Dear Pastor
The following is a letter I would like to address to the pastor of my own local church. But I also feel it relevant to pastors of white evangelical churches across the United States. I offer it in humble love.
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Dear Pastor,
I just wanted to let you know that I’m praying for you, particularly as you address the congregation concerning the issues of the day. As I’ve said before, your task is not easy in the current environment here in January 2021. In my prayer times during the past week I’ve been burdened for you. These are days that call for pastors to have great courage. Unfortunately for those in leadership, fence straddling, though politically comfortable, does not well serve the cause of Christ. But taking a stand can result in vicious attacks. (Perhaps you read David Brooks editorial a few days ago. The first paragraph is chilling.)
Like all of us, I only see the events of the past few weeks (and years) through a fuzzy lens. You may see things much more clearly. But it appears pretty clear to me that Satan has achieved a rather spectacular rout of the white evangelical church in America. Through a strategy played out beginning at least since the middle of the 15th century, our adversary has been systematically pushing the white church away from commitment to truth, ultimately resulting in abandonment of truth and embracing idolatry. I can hardly believe how thoroughly the father of lies has achieved his goals.
Since the Church’s witness to the gospel is dependent on credibility, its wholesale abandonment of any real interest in truth and its almost unshakable commitment to leadership for whom lying is as natural as breathing has destroyed our capability to contribute to our mission. Just as the Romans experienced a crushing defeat in Northern Italy by Hannibal, the white evangelical church in America saw its vaunted legions defeated the day the Christian flag was marched into the House chamber side by side with symbols of white supremacy, the Confederacy, and neo-naziism.
Some in the church have remained committed to truth and or have recently awakened to the danger, but large portions of evangelicals remain in thrall to outright falsehoods and conspiracy theories even in the face of overwhelming evidence. Indeed, white evangelicals have remained the most stalwart supporters of the lies that led to the attack on our nation’s Capitol. Will anyone listen to us or take the gospel we proclaim seriously in the near future? I have my doubts.
But just as Hannibal did not have the last word in the Punic wars, neither can the father of lies look forward to ultimate victory. The church has suffered a serious setback with many casualties, but our King will ultimately triumph! Indeed, He already has! To bring as many with us into the soon-coming Kingdom, though, is going to require pastors and leaders with the courage and resolve of Nehemiah. It’s not going to be easy to rebuild Jerusalem.
I know you to be one who is committed to God and to truth. I’m claiming for you the strength and courage of Joshua (cf. Joshua 1:9). As the Holy Spirit enables you to call the people of God back to the pursuit of Truth and from the lies and deception of the past few years, an intense struggle will ensue even within our own church. There is a great evil that has been unleashed and there will be casualties. But ultimately Truth expressed through love will prevail.
Right after Jesus blessed the peacemakers in the Sermon on the Mount, he made sure the disciples knew that such actions would result in great conflict, persecution, and suffering (Mt 5:11-12). But make no mistake, humble love always prevails. I resonate with the following quote spoken by Father Zosima in Dostoyevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov.
“At some thoughts one stands perplexed, above all at the sight of human sin, and wonders whether to combat it by force or by humble love. Always decide ‘I will combat it by humble love.’ If you resolve on that once and for all, you can conquer the whole world. Loving humility is a terrible force: it is the strongest of all things, and there is nothing else like it.”
Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Brothers Karamazov (New York: Signet Classics, 1957), pp. 294f.
You are not alone in this. Just as I am praying, there are many others praying in our church and for the Church– those who have not bent the knee to Baal (1 Kings 19:18). I’m sure there are many very wise people who can give good counsel and support as you seek the right course of action and plan the best way to make strong, mature disciples committed to the One who is the Truth. If I can help in any way beyond prayer, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Your brother,
Keith