I am not exactly sure what parts of the message were offensive. I cannot find anything in the intent of the message that would be considered biblically or doctrinally unsound. But something was offensive nonetheless and since I made statements that contrasted our country to heaven and patriotism to the gospel, I at least want everyone to be clear as to where I stand with regard to the privilege of being able to live in the greatest country in this world.
I cannot state it more simply than to say, “I love this country.” I am as patriotic as any American. As often as we are able, our family participates in an annual Independence Day boat parade. Every Memorial Day I mourn the loss of life sacrificed for this nation. I have served this country in the US Army and would still to this day defend it and its ideal of freedom against all enemies, foreign and domestic. My heart was broken on September 11, when our nation came under attack by coward terrorists who possess no sense of honor or courage and settle instead for taking innocent, civilian human life rather than facing their enemies on the field of battle. They have created a new battlefield and I for one am grateful for a government that is willing to take the fight to their lands.
Many of you do not know that I had the privilege of serving at ground zero with SBC Disaster Relief efforts. I was involved in serving the first response teams that were required to sift through the rubble and debris looking for evidence that would help to bring justice to the terrorists and vindication to the victims. I counseled with them and wept with them as they worked to unravel the mystery of the event that changed our nation. I carry the same weight of emotion, concern, and memory that many of you do when it comes to commemorating the events of 9/11.
At no time did I ever intend to communicate the idea that justice should not be served and that the people that are responsible for terrorism around the world should not be held accountable for their acts. Evil exists and it exists in the form of people whose hearts are not inclined toward God and the truth of His Son, Jesus Christ. The church empowered by the cross, sits in opposition to this evil by demonstrating in words and actions, what it is like to live under the glorious lordship of Jesus. We have the privilege of experiencing in part, the kingdom that will come at the return of Jesus. We oppose evil by living out the principles of the kingdom. And given the tension between a citizenship in a perfect, heavenly place and a residence in an imperfect, unrighteous, sinful place, we may find some of the kingdom principles difficult to live out in our everyday experience, especially when we are forced to choose between these principles and our cultural/patriotic/political worldview. Dr. Russell Moore (Dean of Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) was right when he said (via twitter), “Toby Keith and Jack Bauer don’t speak for us today [9/11/11]. Let our neighbors hear from us justice and mercy, with a Galilean accent.”
The point of that message, which for whatever reason was missed by some, was that fear paralyzes us and keeps us from standing opposed to evil in a godly way. We may oppose it but in our sinful nature, that opposition manifests itself in hatred, bitterness, and yes, even racism when we are trapped by fear. Parkview is a healthy church (regardless of the rumors that surfaced in Lake City the week after that message) because it is willing to be confronted by the message of Jesus and wrestle with statements such as, “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Mt 5:44).
I stand by my conviction that as great as our Declaration of Independence is, it does not come close to the freedom that is proclaimed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And as great as our Constitution is, it does not compare to the principles that govern the lives of citizens of the kingdom of God. May we “if it is possible, as much as depends on [us], live peaceably with all men” (Rom 12:18), especially others who claim the name of Jesus as Savior and Lord.
