Theological Thoughts for Thursday

Peter Storey, who is a prominent leader in the Methodist church in South Africa lectured with Bishop Willimon. He spoke about the struggles of the church in South Africa during apartheid and compared it to many of the struggles the church faces in America right now.

He told of Bishop Desmond Tutu, who messed with the white power structure. For in the days when apartheid was at its darkest, and there seemed to be no hope of the black South Africans ever getting a fair say, Bishop Tutu would stand up in meetings of white South Africans and say, "It's not too late to get on the winning side. Come and join the winning side now before it's too late."

Peter Storey also talked about the issue of inclusion and exclusion. Below is a (mostly) direct transcription of a few of the more salient lines.

"Human beings are born with an addiction, just like the baby of a crack addict is born addicted. Humans are born with an addiction to division. There's not one of us who is born without it. We bolster our ideas by rejecting those who are different from us. And we've tried it with every category we can possibly think of and we'll probably be very inventive in the future. We've rejected the poor, slaves, people of color, women, we've rejected based on sexual orientations; and we bring the same tired arguments every time to justify each campaign of exclusion - and if we can find some texts in the Bible so much the better. Now, fighting this addiction is a Great Power, I call it the Relentless Hospitality of the Holy Spirit. It's what the entire book of Acts is about.

"My warning to the people in the United Methodist church who get their knickers in a knot about gay people is the Holy Spirit is going to win in the end, so might as well get on the winning side now. Because every other group that has tried to kick people out in the past; blacks, women, and so on; has lost the battle against the Holy Spirit ... It's not too late to get on the winning side. Come and join the winning side now before it's too late."

This lecture was nothing short of scandalous, even for me. I come from a conservative background, attend a conservative college, and have only been part of conservative Methodist churches. For the last five or so years I've held the reputation that I am somewhat liberal.

I mildly support the ordination of gay and lesbian pastors; but always in an apologetic tone. I tend not to articulate my support, because this is such a hot-button issue. But, I can't help but agree with Peter Storey. The side of justice will win in the end, and hate and discrimination will fall away.

In the meantime, it is of utmost importance to continue dialogue and discussion. We as faithful Christians must continuously strive to see this issue from different perspectives. Debate that begins from an "us" versus "them" perspective must be quelled and true discussion must be encouraged.

There's so much to consider with this issue, so much to think about, and so very much at stake. We cannot be content to dismiss the thoughts and feelings of those we disagree with for any reason.