We Need a Less Anxious Response to Houston Subpoenas
As our society becomes increasingly post-Christian, the influence of Christianity is waning. Christians are feeling marginalized. Many are even buying into the narrative that Christians in America are being persecuted.
What if there is another story?
I wonder if what we are experiencing is really persecution, or simply, the feeling of no longer being as influential as we once were. Our opinion used to matter. Our beliefs shaped culture. People used to listen to what we had to say. That isn’t happening any longer. Our voice is now one voice among many, no longer favored but given equal weight. But, because of the position of privilege we used to enjoy, it feels like we aren’t being heard. It feels like we aren’t being considered. It feels like we are marginalized, but in reality, maybe we are being treated as equals. Which makes me wonder, do we, the church, know how to exist in our culture when we do not have political and cultural power?
.. Flooding the Houston Mayor’s office with Bibles may seem like a good idea, but is it really helpful? Is it a faithful witness to our call as ministers of reconciliation? Or is it an example of “You push me and I’ll push you back” under the guise of a political stunt? As humans, our first instinct is to fight back and to stand up for our rights, but as Christians it is more important that we ask ourselves, “Is our current response a move toward peace and loving our neighbors?”