Christian Unity: A Sermon for a Nation Divided

A People Divided at the Foundations of the Nation

By Bp. Joseph Boyd (Ancient Church of the West)

Scripture Reading

This Morning’s Gospel, found in St. John 2:1-11 - 

“AND the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: and both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six water-pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the water-pots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, and saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him." 

There are many interpretations of this passage, and many remarkable observations. The first word Jesus spoke in His first miracle at Cana was “Woman”, and the first word he spoke after His resurrection to Mary Magdalene was also “Woman.” (John 20:13) Jesus frames his restoration of humanity with the inclusion of women in His miraculous work. Jesus fulfilled the Old Covenant and brought the New through His perfect life, death, and resurrection, and He made women a full and important part of the Holy People of God by including them in His story. He restored humanity back to their Creator, replacing the sign of circumcision with the sign of baptism, making Christian women miracle-workers and evangelists for His Kingdom. Despite the commonly made accusation, traditional Christianity is not founded on the oppression of women, but has been the only religious system that truly leads to their equality and protection. 

There is another lesson here that we also need to learn - That we need to be like the servants who did what the Theotokos commanded, ready for Christ’s miracle by doing “whatsoever he saith unto you.” This state of readiness, of “watching and praying,” or being like the Ten Virgins in Jesus’ parable that were ready with their lamps lit (Matthew 25:1-13), is a key part of our function as Christian disciples. Only if we are “ready with an answer for the hope that lies within,” and are “continual in prayer and fasting”, will we be able to “know the times and the seasons,” and follow God despite impending difficulty. 

Signs of the Times

As we remember these principles of readiness and watching, our thoughts turn to a dramatic change that we have see in the United States over the last few days. We mourn President Biden’s executive orders, made immediately after his swearing in to office, regarding abortion, promotion of transgenderism, and protection and propagation of the homosexualist agenda overseas. Even as imploring for unity, that very unity is stripped away by immoral decisions that undermine the very faith that those involved claim to believe. As a bishop, I must denounce these orders as morally wrong and damaging to the souls of countless people - both to the innocent children’s bodies will be mutilated or killed, and to the countless professionals who will be forced into doing these abominable practices. As a citizen, I am deeply saddened that these issues were our new administration’s first order of business and chief concern. May God bring the new President, a man who claims to be a “practicing Catholic,” to true repentance and a life-changing faith, and may God have mercy upon this errant nation. 

Christian Unity

The Church is called to unity, but not unity with the world. We are called to unity with Christ, and through this deep communion, with one another. We are to strive “to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3) My father used to say, “Speak the truth in love, because without love, people will not hear the truth.” We are right to perceive that love has gone out of the Right’s speech, but I think we must also agree that truth has left the Left’s conversation. This is why we must continue to say those things which others find offensive and uncomfortable, but always remembering to honor the image of God that is in those who disagree with us. We must “speak the truth in love.” (Ephesians 4:15) “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” (Colossians 4:6) Cultural and ideological unity is a gift that must be based upon the truth, the Truth that is a Person, Jesus Christ. History proves to us that peace, prosperity, love and sustainable unity is only available when "God's people who are called by His name will humble themselves, and pray and seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways, then He will hear from heaven, and God will forgive them of their sin and heal their land." (II Chronicles 7:14)

The Origin of Separation

The “Wall of Separation” interpretation of the First Amendment, proposed by Thomas Jefferson in a personal letter to a Baptist church, has led to an erroneous understanding that the government is free from religion, instead of the historical interpretation that religion is free from the coercion of government. The way that this works out in the new President’s philosophical paradigm seems to be a position called “non-overlapping magisteria,” a view popularized by Stephen Jay Gould, which posits the idea that temporal authority and spiritual authority originate from different sources and maintain separate spheres of influence, without the perceived necessity of one to submit to the other (although, practically, the secular completely displaces the religious in the public sphere, and individuals who wish to inform their public opinions with religious categories are seen as “not playing by the rules”, fundamentalistic, and a threat to public order). This is evidenced a belief that one cannot legislate Christian morality, but that Christianity is a personal matter, dependent on individual faith, and cannot be expected to sit, protected and ensconced, at the center of a culture. But, simultaneously, most of the people who hold this view would also argue for “good” and “fair” secular laws, the protect individuals from danger, oppression and fear - which are “secular values”, which one may believe complement your Christian Faith, but are not dependent upon them. This worldview is what “Progressive Christians” use to find an easily negotiated balance between their “personal beliefs” and the “core values” of a secular society, and many progressives believe this to be the greatest fruit of the individualistic faith of the Reformation, which, through a process of evolution, now allows for the complete dismissal of religious authority. While I understand the desire to bifurcate the world in this way, attempting to do so in the past myself, trying to create a world without the paradoxes of the traditional Christian worldview within a context that no longer allows for it, we can’t agree with the underpinnings of this philosophical assumption. This position leads to too much mental dissonance for a Christian. One cannot be a spiritual unified and integrated Christian and also embrace this self-contradictory and historically dismissive view, which bifurcates and separates to the very core of our beings. 

Postmodern Power

The origin of secular values is a philosophical problem, and ultimately dissolves into an amorality of contemporary agreement and legal precedent, and not a question of ultimate authority or universal truth. This rejection of transcendent truths is the foundation of Postmodernism, and Postmodernism is the foundation of the new, elite doctrine of the equality of all cultures and religions, and the necessity of the apotheosis of cultural victims into a new ruling class. Just as the proletariat were to overthrow the bourgeoisie, so now the minority and the disenfranchised marginal are to culturally assert themselves as the “truly good” and “innocent.” The ultimate reality is not seen as economic, as Marx insisted, but is cultural power, and it equates all human relationships to a power dynamic of oppressor and oppressed, in an eternal conflict of cultural revolution. This ideology is rightfully called “Postmodern Neo-Marxism” or “Power Theory,” and this is the term I will use here. These values, in their basic propositions, reject an eternal, unchanging, universal quality to Truth, and this leads to the dismissal of both truth and the idea of human virtue in favor of a simplistic formula of human political power. This eliminates the very foundation of virtue necessary to accomplish long-lasting interpersonal unity. 

The Christian Truth

In Christian philosophy, social conventions, which are opinions and emotions based upon contemporary precedence, are not Truth. Sometimes, they are dim reflections of Truth, but mostly, they are man-made shelters to shield mankind from the reality of Truth and the consequences of lies. This means that public approval or agreement is not necessary for the establishment of what is ultimate good, and this disqualifies the democratic process as the seat of all authority. This is why we can support other forms of government, and are not wedded to the American form as the only valid expression of authority. We could say that, theologically, monarchy is preferable to democracy, and the “Divine Right to Rule” is a theologically sound expression of eternal truths, in the absence of the heavenly theocracy of the Kingdom to Come, in which Christ Himself is King. Initially, God allowed temporal kings because of the disobedience of His people and their desire to be like other nations. (I Samuel 8-15) What He truly desires is for us to be a nation of priests, who serve Him wholeheartedly, and who worship Him and follow His commandments. (Exodus 19:6) However, He also “Chose a King for Israel” in the person of David, who loved God and put Him first, establishing a paradigm for who could be a God-ordained ruler. (I Samuel 16:1). This was symbolized in the act of the Prophet Samuel anointing David's head with oil (I Samuel 16:1-13), which is a sacramental act of coronation that the Church still practices. To this point in history, only Christian Monarchy and a Christian Republic have historically worked to create stability, sustainability and have promoted a culture of Christian worship and family life. With the flourishing of these values, unity is naturally achieved as a response to God's glory. 

Logos Over Pathos

Our thoughts are also, admittedly, not as concerned with the perceptions of offense that trouble the politically correct so very deeply, but are concerned with the preservation and propagation of “first principles”, which are based on Christian theological categories, which we believe are the origins of absolute Truth. To us, our own sensation of violation and reaction are problems to be internally dealt with, not expectations that should drive cultural standards or political decisions. What others do may personally offend us, but we have no right to believe that the protection of our individual emotions is the prerogative of society. We may personally dislike many of the strictures of Christian morality, but we submit to them anyway, because we believe our emotions to be fallen, unreliable, and more often mistaken than correct. In other words, we must believe that our feelings are something to be mastered and focused, not submitted to or used as a foundation for our worldview. As Scripture says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) Only by rejecting the double-mindedness of "tossing to and fro with every wind" of our emotions can we find emotional integrity that is vital to national unity. 

Equal and Opposite Reaction

There is a radical hardening of heart that is occurring across the Nation, as heartland Conservatives feel marginalized and institutionally outgunned. This administration change has served as a catalyst in many minds to confirm the urgency of the situation. Unfortunately, there is also a radicalization going on in the Left, as many extreme views of sexuality, identity, race, and equity have taken root and led to a loss of tolerance for divergent opinions. Postmodern definitions of relative truth in academia has led to the widespread embrace of the social justice theories of Power Theory, which has in turn led to a rejection of America’s historic values in favor of an “eternal revolution” in which cisgender, white, nominally Christian people are considered “the problem.” This view does not allow for our struggles and injustices to be a result of man’s universally sinful disposition, or the horrors of intertribal violence that typifies all societies - no, human failing are categories of WASP culture alone. No amount of atoning can expunge the sins of white ancestry or the American founding on Christian principles, “institutional racism” posits that no amount of openness can expunge past exclusions, which then leads to the necessity of American sponsored self-replacement and voluntary cultural suicide. No more is “majority rule” a tenable moral proposition. It is the absolute rule of the marginalized and the minority over the majority. This is what academia now calls “intersectional power”, and it is what the cabinet of the Biden administration represents as it checks off the categories of intersectionality. 

One of the problems that I see with Conservatism now is that, seeing the recent successes and political power of Leftism’s cultural appeal to emotions, they have abandoned the process of thinking through political philosophy from first principles, and have started to rely on emotions as well. Jealousy breeds bitterness, which then becomes violence, as both sides excuse their own evils with “good intentions” and demonize the other with evil intentions, negative emotions, or stupidity. “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander,” and by allowing Leftist ideology to control the public sphere and the definitions of words, the Left has created an emotional Right that is reacting and revolting, rather than doing the “conserving” for which the political camp is named. This reciprocation of reaction is what now threatens the very foundation of American Conservatism and this nation, and as Gandi said, “an eye for an eye that makes the whole world blind.” National unity is only possible when I give up my right for revenge and trust myself to God, so that I cannot justify my own evil intentions towards others.

Finding Fault

This is not the political Left’s “fault”, because they are doing what they are ideologically predisposed to do - try to push a secular, ahistorical, statist agenda for centralizing and maintaining power for the good of the “marginalized and oppressed,” intending on a better future (or their imagined version of it, as unknown as the future can be). The paradigms that are now popular through Power Theory are still Marxism, which means that they depend upon radical revolution, upending social norms, collapsing the traditional family, attacking the Christian religion, and creating chaos for the good of those who want to take power. Conservatives should not be faulted, however, for scoffing at this mental construct and psychological projection, in favor of something “solid” - tried and true history of real culture and natural law. It should also not be surprising to the Left that Heartland America is stiffening to the ruling ideology and is mounting an insurrection. Politically Rightest regimes are often just as scary and violent as Leftist regimes. As we can see from the disorientation of white, middle class and poor Americans waking up to their scorned and hated status, once the cultural and racial majority gets angry enough to forget their own values of mutual respect and courtesy, people often get angry enough to stop thinking logically and embrace an emotional reaction as reality. I hope and pray that this does not happen, but much of what will follow will be due to whether or not Leftists can practice self-restraint while in power. Pushing the disenfranchising narratives of Power Theory and intersectionality will not “cure” the reaction to it, but create more resistance that will, God forbid, end in violence and division. Unity requires that we stop looking for the characteristics that divide us or that "make us special" and focus on the good of all. 

Preparing for the Underground

Over the last few years, we have seen an increasing radicalization on the ideological Left, institutional force used against individual conscience on an unprecedented scale, cancel culture, the marginalization and silencing of academic and intellectual figures who disagree with Leftist narratives, and an increasingly socialist and godless mentality amongst the younger members of the ruling political class that will not tolerate traditional views. This follows a pattern of moral reprobation and political atheism that is now considered a cultural norm by those who hold institutional power in government, education and the media. As this new realities settles into our everyday lives in the United States, all Christians - Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant - will have to realize that we are no longer in a place of cultural power, that our views are reprehensible to those in power, and that we cannot expect to be sheltered, protected, or coddled. No, we must return with faithfulness to the Catacombs, without anger or bitterness, and ready ourselves for the opportunity of martyrdom, all while praying for wicked rulers who wish us harm. We should be extremely concerned, as Christians and Conservatives, that our views on issues such as Abortion, Gay Marriage, Gender Identity, Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech, the ability to educate our own children, and the centrality of Scripture and biblical principles within the American Tradition (even as a valid opinion about the historic nature of the US), are now considered “extremist”, “morally misguided” and “deplorable” by the leadership of the political party that now holds power. This allows us to see the “handwriting on the wall” and prepare for more of the same in the future. Christian community and ecclesial unity often grows stronger under outside pressure. 

Summary

The Church needs to be a force for unity. This unity is not found in the lowest common denominator, not in redistributing power or elevating minorities (although God loves all people and sees all races as "one blood" - Acts 17:26), not in bringing about social justice, or in endlessly repenting over aspects of our identity that are God-given and unchangeable. Unity must be found in our highest Christian virtues and in our selfless, saintly lives that are lived for others in the midst of Christ’s Church. This calling is painful, and our learning curve is still great, as the Church itself wrestles with schism, hatred, and brokenness. We must hold fast to Christ’s Truth without anger or malice, without wishing ill on our enemies, and without doing violence to them for the sake of the Gospel. Only in these sincere expression of the presence of the Holy Spirit is any unity possible, as the final expression of Holy Orthodoxy’s sacramental reality. Unity is found in the Church, expressed through the ethos of a culture, and is only confirmed in the Court and the Halls of Governance. This is how God saves a nation, as a sacrifice, not through self-righteousness and the tit-for-tat umbrage of legal actions. 

Bishop Kallistos of Xelon and Denver, in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, used to say - “Do not resent. Do not react. Keep inner stillness.” He believed this to be the essence of spiritual life and growth in relation to the use of the “Jesus Prayer.” As Christian people, we are not called to be angry and bitter, resentful of perceived injustices. We are not called to be “reactionary.” No, we are called to reflect the life, love and light of Christ, and this requires us to still our own thoughts and self-justification, confess our need for God, and live in internal stillness. It is not “doing nothing!” No, it is giving God a space to work and to show Himself in reality, through our love and submission.

In all of this, we remember our Epistle Reading from this morning’s lesson - Romans 12:16 - "BE not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."

Prayer

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, mercifully look upon our infirmities, and in all our dangers and necessities stretch forth thy right hand to help and defend us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.