No More, 'Moore'

I know Roy Moore has only been accused of child molestation, with no final conviction.

But the tone of Moore's behavior (dating teenagers) and the defense mounted by his supporters (after all, Joseph dated Mary, also a teenager http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/alabama-state-auditor-defends-roy-moore-against-sexual-allegations-invokes-mary-and-joseph/article/2640217)) is convicting.

Specifically it is convicting, convincing, of a disregard of decency, all in the name of personal, self-gratification.

It is also convicting, convincing of a disregard of biblical Christianity.  Yet Roy Moore is elevated and affirmed as a symbol of biblical Christianity. 

This is primarily because of Moore's belief in the Christian origins of the U.S., his unflinching commitment to the ten commandments and it's public display, along with an unapologetic belief in the traditional martial partnership between a man and a woman.  As Religious News Service reported last week:

The former state supreme court justice believes the Founding Fathers intended the United States to be a Christian nation. He was kicked off the court in 2003 after he disobeyed a federal judge’s order to take down a 5,280-pound granite statue of the Ten Commandments he had installed in the lobby of the state judicial building. In 2016, after being elected again, he was suspended for telling probate judges not to issue same-sex marriage licenses. http://religionnews.com/2017/11/10/conservatives-defend-roy-moore-invoking-joseph-mary-and-the-ten-commandments/

Moore's advocacy in these areas, has merit.  But the message of Jesus is much more than a few select religious issues, and American exceptionalism, e.g. singling out America for favored nation status, with God.  

The message of Jesus is much broader and deeper and non-partisan, touching every aspect of life, especially those parts of life, not yet given to the Savior.  

And so, folks who 'deep dive' in the Bible, go beyond Roy Moore, and those of his stripe, and affirm, that:

• The message of Jesus is not just about America, but every other nation-state, for God so loved the world, that God gave His only begotten son (John 3:16).
• The message of Jesus is not just about the public display of the Ten Commandments -- but the living out of the Ten Commandments -- and -- the Beatitudes -- and 1 Corinthians 13 -- and every other inch of Holy Scripture.
• The message of Jesus is not just about same-sex marriage licenses -- but sexual relations between men and women -- and -- men/women and children/minors -- within the biblical guidelines of sexual fidelity and purity. 

It deeply saddens me to see so many devout Christians narrow-cast the gospel as 'The Gospel of Roy Moore.'  http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/360010-poll-37-percent-of-alabama-evangelicals-more-likely-to-vote-for-moore-after   But it also hearkens me that an increasing number of devout Christians refuse to narrow-cast the gospel as 'The Gospel of Roy Moore."  Ed Stetzer is especially articulate.

“…There are times when Christians…shake our heads in response to the sheer foolishness from those who claim to represent him. Yes, this is again our reality, this time coming from [defenders] of Roy Moore…[Allegations] of sexual assault against Moore broke in the Washington Post…allegations [involving] sexual advances against a 14-year-old girl.  Now, let me be clear. I know these are allegations and that everyone gets their day in court…Yet, in this case, we need to clear something up. Simply put, it is important to make clear that Christians don’t believe the message that is coming from some of Moore’s supporters. Actually, most of us find it really creepy…" https://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2017/november/roy-moore.html

And then we wonder why so many persons are leaving the church of Jesus Christ -- and why it is so difficult to woo unbelievers in our direction.

Too often, Christianity does appear creepy.

And so, let's declare:  no more, 'Moore' -- or -- any other perverted misrepresentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  For in fairness to Roy Moore, he does have company, on both the Right and the Left.  And so...

• No more...Bauman...as in Edward Bauman...who during his long-term pastorate at progressive Foundry United Methodist Church, in Washington, DC, had improper sexual relations with at least three members of his congregation.
• No more...Bakker...as in Jim Bakker...who during his long-standing leadership of PTL ministries entered into a variety of crimes and sins, including fraud, greed, and adultery.
• No more...Law...as in Bernard Law...who as Archbishop of Boston from 1984-2002 'covered up' the sexual abuse of dozens of Catholic priests within his archdiocese, including one priest, who alone, raped or molested 103 children over several decades. 
• No more...Driscoll...as in Mark Driscoll...who as pastor as Mars Hill Church was involved in a string of scandals, including plagiarizing content in his books, spending more than $200,000 in ministry money for personal gain, and bullying staff members.

Get the point?  There is plenty of sin in all sectors of the church, not just in the portion of the church Moore 'represents,' the evangelical church.   

And so, no matter where a perverted representation of Christianity arises -- no more!  

Now for a stretching -- 'sure to offend' -- statement:  I believe at the core of the recent perversion of Christianity represented in the Roy Moore scandal is a continuing devaluing of women, in demonstrative, arrogant fashion.  Naively, as a 'baby-boomer' I assumed our generation had liberated women, through the feminist movement and other efforts at curbing injustice.  

Not so.  

Frankly -- sadly -- tragically -- the disrespect, devaluing, disregard, and yes, abuse toward women continues in a shamefully intense, unapologetic, increased fashion.  

A graphic example happened recently, as I was discussing with a colleague, the biblical inclusion of women in all aspects of ministry, including pulpit ministry.  The person with whom I spoke, vehemently disagreed, but ended the conversation reassuring me.  "It doesn't really matter (e.g. women in all all aspects of ministry) because women in ministry isn't salvific (e.g. essential to our salvation), thus, it's a secondary issue."  "Secondary issue?  I can't believe you said that" I fired back.  "Ask any woman, if women in ministry (or the workplace, etc.) is a secondary issue!  How insulting!"

It is insulting.  

Now, mind you, I'm far from a saint on this issue.  But I am doing better, speaking up in a new fashion, spreading the word, that any marginalization of women -- any disrespect of women -- any devaluing of women -- or -- any other child of God -- is a devaluing of God. 

For as I've noted in other writings, there is no preamble to any listing of the gifts of Holy Spirit, limiting those gifts to a particular gender, class, or nationality.  For as Paul declares, forcefully, convincingly:    

"...For now that you have faith in Christ you are all sons of God. All of you who were baptised “into” Christ have put on the family likeness of Christ. Gone is the distinction between Jew and Greek, slave and free man, male and female—you are all one in Christ Jesus...."  (Galatians 3:28 Phillips, emphasis added).

We are all one.  Sure, there are legitmate, marked, delightful, gender differences.  But there are no equity, justice, access, inclusion differences, at least, in God's eyes. 

We are all one.

Thus, if we are all one -- there is no room, no margin, for marginalizaiton, or any form or expression of discrimination or 'looking down' -- let alone -- violation and abuse. 

So, no more, 'Moore' -- or any perversion -- any misrepresentation -- of the equity, empowerment -- respect, regard -- value, vindication -- we all have -- in our Love and Liberator -- Jesus Christ!