The Word in Focus with Dr Larry Taylor

A senator went into the Washington Cathedral to pray on a religious holiday near election day. Self-assured and confident, I heard him pray: 

“Lord, I thank Thee that I am one of your chosen people of proud southern heritage, well-mannered and cultured, a straight white male head of my household. I have taken up Thy banner, Lord, in the fight against the woke liberals, abortion, illegal immigrants, foreign cultures, false religions contrary to our Judeo-Christian heritage, affirmative action, radical education, climate and medical science, and all things un-American. I thank Thee that Thou hast called me to defend this great country, the city set on a hill that brings light to the nations. I have voted to cut government spending that encourages thugs and welfare queens to not work. In Thy name, I have proposed a constitutional amendment to define marriage as between one woman and one man. I am unabashedly pro-Israel, pro-capitalism, and pro-military, as art Thou. Thou knowest, Lord, how I have fought against the radical LGBTQ agenda, feminism, and other attacks on Thy great country. With Thy blessing, Lord, we will return America to its glory days before civil rights. I give Thee praise, O, Lord. Amen.”

He left with an entourage. All was quiet. The cathedral was empty. I fell on my face in front of the altar. I did not dare look up. Sobbing with inner guilt, I cried: 

“God have mercy on me, a sinner – I was that man’s pastor and teacher.” 

+++

You see, I was once racist. My parents weren’t, but the segregated white working-class culture I was raised in was. I was an American exceptionalist. I taught toxic “Left Behind” eschatology. I supported Christian nationalism and right-wing Israeli governments. I was homophobic. It was what I was taught in church. It was reinforced by friends. I wanted so desperately to fit in and be accepted that I uncritically swallowed everything my pastor said. I lived in a white conservative bubble.

God started messing with me – gay and lesbian Christians who deeply loved Jesus and radiated with the fruit of the Spirit; devout, loving Palestinian Christians; African-American Christians; hard-working, God-fearing undocumented immigrants. I read history and theology written by women and people of color. My tidy theological structure collapsed. It was rotten. But Jesus remained central. Jesus never went anywhere. I saw who he really is. I’m learning who I really am. It’s all about love – unconditional, all-forgiving, other-oriented, self-sacrificial, cruciform love.