Thanks so much for this reflection, Kait. I stand with you: it is clear that Barth and the other authors of the Barmen declaration would recognise our current context as another moment where theologians are called to speak truth to power. I'll continue to reflect on the ways I'm called to do that. Count on my support, in whatever way would be helpful.
Thank you, Kait, for speaking up. Our churches, seminaries and scholarly communities mustn't just put our heads down and ignore the use of disinformation and lies as business as usual.
Kait, this is exceptional. As a preacher, I hear the familiar combination of trepidation and urgency that so regularly lives rent-free in my Sunday morning imagination. I felt seen by your words: not only in the worries of my heart but in the complexities of my vocation. Thank you for braving the waters and for speaking with such clarity.
Perceptive, succinct, identifying the pervasive darkness - not in vague generalities - but with three particular and disturbing events, honest about your own state of mind and heart, summoning us to step forth away from fear and silence, and, perhaps above all, concluding with witness to the light and promise of our God and the gospel.
Thank you Kait. Be assured of my companionship in prayer.
I always appreciate your work, not to mention your friendship on the occasions we get to connect once in awhile. And this is an excellent example of what I admire about you so much. Thank you for the courage this requires.
Thanks Kait for these excellent reflections. I wonder if it would not be appropriate for the church today to declare itself to be in statu confessions. Who will write a new Barmen Declaration for our time?
Dr. Dugan, thank you for your theological labor at the Center.
Unfortunately, I believe that your article "Truth and Falsehood" initiates a consideration of American politics that is determined more by the partisan-political passions of the moment than by the wisdom of Karl Barth's theology. In what follows, I will point to four examples, from the article, of partisan politics overriding Barthian theology.
First, early in the article, you protest against the "deception and lies" from, and gaslighting by, American government. As you should. However, as far as I can tell, all of your examples of governmental mendacity are taken from the Trump administrations. Not one is from the Biden years. That is surprising when you recall that, for starters, during the Biden years, the White House was tightly organized and scheduled to conceal the president's declining mental and physical state.
Second, your three examples of "falsehood hailed as truth" -- the president's recognition of Conor McGregor, the government's cutting funding for Gavi, and the ICE arrest of graduate student Rumeysa Ozturk -- seem truly problematic, according to the brief accounts you have provided. However, each example is probably worthy of a deeper dive, a rigorous debate, and then, if warranted, a continuing protest or a reforming action. You have the resources, including the freedom of speech, to do exactly that. Sadly, as they stand in the article, these three instances of "falsehood hailed as truth" appear to be simple talking points provided by left-of-center outfits.
Third, you rightly invoke The Barmen Declaration as an example of Barth speaking truth to power. With you and many of your readers, I believe that, in drafting Barmen, Karl Barth was at his theological best. However, it must be remembered that Barth wrote Barmen to the Church and to Christians -- not to Hitler and the German State. Barth called out the political idolatry of the German Christians and their churches, because of their willingness to fall in line with an ascendant National Socialism. Barmen centers on Jesus Christ: the Lord over all (Article 1), the Savior offering justification and sanctification (2), the Head of the Church (3), with his servant leadership in the Church (4), his guidance over Church and State, and their different, essential vocations in the world (5), and his commission to the Church until his return in glory (6). After Barmen, as you know, Barth regretted that his draft had not addressed the politics of the time, especially the murderous persecution of the Jews. But at that time, Barth was single-mindedly committed to the faithfulness of the Church, since political ideology was corrupting her faith, life, and message.
Fourth, the conclusion of the article has about it a certain, political darkness, paranoia, fear. Might this come from the author's continued exposure to one-sided political commentary? A concern is that politicized media can suck its consumers into the disorienting whirl of the principalities and powers that are feverishly at work in this world. Little do the powers realize that they are now under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, his mercy, his judgment, and his guidance. Karl Barth is a master at returning the Church and Christians to that truth -- and to the faith, hope, and love that follow -- again and again.
Thanks so much for this reflection, Kait. I stand with you: it is clear that Barth and the other authors of the Barmen declaration would recognise our current context as another moment where theologians are called to speak truth to power. I'll continue to reflect on the ways I'm called to do that. Count on my support, in whatever way would be helpful.
Well put, Kait!
Thank you, Kait, for speaking up. Our churches, seminaries and scholarly communities mustn't just put our heads down and ignore the use of disinformation and lies as business as usual.
We have to take risks, yes, but we take them together! Yours for the scheming, <3 sam
Kait, this is exceptional. As a preacher, I hear the familiar combination of trepidation and urgency that so regularly lives rent-free in my Sunday morning imagination. I felt seen by your words: not only in the worries of my heart but in the complexities of my vocation. Thank you for braving the waters and for speaking with such clarity.
Ditto the three comments already sent.
Perceptive, succinct, identifying the pervasive darkness - not in vague generalities - but with three particular and disturbing events, honest about your own state of mind and heart, summoning us to step forth away from fear and silence, and, perhaps above all, concluding with witness to the light and promise of our God and the gospel.
Thank you Kait. Be assured of my companionship in prayer.
I always appreciate your work, not to mention your friendship on the occasions we get to connect once in awhile. And this is an excellent example of what I admire about you so much. Thank you for the courage this requires.
Thanks Kait for these excellent reflections. I wonder if it would not be appropriate for the church today to declare itself to be in statu confessions. Who will write a new Barmen Declaration for our time?
Dr. Dugan, thank you for your theological labor at the Center.
Unfortunately, I believe that your article "Truth and Falsehood" initiates a consideration of American politics that is determined more by the partisan-political passions of the moment than by the wisdom of Karl Barth's theology. In what follows, I will point to four examples, from the article, of partisan politics overriding Barthian theology.
First, early in the article, you protest against the "deception and lies" from, and gaslighting by, American government. As you should. However, as far as I can tell, all of your examples of governmental mendacity are taken from the Trump administrations. Not one is from the Biden years. That is surprising when you recall that, for starters, during the Biden years, the White House was tightly organized and scheduled to conceal the president's declining mental and physical state.
Second, your three examples of "falsehood hailed as truth" -- the president's recognition of Conor McGregor, the government's cutting funding for Gavi, and the ICE arrest of graduate student Rumeysa Ozturk -- seem truly problematic, according to the brief accounts you have provided. However, each example is probably worthy of a deeper dive, a rigorous debate, and then, if warranted, a continuing protest or a reforming action. You have the resources, including the freedom of speech, to do exactly that. Sadly, as they stand in the article, these three instances of "falsehood hailed as truth" appear to be simple talking points provided by left-of-center outfits.
Third, you rightly invoke The Barmen Declaration as an example of Barth speaking truth to power. With you and many of your readers, I believe that, in drafting Barmen, Karl Barth was at his theological best. However, it must be remembered that Barth wrote Barmen to the Church and to Christians -- not to Hitler and the German State. Barth called out the political idolatry of the German Christians and their churches, because of their willingness to fall in line with an ascendant National Socialism. Barmen centers on Jesus Christ: the Lord over all (Article 1), the Savior offering justification and sanctification (2), the Head of the Church (3), with his servant leadership in the Church (4), his guidance over Church and State, and their different, essential vocations in the world (5), and his commission to the Church until his return in glory (6). After Barmen, as you know, Barth regretted that his draft had not addressed the politics of the time, especially the murderous persecution of the Jews. But at that time, Barth was single-mindedly committed to the faithfulness of the Church, since political ideology was corrupting her faith, life, and message.
Fourth, the conclusion of the article has about it a certain, political darkness, paranoia, fear. Might this come from the author's continued exposure to one-sided political commentary? A concern is that politicized media can suck its consumers into the disorienting whirl of the principalities and powers that are feverishly at work in this world. Little do the powers realize that they are now under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, his mercy, his judgment, and his guidance. Karl Barth is a master at returning the Church and Christians to that truth -- and to the faith, hope, and love that follow -- again and again.
In Christ,
Rev. Paul T. Stallsworth (UMC elder)
2400 Foxcroft Road NW
Wilson, NC 27896
252.640.2755
paulstallsworth@nccumc.org