Cruciform Conversations

What happens when you suddenly awaken to your complicity in leading congregations to worship cultural and political idols? That is the story bravely told by Jeff Mikels in the book Evangelical Idolatry: How Pastors Like Me Have Failed the People of God. Diving into how a specific evangelical subculture shaped him to avoid political engagement, remain segregated from the experiences and wisdom of vast parts of the church, and develop a propensity for enemy-making, Jeff tells his own story of awakening and transformation, one that cost him his church.

The (Re)union Project is a movement for people like Jeff, who are working to engage with the broader church community so that we can learn from one another and better embody the good news of the kingdom. In this episode of In Conversation With…, we talk with Jeff Mikels about his journey, his learning, and how God has been at work widening and deepening his gospel. We discuss our reading and interpretation of the Bible, being shaped by culture, getting lost in theological debates, and how to begin building bridges and cultivating peace across cultural boundaries. For those who have found themselves in Christian communities isolated and closed off from the larger church, you will find encouragement, challenge, and hopefulness in Jeff’s candor.

(Note - this post was created when I served as VP of Ideos Institute, which is now the Fuller Center for Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation)

“The world is a diverse, complex, and nonhomogeneous place. We need to embrace the diversity present around us and rejoice in it, because God certainly does. We must recognize how our understanding of God affects our worldview, our actions, and our Christian faith. Our choice of words and the language we use impact our thoughts and ideas. If we can move away from the false notion of a white male God, it will expand our understanding of the real God who is infinite and unrestricted.” - Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim, When God Became White

Pursuing unity and healing in the church requires navigating a vital historic and modern question: Is God’s design for unity one of diversity or conformity? The answer to this question has shaped different expressions of Christianity across the globe and throughout history. A belief in unity through conformity has often resulted in hierarchical structures, enforced compliance, violence, cultural assimilation, and, most horrifically, cultural destruction and genocide. We can trace this theological assumption and its impact through a history of warfare, conquest, colonization, and missionary work. But this isn’t the only way to build unity, and scripture, history, and the global church help us to see the possibilities of unity strengthened by diversity rather than conformity.

In this week’s In Conversation With…, we speak with Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim, author of the book When God Became White: Dismantling Whiteness for a More Just Christianity. The book uses Grace’s own experience and the stories of many others who were taught a form of Christianity based on a white male God, to help us understand the culture of whiteness and its theological and missional implications. We explore the social construct of whiteness, its impact on the understanding of God, and the historical context of a white Jesus. Dr. Kim helps us expand our imagination for solidarity among different racial groups cultivated by reimagining God beyond a white male figure. We also touch on practical steps for inclusivity in faith communities and the significance of diverse voices in understanding God.

Connect with Grace’s work:The Madang Podcast

Full Catalog of Books

(Note - this post was created when I served as VP of Ideos Institute, which is now the Fuller Center for Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation)

Matthew 6:4 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money (mammon).”

Discipleship calls us to abandon all other gods that call for our attention. Throughout scripture, it is clear that the god of mammon, or money, is a leading competitor of God for our loyalty and devotion. Jesus makes this abundantly clear: we cannot serve God and money. Yet, for much of the Christian church, especially in American Evangelicalism, little has been done to understand how we have been discipled economically. Much conversation has taken place about how to be good stewards of money, but rarely are we challenged to examine our economic assumptions and how they shape our daily lives and churches. It is difficult to show significant evidence that American Christianity has heeded the warning of Jesus and abandoned our service of money. What would it look like for the church to surrender our economics to the work of the Spirit and the Lordship of Jesus?

In this week’s conversation, Greg Arthur and Matt Tebbe explore the intersection of faith and economic ethics, particularly focusing on the concept of mammon and its implications for spiritual life. They discuss the journey of understanding economic exploitation, the spiritual power of money, and the importance of community in addressing poverty and injustice. The dialogue emphasizes the need for a reimagined economy that prioritizes human flourishing over profit, and the church's role in advocating for justice and equity in a world shaped by economic forces.

Resources Mentioned:

* Gravity Commons - Matt’s organization, a new cohort on this topic starting soon

* The Anti-Greed Gospel by Malcolm Foley

* Asian Americans and the Spirit of Racial Capitalism by Jonathan Tran

* The Politics of Jesus by Obery Hendricks Jr.

* Jesus and the Politics of Mammon by Hollis Phelps

Episode Takeaways

* The journey into economic awareness often begins with social justice movements.

* Money is not spiritually neutral; it has a significant spiritual power.

* We often spiritualize poverty, which can blind us to the realities of those in need.

* The market is not a moral entity; it prioritizes profit over people.

* Small acts of sabotage against mammon can help reclaim our values.

* The Kingdom of God calls us to love and care for others, not exploit them.

* Flourishing in community requires a shift in how we view economic relationships.

* The good news of Jesus must resonate with those experiencing material need.

* Understanding mammon helps us see the systemic issues in our economy.

* Resources and community support are essential for navigating economic challenges.

(Note - this post was created when I served as VP of Ideos Institute, which is now the Fuller Center for Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation) (Our last conversation, with Dr. Hank Spaulding and Dr. Amanda Montgomery, Searching for a Redemptive Se—al Ethic, ended up in a lot of spam folders, most likely due to the sensitive nature of the topic covered and its description! If you missed that episode and Substack check it out here.)

Today, we have a special bonus episode of In Conversation With… that originally took place during our virtual conference The (Re)union: A Gathering of Peacemakers. In this conversation, Christy Vines, President of Ideos Institute, interviews Dr. Vince Bacote, head of Wheaton College's Center for Applied Christian Ethics, and Dr. Joy Moore, President of Northern Seminary. The topic of the conversation is Navigating the In-Between: Race, Reconciliation, and the Future of Evangelicalism.

Their conversation explores the themes of race, reconciliation, and evangelicalism's future, focusing on Black evangelicals' experiences and the importance of cultural identity within the church. The speakers discuss the erasure of Black stories in evangelical history, the impact of culture wars, and the need for the church to embrace diversity and be a peculiar witness in a complex world. They emphasize the importance of patience, understanding, and recognizing our shared humanity in navigating these challenging conversations.

Did you miss The (Re)union? Next week we will send out information about how you can go back and access all the recordings from our workshops and teaching sessions! The joy of a virtual conference is that we can continue to invite you to this amazing experience. Stay tuned for more details.

Conversation Takeaways

* The church's story includes diverse voices, not just European ones.

* Black evangelicals have unique experiences that need to be acknowledged.

* Cultural identity plays a crucial role in understanding faith.

* Assimilation can lead to the erasure of individual identities.

* The church must be a community that embraces diversity.

* Navigating culture wars requires humility and understanding.

* We are called to love our neighbors, regardless of differences.

* Living as exiles means being a peculiar witness to God's truth.

* Patience is essential in conversations about race and reconciliation.

* The future of evangelicalism depends on embracing all stories.

In this special bonus episode, Christy Vines, President of Ideos Institute, interviews Dr. Vince Bacote head of Wheaton College's Center for Applied Christian Ethics and Dr. Joy Moore, President of Northern Seminary. The topic of the conversation is Navigating the In-Between: Race, Reconciliation, and The Future of Evangelicalism.

This conversation originally took place during our virtual conference The (Re)union: A Gathering for Peacemakers.

In this conversation, Greg Arthur engages with Dr. Amanda Montgomery and Dr. Hank Spaulding to explore the complex issues surrounding sexual ethics, human trafficking, and the church's role in addressing these topics. They discuss the historical context of sexual ethics within the evangelical church, the impact of trauma on survivors, and the importance of creating safe spaces for open dialogue. The conversation emphasizes the need for a more compassionate and informed approach to sexuality, rooted in scripture and community support, while also addressing the church's responsibility to confront its own shortcomings in these areas.

Episode Takeaways:

• The church's historical approach to sexual ethics has often been reactive rather than proactive.
• Many individuals in the church struggle with understanding and discussing sexual ethics due to shame and fear.
• Scripture can be misinterpreted, leading to harmful teachings about sexuality and trauma.
• Creating safe spaces in the church is essential for survivors of sexual assault to feel supported and heard.
• The church must recognize its own issues before addressing those in the wider community.
• Survivor stories are crucial for understanding the complexities of sexual exploitation and trafficking.
• Healthy discussions about sexuality should be encouraged within faith communities.
• The church has a responsibility to educate its members about healthy sexual practices.
• Belonging in the church should be based on love and acceptance, not moral superiority.
• The church can play a vital role in healing by fostering open conversations about sexual ethics.

(Note - this post was created when I served as VP of Ideos Institute, which is now the Fuller Center for Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation)

The (Re)union Project is a movement of Christians trying to make sense of the conflicts dividing the church and how we have been complicit in those divisions. If we understand the origins of these deep divisions, perhaps we can imagine a new way forward. This episode of In Conversation With… seeks to identify ways forward for the church that involve a better sexual ethic.

The evangelical church has long made sexual ethics a central feature of its theology and claimed distinctiveness. In a world of promiscuity, changing sexual practices, and increasing crassness, the evangelical church has held itself apart as a light of purity and God-ordained sexual ethics. The results, however, have been far from what was promised. Studies reveal that the sexual practices of practicing evangelicals largely mirror those of the surrounding culture, and there is a horrifying amount of evidence of sexual abuse and complicity in systems of sexual exploitation.

Any conversations about healing the church and seeking unity must include a kingdom sexual ethic that will truly differentiate the church as a place of healing and justice in a world of sexual brokenness and exploitation. That brings us to today’s conversation with Dr. Amanda Montgomery and Dr. Hank Spaulding. Dr. Montgomery is is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and an ordained pastor in the Church of the Nazarene. Her doctoral work focused on what churches and communities should know before joining the fight against human trafficking. She recently published her first book entitled Human Trafficking: A Bible Study on Awareness and Prevention. Amanda is the founder of Olympia Pastoral Counseling and a speaker on topics including mental health, relationships, pastoral burnout, and trafficking awareness.

Dr. Spaulding is the editorial assistant for the Center for Barth Studies at Princeton Theological Seminary. He also serves as an adjunct professor of Christian ethics at Ashland University, Ashland Theological Seminary, George Fox University, and Indiana Wesleyan University. He is the author of several books, including Iconoclastic Sex: Christian Sexual Ethics and Human Trafficking.

Episode Overview

In this conversation, Greg Arthur engages with Dr. Amanda Montgomery and Dr. Hank Spaulding to explore the complex issues surrounding sexual ethics, human trafficking, and the church's role in addressing these topics. They discuss the historical context of sexual ethics within the evangelical church, the impact of trauma on survivors, and the importance of creating safe spaces for open dialogue. The conversation emphasizes the need for a more compassionate and informed approach to sexuality, rooted in scripture and community support, while also addressing the church's responsibility to confront its own shortcomings in these areas.

Episode Takeaways

* The church's historical approach to sexual ethics has often been reactive rather than proactive.

* Many individuals in the church struggle with understanding and discussing sexual ethics due to shame and fear.

* Scripture can be misinterpreted, leading to harmful teachings about sexuality and trauma.

* Creating safe spaces in the church is essential for survivors of sexual assault to feel supported and heard.

* The church must recognize its own issues before addressing those in the wider community.

* Survivor stories are crucial for understanding the complexities of sexual exploitation and trafficking.

* Healthy discussions about sexuality should be encouraged within faith communities.

* The church has a responsibility to educate its members about healthy sexual practices.

* Belonging in the church should be based on love and acceptance, not moral superiority.

* The church can play a vital role in healing by fostering open conversations about sexual ethics.

(Note - this post was created when I served as VP of Ideos Institute, which is now the Fuller Center for Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation)

The (Re)union Project is a movement of Christians trying to make sense of the conflicts dividing the church and how we have been complicit in those divisions. If we understand the origins of these deep divisions, perhaps we can imagine a new way forward. This episode of In Conversation With… seeks to identify some deep-rooted issues at work in the church, contributing to our divisions.

How can we have a gospel without love at the center?

How can the church live out its mission without participating in and embodying the love of God?In this conversation, Greg Arthur and Dr. Nijay Gupta discuss his new book, The Affections of Christ Jesus, which explores the theme of love in the New Testament, particularly in the writings of Paul. He reflects on his personal journey and the cultural shifts that have influenced contemporary understandings of love. The discussion delves into the intersection of love and theology, the importance of empathy, and how these concepts can be applied in community life. Dr. Gupta emphasizes the need for a return to the heart of the gospel, which is love, and how this can transform the church and its relationship with the world.

Episode Takeaways

* Dr. Gupta emphasizes the importance of love in Paul's theology.

* Cultural shifts have led to unrealistic expectations of love.

* Empathy is crucial for understanding and expressing love.

* Justification should be viewed as making things right in relationships.

* The church's reputation should be centered on love and kindness.

* Love is not just an emotion but a commitment to others.

* Understanding love requires inner work and emotional awareness.

* Paul's letters reveal a deeply human side of his character.

* The church must embody love to be effective in the world.

* Christian love should be peculiar and transformative.

In this conversation, Greg Arthur and Dr. Nijay Gupta discuss his new book, which explores the theme of love in the New Testament, particularly in the writings of Paul. Dr. Gupta reflects on his personal journey and the cultural shifts that have influenced contemporary understandings of love. The discussion delves into the intersection of love and theology, the importance of empathy, and how these concepts can be applied in community life. Dr. Gupta emphasizes the need for a return to the heart of the gospel, which is love, and how this can transform the church and its relationship with the world.

Episode Takeaways

• Dr. Gupta emphasizes the importance of love in Paul's theology.
• Cultural shifts have led to unrealistic expectations of love.
• Empathy is crucial for understanding and expressing love.
• Justification should be viewed as making things right in relationships.
• The church's reputation should be centered on love and kindness.
• Love is not just an emotion but a commitment to others.
• Understanding love requires inner work and emotional awareness.
• Paul's letters reveal a deeply human side of his character.
• The church must embody love to be effective in the world.
• Christian love should be peculiar and transformative.

(Note - this post was created when I served as VP of Ideos Institute, which is now the Fuller Center for Peacebuilding and Conflict Transformation)In this conversation, Greg Arthur speaks with Rev. Carlos Malave about the Latino Christian National Network and the evolving conversations around immigration within the church. They discuss the challenges the Latino community faces, the importance of unity among diverse Christian leaders, and the need for advocacy and civic engagement. Carlos shares insights on the historical context of immigration discussions, the role of Latino Christians in shaping these dialogues, and the theological foundations for welcoming immigrants. The conversation emphasizes the contributions of the Latino community to the church and society, and the resources available for Christian leaders to engage in meaningful advocacy.

Episode Takeaways

* The Latino Christian National Network fosters unity among diverse faith traditions.

* Immigration conversations have evolved significantly in the church over the past decade.

* Building trust and respect is essential for collaboration among Christian leaders.

* Latino Christians play a vital role in advocating for immigration reform.

* Many Latino pastors are disconnected from civic engagement and community issues.

* The Latino community contributes significantly to the economy and culture of the U.S.

* Fear and alienation are prevalent in the Latino community due to current immigration policies.

* Theological foundations call for welcoming and valuing all people, especially immigrants.

* Collaboration on issues like immigration, poverty, and criminal justice is crucial for unity.

* Resources are available for Christian leaders to engage in immigration advocacy.

Discover more about the Latino Christian National Network