Speaking of Suffering: It comes in three categories: 1) we occasionally pay an idiot tax for violating God’s law; 2) sometimes we suffer for doing what is right (e.g., Joseph); and 3) sometimes we suffer for no perceivable reason (e.g., Job). In all of these, God is at work. I am seeking to make two points: First, in this broken world, we can do everything right and still suffer. Second, life is much easier when we expect difficulties not utopia.
Remember: In light of the pain washing over our land, it is important to remember: evil has an expiration date. He will return and bring His kingdom. Live in light of this promise.
Remember 2.0: In addition to rehearsing truth about evil, we should rehearse truth about truth. Though some think otherwise, truth does not accommodate our thinking. When a crowd responded to Lincoln’s question – “If I should call a sheep’s tail a leg, how many legs would it have?” – with the answer, “Five.” He said, “No. Only four. My calling the tail a leg does not make it so.”
The New Question: In previous Updates I’ve: expressed concern over the fragility of the country; reframed Yeats to ask, “can the center hold?” and encouraged you to listen more, talk less and absorb some of the pain of those around you. When it comes to race I have learned to ask a new question, “Tell me the journey to your convictions?”
Quotes Worth Requoting:
- We should be rigorous in judging ourselves and gracious in judging others. John Wesley
- Teach me, O God, to use all the circumstances of my life today to nurture the fruits of the Spirit rather than the fruits of sin. John Baille
Antisemitism: Let me remind you: 1) the Bible is not anti-Semitic, it is anti-sin; 2) “the Jews” did not kill Jesus, if they had, He would have been stoned not crucified; 3) God the Father takes responsibility for the death of His Son, saying that He sent Him; 4) Jesus also takes responsibility, saying that no one takes His life from Him, He lays it down; 5) finally, if you want to know who you should hold most responsible for His death, look in the mirror.
Suffering 3.0: I probably shouldn’t borrow trouble from tomorrow, but there is reason for concern. Both the White Sox and the Cubs are advancing into the postseason play. Given 2020’s track-record, it seems likely that we will get a crosstown World Series – but COVID will prevent us from attending the games!
Critical Theory: Since Critical Race Theory is dominating the news, I decided to try again to answer the question: what makes a theory critical? For years I have heard about critical race theory, critical legal theory, critical queer theory, etc., but no one could tell me how they were connected. I’m not sure I can explain it – and I am certainly too new to this topic to endorse anyone’s views – but here are a couple resources I found helpful: this piece is from David French’s blog, Frenchpress. And this presentation by Dr. Shenvi provides more historical context than most things I have read.
Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, fill us, we pray, with your light and life, that we may reveal your wondrous glory. Grant that your love may so fill our lives that we may count nothing too small to do for you, nothing too much to give and nothing too hard to bear. Amen. (Ignatius Loyola – 1495-1556)