Daniel Darling's Blog, page 11

Why Is Our Activism So Mean?

From the time I can remember, I’ve been an avid follower of the news. When I was a kid the news came in two ways. It showed up every morning at the foot our driveway in the northern suburbs of Chicago in the form of three newspapers: The Chicago Tribune, The Daily Herald and The Chicago Sun Times. And the news showed up on the radio, as I listened to the WGN Radio or WBBM Newsradio, the all-news station, and sometimes at the top of the hour on Moody Radio. We didn’t have a TV.

I also subscribed to magazines like U.S. News and World Report and The National Review. I always had a keen interest what was going on in the world. Today, of course, the news floods across our social media timelines and interrupts us in the form of phone alerts. Friend text us links. We can’t escape it, it seems.

As I said in my last column, I don’t believe Christians can adequately live out the demands of the gospel without active engagement in the world. In a representative Republic like ours, one of the ways we love our neighbors is to use our voice and vote to help shape the society our neighbors live in. For most of my life I’ve been involved in advocacy in one form or another, sometimes helping friends run for office, sometimes as a pastor helping Christians think through complex issues, sometimes marching for the sanctity of human life, sometimes using my pen, and, in the last decade, working at Christian organizations with advocacy as part of their mission.

I believe in this work. Christians should be at work like this in the world and yet today it seems our activism has become so … mean. I don’t want to blame social media entirely for this increasing meanness, because malice has been in the world since Eden. There are so many factors at work that have further polarized people. Yet social media platforms have given us a stage by which we can advocate for issues in a much more public and vocal way. I think this is mostly good, as voices can converge around issues and can build momentum for change.

Still, I’m starting to think many of us confuse a kind of performative activism with actual advocacy. There is a self-righteousness to the echo chambers we join, a thick “us versus them” mentality that exists. This is a problem across the ideological spectrum, from left to right and everything in between. We no longer speak out for important issues, we are primarly concerned about speaking against those who disagree with us, using the vulnerable as a useful cudgel against those who we consider our enemies. Sometimes these perceived foes aren’t even on the other side of the political aisle, they are people who mostly agree with us who aren’t, in our view, sufficiently angry online. There is an invisible set of unwritten social rules that take on an almost religious fervor. We are eager to exile those we deem not pure enough and mythologize those to whom we falsely attribute courage, in which being brave is measured by the degree of incivility.

But genuine advocacy, as opposed to performative activism, is about building a diverse coalition of people around an issue and pushing those in positions of power to make real change. Genuine advocacy is measured by progress—lives saved, legislation passed, outcomes reached—rather than the temperature of hot takes and the number of retweets. Today, to work across the aisle, to be seen standing next to someone who disagrees, even if done in the service of successful advocacy, is considered betrayal.

Our activism has gotten so mean. We are more interested in destroying people than getting things done. But this is not the way of Christ. There is a way to be both firm and unwavering in our convictions and yet openhanded and civil in the way we apply those convictions. Peter, no stranger to conflict, who would later be martyred for the sake of the gospel, teaches us that courage and civility are not enemies, but friends. In 1 Peter 3:15, he says to “have an answer for every person for the hope that lies within you, but do it with gentleness and kindness.”

What does this look like exactly? Some see kindness as useless, a crutch for weak-willed souls.

Kindness is an essential human trait, however. We are told that it was God’s kindness that leads to repentance (Romans 2:4). Kindness is a companion, not a barrier, to conviction. Sometimes it can help win over opponents and produce meaningful change. And sometimes kindness is met by hostility. But for a Christian it’s not an optional add-on, it’s an essential virtue.

We could also do with a bit more self-awareness and humility. There is so much righteous moral certitude on social media today, but are the daily deluge of declarative statements, designed to let a certain influential group know that you are with them and against the other—does this actually help produce change or does it just make us feel better about ourselves? We might approach the world with a bit more open-handedness, a bit more humility and thoughtfulness. Paul, no shrinking violet, who possessed no lack of courage, couched his strongest rebukes in his own fallibility. I’m the chief of sinners, he told Timothy before urging him to stand firm in the faith (1 Timothy 1).

Paul is saying this as a way of reminding himself that he was not always right about everything. And neither are we. There are certain things about which Christians should be certain, but there are many, many pragmatic issues about which we may have convictions that we should fight for but hold loosely. Our mission, when advocating, should be persuasion, not punishment. This, more than public posturing, will actually help those we seek to help the most.

photo credit: Patrick

The Way Home: Tom Schreiner on the Apostle Paul and the Resurrection

In this episode of the special edition of the Easter podcast in conjunction with my book “The Characters of Easter,” I am joined by Tom Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpreation and Professor of Biblical Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Dean of the School of Theology there. He talks about his conversion to Christianity, his calling to the life of scholarship and writing, and the resurrection and the apostle Paul. 

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. At Faithful Counseling, you’ll find professional mental health counseling from a Biblical perspective. Visit faithfulcounseling.com/wayhome for a 10% discount off your first month.Show Notes

Guest Biography: Thomas R. Schreiner holds an MDiv and ThM from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary and a PhD from Fuller Theological Seminary. He has published a number of articles and book reviews in scholarly journal. Schreiner joined the Southern faculty in 1997 after serving 11 years on the faculty at Bethel Theological Seminary. He also taught New Testament at Azusa Pacific University. Schreiner, a Pauline scholar, is the author or editor of several books including, Romans, in the Baker Exegetical Commentary Series on the New Testament; Interpreting the Pauline Epistles; The Law and Its Fulfillment: A Pauline Theology of Law; The Race Set Before Us: A Biblical Theology of Perseverance and Assurance; Still Sovereign: Contemporary Perspectives of Election, Foreknowledge, and Grace, co-edited with Bruce A. Ware; Women in the Church: A Fresh Analysis of I Timothy 2:9-15; Paul, Apostle of God’s Glory in Christ: A Pauline Theology.

Website:  The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Twitter: @DrTomSchreiner
Book:  Paul, Apostle of God’s Glory in Christ: A Pauline Theology

 

This episode of The Way Home podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. Visit faithfulcounseling.com/wayhome for a 10% discount on your first month’s membership. 

The Way Home: Tish Warren on the Rhythms of Lent

In this episode of the special edition of the Easter podcast, I am joined by Tish Warren, a gifted writer, Anglican priest, and very eloquent defender of Christian orthodoxy and the key doctrines of the Christian faith. She is the author of the book “Liturgy of the Ordinary” and her latest book “Prayer in the Night.” She talks about the rhythms of Lent and teaches us some of the practices we can do and why it matters that we take time to think about the death and resurrection of Christ, not just on Easter when it sneaks up on us, but in the days and weeks leading up to this grand holiday.

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. At Faithful Counseling, you’ll find professional mental health counseling from a Biblical perspective. Visit faithfulcounseling.com/wayhome for a 10% discount off your first month.Show Notes

Guest Biography: Tish Harrison Warren is a priest in the Anglican Church in North America. After eight years with InterVarsity Graduate and Faculty Ministries at Vanderbilt and The University of Texas at Austin, she currently serves as Co-Associate Rector at Church of the Ascension in Pittsburgh, PA. She writes regularly for The Well, CT Women, and Christianity Today. Her work has also appeared in Comment Magazine, Christ and Pop Culture, Art House America, Anglicanpastor.com, and elsewhere. She is author of Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life (IVP). She is from Austin, TX, and now lives in Pittsburgh with her husband and two young daughters in a house chock full of books with no matching forks or matching socks anywhere to be found.

Website: tishharrisonwarren.com
Twitter: @Tish_H_Warren
Facebook: @TishHarrisonWarrenAuthor
Instagram: @tishharrisonwarren
Book: “Liturgy of the Ordinary” and “Prayer in the Night”

This episode of The Way Home podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. Visit faithfulcounseling.com/wayhome for a 10% discount on your first month’s membership. 

How Pastors Can Combat Conspiracy Theories

It came as a text from a very close friend: “Did you know Mike Pence is part of a global human trafficking ring?”

I didn’t really even know where to begin. I know people who have worked closely with the former vice president and repeatedly vouch for his character and integrity. What’s more, if a conservative vice president was leading this vast global criminal enterprise, certainly media outlets, especially hostile ones, would have reported it.

There have always been conspiracy theories in human history because human history is full of conspiracy and evil. Sin has marbled its way so thoroughly into the human heart, every generation sees brokenness and evil makes its way into the highest reaches of power.

And yet, so many theories—ideas of secret knowledge—are often just fantasies that appeal to our deepest fears and strongest biases.

Yet these are theories even many Christians are prone to believe as Lifeway Research recently found. In this study, nearly half (49%) of the pastors surveyed indicated they have heard members repeating conspiracy theories.

So how do faithful pastors and gospel-centered churches combat this flood of untruth, especially in an era where trust of institutions is at such a deficit and dishonest information fills our timelines and invades our minds?

Read more here.

Image credit: Alpha Stock Images – http://alphastockimages.com/

The Way Home: Aaron Damiani on the liturgy of lent

This week on The Way Home podcast, I launch a special Easter series focused on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus alongside my new book “The Characters of Easter.” Today, Aaron Damiani, Anglican pastor at Immanuel Anglican Church in Chicago, joins me to talk about the liturgy of lent. In this conversation, he helps us think about lent and how to draw our hearts toward Easter.

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. At Faithful Counseling, you’ll find professional mental health counseling from a Biblical perspective. Visit faithfulcounseling.com/wayhome for a 10% discount off your first month.Show Notes

Guest Biography: Aaron is Immanuel Anglican’s Rector and author of the book The Good of Giving Up: Discovering the Freedom of Lent. Aaron holds a Bachelors degree in Pastoral Theology from Moody Bible Institute and a Masters in Biblical Exegesis from Wheaton College. After moving to Washington D.C. in 2008, Aaron discerned a call to ministry while researching public policy at the Potomac Institute. He was ordained as an Anglican priest and trained in urban church planting while an assistant pastor at Church of the Resurrection on Capitol Hill.  In 2012, he and his wife Laura moved back to Chicago with a vision to raise up a vibrant Anglican church that would seek the good of the city.

Twitter:  @aarondamiani
Facebook:  @damianipage
Instagram: @damiani6
Book:  The Good of Giving Up: Discovering the Freedom of Lent

This episode of The Way Home podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. Visit faithfulcounseling.com/wayhome for a 10% discount on your first month’s membership. 

The Way Home: Dr. Carl Trueman on the modern self and the sexual revolution

This week on The Way Home podcast I am joined by Dr. Carl Trueman, Christian theologian and historian. In this episode, we talk about his book “The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self.” I think this is one of the most important books written in the past decade, as it helps us make sense of the moment we’re in.

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. At Faithful Counseling, you’ll find professional mental health counseling from a Biblical perspective. Visit faithfulcounseling.com/wayhome for a 10% discount off your first month.Show Notes

Guest Biography: Carl R. Trueman (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is professor of biblical and religious studies at Grove City College. He is an esteemed church historian and previously served as the William E. Simon Fellow in Religion and Public Life at Princeton University. Trueman has authored or edited more than a dozen books, including The Creedal Imperative; Luther on the Christian Life; and Histories and Fallacies. Trueman is a member of The Orthodox Presbyterian Church.

Website:  Grove City College
Writing:  FirstThings.com
Book: The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution

This episode of The Way Home podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. Visit faithfulcounseling.com/wayhome for a 10% discount on your first month’s membership. 

The Way Home: Susie Larson on everyday faithfulness

This week on The Way Home podcast I am joined by Susie Larson, Christian radio host and prolific author. Susie’s latest book, “Prevail: 365 Days of Enduring Strength from God’s Word” was released in September and is full of theologically rich words of encouragement and strength. On this episode, we talk about her walk with the Lord, enduring suffering, her career as a writer and radio host, and what she’s learning during this season.

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. At Faithful Counseling, you’ll find professional mental health counseling from a Biblical perspective. Visit faithfulcounseling.com/wayhome for a 10% discount off your first month.Show Notes

Guest Biography: Susie Larson is a national speaker, talk radio host, and author of twelve books and many articles. Susie connects daily with her listeners on her two-hour live talk show, ‘Live the Promise with Susie Larson’ which airs mainly in the upper Midwest. Susie formerly co-hosted Focus on the Family’s live talk show, ‘Everyday Relationships with Dr. Greg Smalley.’ Susie has been married to her dear husband Kevin since 1985. Susie’s passion is to see people everywhere awakened to the value of their soul, the depth of God’s love, and the height of their calling in Christ Jesus.

Website: susielarson.com
Facebook: @deeperlifeinchrist
Twitter: @SusieLarson
Instagram: @susielarsonauthor
Book: Prevail: 365 Days of Enduring Strength from God’s Word

This episode of The Way Home podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. Visit faithfulcounseling.com/wayhome for a 10% discount on your first month’s membership. 

What do Christians Owe a President?

If you count my incoherent thoughts as a toddler, I’ve lived through the administrations of seven presidents and am now approaching life under the administration of a new one. On January 20th, former Vice-President Joe Biden put his hand on the Bible and took the oath of office to become America’s 46th President.

Times like these are good opportunities to refresh ourselves on a Christian’s responsibility to the government.Read more:(photo source: Wikipedia commons)

The Way Home: Jackie Middler on her pro-life story and grace

This week on The Way Home podcast Jackie Middler joins me to talk about her pro-life story. Jackie shares her experience of having two abortions as a young woman, the guilt and shame that resulted, and forgiveness and grace she found in Christ. Now, Jackie is a very outspoken pro-life advocate.

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. At Faithful Counseling, you’ll find professional mental health counseling from a Biblical perspective. Visit faithfulcounseling.com/wayhome for a 10% discount off your first month.Show Notes

Guest Biography: An avid reader and devoted wife and mother of three, Jacqueline Middler gives voice to the women who have had abortions and live with the regret and shame of that decision. White Stick is her debut work, birthed from the years-long journey to healing and redemption and her desire open the eyes of the world to the harm this choice brings to women. She has a degree from Johnson & Wales in marketing, with concentrations in English and psychology.

Website: jacquelinemiddler.com
Facebook: @jacquelinemiddler
Twitter: @j_middler
Instagram: @jacquelinemiddler
YouTube: Jacqueline Middler
Book:  White Stick

This episode of The Way Home podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. Visit faithfulcounseling.com/wayhome for a 10% discount on your first month’s membership. 

The Way Home: Jason Romano on blooming where you’re planted

This week on The Way Home podcast Jason Romano joins me to talk about his latest book “The Uniform of Leadership: Lessons on True Success from My ESPN Life.” Jason now works for Sports Spectrum, a ministry that connects sports and faith, but we spend time talking about what it looks like to be a faithful person working Monday through Friday in a place that’s not explicitly Christian.

This episode of The Way Home Podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. At Faithful Counseling, you’ll find professional mental health counseling from a Biblical perspective. Visit faithfulcounseling.com/wayhome for a 10% discount off your first month.Show Notes

Guest Biography: Jason is a speaker, author, media consultant and church leader with 20 years of professional broadcasting experience on the regional and network level. For 17 years, Jason was a Senior Manager and Producer at ESPN. He has created and produced content for shows such as SportsCenter, Monday Night Football, Mike and Mike in the Morning, Sunday NFL Countdown, College Gameday, MLB’s All Star Game. Jason is now the host and producer of the Sports Spectrum podcast where he interviews athletes, coaches, and other personalities on the intersection of sports and faith. He is also a contributor to the Sports Spectrum magazine and contributes articles daily to SportsSpectrum.com.

Website: jasonromano.com
Facebook: @jasonromano22
Twitter:  @JasonRomano
Instagram:  @jasonromano
Podcast:  Sports Spectrum Podcast
Book: The Uniform of Leadership: Lessons on True Success from My ESPN Life

This episode of The Way Home podcast is sponsored by Faithful Counseling. Visit faithfulcounseling.com/wayhome for a 10% discount on your first month’s membership.