This post will discuss two authors whose works challenge readers to think and act in ways that seem contrary to conventional politics.<\/p>\n
Brett E. Fuller is a Christian pastor, author, who also serves as chaplain for the Washington Football Team.<\/p>\n
High Ceilings: Women In Leadership<\/em>, offers a different perspective regarding \u00a0where and how women are called to leadership. Fuller sees himself aligned with the concept of Complementary-Egalitarian. This view holds that the traditional view that women should be submissive to men is only valid within the context of marriage. Outside of that setting, leadership positions and responsibilities should be available to both females and males.[1]<\/a><\/p>\n The concepts Fuller discusses in this book include:<\/p>\n Fuller used exegetical study and context of scriptures to clarify his thinking. For instance, 1 Cor. 14: exhorts women to be silent in church. However, 1 Cor. 11:5 alludes to women prophesying in church should cover their heads. Scripture did not explain the context[3]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Fuller showed humility and self-awareness in this book, recognizing that his interpretation could have flaws just like those relegating women to silence in church may be flawed. However, he is at peace with his diligence and prayerfulness in exploring this topic.<\/p>\n Questions: What inspired you to tackle this topic? Have you gotten serious push back from other theologians who you respect? If so, was dialogue possible?<\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n In Dreaming in Black And White<\/em> Brett Fuller tackles being God\u2019s community and the intentional diversity that is lived in his congregation.<\/p>\n In August 1963 Dr. Martin Luther King spoke words that have been forever imprinted on many lives.<\/p>\n \u201cI have a dream\u2026little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers\u2026.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed\u2026 We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.[4]<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n According to Fuller, Dr. King was dreaming in black and white.[5]<\/a> But Fuller did more than quote Dr. King. He has dedicated much of his life and ministry to working to make Dr. King\u2019s speech a reality.<\/p>\n Dreaming in Black and White<\/em> seemed like a foretaste of what a congregation\u00a0 and ultimately the world could look like if people actually saw one another as people rather than just the color of their skin or the accent of their speech.<\/p>\n Fuller highlights current affairs that compel the urgency of the book. Some of these included the rising number of deaths of black men for which there was no reason that brought non-black people to finally begin to realize that something was terribly wrong. The author invites the reader to learn, repent, grow, and \u201cfulfill the hopes that the crises of 2020 cry out for.\u201d[6]<\/a><\/p>\n Brett Fuller is not na\u00efve. He knows that change is costly. Many people have to let go of things they hold dear[7]<\/a>. As an example, he adjusted his preaching style to help people who may be different than he to relate to him and hopefully hear God\u2019s message for them[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Reconciliation begins when someone gets to know why someone sees the world in a certain way[9]<\/a>. It must go beyond just good intentions.<\/p>\n Questions: How do you know when you are on the right track?, What do you call success?, How do you care for yourself when you are doing such intense work?<\/p>\n – – –<\/p>\n Jim Wallis\u00a0 is a theologian, faith based political activist, and author.[10]<\/a> In his book God\u2019s Politics, Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn\u2019t Get It\u201d \u00a0<\/em>Wallis gives background and examples how American politics gets it wrong when political parties claim that God is on their side. More importantly, Wallis asked questions about the purpose of politics, values and public life. How those questions are answered could determine where a country goes and what it funds. However, connecting a nation with a church to simply support an empire is arrogant and dangerous[11]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Wallis does not think the answer is secularism but good theology. His book shares examples of leaders such as Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln, and Desmond Tutu as people who used their faith to hold others accountable to God\u2019s intentions for justice, humility, repentance, and reconciliation[12]<\/a>. He calls today\u2019s Christians to support visions that rely on what Old Testament prophets, Jesus, and New Testament writers say about our responsibility for the needs of our society including those marginalized and disenfranchised.[13]<\/a> His book is not simply a history lesson. It is a call to action for Christians to discuss their faith in relation to moral issues \u00a0in the political arena that will lead to social impact[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Questions:<\/p>\n How do you equip people to get beyond the rhetoric and move from listening to you to being able to make a difference in today\u2019s political world? What is the most surprising breakthrough you have witnessed? How do you recommend people recover and regroup if there is defeat or delay?<\/p>\n [1]<\/a> Brett E. Fuller, High Ceilings, Women In Leadership<\/em> (Orlando, FL, Brett Fuller, 2021), 2-3.<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> Fuller, High Ceilings<\/em>, 41.<\/p>\n [3]<\/a> Fuller, High Ceilings, 30.<\/p>\n [4]<\/a> Brett E. Fuller, Dreaming in Black and White<\/em> (Brett Fuller, 2021), 7.<\/p>\n [5]<\/a> Fuller, Dreaming<\/em>, 7.<\/p>\n [6]<\/a> Fuller, Dreaming<\/em>, 14.<\/p>\n [7]<\/a> Jim Wallis, God\u2019s Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn\u2019t Get It (New York, Harper Collins, 2005), 121.<\/p>\n [8]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n [9]<\/a> Ibid., 119.<\/p>\n [10]<\/a> Ibid., xvii.<\/p>\n [11]<\/a> Ibid., 149.<\/p>\n [12]<\/a> Ibid., 149 -150.<\/p>\n\n