Wages of (Social) Sin

With the recent verdict in the George Floyd case, and the British government report on race, it seems appropriate to share some thoughts on the different levels of sin, and and their social aspects. In evangelicalism especially, we concentrate on the individual and neglect the collective effects of sin. Since this is a blog, my account will necessarily be sketchy and brief. 

Mission By Accident?

Several decades ago, I was interrupted by a phonecall from a Christian community worker I knew. Could we accommodate twenty Kurdish refugees from Turkey? They’d just arrived at Heathrow and the government didn’t know where to put them.

Over the next six months, a hundred came and slept in our church building, as our small congregation (20-30 people) gave money, and helped practically, to look after these arrivals. Other churches joined in: from Protestant and Catholic, Evangelical and Liberal, backgrounds. 

The Argument from Dissatisfaction

I recently helped a friend, who had a family emergency, by teaching some of his classes on apologetics. One of the themes was how we know God exists. Of all the arguments for God’s existence, the one which most emotionally satisfies, is that formulated by C. S. Lewis: the argument from desire.

Abuse in the Church

In my last post, I examined the way inner psychological wounds manifest themselves in the behaviour of male church leaders. This operates generally in a worship of power, and abusive dominance, especially towards females.

As I re-read it, however, I realised it could be taken the wrong way. I was trying to understand some of the causes of such abuse, but let me make it clear: to understand is not to condone, or excuse. We need to combine an understanding mindset, with robust policies, procedures, and penalties, towards transgressions, by leaders. 

The Emotional Wounds of Leaders

We have heard several reports of high profile leaders who have sexually exploited women. This is in addition to the sexual abuse of children in different denominations, plus the widespread abuse of power domination over people in churches and Christian movements. What is happening? 

Someone who wanted me dead

 I had a friend. He was an English convert to Islam. Periodically we used to meet for a coffee and chat: discussing world politics and religion. He regularly Tweeted about Islam, and its superiority to all other world views. Although we disagreed, I considered we had a good relationship. When his father died, I reached out to spend time with him in his loss.

However, something happened which changed everything. He posted about the imposition of the death penalty on blasphemy and apostasy in Muslim countries. In western non-Muslim countries, such a Britain, he thought this was inappropriate. But, in Islamic countries, he felt it was justified.