I can’t just say nothing.
A woman was murdered in my hometown by the ones who are responsible for upholding the law. And at this moment the administration chooses to double down and blame the victim for the murder. It’s clear from the video what happened, but we have been told not to believe the evidence of our own eyes.
In addition, when Kristi Noem was asked about tear gas being used on American citizens, she denied it and said that isn’t what’s happening. When confronted with video evidence, she attempted to justify and explain it away.
There’s a George Orwell quote that’s been circulating lately, and I think it’s extremely relevant:
And I hear a certain segment of society claim that this is God’s will, that God is on their side. To use their own arguments against them, they are false prophets, preaching a false gospel. And Paul has some strong words to say about that:
When the wicked one appears, Satan will pretend to work all kinds of miracles, wonders, and signs. Lost people will be fooled by his evil deeds. They could be saved, but they will refuse to love the truth and accept it.So God will make sure they are fooled into believing a lie. All of them will be punished, because they would rather do evil than believe the truth.
This false gospel is losing ground, and I see good people in my home state standing up to it. Jesus doesn’t call us to follow our earthly leaders into destruction. The words of Jesus tell us plainly what he desires:
Teacher, what is the most important commandment in the Law?” Jesus answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.This is the first and most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like this one. And it is, “Love others as much as you love yourself.”All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these two commandments.
And if that isn’t enough, Paul echoes that sentiment:
Let love be your only debt! If you love others, you have done all that the Law demands. In the Law there are many commands, such as, “Be faithful in marriage. Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not want what belongs to others.” But all of these are summed up in the command that says, “Love others as much as you love yourself.” No one who loves others will harm them. So love is all that the Law demands.
It seems so simple, but it’s not easy at all.
I fail often.
The gospel of love is not simple; it’s not an end goal unto itself. It’s a journey into knowing God and living in sacred community with those God loves (which is everyone!).
So this is a call to let love be our protest in the face of the forces of evil. Let us not fall into this trap of the false gospel that is being proclaimed by those in power.
The band Switchfoot said it best, “Love is the final fight” and “there is no sound louder than love.”
Coffee & Theology 