Allen Hench, for many years a successful Pennsylvania attorney, has traveled extensively world-wide, taught at a major university in the States and has even hosted an early morning classical music hour on public radio.  One suspects he does his best thinking and composing while doing his daily run of several miles.  When in gathering, he always seeks out the opinions of others as if searching and probing for a better understanding of our human condition.  Here from a Christian perspective he ponders how to reconcile the Gospel, historic American values and the present political and social situation in the United States. - Glenn N. Holliman

   . . . And, just what version of the New Testament supports current US policy regarding humankind world-wide ?    

The Statue of Liberty -- closed for the next four years

Emma Lazarus’ famous 1883 lines obliterated

 “AMERICA FIRST” -- The new national motto

Our new  goal -- US supremacy

“America the Beautiful” replaced with “America the Great”

The problem

I am troubled and perplexed.  I do not understand how we got to this era of a national selfishness, abandoning long-standing US concern for non-Americans.  I, and others, cringe at the ugliness that oozed from the inaugural address.  The sentiments proclaimed were embarrassing.  

 What happened to the idea of being a citizen of the world?  Or, the Christian notion that all mankind-internationally-is our neighbor?   Are  these old-fashioned notions that shaped customary US headship,  now superseded by a warped or perverted national pride? 

Is a Christian to have two levels of brotherly love: one for Americans, and a lower one for non-Americans?  I never thought so—but it seems a large portion of the country, including many Christians, do.

Right, Allen and his wife, Ellen, often open their home for hospitality.

The recognition

On Feb 12, we prayed:   “Forgive us, God, for thinking we are the center of your world.”[i]  We  acknowledged:  Our “harsh judgment of brothers and sisters, strangers and friends  . . .  [our] ridicule . . . [our] silent grudges . . . [barring] us from freely accepting others  . . . “  

Is more required?                                                                                                                                                      

We confessed these failings.    But, does it end there?   Where do we go now:   individually . . . , as a Church, and . . .  as part of the American Christian faith community?   Should we explore a response to this “unchristian-like” turn our country has taken?  Should we develop or implement a Call or Plan of Action for our Congregation, and/or the greater American Christian community?

Determining the action plan   

                                                                                                                            

To answer that, analyze the upcoming Lenten preaching scriptures.  The point from Deuteronomy: Walk in obedience to God, or else.  From Isaiah: Woe to those who make unjust laws, . . .  issue oppressive decrees, . . . deprive the poor of their rights  . . . withhold justice from the oppressed . . . .  and continues asking:    What will you do on the day of reckoning, . . .  Where will you leave your riches?   [These excerpts sound like God-inspired authorship proclaimed in the last four weeks---and, maybe, as a direct rebuttal to some political pomposity].   Add the final scripture from Luke and the package of principles  grounded on the words and actions of Christ along with other New Testament teachings. 

 Christian values used to determine public policy                                                                                           

Should not this package, considered in its totality, be our guide, as Christians, in helping to determine public policy in 2017 ?   And, how should we be effective proactive Christians, especially when a large part of the Christian community, the “Christian right,” may be strongly supportive of some of the Administration positions others would challenge?    

This writing is not intended to suggest ignoring  legitimate security issues relating  especially to immigration; and these contentions may indeed justify some positions, or at least warrant caution. But, somewhere there must be a balance between security issues and theological truths, and give us a reasonable, just approach.

What do we do now? 

                                                                                                                                                    

I do not want the within to be just rhetorical even though I admit I have no answers.    I invite reaction, improvements to the articulation of the issues, suggestions, thoughts --- a dialogue.  What do we do now ?   Can we progress as a national Christian community, or are the philosophical divisions thereof too wide?   Or, do we ignore a national crusade, and forge forward as a congregation?  Or individually?

Allen Hench                 

                                                                                                                  

 “In any situation, the best thing is to do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing; the worst thing you can do is nothing.” Theodore Roosevelt

Comments?

---