jQuery Slider

You are here

A Vision of True Christian Witness

A Vision of True Christian Witness

By Ladson F. Mills III
Special to VIRTUEONLINE
www.virtueonline.org
January 23, 2017

'I know that the Lord is always on the side of the right; but my constant anxiety and prayer is that I and the nation be on the Lord's side.' (Abraham Lincoln)

On January 10th Dylan Roof received the death penalty for murdering nine members of the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. The sad, pathetic, and demented young man never expressed remorse.

As the member of a family who has experienced the senseless and brutal murder of a loved one I can attest to the devastation and pain resulting from such a horrific act. The desire for vengeance and retribution is strong and often barely able to be contained.

Perhaps this is why the response from the victim's families to the man who murdered their loved ones is so astonishing. Rather than vengeance and retribution they spoke of prayer and forgiveness. Hope was expressed that he might one day repent, but there was no sentimentality in their message. The brother of one victim admitted that forgiveness was for him a 'work in progress.' Another reminded Roof that instead of the 'race war' he had intended a 'love war' started instead.

As they say back home, that'll preach.

There is something humbling, attractive, and increasingly rare in such a witness. It stands in marked contrast to a culture that regularly places partisanship above principles and even faith. I was not surprised to learn that several members of my parish now attend a bible study conducted by a local AME pastor. They want to learn from a Christian community that produces such faithful witnesses.

This is what makes the recent decision by All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, California to no longer pray for the new President of the United States by name was so disheartening. The excuse given is concern that hearing Mr. Trump's name spoken in a worship service would create an 'an active danger to health and safety'... and be a 'trauma trigger'. One can only imagine Jesus telling Zacchaeus, I had intended to dine with you today, but I was concerned it might prove too traumatic.

Conveniently overlooked are the Prayers of the People Form V which offers intercessions: 'For those in positions of public trust (especially _________), that they may serve justice, and promote the dignity and freedom of every person'...(BCP p.390)

And there is always the option to pray 'For our enemies and those who wish us harm' (BCP p.391) if that would be more palatable.

Former rector George Regas during his tenure at All Saints introduced the guiding inclusive principle 'Whoever you are, and wherever you find yourself on your journey of faith, you are welcome at this table'. I gather this along with the oft quoted Baptismal Prayer that we are to 'strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being' no longer applies to those with whom we have political differences.

It is hard to fathom that a liberal icon who pioneered AIDS and homeless ministries would fold under pressure and deem Mr. Trump as unworthy of prayer. It would not be unreasonable to surmise that if the new President is so lacking in redemptive qualities praying for him would not only be essential but encouraged.

Adding to the confusion was the silence when Mr. Trump's daughter was verbally accosted in front of her young children during a recent flight to the west coast. An opportunity now presents itself with the unconscionable twitter attack against the Presidents ten-year-old son by SNL writer Katie Rich. Silence is tacit support for her bullying act of hatred against a child and serves to witness that selective outrage is a mask for political agendas.

The more likely reasons for the reticence is moral cowardice, lack of Christian Charity or just petulant childishness. Regardless of the excuse it is an inappropriate witness by anyone who follows Jesus Christ.

We have reached the sad place where Christians no longer seek the Gospel to inform world views, but to dictate behavior shaped by political ideology. Whether this is a case of condoning or creating remains unclear, but the behavior by All Saints is clearly a sacrilege.

Perhaps all is not lost. For those unwilling to pray for Mr. Trump out of Christian Duty, an appeal might be made to their sense of noblesse oblige.

Of course, the option always remains to follow the genuine Christian witness of the families of the Emanuel Nine.

Ladson F. Mills III is a priest with over thirty years pastoral experience. He is retired and lives with his wife in South Carolina. He currently serves as Scholar-in-Residence at Church of Our Saviour, Johns Island. He is a regular contributor to Virtueonline.

Subscribe
Get a bi-weekly summary of Anglican news from around the world.
comments powered by Disqus
Trinity School for Ministry
Go To Top