Disagreement as Worship

Two days ago a friend asked what I thought about a land acknowledgement that happened at the beginning of a conference we were both attending. The question was by text so I threw a few sharp jabs before I had to turn my phone off to board my flight home. The problem was that it was an honest question about something that a lot of people care deeply about, and it deserved a more thoughtful response. He’s a very smart guy and really wanted to know what my brand of Christianity thought, and I really wanted to throw out a zinger to show how silly and performative I thought the whole thing was. 

Then, this morning I read this in Ephesians: “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.” It was the “members of one another” part that got me. We share something, something really important. Together, Christians and all others, participate in the image of God. We share an ontological imperative, and a distinct ability to give glory to and participate in friendship with the God who made us. We share an invitation to pray, an invitation to real connection. 

There is something lovely about the gospel, which tells us that the people we disagree with are distinctly valued and worth our slow, considered attention. Specifically, if they think something is important then I need to ask myself (and others) why they think so and whether they are right. For example, upon reflection, I can think of six reasons that we might value land acknowledgements in public settings.

1. Condemnation of past violence (Psalm 11:5).

2. Consideration of different approaches to land-ownership (Leviticus 25:23-24).

3. Acknowledgement of the disenfranchised (Proverbs 31:8). 

4. A measure of respect that may allow future relationships because it’s the trajectory of the gospel to bring people together (Revelation 7:9).

5. A verbal reminder that might lead to action (1 John 3:18, Matthew 7:24-27).

6. An affirmation of God’s endurance and approach toward distinct cultures (Romans 1:16, Acts 2:6-12).

But Ephesians also tells us to “speak the truth”, so I am not allowed to just say nice things in hopes of being liked. Here are a few other things I would say about land acknowledgements.

1. The purpose of the meeting matters. For us it was a group of people wanting to provide safer, better camp experiences for children. So this felt out of context, like telling a joke that has nothing to do with the sermon that follows.

2. They can sound like “people like us say things like this. Otherwise, you’re on the other team, and our team is in charge.” I am not saying that is the intent, but it is how they are often heard.

3. They perpetuate tribalism. This is pretty similar to point # 2, but I liked the irony.

4. They point attention to the speaker and the committee that scheduled the acknowledgement rather than the purpose of the meeting. It can feel like they are stopping the conference just long enough to take a selfie.

In 1941 C.S. Lewis offered one of his most famous paragraphs.

There are no 'ordinary' people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations -- these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals with whom we joke, work with, marry, snub and exploit -- immortal horrors or everlasting splendors. This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play. But our merriment must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously -- no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption. 

So let’s screw up our courage and speak the truth, but let’s also screw up our courage and listen, carefully, with no flippancy, no superiority and no presumption. And then let’s play together, with joy, remembering that the best games always involve everyone in the room! I think that’s part of what it means to love our neighbors, and I think it’s so rare, and so attractive that it will be hard for anyone to miss the beauty of Jesus, and putting that on display is worship.

So what should you do right now?

1. Set a timer for two minutes and ask yourself where you have written off the opinions of other people. Where have you not taken them seriously?  Write at least three examples.

2. Set it again for two minutes and ask yourself where you have been more interested in being liked or respected than in speaking the truth. Write at least three examples.

3. Now, are there any apologies you need to make? You should write those down too, and maybe read 1 John 3:18 again.