#179 The Man of Tomorrow

I received a Superman book for Father's Day (shocking, I know): Superman Smashes the Klan. The book adapts a story from the old Superman radio show. In 1946, the Lee family moves from Chinatown into the main section of Metropolis. There they face hatred and harassment from the Klan of the Fiery Kross. Superman, Inspector Henderson, and the staff at The Daily Planet work to defend the Lees and expose the Klan. This wonderful story about resisting racism and welcoming others really resonated with me because of our current discussions about race in the U.S. (see my last post for more thoughts on that).

In the book, the Grand Scorpion of the Klan of the Fiery Kross believes that white people are superior, and he tries to argue that "you cannot unite a nation of people who share neither blood nor history." During his climactic confrontation with Superman, he stresses his point again: "The Lees aren't "your own"! You share no blood with them! No history! There is literally nothing that binds you together! That has been the Klan's point all along! A nation bound by nothing cannot last!"

Superman knows how to respond to this: "But we are bound together. The Lees and I… our friends at The Daily Planet and the Unity House and the police department… everyone down there, really… We are bound together by the future. We all share the same tomorrow."

I love that little speech. I think Superman's words here reflect the reality of the church in some ways. We who believe in Jesus are diverse. We come from different nations and cultures and backgrounds. We share some broad basics—our common humanity, our sinfulness, the saving death and life of Jesus—but we aren't all natural family members or friends or even allies. Some of us were enemies in the past. Some of our histories seem about as different from others' as we can get. But Jesus gives us a shared future. He calls us to work together as citizens of His kingdom. He inspires us to love each other as sisters and brothers in His family. And He promises us all life together with Him. Reconciliation is at the heart of Jesus' work. He reconciles His people to God. And He reconciles us to each other. Jesus gives us a shared and better tomorrow.

Grace and peace,
BMH

#178 I Don't Have the Answers

So it's been a while. Since I'm writing for the first time in a month, I guess this blog isn't totally dead, but I've been struggling with what to say lately. I've been thinking quite a bit about racism and its prevalence in American society. I've kicked around different ideas for a new post. I could write about how racism is a sin and how God overcomes our sinful divisions to gather His people from every race and ethnicity into a new humanity. I could write about how God is a God who opposes injustice and oppression, a God who cares for and defends those who are mistreated and forgotten. I could write about our common humanity and how we are better off when we welcome and learn from people who we view as different from us.

But the more I think, the more I feel that I shouldn't do any of those things. The thing is, I'm a white person living in a country where white people have had power and control for a long, long time. I haven't experienced the pain of racism. I don't know the way forward. As a white person, and more importantly as a Christian, I believe I do need to say that racism is real and wrong. Racism is in the hearts and words and actions of individuals—including me, I'm sure, in ways I'm not aware of—and racism is in the structures and systems of our society. But if I'm truly going to stand against racism, I need to listen to others. I need to follow others' lead. I need to learn more and more. This is going to take a while, so I better start now. If you're in a position similar to mine, I hope you'll join me. Let's not give up when the news cycle moves on. And if you're in a position where you can teach, correct, and call me out, do it. Don't let me be silent or ignorant. Don't let me move on.

Black lives matter. I know those words carry a lot of baggage for some people, but let's set that aside for now. That statement is absolutely true. I'm sorry that my actions and inactions have contributed to a culture where Black people feel like their lives don't matter to others. Black lives matter to God. I want to live in a world where nobody—myself included—needs to be reminded of that. I want to do my part now. Father, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Grace and peace,
BMH