H asked this morning what my New Year's resolutions were. I said something about getting more fresh air - I was careful to word it that way instead of committing myself to "exercise"... - but I have another one that I didn't mention because I wasn't sure about it, and it's going to be difficult. But what's life without challenge and accountability: My New Year's resolution, aside from getting more fresh air, is to stop disparaging other Christians in blog posts.
I have to work out how this sits with a prophetic function of speaking out against abuses in church practices and theology, but after all, I am the one who keeps harping on about how the Church ought to be working together and not attacking itself all the time, and I'm aware that the "prophetic function" card can be overplayed and used as a justification for mouthing off about whatever one wanted to say anyway. I think how I'm going to do is is to think twice before posting anything inflammatory, and to ask you all to look out for me when I go over the edge.
Here's an example. I was about to write something depressing about how the American churches have been largely silent about the warmongering and denial of social justice that has been carried out in their name. But lo, I did my research, and there's good stuff out there. Jim Wallis as ever, fails to disappoint, and has drawn a community of bloggers around him. (And I believe that in 2007 more than ever before it will be the blog and not the pulpit that shapes how the Church's voice is heard.) Jim's books on social justice and the Americanisation of Christianity have been really inspirational, and I'm really glad he's picking up the ball on Iraq, Guantanamo Bay, and many other areas. He may be a vocal minority, but social justice campaigners always were. Well done to him and the others at Gods' Politics.
See, that feels better, doesn't it?
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