Throughout American history, there has always been
a healthy discussion of ideas and philosophies.
That’s what makes America a great democracy.
But in today’s world,
the algorithms that are built into our social media networks
create an echo chamber that make sure we hear
only those views that amplify our own way of thinking.
This is true for my social media networks…
and for your social media networks!
As Time Magazine recently said,
“we have a monster misinformation hurricane,
tearing through the possibility
of consensus in American democracy
and ripping out all the precedents.”
But even more painful for me are the ugly divisions
that have taken place within the Church.
Right before the election of 2020,
one prominent evangelical said publicly,
“the only evangelicals who are going to vote for Joe Biden
are those who have sold their souls to the devil.”
That doesn’t sound like what the Apostle Paul had in mind
when he reminded us that, as Christians,
we are all members of one body.”
What is most sad to me is how some of my Christian friends
on both sides of the political discussion
have slandered and attacked each other
rather than respectfully listening to each other.
I will confess that it is extremely hard for me to have a conversation
with someone who has an elitist mindset.
You know… that person who says,
“Not only am I right, but you’re wrong!
Not only am I right, I’m the only one smart enough
to know what right is!”
I have a hard time playing nice with that kind of person!
Especially when I am desperately trying to find common ground
and all I get in return is a 45 minute lecture
about how they are right and I am wrong.
In the midst of the maddening clamor for extremes,
let me be crystal clear about where my vote is going!
Rather than campaigning for the far left or the far right,
I pledge my full support for being Radically Moderate!
Please don’t mistake my Radically Moderate position
for being a Mediocrity between two extremes!
I hate mediocrity as much as I hate extremes.
Jesus and I both share a disgust for anything lukewarm!
I like my friend, Tim Crutcher’s, description
of being Radically Moderate as
“reframing the conflict in terms of other values and –
based on that – revealing a new and better position
which has things in common with both ends of the polarity
but offers a position that goes beyond both extremes.”
So, for me, being Radically Moderate
is not compromising on some
lukewarm mediocrity that leaves no one happy.
Radically Moderate is what happens when
different mindsets,
different viewpoints,
different perspectives,
different passions
refuse to accept simplistic compromises
and come together to do the hard work
of finding what John Wesley called
the via media, the middle way.
I would love to invite you to join me
on the campaign trail for being a
Radical Moderate!
I invite you to use this form to share your prayer request with me.
