October 21, 2024 - #mondaymoment
Happy Monday, my friends! Often in discussions about LGBTQIA+ rights people will ask if a particular idea, policy, proposal, or bill goes too far. Every camp involved has asked that question at one point or another. For some groups, they question the extent of the harm done to LGBTQIA+ people by a particular bill or policy. Other groups question if there is a point at which we will or we have taken rights for Queer people too far. As we prepare for the post-election l-duck[1] legislative session, many conservatives are questioning if allowing transgender people to use the bathrooms which correspond to their gender identity is a step too far and therefore if they should support HB183[2] (bathroom ban). Meanwhile progressives have been hitting our heads against various walls for almost two years about how this bill not only goes way too far but creates problems while solving exactly zero problems.
Recently, I read a short reflection by Andrew Springer from The Jesus Movement. In the reflection Springer argues that Jesus never said that he was divine and that ideas about his divinity were introduced—Springer says “made up”—by theologians in the decades and centuries following the account in the Bible. Reading the reflection, I was struck not by the content—the divinity and humanity of Jesus has been debated for centuries—but by the emotions it invoked in me. I shook my head and thought, “have we gone too far?”
At this point in my life, I’ve heard or experienced plenty of strange, weird, and wonderful situations and ideas—residential life in higher education has that effect on a person. Studying the Bible in seminary has also opened me up to new theories and historical fact about the development of both the Bible and the church. It’s very rare now that I think something goes too far because I can usually think of some other thing that goes further. But Springer’s argument struck me in a way that I was neither expecting nor ready to unpack. As early as Paul and his letters, theological, organizational, and liturgical innovations which were never suggested by Jesus were gaining traction. In fact, it is now well accepted that the theology of the church began not with Jesus, but with Paul. For example, while all the members of the Trinity are mentioned in the Gospels, their relationship, how they interact, and what hierarchy, if any, exists between them is not discussed. On that point, during the schism between the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox churches in 1054, the nature of the Trinity was still a major point of debate. Springer’s point is not beyond the realm of possibility, yet is it a step too far?
If you thought I was going to answer that question, I’m sorry to disappoint. Often this is my criticism of theology and people who call themselves theologians and pastors (yes, me included). Faith is inherently about asking and wrestling with difficult questions, but not always about answers. Much like the journey being greater than the destination, so too is the wrestling greater than the answer and outcome.
What questions do you struggle with? Do you have places where you feel like things have gone a step too far?
Let us pray: Holy One, your Strange ways, they astound us. Among the mighty, your Wisdom is called foolish. While others assert their power with force, Yours unfolds like an invitation. You never resort to weapons. You turn from all paths of domination. Beauty and truth are your means of persuasion. Freedom is your promise. While empire shouts false promises of security, using fear to turn us against each other, You whisper things of vulnerability, of meals at table and sharing what we have, of solidarity and new life. Amen.
~Taken from a prayer written by the Rev. M Jade Kaiser
Blessings on your weeks, my friends! Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.
Faithfully,
Ben
[1] Though sometimes unavoidable, LOVEboldly strives to limit our use of a term for legislatures and politicians following elections. We invite you to join us on the path to ending ableist language.
[2] HB183 was added as an amendment to SB104 in order to pass it through the Ohio House.
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