Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, "How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand; that is the end of him. But no one can enter a strong man's house to plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can plunder the house.
Amen, I say to you, all sins and all blasphemies that people utter will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin." For they had said, "He has an unclean spirit."
His mother and his brothers arrived. Standing outside they sent word to him and called him. A crowd seated around him told him, "Your mother and your brothers and your sisters are outside asking for you." But he said to them in reply, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" And looking around at those seated in the circle he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother." (Mark 3:20-35)
We are being plundered! Unclean spirits continue to divide us, our country, and the Body of Christ. Many of us ask, “Who are my brothers and sisters?” The answer tends to be determined by our tribal thinking and a dangerous “us versus them” attitude. We are out of our minds!
Many of us continue to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit by ignoring the Spirit’s gifts, such as wisdom, and depriving ourselves of their fruits: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It’s all so very alarming, spectacularly stupid, and self-destructive. Our house divided against itself will not be able to stand. Frightening!
Am I exaggerating? Our religious and political differences are becoming even more extreme. Beelzebul strives to possess us and is making good (evil) progress.
An enlightening 2024 book well worth reading is by Jim Wallis: “The False White Gospel – Rejecting Christian Nationalism, Reclaiming Truth Faith, and Refounding Democracy." Here is a USA Today review.
(begin) "Everyone who claims to be 'Christian' or else claims to be upset by 'Christianity' needs to read this book, especially politicians using people's supposed faith for their own ends." -- Margaret E. Atwood
"Jim Wallis calls the nation to grow up and he calls us all to fight the love battle to save the soul of America." -- From the Foreword by Eddie S. Glaude, Jr.
A major new work by the New York Times bestselling author, arguing that the answer to bad religion is true faith that will help refound democracy. It is time says Jim Wallis, to call out genuine faith – specifically the "Christian" in White Christian Nationalism – inviting all who can be persuaded to reject and help dismantle a false gospel that propagates white supremacy and autocracy. We need-to raise up the faith of all of us, and help those who are oblivious, stuck, and captive to the ideology and idolatry of White Christian Nationalism that is leading us to such great danger.
Wallis turns our attention to six iconic texts at the heart of what genuine biblical faith means and what Jesus, in the gospels, has called us to do. It is time to ask anew: do we believe these teachings or not? This book isn't only for Christians but for all faith traditions, and even those with no faith at all.
When we see a civic promotion of fear, hate, and violence for the trajectory of our politics, we need a civic faith of love, healing, and hope to defeat it. And that must involve all of us - religious or not. Learning to practice a politics of neighbor love will be central to the future of democracy in America. And more than ever, the words of Jesus ring, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (end)
So, let’s all make the words of Jesus ring. If not, the bell will toll for all of us. Is this hyperbole? It is not.
Deacon David Pierce
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