the radical middle
Doug Pagitt mentioned something on his radio show (blogtalkradio.com/dougpagitt, 9am MST) recently that has stuck with me. The gist of what I got from it was that the “middle” needs to be a “radical middle”. In politics, religion, social issues, etc. the middle needs to be a prophetic voice able to speak to both “sides”.
This whole deal going on right now with Obama choosing Rick Warren to do his invocation makes me think about that in a real-life way. I have no idea if this was a good choice or not, I tend to think it was (but I understand the frustration of so many) and I have no love lost for conservative evangelicals anymore, in fact, I have good reason to be pretty pissed off at them as a whole - but if I’m going to argue for some sense to be brought into our human dealings, I have to be willing to stand up to liberals and conservatives alike, I have to be able to say to liberals - hey now, back up the bus, what is it about Warren that precludes him for consideration? Did you not take Obama seriously when he said bringing the country together was going to be a priority? Is it because Warren has some theological opinions with which you disagree? If we were willing to give Obama a pass on the Wright issue arguing that one doesn’t have to agree with everything their friends believe then we need to be able to support Obama in this decision and be the voice that brings reason to the situation.
I also have to extend this into my own faith journey as I work through where I find myself on the path right now. One of the things that drew me to the emergent conversation was that I was homeless - I’m too “charismatic”/mystical and theologically conservative on some things for liberals and I’m FAR TOO LIBERAL for conservatives. So many people in emergent are in the same boat. We are in a unique position to be able to speak to each other and those on either side of the proverbial aisle, many of us are post-evangelical and have deep and personal understanding of what goes on “over there” - not just the bad. Many are mainline but find themselves in the conversation because of shortfalls they see in the mainline. I also have opportunities to speak up on behalf of people of faith when talking to my agnostic/atheist friends and vice versa. In short, the radical middle should be a position of advocacy and giving voice to whatever voice is essentially being oppressed. (don’t get me wrong, I don’t think we always need to be worrying about playing devil’s advocate all the time, that would be exhausting and incredibly annoying for our friends hehe)
Sometimes, it’s easier being in the middle - in spite of the lost puppy feeling you get sometimes, it’s easy to get comfortable. But we have to challenge ourselves to continue to speak out, to be a prophetic voice to those on both sides of an issue, a voice that encourages radical love, mercy, humility, peace and reconciliation. A voice that does not just sit back and shake our heads and tsk as those around us go at each other’s throats.
How can I be a person in the radical middle? How can I continue to be a prophetic voice that pushes against all sides of an issue that is causing division? What would God call me to do in this season of prophets, prophecies, miracles and wonderment?
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- Posted by Mak at 01:47 pm
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Great post.
My former youth pastor used to tell me that it is not the job of a Christian to hold strong views about politics or even to get involved in strongly partisan groups, but to dialogue with others in the world to get at the heart of what they believe. Our job as moderate Christians is to learn where people are and, perhaps, help steer them down the path of divine light that is possible only through Jesus Christ. I think it is important to remember our positions as those to help others see this.
[...] From the Vine argues that moderate Christians should remember that we are part of the “radical middle.” Basically, what she means is that we have the ability to speak to both liberals and [...]
if you saw my twitter posts today on the warren thing then you know that all I can say to this post is amen.
These are wise words - i need to learn to be less confrontational so both sides will listen to my narrative.
Good stuff my friend. I’m there: drawn into emergent through being too charismatic/conservative for liberals and too liberal for conservatives. When people at her seminary ask Kiera what denomination she is, she says “confused.”
Anyway. I appreciate the reminder that the middle is a prophetic place. Thank you.
I wholeheartedly agree with the “middle,” but I think many Christians, both left, right, middle, or other, are missing the bigger point, which is, “why is it ever bad/wrong/evil to pray?” I discussed this in my latest post: http://everydayliturgy.com/blogs/thomas/its-always-good-to-pray
I agree Thom
I appreciate reading this, especially your last paragraph. I can’t shake all the constant questioning I have about what it should look like to be in the middle, and to be a peacemaker.
Thanks, Mak.