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Remarkably, mainline church groups began lobbying 40 years ago against any defense for America against incoming missiles. And they have continued right through today. Here’s my article.
Even 40 years ago, United Methodist, Episcopal and Presbyterian officials adamantly insisted that any anti-missile system was morally wrong. How is knocking down deadly missiles with other missiles, saving lives, wrong? Only the religious left could really make this argument, but essentially these churchmen resented any alternative to their blind, utopian faith in arms control. Even the famous Reinhold Niebuhr, founder of “Christian Realism,” joined the campaign in his declining years.
As a college student, I remember going to a hearing in 1985 at Foundry United Methodist Church where the United Methodist bishops were composing their “In Defense of Creation,” manifesto, which opposed President Reagan’s missile defense research program. Then, as now, I was shocked that church officials could be so willfully naive. Then, as now, I am convinced that IRD is urgently required to challenge such willful blindness.
Here’s another example of spiritual and political blindness by church entities. Next month, famously liberal Riverside Church in New York will host a hearing on alleged U.S. war crimes. Here’s my article. United Methodists (including Drew Seminary), Presbyterians, Episcopalians and liberal evangelicals will participate, among others. Expect some old fashioned anti-Americanism at its worst.
Recently I was in New York myself to attend a breakfast for Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams. The event was off the record but fascinating, and having at least briefly met the man, I understand him a little better. While in New York, Williams also gave a speech on economics at Trinity Episcopal Church on Wall Street. Read Jeff Walton’s article here. As Jeff writes, a secular newspaper columnist who spoke seemed to have a better grasp of Christianity and economics than did the Archbishop.
Finally, please read Faith McDonnell’s plea for persecuted Christians in China. Amid our own troubles, we must never forget the even greater challenges confronting other Christians around the world.
As always, please pray for persecuted Christians, especially in China. And please pray for IRD’s ministry of church renewal and religious liberty ministry.
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