Where we should go Camping, or Not
As some probably well know, I spend some time on social
media. Among the feeds I typically follow,
and often comment on, is the “ELCA” closed Facebook group. ELCA, meaning: Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America, being the Christian denomination I am a part of.
One of the moderators, Pastor Clint Schnekloth of Good Shepherd Lutheran
Church in Fayetteville, AK, posted the cover of a Lutheran theological journal, “Logia”, to prompt a discussion; and so it did.
This journal is published for the express purpose to “promote the
orthodoxy of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.”[i] This said, the point of his posting it was to cause us to think
on the cover image for ourselves in order to reflect on it and its critique of, or lack
thereof, its titled discussion point: Lutheran Triumphalism. Helpfully, one commenter actually posted the
journal editor's comments, which also includes a picture of the cover for your
review: http://www.logia.org/logia-online/a-word-about-the-cover2017.
What got me to respond was a comment made to the effect of, “is
the person pictured, then, to not be considered in the ‘good camp.’”[ii] This really struck me that one of the
immediate reactions was to think about which "camp" someone is in, and caused me
to respond both specific to the questioner, and as well to the broader
question. The immediate response simply referred
back to the editor’s note, but my broader response is as follows:
“’Good Camp?’ now that's an interesting response/question.
[Y]our phrasing of the question is highly illustrative of a
problem I'm seeing more and more in society here in the US. We seem to immediately want to know what the
"good" is from the "bad", as if every [point of view (POV)]
is one or the other automatically. Many
in this group, including myself on occasion, slip into that false dichotomy of
bipolar attitudes (good/bad, right/wrong, us/them) as if that is the primary
objective and way we should relate to information and one another.
How very sad a fact that is.
If we are to imitate Christ, who we call our savior, we need
to really confess our sinfulness, as I am now likewise doing, that we've fallen
into this trap. Are there absolutes that
God has put forth in this world?
Yes. Is there evil that should be
countered? Certainly. But Jesus makes it clear how we are to
judge: "Judge not, and you will not
be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be
forgiven; give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken
together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give
will be the measure you get back" (Luke 6:37-38 RSV). We need to hear these words as not just about
being careful in calling out evil, but also in being self-satisfied with what
we think is "good".
The question isn't if the character on the cover is good or
evil, it's what can we learn about ourselves, our relationship with one another
(especially as Lutherans), and about our relationship as God's children, his
disciples, and a part of his creation?
Does the image bring us closer to truth and in what ways does it take us
further away? There is both Law and
Gospel at play here, and in almost everything.
Do we have the eyes to see and the ears to hear? Or are we living with blinders or are our
ears clogged with earbuds? I pray and
hope we become more open and learn to stop asking the "good camp"/"bad camp"
question as the critical point of how we relate to one another and our
ideas/motivations/information in our society.”
Obviously this post relates directly to a specific religious
discussion context, but it has broader implications socially, ethically, and personally
regardless of faith background. My
critique here is that we need to step back from the constant need to find tribe
and gravitational pull to poles. Rather,
we need to think about what is also universal, what is common, and what
transcends. Certainly we can find
comfort and minimal resistance to our POV among those that are like minded,
live in the same places, and function in similar social and work circles, but
that can’t be the only way we define ourselves and those around us. Yes, we are of those things, but we are also,
in equal measure, part of one planet, one species, and one physical life to be
lived on this planet for each of us.
Does it really matter which “camp” we are in at the end of the day? I really think it is not; not in the least. What matters more cannot be defined or even
enjoyed based on the “camp” you are in, it’s about quality of life, it’s about freedom
and liberty, it’s also about love for those closest to you and for each other so
that you don’t fear for the lives of those you love.
So, it’s not about what “camp” we are in. It’s ultimately about being good campers,
period. It’s agreed that we can’t and
shouldn’t all try to fit in the same camp site.
Nor should we splintered into a myriad of unsustainable, undefendable,
or unwarranted camp sites. We need to
keep a reasonable number of not too many and not too few, but always
remembering that it’s not the camp site that matters, it’s the planet, the
creation that you are supposed to be focused on first and foremost.
[i]
Cf. the Logia Mission Statement, obtained at http://www.logia.org/mission-statement/
on 18 January 2017
[ii]
Its noted I am not going to point out the commenter or the specific response to
him, give the nature of this being a closed group, and honoring that discussion’s
privacy.
