International Law

 I don’t think of myself as partisan but as a Christian ethicist. I don’t think one party is wrong or that the other party is right about everything. Some issues are too complex for one sided solutions. There’s a lot of gray in a world of black and white. There should be more listening, less shouting. 

But when it comes to lives being at stake, I must speak out. Once again, I wrote my senators and congressman. I’m making it a public letter by sharing it with you. 

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Dear Senator/Congressman,

I am writing to implore you, during these times, to stand with both Republicans and Democrats in Congress for the importance of international law.

It is my understanding that President Trump said in an interview published Thursday there was only “one thing” to limit his global power. “My own morality. My own mind. It’s the only thing that can stop me.” He added: “I don’t need international law.”

This is extremely dangerous. We need you to stand up, now.

President Trump’s rejection of international law — the framework the US has for generations advocated to avoid wars between major powers and protect the sovereignty of lesser ones — could make the world more dangerous. Nations such as Russia and China have demonstrated in Ukraine and the South China Sea that they will flout global norms. By joining them, Trump could further embolden US foes.

Plans to “run” countries in our hemisphere and aspirations regarding Greenland, regardless of the charter principles of NATO or the people of Greenland’s desires, further degrade our position with our own allies.

The checks and balances and constitution of the United States are all indeed intended to limit the power of the president. Please do what you can to take your responsibility seriously. We elected you to represent all of us, not just your base.

Sincerely, 

Rev. Dr. Steve West

Chaplain, Fair Haven Methodist Home for the Aging

Unity and Inclusivity

 "Only love is trustworthy; only love is credible," said the pope. "While unity attracts, division scatters."

Amen. This is why I chose to remain in the United Methodist Church.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Ax7QjqraJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Carol Service - Birmingham-Southern College Alumni Choir

 In case you missed it, here’s a link to the Carol Service this year, featuring the Birmingham-Southern College Alumni Choir.

It was televised on APT. It is my joy to sing with this esteemed choir.

Open Letter

I’m sending this to those who represent me as well as sharing this with you as an open letter.

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Dear Senator/Congressman,

I am writing to express my dismay regarding the military strike on the “drug boat” from Venezuela this week. This was clearly illegal and immoral.

I am certainly not defending drugs or their transport.  But as a nation, we have a moral obligation to tackle problems in ways that are better than this. These men were human beings, and my faith teaches they were created in the image of God. They were not given any sort of due process such as being arrested, tried, and convicted for their alleged crimes. In addition, an effectual death penalty enacted by the military is not at all an appropriate level of punishment for drug transportation.

Ethically, this constitutes murder, not casualty of war. Even war has rules, and this was indiscriminate killing. A better alternative would have been to arrest them. If we can go to the trouble and expense of drone strikes, we can do something more ethically sound to deal with the problem.

Please do whatever you can, as our Alabama representative, to confront the atmosphere of violence and hostility created by the present day populism and disregard for human beings whether they be immigrants, people of other countries, political foes, and yes, proposed criminals.

Sincerely,

Rev. Dr. Steve West

Minister, chaplain, and citizen of Alabama

Dear Phobic Christians …

(Reflecting on a post by John Pavlovitz reposted below)

It’s amazing how people can be so obsessed over culture war issues that the gospels never even mention … except of course Jesus’ reminder that there are people who are born queer:

“For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth.”

Matthew 19:12a

(A couple of people questioned my scholarship and one said “eunuch” refers to either someone who is castrated or who is “unmarried or impotent.” My responses are below.)

A eunuch in Jesus’ time could refer to a man who had been castrated to serve in positions of trust (such as a harem attendant or royal official) but also could refer to a man who lacked sexual desire for women or had ambiguous sexual characteristics. This is supported by the text itself, otherwise Jesus saying some are “Eunuchs from birth” makes no sense especially when you read the rest of the text around it.

Yes, I am using the word queer properly. Most of your scholarship is accurate, except the idea that the word eunuch here refers to either castrated or “unmarried or impotent” men. This fails to consider that they were guards of the royal harem, so that is whitewashed linguistics. They would have to be completely disinterested in women, otherwise they could not be trusted with this task. “Unmarried” men is who they were protecting the harem from! Assuming they are “unmarried or impotent” doesn’t cut it because Jesus is saying some people are born that way. All people are born unmarried, not some, and impotence develops and is not a term used for a condition from birth. The only explanation, then, of what Jesus is saying (since you can’t be born castrated) is that some men are disinterested in women from birth. Hence, queer in some way. I stand by my scholarship.

The original article from John Pavlovitz is below:

https://johnpavlovitz.substack.com/p/dear-phobic-christians-love-lgbtq

Thoughts from 2 Timothy Chapter 1

13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes.

16 May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. 17 On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. 18 May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day!You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus.

The older I get, the more I have seen that if you follow Christ the best you know how, somebody’s not going to like it!

As a young pastor 30 years ago, I was shocked when I encountered opposition! . How could this happen if I just preached the Word and loved people?

While I was naive about this, over the years I have seen the Bible is not naive about this at all. The Bible is an honest book. I began to see it sprinkled throughout the New Testament. Whether it’s about a person’s personality or politics, it’s real. Sometimes I need gentle correction, sure. At other times, it says more about “them” than about me.

The remedy? It’s right here when Paul was coaching young Timothy and talking about his own examples of those who deserted him vs. those who stayed with him. He starts,

“What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.”

Stick to the apostle’s teachings, with faith (trust in the grace at work whether you see it or not), and most of all deeply immersed in the love of Christ. Somehow, it all seems to work out. And when it’s tough, the good news is we’ve got plenty of company in the Bible and among the saints. Our struggle puts us in touch with the bigger picture of how the Spirit is moving in the world.

Bless you all.

The Lord’s Prayer Misused

 I’ve just confirmed with my own eyes that the “Secretary of War” of our nation released a video on social media of himself praying the Lord’s Prayer, with dramatic music and U.S. militaristic and nationalistic images (bombs, planes, salutes, etc.) playing in the background.

I thought it must be some kind of AI generated hoax. I wouldn’t believe it if I had not watched it myself on his social media. It’s for real and it sickens me.

This is a complete abomination to isr this prayer dear to Christian faith for such purposes as to exalt the military. I must speak out with the strongest protest possible!!!

Do not assimilate Christian liturgy, set forth by the Prince of Peace, for militaristic purposes. Ever.

It’s not okay. And if you don’t know what I’m talking about, just Google it.