Beth

While catching up on news I spotted a story about the Baptist Bible teacher Beth Moore, who recently decided to end her lifelong affiliation with the Southern Baptist Convention.  She had come under attack for speaking out against trump idolatry and Christian nationalism in her denomination.  I felt so grateful to her that I,  yes, well, I just had to write her a letter: 

Dear Beth Moore, 
...I wanted to thank you for your courageous and Spirit-led stand against idolatry of a wicked man (you-know-who) running rampant in the Evangelical church.  It surely is an evil I never thought I would see in my lifetime [at least, not on this scale], perhaps it is a sign of the End [Times]. 

I'm not a conservative.  I first heard of you at a woman's Bible study while attending Hill Country Fellowship in Burnet, Texas (Pastor Rodney McGee).  Prior to that, my then-husband and I were commuting to Shoreline Christian Center in north Austin.  Pastor Rob [Koke]...was the first, and really the only, evangelical pastor I ever truly respected. Before that I was, and am (sort of), a Catholic. 

I am writing to thank you for your courage.  You are putting millions of so-called Christian men to shame. They remind me of the Elders who spied on Susanna and falsely accused her.  These are men (and women) who want power and control over others, not God's reign. 

My experiences at Hill Country Fellowship (around 2011-2012) and at [Saint John the Evangelist] in Marble Falls scandalized me so much that I stopped attending services anywhere. That was 2013 and I have never been able to return [on a permanent basis] to any church community since.  The past five years or so of right wing extremism threatening our democracy only radicalized me more. I don't excuse extremism of any kind but I resent it more in Christians who [claim to] have the Truth, the Grace, and the Teaching, to know better...

I have done a lot of thinking about the Denial of Sin.  I am a recovering alcoholic and was raised by alcoholic narcissists...Basically what I want to say is, I view conservatism as the Pharisee way entirely.  Conservatism, [like alcoholism, is based in denial and] refuses to admit of wrong, which makes it opposed to the Holy Spirit, [who] convicts us of sin.  To deny their fault is to deny the Holy Spirit.  My parents never could acknowledge the extreme damage they inflicted upon us.  [This denial], which I lived with all my life, was far worse than the original violations.  So too, the denial of Jesus' resurrection, that is...denial by authorities of the report by guards at Jesus' tomb who [said the tomb was empty] is in a certain way, worse than the crucifixion itself.  [The cover-up]. 

(end of excerpt). 

The story of Susanna is from the Book of Daniel. It is a story of abuse of power, violation of the innocent, and corruption.  It is a story that perfectly encapsulates what I mean by People of the Lie. 

My Jewish Bible (David H. Stern) doesn't include the chapter of the Book of Daniel where this story is found. I will paraphrase: 
Two elders who were frequent visitors in the home of a local rich man were lusting after his wife, Susanna, for she was very regal and beautiful, also virtuous.  One day they planned to corner her in the garden while she bathed.  They threatened her with a false accusation that she had been with a lover unless she had sex with them.  She was trapped according to the Law of Moses, also due to the status of the corrupt elders, and would be put to death. But she screamed anyway, knowing it would cost her reputation and her life.  Daniel intervenes and saves her by exposing the false testimony of the elders and their real intentions. 

Susanna and the Elders, Artemisia Gentileschi, 1610 

https://religionnews.com/2021/03/09/bible-teacher-beth-moore-ends-partnership-with-lifeway-i-am-no-longer-a-southern-baptist/











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