The following is an apology I’ve longed to write for quite some time. Since I’ve identified most of my adult life as a white Evangelical Christian, who in the recent years began to feel a burden of responsibility for the current political and faith climate here in the US, today seems a good day to share it. The purpose of this apology is in essence a prayer to acknowledge the sins of some and the complicity of others - my own are what grieves my heart and causes me to address my own need for forgiveness. It is my prayer that the white American church be genuinely repentant so as to acknowledge our corporate sins, putting politics over God’s call to witness - in hopes that this faction of Christ’s body may be forgiven, and bring glory to God once again.
Dear Witness,
The time has come, yet in truth is long overdue, to extend this sincere, heartfelt apology.
You’ve watched,
you’ve wondered,
you’ve wrestled,
and some of you
have walked
away.
Our call was to spread the “Good News” yet some decided that political news was better news and when a news war over politics ensued, suddenly the main stream news (that didn’t line up with the “other news”) was deemed “fake news.” And we didn’t speak up. We didn’t stop them.
Our call was to “make disciples of all nations” yet some consistently demonized non Americans and even blamed them for our own failures and mismanagement of a world wide pandemic. Americans got sick and many died but some said other nations were to blame. And we didn’t speak up. We didn’t stop them.
Our call was to care for the marginalized - the widow, the homeless, the refugee, the orphan - yet some strategically construed a narrative that depicted these most vulnerable amongst us to be the greatest threat to our way of life. And they rejected them, they demonized them and they imprisoned them (the youngest, in cages no less). And we didn’t speak up. We didn’t stop them.
Our call was to seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly yet some watched from afar as the suffering and grieving went to the streets to protest the far too many to count brutal crimes committed against them. Some chose to stay ignorant and still refuted history when given the opportunity to listen and learn what Black Americans had to say. And even as the grieving gathered in one voice, some who watched gasped and judged and labeled their intent as a force of evil meant to destroy America that must be stopped at all costs, even by way of another mother’s son, just 17 years old, turned vigilante. And they praised his murderous deed to silence the voices that cried out for justice from the streets. And we didn’t speak up. We didn’t stop them.
Our call was to worship no other gods and to love the Lord God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength but some allowed people of prestige and power to take up room on the alters of their lives and they put serving politics and party over serving those Jesus came to save, including the ones called “the least of these.” And we didn’t speak up. We didn’t stop them.
Our call was to represent Jesus in our world as the Body of Christ, His Church. We were to remember what’s important to Him, serving others as if ours were Holy hands and feet but instead some have viciously torn the Church apart with attitudes of pride and self righteous agendas, never considering what Jesus would have His followers do in this hour of history. The “prophets” have stirred hate, marginalized many, disparaged the very people God called them to love. If the faithful didn’t vote the “right” way, in their frenzied pseudo-prophetic tone, they cast aside and condemned all who question or wonder or hear from God a different message. And we didn’t speak up. We didn’t stop them.
Our call was to sow peace and yet some sowed chaos and confusion. Our call was to be reconcilers in a broken and hurting world and yet some endorsed, by way of silence, the words of people in high places meant to incite violence. Words suggesting we jail, torture, draw and quarter, execute, and shoot anyone who speaks up and speaks out, choosing truth against a shroud of lies... Hateful words have been spoken towards others, the “neighbors” we were called to love. And we didn’t speak up. We didn’t stop them.
Instead of love, we have revealed our hypocrisy. Instead of signs and wonders, we leave a wake of division and judgement.
As you watched
and wondered
and wrestled
we destroyed
our witness,
and you
walked
away.
But, if you can still hear with your back turned and head bowed, there is a Remnant who is speaking now, who still believes Jesus is Lord and there is still “Good News”
and we trust in His
Gospel of Love and we
know His story isn’t over, yet.
And you are in it.