Rachel Held Evans - Comments

"Gabriel" Commented: Clarity needed for this phyisicallist account

Rachel,

It seems that there remain two problems standing in the face of Darwinian evolution; forming justified beliefs on natural selection and the prospect of Christian theism. The nature of the Darwinian account is purely a materialistic explanation. Natural selection is not concerned with truth, but survival of the fittest. Any physicalist explanation you adopt will lack explanatory power for our subjective (inner personal) experience, qualia (properties such as redness, relational properties; Sam is the owner of Fido, Fido is Sam's dog.) and intentionality (the mental events we have that never manifest into an observable behavior). Because of this, it is rather safe to adopt the possibility of micro-evolution(small change over time). Though again, if we are to think of this as truth in the way you are saying a theory that is true must be,"A theory is accepted as true when its predictions are tested over and over again and repeatedly confirmed(Rachel's words)," natural selection cannot be a part of this. If we find ourselves thinking that natural selection is true than we have good reason to doubt it is true. An argument can be formulated as follows;

(1) If materialism is true, then our cognitive
faculties aim at survival not truth (because
materialism assumes Darwinism).
(2) If our cognitive faculties aim at survival not
truth, then we have good reason to doubt that
our beliefs are true (because false beliefs
can ensure survival as well as true ones).
(3) If we have good reason to doubt that our
beliefs are true, the the materialist has good
reason to doubt materialism is true.
(4) Therefore, if materialism is true, then the
materialist has good reason to doubt that
materialism is true.¹

The problem this argument shows, is materialism (assuming Darwinism) is counterintuitive. The idea here is that materialism, if true, would prevent us from having any justified beliefs (and any knowledge), including any justified belief in materialism. Thus materialism defeats itself.²

A further problem with the materialistic Darwinian evolution, for the Christian, is the belief in God. Christians believe that God is an immaterial mind (I left off other important attributes).

I have not seen you attempt to answer why the above conclusions are mistaken and that we should therefore prefer Darwinian evolution over that of the idea of micro-evolution with God as creator and guide. My conclusion is that we should prefer the later.

I should like to read your response and reasons why I should prefer Darwinian evolution even in light of the problem it proposes against forming justified beliefs and Christian theism.

Sincerely,
Gabriel
___________________________
1. Steven B. Cowan and James S. Spiegel, The Love Of Wisdom: A Christian Introduction To Philosophy (Nashville: B & H Publishing Group), 162.
2. Steven B. Cowan and James S. Spiegel, The Love Of Wisdom: A Christian Introduction To Philosophy (Nashville: B & H Publishing Group), 162.

"TomS" Commented: Paternalism-Dependency and Being Missional

Thanks for the great blog site. Came to you via Jesus Creed and the "Bible Snob" post.

I am stuck here as a pre-post-modern, but realizing that God moves in His ways and not mine. This forces me to rub sholders with a few post-modern and emerging church folks.

I have been a missionary in Paraguay for about 17 years now and being missional as you describe it has always been part of our way of life here.

I liked your proposed blog topics. Regarding the "Living with less, in order to give more". I would like to see some writing about giving up more than just material possessions. Giving up privacy, children's education, safety, convenience, health and just about anything besides just the material stuff.

I think anyone who is getting ready to "go missional" should read John White's book "Magnificent Obsession" it helps provide the right motivational back drop for giving things up without getting involved in asceticism.

I would also like to see some careful thinking about giving to overseas missions. Given that a proper missional life and giving is community based, and therefore by nature culturally based, how can we be missional overseas/cross-culturally without becoming Paternalistic and creating dependency? Oooo! I'd love to see some writing on that.

Here are some sites to get the juices flowint:
http://www.vulnerablemission.com/
http://www.wmausa.org/

"Karl" Commented: Re: Jesus and the People of Wal Mart

Your Wal-Mart post reminds me of C.S. Lewis's famous sermon, The Weight of Glory:

"The load, or weight, or burden of my neighbour's glory should be laid on my back, a load so heavy that only humility can carry it, and the backs of the proud will be broken. It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilisations--these are mortal,... But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit--immortal horrors or everlasting splendours."

"Gabriel" Commented: Reply to Ben

Ben,
I am sorry for your loss, I can't possibly know what it is like experience what you and the families alike experienced at Fort Hood this week. However, my heart hurts at what happened and my utmost respect is given toward the seriousness of the situation.

Thank you for replying, clarity is always appropriate. I think any further discussion would also be appropriate over e-mail as a direct correspondence between the two of us, no need for an audience. I hope it is safe to assume you also apprehend and measure yourself with the same judgment toward me and "do not know me nor my experience...you are not privy to my journey, and can therefore not understand nor appreciate my true attitude regarding this and all things in life." I do hope you will believe me when I say, "Nothing would please me more than to learn that I am completely wrong about you, and that you do care about helping others think through these things and go on to think for themselves about what they believe." I am open to being wrong and will be the first to admit being wrong with regard to my assertion of your approach to handling and teaching truth.

Respectfully,
Gabriel
gabrielakins(at)gmail(dot)com

"Elizabeth Esther" Commented: i know how this ends...

I'm hesitant to jump on the "missional" bandwagon.

Perhaps that has more to do with my geographical location--non-denominational churches in SoCal have been doing the "missional" thing since the early 70's.

So while this might be a new way to "do church" in Dayton or the Bible Belt--I've seen the downside to community-centric church plants.

My take is that in 10 years, words like "authentic", "organic," "incarnational," etc. are going to be outdated cliches time-stamping a particular trend.

Doesn't "living missionally" really just mean: living like a Christian?

Do we really need more church splits/plants/denominations/non-denominations in order to "live missionally"?

I'm not convinced.

Great thoughts, Rachel!

"Ben" Commented: Gabriel

Gabriel,

I have been meaning to respond to your post for several days now...

I'm an all or nothing kind of person. I've bounced back and forth between a post that addresses nothing, and a scathing response picking apart your post.

Out of respect for Rachel and other readers of the blog, I do not know that the latter would be entirely appropriate or worthwhile, and so I have chosen to defer to the former.

Also in light of the mass shootings here at Fort Hood and the emotional toll of compiling information and statuses of our Soldiers both wounded and deceased, I've decided there has been enough heaviness in my life for one week.

I will make one short statement in response to your post. You said, "Nothing would please me more than to learn that I am completely wrong about you, and that you do care about helping others think through these things and go on to think for themselves about what they believe."

Well, my friend, take joy in knowing that your uninformed, ignorant, single-data point based analysis of me was completely wrong, as nothing could be farther from the truth. But, don't worry, I am not offended. I know you do not know me nor my experience...you are not privy to my journey, and can therefore not understand nor appreciate my true attitude regarding this and all things in life.

Perhaps at a later time, I will readdress some of your questions.
bdj

"Brian" Commented: Re: Missional Living in the Buckle of the Bible Belt

"On good days, this would mean pursuing justice, celebrating beauty, loving neighbors, loving enemies, and sharing the Gospel. On bad days, it would mean feeling like a complete hypocrite because I don’t really like people that much to begin with."

Yes. Although I am a people pleaser like Kacie, I also, in general, do not like people that much. Its an odd combination.

I like the Southern religious culture bullet. I think in the South there are probably more people who don't go to church but claim the label "Christian" than in other parts of the country. It is just an educated guess, though. I think this might be especially true of working class whites.

"Dan S." Commented: Good Stuff

Hi Rachel,

I'm a big Scot McKnight fan and I enjoyed your Blue Parakeet-esque post over at Jesus Creed. It sounds like we have a lot of common ground on egalitarianism and old-earth cosmology. Keep up the good work.

Like you, I'm also a football fan who has often wondered (sometimes playfully) about how a commitment to Christ should impact our allegiances to particular sports teams, players and sports/entertainment consumption in general.

If you're interested, here are some of my recent thoughts on the spirituality of fantasy football:

http://thecommonloon.blogspot.com/2009/10/fantasy-football-affections.html

"Karl" Commented: Re: Weekend Reads

I think Alabama wins tomorrow because they're playing at home. And I think they're better than LSU anyway, though not by an enormous margin. But if they are already taking an SECCG matchup with the fighting Tebows for granted, they might get tripped up. I wish that game was the 8:00 night game so I could watch it in its entirety. Best matchup of the weekend by far, on paper anyway. As it is I'll have to catch bits and pieces in between house and kid stuff.

Dayton, TN is closer to Knoxville than to Tuscaloosa. How did a girl from monkey town end up an Alabama fan?

"Rachel H. Evans" Commented: college football

Can Bama go all the way with such a one dimensional offense?

Who says you can't win a BCS championship with field goals? (Oh, wait. History.) Saben needs to trust McElroy to pass downfield. I'm sick of all these ineffective little screens. Still, Ingram just keeps getting better, and our defense will ALWAYS step up to the plate.

Is Ricky the ranting Alabama fan on youtube a friend or relative of yours?

I have reviewed the Ricky the ranting Alabama fan footage and determined that he must be a Tennessee fan disguised as an Alabama fan.

Will LSU end the Tide's dreams of an undefeated season?

This is the question that will be keeping me up tonight.

Can you be a Christian and root for Nick Saban?

Clearly, God has heaped an extra portion of common grace upon the game of football and the University of Alabama. The way I see it, if Tebow plays Bama for the SEC championship, we can root for Bama in good conscience because Tebow (as a good Christian) can handle the disappointment with some perspective. Just think of what a gracious loser he will be! :-)

ROLL TIDE!

"Heather" Commented: Re: Weekend Reads

Love the post re: Tim Tebow. Great comments as well! I'm going to check out your guest post next! Have a great weekend, friend!

"Rachel H. Evans" Commented: transFORM

Tim - I just discovered transFORM last week. Great site, great community! It definitely helped get the creative wheels turning.

"Kacie" Commented: missional living

Wow... I feel that tension too. When I lived in Chicago the missional values that you describe were talked about and seemed natural in my church and community. Now that I live in conservative Texas, it is crazy who different it feels. In the places where missional living differs from the evangelical conservative culture, I feel like I'm viewed as a "bad" or rebellious person... and as a people pleaser I definitely struggle with that.

One of the most vivid examples of missional living for me are the people that write on this blog: http://parksidestories.blogspot.com/. They are in the city, but they have moved into a housing complex nearly entirely populated by refugees, minorities, immigrants, and government subsidized housing. They formed a house church there and live in direct relationship with their neighbors. I love it. To me a huge issue of missional living in the US is where you choose to live - our suburbs are constructed to give you as much privacy and anonymity as possible. Moving to where our privacy is invaded is one of the most missional things we can do!

"Karl" Commented: Re: Missional Living in the Buckle of the Bible Belt

One of the greatest challenges is the temptation to focus on what "they" should do (my church, or other churches in the community, or conservative Christians I know) rather than focus on what *I can* do.

Not that there is never a need to speak prophetically within one's own community. But most of the time I think it's better to just act out of love for others, to seek understanding, to be a friend or a listening ear, to return good for evil, to seek to translate or mediate when misunderstandings occur, to quietly help or comfort or meet a need when I see one, etc. It's a lot easier to not actually DO much of that, but to instead complain that my church isn't doing it, or isn't creating avenues for me to do it. When it happens (missional living) for me, it is more on the micro, grass-roots, individual one-on-one relationship level rather than the programmatic, let's-make-a-plan-and-implement-it level.

As far as resources and "what works" I find as much (or more) help by going BACK and reading old authors, as I do by reading the most current, self-consciously cutting-edge ones. Reading Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline or Freedom of Simplicity for example, and exploring the many doorways and hallways they open up. Or reading C.S. Lewis on Christian Behavior, or reading devotional classics (like, centuries-old classics from the mystics and saints of the church) along with reading scripture and spending time in prayer for others. Being steeped in those sources and practices, does more to make me the sort of person out of whose life will naturally flow love of God and others, than any amount of strategizing and "how-to" brainstorming, or focus-group listening.

Not that I'm all that consistent with any of that. But it's what has worked change in my life, when practiced.

"Jason" Commented: Re: "Socialist" propaganda (with biblical support!)

If socialists want to help the poor they are free to do so. The Bible however, does not support the involuntary redistribution of wealth. People who use the Bible to support socialism take the verses out of context and ignor God's commandment against stealing. They also fail to see that "Christian Communism" in the first century was voluntary.

Acts 5:4 (King James Version)

4Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

Notice that Peter would have let Ananias keep what he owned if he had told the truth? Instead he lied to the Holy Spirit.

"Tim" Commented: Re: Missional Living

Rachel, I don't know how often you visit Brian McLaren's blog, but a couple days ago he shared a link to a group called TransFORM (www.transformnetwork.org), which is a gathering place for those who feel called to live missionally in their communities. At any rate, one of the speakers on their promotional video said that when they started their missional community, there was a period of "listening" involved, where they intentionally listened to the people of the community to get a sense of what they needed. And while I realize that you've lived in Dayton for a while, it might still be interesting to hear from the community their various problems/triumphs and be able to come alongside them that way.

"Jason" Commented: Re: The Justification Debate - Discussion Starter

Equal scandal

"The multitudes of Christians who think they need to earn their salvation by being good?"

These people are trying to save themselves by their good works and will end up in hell if they don't repent and trust in the work of Christ for their salvation.

"Or the throng of Christians who think that holy living doesn't matter so long as they have prayed the sinner's prayer?"

These people can't know if they are saved or not because their salvation depends of the sincerity of the prayer (the sinners prayer is not found in the Bible and should be chucked).

Ultimately holy living is a fruit of salvation not a root.

Ephesians 2:8-10 (King James Version)
8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9Not of works, lest any man should boast.
10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Galatians 5:22-23 (King James Version)
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
The root is the Gospel, Christ crucified for our sins and physically raised for our justification.

"Jason" Commented: Re: Missional Living in the Buckle of the Bible Belt

"God's command to love Him with all our mind."

Who can do this?

"Jason" Commented: Re: Weekend Reads

"The one thing I had in common with liberals and literalists alike was a common Story, a sort of shared language with which to communicate, connect, and debate."

If there is to be a debate that gets anywhere everyone must agree on the definitions of the "common words". If the definitions of the common words are different is it really a common story?

"Karl" Commented: Re: Weekend Reads

Great post on Jesus Creed. Just great. I remember the first time it jumped out at me that Jesus or one of the NT writers was quoting an OT writer "out of context" in a way that would get one slammed today. It really shook me up.

I like Tim Tebow but I think I may like SCL even more. Can Bama go all the way with such a one dimensional offense? Is Ricky the ranting Alabama fan on youtube a friend or relative of yours? Will LSU end the Tide's dreams of an undefeated season? Can you be a Christian and root for Nick Saban? Inquiring minds want to know.

Sexism is hurtful and it sucks and needs to be called out. But sometimes I think hypersensitivity to perceived sexism steals the thunder from what should be real outrage over real sexism. It can trivialize the message (IMO) when people are pointing out all kinds of places where they (think they) see subtle sexism or racism. There are enough real instances of real discrimination that it's better to focus on those IMO, than to suggest that everyone who wants the best candidate for a job or who is against affirmative action, is racist or sexist, or to argue that the d-bag term isn't just crass but is a sign of woman-hating.

"Rich Bradford" Commented: Everyone Goes to My Wal Mart

My Wal Mart is surrounded by subdivisions. The largest Baptist church in the community is 2 miles north of the Wal Mart. My smaller Baptist church is 2 miles south of the Wal Mart. So you will find the middle class to upper middle class there - i.e., doctors, lawyers, military officers, business owners from chamber of commerce, church deacons, elders, etc. At the same store, we encounter the people that you spoke about - those from the rural communities. So, we get the least, the lost, the lonely and the left outs.

About twice a year, this Wal Mart is gracious enough to allow our church to hold a community outreach there. It is a great opportunity to interact with people in our community. For me, I've run into college friends, military friends, and law school friends, many of whom I have not seen for a number of months or years.

"Micah" Commented: Gotcha.

Well as a list of future blog topics it's great.

Thanks for listening to a Yankee.

You could always try a patented (not really) Dollar Car Wash. That makes people cry every time, and it only costs a dollar per car.

http://rebelpilgrim.blogspot.com/2009/06/dollar-car-wash-spreads.html

"Rachel H. Evans" Commented: Micah,

Thanks for the input. The bullet points represent potential blog posts, not necessarily specific actions.

Good news - There is a thriving crisis pregnancy center in Rhea County that receives quite a bit of support from local churches in the area.

"Micah" Commented: Show me love.

I think "missional" as a verb is practically meaningless because so many people use it so differently. "Incarnational" is trendier but suffers the same problem. Regardless, I'm not really seeing some of the missional connections in your list.

How does "understanding industrial communities" show God's love in a practical way? If the list is just blog topics then that's a good one, but if the question is "What would Jesus do if he lived in Dayton" I don't think the answer is "host a think tank and discussion group on the causes of rural poverty."

Just a question. I look forward to your answer!

"Micah" Commented: Teen pregnancy!

There's a lot of things you could do in partnership with people more conservative than you.

Rhea County's teen pregnancy rate is (or at least used to be) RIDICULOUS. Like top-10-in-the-nation ridiculous, if my terrible memory is to be believed. Adopt that as your cause, and win the hearts and minds of your conservative religious friends! Pull together volunteers to teach parenting classes, prenatal care, nutrition, etc. Caring for kids is a great onramp to caring for families.

Also, not to put too fine a point on it, you could probably do a lot of good in helping deal with domestic abuse. Not wanting to stereotype, but my experiences there make me think there might be some of that going on.

"Gabriel" Commented: Re:Missional Living in the Buckle of the Bible Belt

Rachel,
I think additional topics should include;

- Addressing the intellectual neutral. Why knowing
how to think in your community (context) is not
necessarily being intellectually engaged.
- Intellectual Responsibility and what it looks
like.
- Ethics of Belief.
- Essential Christian Doctrine.
- God's command to love Him with all our mind. (ok, you are right this one belongs with the first three.)
- Classical Apologetics (Have you read my post on apologetics lately?)

Bless you Rachel!

Sincerely,
Gabriel

"Micah" Commented: Walmart makes you skinny.

If you live in a community with a WalMart, you're more likely to have a balanced diet.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-05-16/does-walmart-make-you-skinny/

Money quote:

"But access to healthy food in poor, urban areas really is a problem. There are stretches of U.S. cities where you’ll pass three Wendy’s and five convenience stores before you’ll find a produce stand."

It's a good, quick read and covers actual quantifiable economic effects of a Walmart moving into the neighborhood. Check it out! You'll like it!

"Jason" Commented: Re: Jesus and the People of Wal Mart

Walmart is a champion of the little guy (the trucker, the factory worker, the walmart worker) bringing him stuff he needs at an affordable price. They sell things made in third world countries thereby feeding the poor. Let the rich and upper middle class, who declare their standard of living as the standard everyone should have, keep the mom and pop shops open.

"Mike" Commented: Re: Jesus and the People of Wal Mart

So that's one of the questions that keep Christian progressives up at night - "would Jesus shop at Walmart"?

I prefer Target, myself. It's not siding with Satan's minions over at Evil-mart, but neither is it as sanctified as helping the daughters and sons of righteousness who faitfully work at the mom and pop stores. Target is middle ground, I suppose, sort of like purgatory.

"Karl" Commented: Re: Jesus and the People of Wal Mart

I guess some people look down on Wal-Mart because of the socioeconomic demographic that tends to shop there.

But most of the people I know who really hate Wal-Mart don't hate it because poor people shop there. They hate it because of the effects that Wal-Mart has on independent, locally owned small businesses that used to give communities their vibrancy and local color, and because of corporate practices that often aren't employee-friendly. Wal-Mart is good at being a corporation. It's ruthless to its competition and creates the feeling of an employee "team" while in many cases avoiding paying its employees living wages, overtime or benefits. That results in low prices on cheaply made items, and high shareholder profits. But is it good for communities and does it help create the kind of place we want to live in? I'm not so sure. But like Rachel, I still shop at Wal-Mart sometimes.

"Pippin" Commented: Re: Jesus and the People of Wal Mart

It's a huge paradox... on one hand in our commitment to justice and compassion for the oppressed we abhor Walmart and everything it embodies and represents... yet on the other hand, who do we find shopping at organic/whole food stores usually? People who can afford to spend significantly more on organic or ethically produced products. While the people who we should be caring about, the weary, overworked, or poor, line up in long queues at Walmart. While those of us who are capable of understanding how these systems work, need to pay more attention and do something if we can about systemic injustice, we need to make sure our theoretical understanding of injustice and compassion never gets in the way of our understanding of the lived reality of it

"Jason" Commented: Re: Jesus and the People of Wal Mart

The only thing I have against walmart is that they caved to political preasure and quit carrying guns.

The people that shop at walmart are normal. It's all the people that don't or won't shop at walmart who are wierd.

I think if Jesus shopped at walmart the people would shout "Crucify Him!". Then He would voluntarily go to the cross and die for the sins of "the poor, the sick, the whackos, the mulleted, the morbidly obese, the sluts, the drunks, the perverts, the lost, the lonely, the bent over, the motherless, and the tragically disconnected." Then He would physically raise from the dead proving He is God. And all the people who shouted "Crucify Him!" who repented and trust that Jesus died for their sins in their place and lived a pefect life in their place because they can't would have the righteousness of Christ imputed to them. Justified by faith alone. That is the love of God. We can't do it.

@Heather Sunseri- Christ didn't just die in your place. He lived in your place too. Trust in his work and not your own. We can't do enough. Go in peace. Christ lived for you, died for you, was raised from the dead for your justification by faith alone and from this will flow good works that you might not see. I believe it was Martin Luther who said "Pray that you never see your own good works, but pray that your neighbor does see it." And to Melancthon he said something to the effect of "if your conscience bothers you, throw Christ in the Father's face."

Jesus came to die for sinners, not "to stick it to the ceasar man". Everyone falls into this categorie. Not just people who yuppies look down on like the "people of Walmart" but the yuppies who judge them too. Christ and Him crucified for our sins is the center of the Bible. He is the hero, not us. Let works flow from that. They will. Don't trust in works because you will never be able to do enough.

"Gabriel" Commented: First I think of the begger and then I think of Mable

I can't help but remember the fellow Peter and John ministered to beside the gate called beautiful. It is likely that Jesus passed this guy by even daily at times on his way to the temple. If he did notice them, I think the thought that ran through His mind if any was about when Peter and John would come by while being about their father's business as He was that day not at all taking time to stop. Consequently, I think of what we are each called upon to suffer in this life and then I think of Mable. Here is the account I heard about her;

"Tom had a habit of visiting nursing homes in attempt to bring some cheer and light into the lives of those who live in the nursing home. Tom writes, “As I neared the end of this hallway, I saw an old woman strapped up in a wheel chair. Her face was an absolute horror. The empty stare and the white pupils in her eyes told me she was blind. The large hearing aid over one ear told me that she was almost deaf. One side of her face was being eaten by cancer. There was a discolored and running sore covering part of one cheek and it had pushed her nose to one side, dropped one eye and distorted her jaw so that as a consequence what should have been the corner of her mouth was the bottom. As a result she drooled constantly. I also learned later that she had been here; bed ridden, blind, nearly deaf and alone for twenty five years. This was Mable. I don’t know why I spoke to her; she looked less likely to respond then most of the other people I saw in that hallway. But I put a flower in her hand and said, “Here is a flower for you, Happy Mother’s Day!” She held the flower up to her face and tried to smell it and then she spoke and much to my surprise, her words though garbled because of her deformity were obviously produced by a clear mind. She said, “Thank you, it’s lovely, but can I give it someone else? I can’t see you know, I’m blind.” I said, “Of course,” and I pushed her in her chair down the hallway to a place where I thought we could find some alert patients. I found one and I stopped the chair. Mable held out the flower and said, “Here, this is from Jesus.” It was then that if began to dawn on me that this was not an ordinary human being. Mable and I became friends over the next few weeks, and I went to see her once or twice a week for the next three years. It was not many weeks before I turned from a sense that I was being helpful to a sense of wonder, and I would go to her with a pen and paper to write down the things she would say. During one hectic week of final exams I was frustrated because my mind seemed to be pulled in ten directions at once with all the things that I had to think about. The question occurred to me, “What does Mable have to think about hour after hour, day after day, week after week, not even able to know whether it is day or night. So, I went to her and asked, “Mable, what do you think about when you lay here?” She said, “I think about my Jesus.” I sat there and thought for a moment and asked, “What do you think about Jesus?” She replied slowly and deliberately as I wrote, and this is what she said, “I think how good He’s been to me. He’s been awfully good to me in my life, ya know. I’m one of those kind who’s mostly satisfied. Lot of folks would think I’m kinda old fashion. But I don’t care. I’d rather have Jesus, He’s all the world to me.” Then Mable began to sing an old Hymn. “Jesus is all the world to me, my life, my joy, my all. He is my strength from day to day, without Him I would fall. When I am sad, to Him I go, no other one can cheer me so. When I am sad, He makes me glad, He’s my friend.” This is not fiction. Incredible as it may seem, a human being really lived like this. I know, I knew her. How could she do it? Seconds ticked and minutes crawled and so did days and weeks and months and years of pain without human company and without an explanation of why it was all happening. And she lay there and sang hymns. How could she do it?¹ The answer I think is that Mable had something that you and I don’t have much of, she had power. Lying there is that bed unable to move, unable to see, unable to hear, she had incredible power."²

When I hear or experience things like this, I cannot help but to realize that many bear up what they are called to suffer. My next conclusion is that I should be ever quick to love them as they and all have intrinsic value, but that I should be slow to make judgement on what it is like to know their suffering or situation. I think they might look at my life and wonder how I have fared so.
_________________
1. I heard this account of Mable from William Lane Craig. He said that this is from Tom Schmidt.
2. This was William Lane Craig's finish to the story. He then went on to speak about the problem of Pain.

"Micah" Commented: @Eric - Squares and rectangles maybe?

All progressives hate Walmart, but not everybody who hates Walmart is a progressive?

Regardless, there's a very definite class-ism with supermarkets here in Cincinnati. I'm guessing it's lots more common than just here, though.

"Sarah" Commented: Wal-Mart community

Hi Rachel!

As a social worker, I went beyond seeing these people in Wal-Mart and was required to visit with them in their homes. Seeing a lack of personal hygiene in the Wal-Mart people, you can probably imagine what some of their houses looked like (or smelled like!) inside. But I was encouraged to find that so many of these people are salt-of-the-earth types, sometimes even more down to earth than many of my acquaintances or friends. They understand suffering for sure. Many came from a long line of family abuse, illiteracy, poverty, etc. I was struck by the sense of community and ministry I felt by being with them sometimes, especially as a clinician who is supposed to be the the one who effects change, not the other way around!

Thanks for the reminder that God puts opportunities to minister in some of the most unusual places! I love it!

"Karl" Commented: Re: Eight Reasons to Give Evolution a Second Chance

Mike, I see it differently. I would say that fundamentalists at either end of the spectrum share a lot of similarities.

"amy2boys" Commented: Wonderful

This is a great post. Very well said.

"Eric Z." Commented: Am I progressive?

I do hate Wal-Mart, and will avoid spending money there at (almost) all cost. But I definitely agree that we should be willing to walk beside those who would shop there.

There is a definite class-division with regards to supermarkets is there not?

"Rachel C." Commented: Re: Jesus and the People of Wal Mart

Rachel, I loved this post! It really got me thinking... Jesus loved the unlovable. He was sent to the broken. This is something that our gracious Lord has told my heart time and again throughout my life. This time He used you to remind me once again, of His unfailing love and compassion and great desire for all to know Him. Thanks!

"Micah" Commented: Side note: I love how progressives hate Walmart

Single greatest economic equalizer in the history of the world, but we hate it because poor and unattractive people shop there.

I fully support spending more time in Walmart. Keep up the good work, Rachel!

"Amy @ A Chase After Wind" Commented: I never shop at Wal*Mart, but...

Another great post, Rachel. I think you are right...whether or not Jesus would ACTUALLY shop at Wal*Mart himself, he would certainly love the people who shop there.

This points to another reason I have grown to dislike snark (I'm referring to Travis Mamone's recent post). Very often snark involves making fun of people in a way that, despite being hilarious and even "deserved" is completely un-Christlike. No matter whether the butt of our jokes are the People of Wal-Mart, Paris Hilton or George W. Bush, my conscience bothers me when I make their foibles the source of my entertainment. How can I be laughing AT them and really loving them at the same time?

"Julianne" Commented: Miller

Blue Like Jazz gave me hope that I might someday feel a part of the Christian faith again.

I haven't read the others but will add it to my very long reading list.

"Justin Lonas" Commented: Re: Jesus and the People of Wal Mart

I'm glad that Jesus loves the "mulleted" =)

If he discriminated by any criterion, especially something so petty as "taste", what a horrible reality would this be?

"ariel" Commented: thank you

Thank you for articulating this so well. It is tempting to separate ourselves from our larger community, whether our motivations are righteous, self-righteous or just misguided. God has really worked in me so that I look forward to trips to Wal Mart, the Health Department, the County Clerk's office. Spending time in community gathering places realigns my perspective on myself and others. Sometimes it's easy to think that I would be happier if I had a better haircut or could shop at Whole Foods, and so would Wal Mart's mullet-man. How stupid and arrogant of me! How I wish I could see this world through God's perspective, where the last come first, and the humble are exalted. How different the people of Walmart would appear, myself included.

"Candy" Commented: convicting

Loved this - we are all people of Walmart and need grace. Beautifully written.

"Karl" Commented: Re: Jesus and the People of Wal Mart

Your post reminds me of this quote:

It's so much easier to pray for a bore than to go and see one.
C. S. Lewis

We get out of our own solitary conceit when we realize that the people in Wal-Mart or in the trailer park at the edge of town, or whoever it is that we are tempted to ignore or look down on or find distasteful - are created in the image of God and are among those we are called to love and serve.

Good thoughts.

"heather sunseri" Commented: Re: Jesus and the People of Wal Mart

Absolutely loved this post, Rachel. When I read in the Bible to be more Christ-like, I am always troubled how I rush around from place to place, including Wal-Mart, trying to get my chores done without noticing those around me. If we are truly Christ-like, we will take notice of the people around us, especially the poor, the weak, the sick, etc. Thank you for the reminder. Father, please forgive me. I will do better.

"Anon1" Commented: speaking of children

Wisdom is known by her children. Or as Genesis puts it, we reproduce after our own kind. My fear, simply put, is that the children of those who see no need to believe in the first Adam will see no need to believe in the last Adam.

"Bethany" Commented: Lovely

It's so easy so SAY we are going to love the unlovable, yet so difficult to SHOP next to them. Well said.

"Mike" Commented: Re: Eight Reasons to Give Evolution a Second Chance

Proponents of evolution and their critics share one thing in common: both acknowledge that the answer to this question carries great significance for humanity (the former says belief in evolution frees us up from religious myths and helps us understand our place in this world, while the latter says that if we ignore Genesis and God's hand in creation, why not ignore the rest of the Bible), which is why everyone spends so much time trying to convert the other.

I hear alot about how we can have it both ways, belief in the Bible plus evolution. Ironic that Dawkins was quoted above. He's such a friend to the faith, after all. The greatest argument against the "why can't we all just get along" crowd is the rhetoric of the evolutionists, who just can't bear to have people question or disagree with them.