During these last couple of weeks, we have not weighed in on the conflict that’s seized our beloved country, and some have wondered about our silence. It’s not because we haven’t been thinking and praying hard on the issues. We have.
The present situation is somewhat of a Gordian knot—a tangle of evil events, emotions, and reactions—and Proverbs consistently counsels against haste in judgment and speaking out of turn. Up until now, I have chosen that road. It gives me an opportunity to listen, to reflect, to fact-check, to get wise counsel, and to carefully examine this social turmoil from a larger worldview perspective.
On a personal note, for years I have been grieving the heartbreaking rise of racial tensions in our communities. I was horrified when I learned of the terrible death of George Floyd and then horrified again by the destructive response that followed and the innocent people killed and lives ruined in its wake. And I am not alone; we all grieve together.
As a Christian thinker, I want to untie that knot, and I’m frustrated as an apologist that I don’t have the power to do so, to present a line of thinking that will remedy the problem and bring healing to all of us.
The biggest reason I can’t is that this isn’t just a “problem” to be solved by clever thinkers. Our communities will only ultimately be repaired as its individuals are spiritually reborn. This is a battle that requires a spiritual solution.
It’s a time to get on our knees and pray for the Lord’s intervention—for wisdom for our leaders, for truth to prevail, for hearts to be changed, for grace to be extended.
The government—as an extension of God’s justice—must be just. We, the people, also have an obligation before God. We are not to return evil for evil, but rather to overcome evil with good.
Our responsibility as Christ’s ambassadors is clear: do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8). One friend pointed out that this process best proceeds in reverse: first, walk humbly, then be merciful, then—with those virtues informing our actions—do justice.
As an organization, we are going to stay on mission, training Christians to think clearly to defend the truth of classical Christianity and classical Christian values—which includes the inherent worth and dignity of every human being, regardless of race or political views. As an organization, we are going to fulfill our vision of providing confidence for every Christian, clear thinking for every challenge, and courage and grace for every encounter. It is what you have counted on us to provide for 27 years.
Some may think I have not said enough here and will want me to champion a particular political solution. I understand the impulse, but that is not Stand to Reason’s calling as an organization. It is not what God has gifted us best to do. We’re going to stick to the business God has given us to accomplish—teaching the truth of Christianity, including the truths of human dignity and equality, justice, and the peace that God’s grace can bring to our communities as we each consciously and deliberately live out our Christian virtues.
We just received a letter from a dear member of our STR community. She wrote, “Keep up the marvelous work you do for Christians, striving to share God’s Word.” No matter what happens in our culture at large, at Stand to Reason we are committed to keeping our hand to that plow, serving the kingdom, building ambassadors in knowledge, wisdom, and character.