of an “American” issue than something that can be contextualized to other countries? What was something that you hope to change or continue doing in your leadership position concerning these issues?
Kari, I don’t believe that Canadian Christians are as aligned with political parties as those in the US. As well, while racism is an issue everywhere the wounds are much deeper on this issue between “black and white” America.
The idea from Dreaming in Back and White about understanding the experiences of others is profoundly challenging, both personally and professionally. I would like to continue to cultivate curiosity in my own life and also in the lives of our leaders.
Hi Graham, Fuller and Wallis take different approaches to their voice in ministry and the world. Does one resonate with you more than the other?
Hi Diane, I appreciated both voices. If can’t seem to choose one more than the other. I appreciated Dreaming in Black and White because of my own experience of growing up in South Africa and the issues of racism that I have had to address. I appreciated Wallis because of his assessment of how we arrived at this moment in history.
Graham,
God’s Politics was written for an American audience. Is there a similar author who has written with a uniquely Canadian perspective to highlight God’s role or the Christian’s role in Canadian politics?
Adam, I can’t think of an author but there is an organization called The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. This is part of how they would describe themselves… “Blessing Canada” involves undertaking and promoting activities that seek the wellbeing of our neighbours, communities and country, expressed through acts of service and speaking the truths of the Scriptures in love. We also bless our communities and our country by facilitating cooperation and collaboration among denominations, ministry organizations and local congregations for effective ministry, public witness and discipleship, by promoting religious freedom for all, and by promoting laws and public policy that conform to the life giving and shalom nurturing principles of Scripture.
I think they would be the closest thing to an evangelical prophetic voice in Canada. There may be others, but that’s what I’m aware of.
Hi Graham. You raise some serious questions, and I hope you get to bring these up next week. As engagement is an theme throughout these writings Can you share with me how is the Canadian church navigating the political spiritual tug of war. Is there anything you would recommend across the border that could give us healthier outcomes
Darren, I think the primary difference is that Canadian Christians, for the most part, are not openly supportive of a political party.
As an aside, I do find it curious that some Canadian Christians are polarized around the political parties in the US. I met with a gentleman a few months ago who was wearing a MAGA hat. I thought that rather strange.
Religious conservatism continues to have an influence over politics in the West, but that is diminishing as secularism increases. In the past, evangelicals would have voted Conservative and Catholics would have voted Liberal. However, I am not seeing or hearing that as much anymore. Our parties tend to have a wider appeal. We also live in a very diverse religious environment.
So, there are multiple factors at play in Canada that might be different than the US.
However, I think the church in Canada has also lost its prophetic voice as religion has become privatized.
Hi Graham,
When I travel internationally, I am reminded of how Americans are conditioned to label people by the color of their skin. Even our U.S. census reinforces those inaccurate labels.
For example, my son is American Indian, but his skin is white. An accurate way for him to describe himself would be American Indian and European, but under our system, he is American Indian and Caucasian.
In Canada, do census labels take a more international view, and if yes, how does that translate into which groups are seen as good vs. bad in your community?
Jennifer, they do take a more international and nuanced view in our census.
I think we live in a reasonably tolerant country. There are no groups that are perceived as bad. However, our history shows the ways in which indigenous people have been treated is abhorent.
It might be more dangerous to call yourself a Christian these days, than be associated with another people group. Christianity no longer has a privileged voice in Canada and it is perceived as harmful by some.
Graham, as I read your post I kept thinking about the word “reconciliation.” Where do you see the need for reconciliation between the genders–at home and at church–as well as between races, and for that matter, between “left” and “right”? Isn’t that an interesting way to consider it? “Reconciliation between left and right…”