Have Mercy Initiative

Resources for Faith Leaders during Difficult Political Times

I often hear people say that Christianity shouldn’t be political. Having written a book called The Good News of Church Politics, it won’t surprise readers that I disagree with the sentiment… of course it’s political, just not political in the ways we typically think.

Have Mercy

Faculty at Virginia Theological Seminary (VTS) and General Theological Seminary have written a series of essays that “explore the power of the gospel in this political moment.” The idea was to take the words that VTS graduate Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde spoke to Donald Trump, “have mercy,” and use them as a launching point for reflections to inspire and guide pastors and church leaders. Talking about public issues right now can be fraught in congregations, so these reflections provide perspectives and ways into such conversations grounded in scripture and Christian tradition.

I encourage you to check these out, found here. My own essay went up last week, and you’ll find a reflection coming out weekly this summer. Check the site regularly or follow it on social media. Pass it along to other pastors and lay leaders who would find it helpful!

Podcasting

The Love Your Neighbor podcast has been on a short break, but we will return soon! We have some exciting episodes coming up, ranging from an interview with Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe to discussing a church community that found ways to get people out of predatory lending to an exploration of ecological biblical interpretation with Dr. Ellen Davis from Duke Divinity School.

In the meantime, there are plenty of old episodes to catch up on!

Theology and Culture Miscellany

• Speaking of contemporary political times, this article Whose Nationalism? has one of the more cogent analyses I’ve seen on the subject, as well as an excellent historical analysis of what’s led to our current moment in American politics. John Owen is a prof in my undergrad’s Department of Politics. I don’t agree with all of his conclusions (I have slightly more hope for cosmopolitanism than he does), but it’s outstanding. Hedgehog Review is an excellent publication that I recommend highly.

• Just yesterday I mentioned to someone The Afternoon of Christianity by Tomáš Halík. Generous, wise, and readable, it’s a lovely vision of Christianity after Christendom.

https://rosskane.com/