A Statement of Confession and Commitment

Last updated on: March 24, 2017 at 7:20 am by Roger E. Olson

A Statement of Confession and Commitment 2017-03-24T07:20:37-05:00 Roger E. Olson

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Statement of Confession and Commitment

The following “Statement of Confession and Commitment” is going around via various blogs. Faculty members at Christian colleges, universities and seminaries are being invited to sign it. I have signed it. If you want to sign it (and are such a faculty member) or if you just want to see the list of signers, “Google” it. I am not providing a link here because I assume the authors and those circulating it wish to restrict it to faculty members. Before I post it here I want to say a few things about the Statement. I agree with almost all of it and certainly with the “spirit” of it, but I do not think it goes far enough. Given the religious rhetoric of hatred common in America today, I think what we really need is a “Kirchenkampf”–a church struggle resulting in a “Confessing Church” within the evangelical community in America especially. Also, speaking only for myself, by signing the statement I do not agree with the emphasis on “we.” As I have said here before, I do not believe in collective guilt. Many of “us” (evangelical and other Christians in America) have spoken out against the rhetoric and behavior of hatred becoming so common among those who call themselves Christians and even evangelicals. If you wonder if I mean “you” all I can say is–ask the Lord “Is it I, Lord?” I will not answer such questions from individuals or groups. Whether you are guilty or not is between you and God, but I do think Christian churches and denominations need to speak out against some of their own leaders, ministers and members who use the rhetoric of hatred against the weak and marginalized among us.

Here is the Statement:

The United States has experienced a contentious election and post-election season marked by fear, polarization, and violence. The current political climate reveals longstanding national sins of racism, misogyny, nativism, and great economic disparity. As faculty members of Christian institutions of higher education who represent varying degrees of privilege and power (but who are not representing those institutions in this document), we, the undersigned, join our voices with those who are most vulnerable.

We affirm the dignity of every human being as created in God’s image (Gen. 1:27). We submit to the sovereignty of Christ who humbled himself unto death. As members of his body, we strive to consider others above ourselves (Phil. 2:2–8); to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15); to serve one another in humility (Matt. 20:26–28); and to honor and steward God’s good creation (Gen. 1:28). As one body, if one member suffers, all suffer (1 Cor. 12:26); if one weeps, the body laments with them (Rom. 12:15); even creation groans in bondage to decay (Rom. 8:19-23).

As Christian educators, we affirm our deep resolve to pursue truth, to reason carefully, and to rely on sound evidence. While now “we see through a glass darkly” (1 Cor. 13:12), we stand resolutely against any falsehood that seeks to undermine truth and any propaganda intended to obscure it.

A large portion of our communities is weeping. The fear of deportation is real. The anxiety of being assaulted is real. The fear of being forgotten or mistreated is real. Many people of color, women, and other marginalized groups feel increasingly alienated not only in the current national context but in much of the white evangelical culture as well. Acknowledging that pain and woundedness may take many forms, we humbly entreat Christian communities to seek healing, reconciliation, and justice.

Regardless of where Christians stand politically, the gospel demands we recognize vulnerable populations among us. The gospel also demands that Christians recognize ways we benefit from and participate in structural injustices. Ignoring policies that denigrate and even endanger vulnerable groups is not a faithful option, even if privilege allows some to do so. When we have power, we are called to use it justly and for the good of all.

We confess that we have, too often, failed in calling out injustice, in loving and knowing our neighbors, and in properly stewarding God’s creation. We pray for genuine conviction to undo the harm we have caused. In the midst of real suffering within our community, we humbly seek not only to love our neighbor but to know our neighbor (Luke 10:29), through our conversations, classroom discussions, and times of prayer. We hope to embody a community in which walls of hostility are broken down (Eph. 2:14) and where love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18).

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