I’m not sure if I’ll actually publish this post.
Because I make a very conscious choice not to get into politics on here.
But I have a bee under my bonnet, and I figure this is my space so technically I can do whatever I want… right?
I’m not even going to bother with pictures or a lengthy intro, I’m just going to get into it:
lets talk about Brett Kavanaugh.
And just to clarify… this is mostly for my Christian friends.
Because we’re not going to talk about whether or not we think he’s guilty (I do), and we’re not going to talk about whether or not we think he’s fit for the job (I don’t), and we’re not even going to talk about how a man as divisive as him is maybe not the best way to unite our already fractured country…
nope.
We’re going to talk about this “notion” I’ve been seeing passed around by some of my Christian friends on Facebook that the things we’ve done in our past shouldn’t matter in the present…
I’m sorry to burst your bubble, but that is not what the Bible models for us.
One person in particular was “pointing out” (I put that in apostrophes because it was more of a rant) that there were a lot of biblical characters that made mistakes, but God still used them.
Which is true.
100% all of the people mentioned in scripture were deeply flawed. You can’t be human and not be flawed.
BUT.
while these people were flawed, they were also held accountable.
Let me refresh your memory:
Moses didn’t listen to God, and while God still used him, he didn’t get to enter the promised land.
Jacob deceived his father, and while God still used him, his sin developed into a fractious and dysfunctional family.
Joseph was arrogant and goaded his brothers, and while God still used him, he was painfully separated from his father.
King David killed a man for his wife, and while God still used him and even though he repented, he payed dearly with the death of his first son with Bathsheba.
I could go on.
(in response to those who have said I didn’t use any New Testament examples:
We obviously have less narrative in the New Testament to go off of, but a few examples that come to mind:
Paul very publicly calling out Peter for being a coward… God obviously still used Peter, but his reputation was tarnished.
Oh and there was the small matter of Ananias and Sapphira that we can’t pass over)
My point is:
God eagerly and often uses flawed and messy people, but He does not shield them from the consequences of their sin.
So whether or not you believe Kavanaugh is guilty, whether or not you think God can use Him, don’t clumsily extrapolate scripture to hold up a worldview you insist on holding.
Scripture is not here for us to use and mold to fit our political bent…
Scripture does not exist as a tool for you to get “your” judge nominated.
And Scripture is most definitely not a hall pass for acting however you want with the expectation that grace will “take care of it.”
So put your Bibles down (unless you intend on reading them, in which case, please do pick them up).
Karin a.k.a. golden tongue (yes I just compared myself to a saint. yes I am joking).
Thank you, friend. Since leaving the faith I rarely get into biblical theology or discussions on what the Bible actually says because it always ends the same…”well you aren’t even a believer, so you’re not qualified to comment.” (Regardless of the fact that I grew up and was part of the faith for over 30 years and did in depth studies before coming to the decision to leave.) These days when opening Facebook I am reminded one of the many reasons I left. Thank you for showing me there are a few of you out there pursuing what is right, asking the hard questions and actually reading the Bible.
Rebecca I just want to say how sorry I am that people have treated you in such a dismissive manner. One of my pet peeves as a Christian is when people can’t explain why they believe what they do. I know not everyone is going to be interested or able to pursue the intellectual aspects of faith, but they should be able to have a productive conversation with someone about their faith without resorting to such defense mechanisms. I really love discussing my faith with people who believe differently and I know a lot of people that feel the same.
Yes. I passed a church sign yesterday that said, “Thou shalt not bear false witness,” and I thought, “Which person on the stand are they talking to?”
Ugh. I do not understand how Christians came to believe that their hopes lies in the American political system.
I agree Helena, it’s incredibly discouraging.
Thank you for having the courage and integrity to post this beautifully-written and well-stated piece!
Thank you for saying so Deborah.
Love the article! Thanks so much for having a gentle discussion about correct use of the Bible. Thanks for wanting better for our world instead of wanting to promote specific and narrow interests.
Thank you Kaira!
Thank you for posting this. I’ve been feeling really discouraged by some of the posts going around on fb. This is just what I needed to read.
I have too Jackie and that’s why I posted it. I’m so glad you found it encouraging!
Thank you for posting this, I am so glad you had the courage to do so!
Your welcome Cori!
Thank you! As a minster, I hear a lot of these things all the time. True, no one is beyond God’s redemption, but redemption and cheap grace are NOT the same thing!
Exactly Angela!
Thank you! It’s been so frustrating to see the scripture so misused!
I agree Sarah!
Karin,
I appreciate your thoughts, though I disagree on several points. You are accurate in much of what you say regarding scripture, but you’ve failed to quote anything from the New Covenant. What of Jesus words on forgiveness? What about “go and sin no more”. What about scriptures that require two witnesses to convict someone? NONE of what has been alleged against Kavanaugh can be corroborated and most of what has been alleged has been specifically refuted. I pray no one you know or love is ever convicted in the court of public opinion they way the media has convicted and crucified Kavanaugh with no evidence and no corroborating witnesses. In the end your arguments that he should biblically be held accountable don’t hold water because he couldn’t biblically be convicted…let alone convicted in a US court of law. This is all about politics plain and simple. If you choose to believe Ford based only on her word, then it’s an exercise in blind faith on your part. I personally can not justify besmirching a man that has lived as honorably as Judge Kavanaugh for the past 30 years based on no evidence.
Hi Jeff, I really appreciate your willingness to disagree on certain points with respect and kindness. If more people did this, the world would be a better place. However I think you may have missed a few key points with what I was writing. First, I’m not arguing whether or not we should believe/disbelieve Kavanaugh or whether or not he should be nominated. I have my opinions of course, but this was meant to respond specifically to a certain ideology I see being passed around by Christians, both in the public sphere, and on an individual basis on social media. Kavanaugh actually really doesn’t have much to do with the argument to be honest. I think CHRISTIANS (not Kavanaugh) should be held accountable to their interpreting Scripture in a faulty manner, and when they start saying Kavanaugh should be excused for his behavior (IF he is, in fact, guilty) because Biblical characters were flawed… that just doesn’t really sit well with me. I’m not sure what you are referring to when you say I believe he should be biblically held accountable. I believe that, if he is guilty, he should be held accountable according to the law. My issue is with Christians who will go to any lengths, including distorting Scripture, to preserve a political worldview. I hope that clarifies! I’m happy to further engage if you have any additional questions or comments.
Hi Jeff,
I would encourage you to read the beginning of Karin’s post again to see who specifically she is writing to and why. Then consider her arguments through that lens. I think she was careful to say what she is and is not arguing in this post – because this can be a difficult topic to approach, as you have touched on in your comment.
I would also like to ask you not to use the word “crucified” to describe what the media is doing to Kavanaugh. I don’t think that type of rhetoric is productive or invites those who disagree with you to listen to your point.
Jeff, I somehow didn’t see Karin’s response to you when I posted mine. Sorry to be redundant.
Just want to say thanks for your courage to post this. <3
Thank you for your support Lo.
Yes, it’s silly to use scripture to say anyone that has sinned greatly should be forgiven. However, “cast the first stone” does come to mind.
I really appreciate your heart and manner in your answer. Thank you. My one thought through all of this, is are we really ok with assuming guilty? If it was any of our dear sons and husbands who were accused and you were in the wife’s shoes, would you want someone to believe media or due process… I don’t the truth and I’m not on his side, but the way our country has decided through media trial is absolutely horrific. I beg of you to see it by asking what if this was about my husband?
Hi Lily! Thanks for commenting and sharing your thoughts. I agree with your reasoning that there is always a PERSON on the end of these sorts of things (which many people do seem to forget), but I also think there are two sides to your argument. No I would hate to see my husband go through this (if he was wrongly accused), but I also would hate to see my daughter or sister, or mother be brave enough to step forward, and then called a liar. My point: no one really wins in this do they? Either way someone’s life will never be the same. BUT that’s why this post was not a post about whether or not he is guilty or not. I don’t have enough evidence to say with confidence (though I have my opinions of course). I wrote this post to encourage Christians to remember that our faith and scripture transcend our political worldviews. I hope that clarifies!
Amen. I love your blog for your ethical fashion advice and adorable daughters, and now for THIS. I left the church as an adult, and my husband and I are raising our son non-religious, because I have not found a denomination or congregation aligned to my political and social justice views. Thank you for this post.
Episcopalians are legit if you’re ever searching for a denomination.
Thank you Lindsay! I feel you on struggling to find a denomination that aligns with my beliefs. We’ve made the best decision we can (we’re a part of the Covenant Denomination), but I think as long as humans are at the helm of these denominations there is always going to be things I disagree with.
Thank you for posting this.
You’re welcome Becca.
Yes. If Christians are saying that if he is guilty he is still fit then, yes completely ridiculous.
I haven’t seen that at all from any faithful Christians. And I would say that is not Christian at all. I agree with you wholeheartedly. My sadness is that it is now a country where if you disagree with one side, you side with rapists. And that is a sad day indeed. I know many many people who have either been abused or stood with people in court standing with those who were abused including myself. But none of this matters. The only thing that matters is who was accused.
I know this is totally unintentional, but in the fifth sentence from the end of the piece, you capitalize Him (the way that it’s done referring to God) when you’re referring to Kavanaugh.
“So whether or not you believe Kavanaugh is guilty, whether or not you think God can use Him, don’t clumsily extrapolate scripture to hold up a worldview you insist on holding.”
I’m a copy editor and thought you’d like to know, considering the intensity of feeling this topic brings up.
I enjoy your blog.
This didn’t show up on my blog feed for some reason, so I just saw it this morning. Thank you for writing this and for pointing out what seems so obvious to me: God’s ability to work through us doesn’t mean that every.single.person is the “right man for the job.” We are given the good news and instruction of the New Testament precisely to help us build discernment and understand God’s radical call for kingdom building, where the first shall be last and the last shall be first, where the poor are welcome and honored. I have been dealing with quite a bit of family-related trauma over this and it has been hard to think clearly because I am grieving and confused. It is good to know there are others who are sitting in the same space.