Subtopic: Reimagining the Call of Jesus in a Divided World
In a thought-provoking post by my dear friend, Dr. Chris Townley, he references the profound words of Barry Lopez, who quips that “evidence of the failure to love is everywhere around us.” Dr. Townley reflects on this notion as he grapples with the failure to love he perceives in the political landscape, particularly during [this current] administration. What strikes me most about Dr. Townley’s words is his conviction that this failure to love is not merely a political issue but a deeply human one, one that we all must reckon with.
Dr. Townley’s reflections draw me back to the wisdom of Howard Thurman, particularly in his book Jesus and the Disinherited. Thurman, writing from the perspective of a Black man living in the midst of racial and social oppression, describes Jesus as most powerfully present among the disinherited, those who have “their backs against the wall.” Thurman’s portrayal of Jesus calls us to see his radical love as one that seeks liberation for the marginalized—not a love confined by systems of power or political affiliation.
This is where Dr. Townley’s message resonates with me, and I feel deeply challenged. Dr. Townley shares his grief at seeing those who once embraced love and justice now aligning with ideologies that seem fundamentally opposed to the humble, sacrificial love embodied by Jesus. As he writes, “How do we reconcile a Jesus who lived humbly among the oppressed with the politics that seem to ignore or even exacerbate the suffering of the marginalized?”
In his post, Dr. Townley reflects on his own role as a preacher, once eager to proclaim a message of radical love that transcended boundaries but now grappling with the silence or even the rejection of that message. He shares, “I had presumed I was contending for the type of Love that is prone to traverse unjust boundaries rather than construct them.” It’s a poignant reminder that love—true, radical love—cannot exist within the confines of ideology or partisanship. It transcends those boundaries and calls us to a deeper, more inclusive way of being.
The message of love and liberation that Jesus proclaims is not one that can be easily co-opted by political or social systems. As Thurman so powerfully writes, “The conventional Christian word is muffled, confused, and vague… the Christian movement in its formal expression must be on the side of the strong against the weak.” These words ring true today, as we witness how the Christian faith has been misused to uphold systems of power that fail to love and uplift those who are suffering.
This is where our task as followers of Christ becomes both clear and urgent: to return to the heart of Jesus’ message. We are called to love our neighbors as ourselves, to reimagine what it means to live lives that matter, and to break down the walls that divide us. This love is not one of convenience or comfort, but one that challenges us to confront our biases, our ideologies, and the systems of power that harm others.
In a world so divided, we are invited—no, challenged—to reimagine the radical love of Jesus in our own lives. To ask ourselves: How are we living out this love? Are we complicit in the systems that perpetuate injustice, even if unintentionally? Are we engaging with others in a way that reflects the humility and compassion of Christ? If we are to follow the teachings of Jesus, we must recognize that love cannot be selective or partisan—it must be universal, embracing all, especially those on the margins.
The call to action is clear: we must live lives of radical love. This is not just about political positions or theological debates, but about examining our hearts and actions to ensure we are living in alignment with the love of Christ. It is a call to serve others, to walk with those who are suffering, and to stand with the oppressed. In the words of Dr. Townley, and echoing the sentiments of Thurman, let us “reimagine what it means to live lives that matter” and move forward in the radical love that Jesus invites us to share with the world.
So, let us ask ourselves: How are we loving? Are we following Jesus’ example of humility, service, and liberation? And if we are not, what will we do to change that?
With love that I hope moves us all to act like Jesus!
Stacie J. Whitaker-Harris
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