In it, Not of it – Community in an Angry World (Part 2)

Years ago, while serving as a missionary in a remote Amazon village I suffered from acute appendicitis. It was easy to diagnose, after all, I had the book “Where There is No Doctor.” The solution, however, was a bit more complicated. I am not a physician, I was in a remote area of the world, and if I did not address this immediately, I would die. Thankfully, it all worked out and I am still here! The lesson is that sometimes the ills of our society, like appendicitis, are easily identified. The solutions sometimes, are not so easy.

Enter the angry world part two. As Christians It is easy for us to play arm-chair diagnostician on the social problems and injustices we see in our angry world. We easily identify what we believe the problems are, we then may post that, or other opinions, on multiple social media platforms, calling out those that disagree with us. Perhaps we join the latest social movement parade of the day and decry the injustice of our world. But do we really give the world hope for something better? I am not sure that we always do. So, what is the answer?

Our life in community as believers, as being in Christ, does not insulate us from the angry world in which we live. After all, our place is in the world. Nor does being in community inoculate us against being part of the problem.

Korean born American Church planter and professor Soong-Chan Rah writes in his book; The Next Evangelicalism - Freeing the Church from Western Cultural Captivity (IVP 2009); “Scripture speaks forcefully about the need for racial reconciliation and racial justice, particularly when racism is viewed in light of sin. Racism needs to be seen not only as a social malady ... but, also as a biblically defined sin and a result of human depravity and fallenness.” (pg. 80).

Dr. George Yancey, himself an African American, is professor of sociology at Baylor University and author of the book “Beyond Racial Gridlock: Embracing Mutual Responsibility”. He carries the same thought in an address sponsored by the Justice Journey Alliance in their lecture series. In his notes he states that what both approaches (Black Lives Matter and All Lives Matter) to racial justice have in common is that; 1) they both operate as if humans are perfectible, 2) they both ignore human depravity, and 3) they are both unable to develop support across the different racial/social groups”. (TGC US webpage, Justin Taylor blog June 18, 2020).

The anger in our world is complicated. As a community of believers, the Church, what can we offer? Our fallen nature and the sin of that fallenness that has infected all of us makes the answer to real peace and reconciliation seem unattainable. Therefore, let me offer an alternative perspective.

Jesus rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him . . . If I then, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example ... (John 13:4-5, 14-15).

The feet Jesus washed included a betrayer (Judas), a three-time denier, hypocrite, and racist (Peter, see Galatians 3:11-14), a doubter (Thomas) and the rest (cowards) who would turn, run, and desert him at His greatest time of need. Perhaps part of the answer to our angry world begins with us. We, a community of believers, the Church, need to pick up a towel before we pick up a protest sign. We need to wash someone’s feet before we post our online opinions or call out others for theirs.

Perhaps, just perhaps, the answer is not words at all, rather actions that demonstrate the value of every individual created in the image of God, for whom Christ died, and for whom the Gospel is able to save, restore, and reconcile. Should we protest, should we speak out publicly and decry the injustice, the anger, the racism we encounter? Perhaps. But first, let us take the role of a servant, pick up a towel and let us start to wash some feet!

For Jesus has given us the example!

Rev. Bill Allan
AGC President