{"id":38544,"date":"2024-09-18T17:39:03","date_gmt":"2024-09-19T00:39:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/?p=38544"},"modified":"2024-09-18T17:39:03","modified_gmt":"2024-09-19T00:39:03","slug":"faith-politics-and-the-path-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/faith-politics-and-the-path-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Faith, Politics, and the Path Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter what country survives.\u00a0 The Way will take us home.\u201d – Dr. William Allen<\/span><\/p>\n

This week, I read the texts <\/span>Dreaming In Black And White<\/span><\/i> and <\/span>High Ceilings:\u00a0 Women in Leadership<\/span><\/i> by Brett Fuller, and <\/span>God\u2019s Politics<\/span><\/i> by Jim Wallis. I am preparing to travel to Washington, DC for my final DLGP Advance, within my Doctoral studies at Portland Seminary\/George Fox University. I can\u2019t wait to explore, once again, the capital city of the nation where I grew up!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I first visited Washington, DC my senior year of high school with my family.\u00a0 My parents saved their dimes to go on that trip.\u00a0 It was the only vacation this time traveler took as a kid and I enjoyed it so much.\u00a0 Much has changed since that time over three decades ago (wow, that hurts to type that).\u00a0 Now I visit the area frequently as two of my children live and work in the area.\u00a0 Our nation has changed so much since then too.\u00a0 Some may say for the good and others may say for the. . .\u00a0 well. . . not so good.<\/span><\/p>\n

This visit to DC is the first time I have been to our nation’s capital during an election year. I imagine the energy in the city will be heightened as in just over a month our nation will elect a person to lead it.\u00a0 During our Advance experience, I will hear from Brett Fuller and Jim Wallis.\u00a0 Both individuals are authors, activists, and pastors who have written books on some hot topics such as women in leadership, social justice, faith-based activism, and more.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Pastor Brett Fuller\u2019s book, <\/span>High Ceilings:\u00a0 <\/span><\/i>Women in Leadership, <\/span><\/i>Fuller brings understanding to the complementarian vs. egalitarian theories of how men and women serve in the church.\u00a0 During a talk on the Vantage Point Podcast, Fuller defines himself as a complementarian egalitarianist. [1]\u00a0 Fuller explains how men and women complement each other. He describes the capabilities of both genders, as strong and capable in different areas.\u00a0 He notes key passages that are often referred to in conversations regarding women in ministry.\u00a0 I appreciated how he articulated the role of women in leadership, in particular ministry.\u00a0 I am an ordained pastor.\u00a0 While I serve as an instructional coach in a public school system, I am an onsite, bi-vocational pastor.\u00a0 My parishioners are the staff and students I serve.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The other book that I enjoyed reading by Brett Fuller was <\/span>Dreaming in Black and White<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0 In this book <\/span>Fuller\u2019s thesis centers on the idea that racial reconciliation and personal growth require a deep, transformative engagement with one\u2019s faith and a willingness to confront and address racial biases. The book argues that understanding and bridging racial divides can be achieved through intentional reflection, dialogue, and spiritual growth.\u00a0 The book highlights how Christian teachings and principles can provide a framework for addressing racial issues. Fuller discusses how faith communities can use the teachings of Jesus to foster understanding, empathy, and unity across racial lines.\u00a0 As followers of The Way live and love like Jesus, they will have a tremendous impact on the world for the kingdom.<\/span><\/p>\n

The third book that we read this week was written by Jim Wallis, titled <\/span>God\u2019s Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn\u2019t Get It.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0 <\/span>Wallis contends that both the political right and the left have misunderstood and misrepresented the role of faith in public life. He argues that the religious right has co-opted Christian values to support conservative policies, while the secular left often ignores the moral dimensions of social issues. Instead, Wallis advocates for a faith-driven political approach that prioritizes social justice, poverty alleviation, and ethical leadership.<\/span><\/p>\n

I recently watched <\/span>a conversation with Dave Zanotti, CEO of The American Policy Roundtable, and philosopher and political scientist, Dr. William B. Allen.\u00a0 They were discussing the difference between a democracy and a republic.\u00a0 Dr. Allen helps listeners understand the confusing nuances of the United States government, specifically how the government is upheld by the authority of the people.\u00a0 While I watched the conversation, there were many moments when I had to pause and chew on what was being said. . . so many challenging words and concepts.\u00a0 But I found that Dr. Allen\u2019s words seemed to coincide with the perspectives of the authors that I read this week, \u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter what country survives. The Way will take us home.” [2]\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Questions for the Authors:<\/span><\/p>\n

For Jim Wallis. . .<\/span><\/p>\n