Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This week, Americans celebrate their national holiday, the 4th of July. On that day in 1776, a group of courageous men put their lives on the line by declaring independence from the British Empire. The Founding Fathers of the United States were men of remarkable vision, but even they could not have realized they were laying the foundation for what has become the most powerful, richest and arguably the most influential nation the world has ever seen. The United States is by any standards blessed. Never before have so many people experienced such a high standard of living and enjoyed so much freedom. I do not say that to boast. I am simply stating a fact.
The preamble to the Constitution of the United States says this: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Two and a half centuries later we still need to make progress towards that “more perfect union.” But let’s not join the doomsayers who seem to delight in pointing out anything and everything that is wrong about America, and then prophesy that we are about to be punished by an angry God, “in a few short years.” This is an unhealthy mindset based on a distorted understanding of the gospel. It also has the effect of undermining incentive to do what we can to make things better. What is the point if the nation is doomed?
Aren’t you thankful that our denomination has repudiated that approach? It does not mean we have to go to the other extreme and become Pollyannaish. We need not be blind to our nation’s faults. But as one of America’s greatest presidents, Abraham Lincoln once said, “He has the right to criticize who has the heart to help.”
There is much to celebrate; much to be thankful for. (For one thing, Americans pay less for gas, and have among the lowest personal taxes of any other developed nation!) Let’s be grateful for the freedoms we have, and mindful of the price paid, in the past and today, to secure them. Although many of the Founding Fathers were not traditional Christians, they were God-fearing men, with a passionate belief in freedom. They did not get it all exactly right, but they set a course that has allowed America to develop as a nation with a deep commitment to liberty and justice. The gospel took root, and has continued to work its way through our culture – like yeast in the dough that does its work over time, sometimes unseen; often unappreciated. It is the yeast of freedom in Christ that led some to rise up against tyranny. Later others rose up against the terrible bondage of slavery. Today others rise up against sex trafficking, drugs, inner city poverty and other evils that still afflict us.
Those who are so addicted to preaching the Gospel of Gloom often quote the apostle Paul to reinforce their arguments. However, I wonder if Paul came back today, he might be pleasantly surprised. Not only at the astonishing technical progress – I have sometimes travelled farther in one day than he did in his lifetime. He would also see a society where widows and orphans have some support, slavery has been abolished, and women have rights and hold some of the most important positions in the government. These things would have been unimaginable when he wrote his epistles. Although such things are not the main thrust of the gospel, they are by-products of the Christian way of life. Perhaps Paul might actually be encouraged by the progress, although, of course, there is still a long way to go.
I am encouraged to see how many of our congregations are actively involved in community outreach programs and activities. They do this not just as a way “to get more people,” but because it is the right thing to do. Other congregations are generously supporting our summer camps and helping plant new churches both in this country and around the world. As the church of Jesus Christ who is Lord of all, we believe in the common good. So we can speak a word of hope to our government and to all society even while proclaiming that we live in a fallen world that needs the transforming grace of God.
Let us focus this 4th of July on our blessings, including the opportunities we have to serve God in a nation that at least tries to be “One nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.”
With love in Christ’s service,
Joseph Tkach
P.S. NAE president Leith Anderson said it well: “Our generation is facing a long process of moral conflict, judicial disagreement and political haggling.” We see this with regard to several issues, including national debt, international trade and various social issues. One particularly controversial social issue is same-sex marriage. I am often asked what GCI teaches about this and related topics. I encourage people to read our statement at www.gci.org/aboutus/FAQ#homosexuality and two papers published by others:
- NAE’s position paper at www.nae.net/resources/news/714-open-letter-on-marriage-and-religious-freedom.
- Why We’re Gendered Beings…Theological Reflections on Sexual Identity, a paper by Gary Deddo posted at www.trinitystudycenter.com/topical/gender.php.
In some countries and in some states in the U.S., same-sex marriage has been legalized. GCI elders sometimes face this issue and they should know that GCI does not require them to perform any marriage when their conscience would prohibit them. However, in a few countries the laws do not give elders such freedom. Questions about specific situations can be addressed to the appropriate pastoral supervisor.
Thank you for making Gary Deddo’s paper available. Some pastors have come to understand that addressing the issue of same-sex marriage requires a theological approach, rather that just listing the scriptures that we think might “settle” the issue. But I think many of us have not, or have not grasped all the issues.