Compassion is a marvelous virtue. Feeling concern for others and acting sacrificially — especially on behalf of those that cannot return the favor — reveals mature character and contributes to human flourishing.
Compassion moves missionaries and monks to great efforts as they plant churches, pioneer institutions, and work for justice across cultures and geographies. Paul’s words are the motivation for his apostolic proclamation that, “…the love of Christ compels us…” and, “one died for all, therefore all died. And those who live should not live for themselves but for him who died and rose again.” (2 Cor. 5)
This agape love includes moral conviction and missional wisdom.
“Unsanctified mercy” (thank you, Jill Miller, for this term) arises when compassion becomes compromise and our fear of offending subverts biblical truth. The American church is increasingly guilty of doctrinal, moral, and spiritual compromise under the guise of compassion and misplaced historical guilt.
At the risk of offending tender sensibilities, it is time to confront our own hearts and our public ministries with gospel truth. Progressive Christians have served the kingdom well as they expose the excesses of consumerism, capitalism, and colonialism that often mark American and Western ecclesial efforts. Conservative Christians serve God’s reign as they remind the church that there are timeless beliefs and values not subject to one’s “evolution.” The sanctity of life, the definition and marriage, and the historical foundations of the gospel and Scripture are among these convictions. There is much room for civil family debate on a variety of issues and strategies.
The events of the past half-century and the last few months are cause for grave concern and I am unashamedly speaking truth to power as unsanctified mercy leads the church down pathways of compromise, irrelevance and ineffective witness.
Here are some of the ways compassion is fogging the vision of well-meaning believers:
- Economic Justice: So many well-meaning believers fall into soft socialist and redistributionist ideologies in the name of fairness, ignoring the factors that lead to human flourishing. Trillions in aid has left many parts of Africa behind the improvements in the global economy. (See Acton’s award-winning film, Poverty Inc., as well as the video series, Poverty Cure, for real solutions.) Personal virtue and private property, the rule of law, and access to markets are the structural changes that will liberate the creativity and prosperity God’s intends for his creation. Crony capitalism is the great weakness of both conservative and progressive political powers, with local business owners and workers left in the dust. Reparations are just a slogan without accountability and stewardship. Welfare without work dehumanizes recipients. Chris Brooks from Detroit is right when he opines, “We must confront both individual iniquity and institutional injustice.” Accountability for choices must be joined with denunciation of redlining. Thoughtful believers would do well to consider the Economic Wisdom Principles found at the Oikonomia Network.
- Climate Change and Ecological Policies: The science is not settled and thoughtful believers should “follow the money and power” as globalists attempt to extract more wealth from the West for the rest with no participation from the Chinese, Indian, and Russian empires. Why is Al Gore over $150 million richer since peddling his unscientific fear? Why are the leaders of carbon trading conglomerates also producing polluting small cars? A.J. Swoboda has done believers a great service with his groundbreaking work, Tongues and Trees: Toward a Pentecostal Ecological Theology. Worshipful stewardship of creation and Spirit-inspired redemptive action must include care for all living creatures. Pope Francis’ recent ecological encyclical spends more time on the dehumanizing effects of sin than specific legislation. While I disagree with some of the science in both works, the clarion call for theological and moral reflection and thoughtful action is welcome. Somewhere between unbridled exploitation and elitist global governance is true stewardship. The Body of Christ must point the way.
- Racial Reconciliation: As a white male from the middle class, my voice on race must be carefully weighed and I offer the following thoughts for consideration and critique by sisters and brothers of all backgrounds. There is no place for racism in the Christian vision. Through Christ, distinctives remain while divisions and hierarchies are destroyed (Gal. 3; Eph. 2-3; Col. 3). It is only in my lifetime that millions of African Americans have been able to vote and have access to education and economic hope. We have a long way to go. My plea is that this category be for peacemaking and renunciation of violence. We must exchange suspicion for openness and anger for humility. When someone speaks about morality, work ethics, and personal responsibility, it is not always “code” for racism. Conversely, those in power must understand the institutional injustices and social barriers keeping many from flourishing. I commend the irenic works of Anthony Bradley and Christopher Brooks for ways forward that get past the polemics.
- Sexual Ethics and Identity: A miniscule percentage of the population has engaged in a subversive, well–funded attack on the biblical family and sexual conduct and identity, which distorts God’s plan for human stewardship and social flourishing. Yes, the church has often marginalized outsiders; however, hospitality and humility need not lead to compromise. Campolo is wrong. Gushee is wrong. There is no way a careful reading of the Bible yields approval of same-sex unions. This does not mean hatred or persecution. It means that we must promote celibacy for singles and fidelity for heterosexual, monogamous marriage, even when it is hard and unpopular. Gender confusion is growing rampantly as young people are exposed to relentless media pressure to question biology and conscience. It is time for holy love with humility. The reasons people feel the ways they do are complex; biblical ethics are not.
This list can and will continue, but space compels a conclusion to this moment of vulnerability. There is, however, one more “hot button” issue the Body of Christ must confront for the future of her mission in North America and beyond. It is the foundational principle embedded in the couplet found in Heb. 6:2 and reiterated in Heb. 9:27: Resurrection and eternal judgment.
We call for God’s people to live a resurrectional life in the power of the Spirit, celebrating Christ’s atoning death and the liberating power of his resurrection. In the midst of this joyful message we must include the reality that there is eternal judgment awaiting all. Those who refuse the truth and fail to listen to both general and special revelation face a dark eternity. Christians must debate the nature of heaven and hell, but not the existence of both.
Unsanctified mercy is often unconsciously rooted in denial or avoidance of eternal judgment. We are so busy confronting hypocrisy in the church that we forget to behold “the goodness and severity of God.
Why should I share the gospel with my neighbor? Jesus is more than a self-improvement guru and Christianity is richer than principles for better living. Eternity and the Truth are at stake. Good news: we are not the judges of anyone’s eternal destiny. Only God knows the elect. We can and must, however, share the good news of assurance in Christ – the true audacity of Christian hope. When a friend hears the gospel, and places her or his unreserved trust in Christ, we are authorized to declare the forgiveness of sins and an eternal hope that will not fade away.
Let’s unite compassion with conviction, humility and holiness, truth and unconditional love as we live and share the good news of Chgerist and watch faithful churches create flourishing communities.
