Speaking Truth, Loving Neighbors: A Pastor's Reflection on Digital Dialogue
This is my first “blog” on the website. Did you know the history of the word “blog”? Originally the term was “weblog”, as in a “log” or record of thoughts or whatever, put on the “web.” Another person jokingly broke the word weblog into the phrase “we blog” and the word blog was born.
PT is a phrase that the kids in our church started using years ago. I was never fond of Pastor John. For me, it’s too informal, or cutesy. Adults can call me John or call me Pastor Trump. They shortened it a long time ago to PT and it stuck. This can be fortunate now that my last name has acquired so much baggage. Just today, the receptionist at the hospital checking my ID said: Now you know what I want to ask you. I said, I know, and please don’t. No, I’m not related. Or, there are those who upon hearing my name say: Don’t you just love him? Why would they assume that just because I share a name?
Right now, there are so many things I would like to say on my blog about politics and decisions being made that affect the most vulnerable and weak of our society and indeed of the world. For instance, aid flowing from the United States, as of this writing, has been stopped. This was aid that was allocated by Congress. It was voted into law. However, I also want to try my best to not violate the 8th commandment. Luther’s Small Catechism says this:
You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
What does this mean? We should fear and love God so that we do not tell lies about our neighbor, betray him, slander him, or hurt his reputation, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain everything in the kindest way.
We all need to examine what we say, blog, or tweet so that first, we speak the truth. Even if others lie, we must be careful not to do so with hyperbole or exaggeration. If the truth hurts someone’s reputation, so be it. If, however, we are simply trying to attack and tear down in anger or even hate, we must reconsider. There are so many ways, especially on social media, where people slander, abuse, attack, and malign, and in no way are inviting sincere feedback or honest reflection. We must consider our neighbors, even those online.
We must also though, and here’s where the rubber meets the road, remember at all times that all people are our neighbors. The greatest commandment is that we love God and neighbor and that according to God even our enemies are our neighbors. Scripture cannot be clearer. When did we see you hungry, naked, in prison, or sick? When we care for them, we care for Christ. When we reject them, we reject Christ. Isn’t caring for the weakest among us a great way to be a Christian nation?
What do you think?
PT