Linkathon!
In the last few years I have been utterly confounded by the difficulty in communicating with people and having any communication understood by those I was trying to communicate with.
I knew it had something to do with the political lenses people looked through….which was a completely different set of lenses than those I was used to seeing through and speaking to.
We used to view matters through theological lenses and I understood those…political ones left me confused and uncomfortable.
Now , I believe that this essay , “The New Shape of Public Discourse” defines those Christian political lenses and I find it very helpful, if not as precise as some would hope.
I now understand that I (for the most part) fit into one category (emancipatory minimalist)Ā while the historic audience here (for the most part) fits into a completely different one (civilizational maximalists).
Communication will be difficult because perceptions are…as are, I believe, the theological suppositions undergirding them.
I hope you take the time to read it…and read it wondering how we build bridges between the four groups.
The second article I want to feature addresses another aspect of all the controversies that have risen out of the pandemic and about the vaccines.Ā
“No, It Wasn’t the Vaccine” is a piece that blogger Tim Challies felt compelled to write after the sudden death of his son.
I have many questions about the vaccines and their effectiveness and safety…but blaming every sudden death on them is neither helpful, nor truthful…
Other stuff…
God doesn’t use the “elf on a shelf” method…
Writing women out of the Bible in the ESV…
Would Jesus be an American nationalist?
The Holy Spirit is a political liability…
A long review of Wolfe’s case for Christian nationalism…
Giving to larger churches dropped, while charity giving grew…
Advent anticipation through the ages…
Why the Pope is wrong about Russia and Ukraine…
Orthodox split widens after church raids…
Bible apps are the new printing press…
Deconstructing deconstruction…
Add other interesting links in the comments…
I really liked Steve Brown’s observations on the church.
Subhead: Itās a miracle the church is still here. If you donāt like misunderstanding, bad communication, sin, anger and confusion, join a service club and stay away from the church.
Main points:
–The early church was not a pretty place
–Jesus was big on the church
–The church isn’t finished yet.
— I’m screwed up
Well done, IMHO
Usually I skip Tim Challis’ blog and go right to the links, but I did read his piece regarding questions about his son’s death (which I felt very bad about when his son passed last fall). I also had to confront some of the assumptions I had about a church friend, anti-vax from what I know, and my first thought was “he’s not vaccinated.” Vaxxed or not, it doesn’t negate his current pain and suffering, nor that of his family. So, after confessing my unloving attitude towards the Lord, I hope to be more empathetic in the future, no matter my personal opinion on a given issue.
I think I’m a combo minimalist (in reference to “The New Shape of Public Discourse.”) The article was very informative, and it might help me to engage in more meaningful dialog with those who see things in a different light. I would just like to see us learn how to talk to each other again. I’m still trying to rekindle a friendship that went south during the 2020 election. Just mentioning I wasn’t pro-Trump resulted in a hastily ended phone call. We are still communicating, but it’s not the deep fellowship we used to enjoy.
Gotta say this, even though our family attended a SBC church in Kansas.
If a pastor is connected to sexual impropriety, YOU FDO NOT ” RESTORE” HIM! ! !
“Communication will be difficult because perceptions areā¦as are, I believe, the theological suppositions undergirding them.”
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Michael, politics has always been and always will be about perceptions. The “New Shape of Public Discourse” is a useful framework for understanding different Christian perspectives in civil discourse but I would be careful with the labels. Politics is a game of perceptions and deceptions. I would categorise myself as a civilisation minimalistic but others may view me as a maximalist especially if I don’t spew enough hatred for Donald Trump. On the other hand those that are constantly spewing hatred towards all things Trump I tend to put into the maximalist category. I’ve heard a lot of that rhetoric here over the last few years. Our own self assessments are probably not that objective and then when you realize politics is all about perceptions and deceptions, I would view this entire framework more as a fun party game to lighten the mood during a Thank Giving dinner when the conversations turn political but everybody had a few drinks.
That article on the Popeās Russia-Ukraine war statements is certainly eye-opening. Have to wonder if heās insane, a fool, or if he knows exactly what heās implying. Maybe all.