I once had a strange exchange with an older friend, the pastor of a large congregation, and it went a little something like this. We made small talk while keeping a watchful eye on children skateboarding. There was a lull. “I’m an advocate,” he said, breaking the silence. “Wait—That’s not the word.” I waited for the word. “I believe in climate change,” he said starting again, and I agreed that one would not want to self-identity as an advocate of climate change. “I believe in climate change, but if I told my congregation they’d probably tar and feather me.” Silence. “I guess that makes me a silent prophet.”
Thanks for this, brother. I’m so glad you highlighted Anna Jane Joyner. I can sooo relate to your description: “It’s as if they’ve emerged from a crucible of toxic ideas about God, themselves, and other human beings and now possess essential and hard-won realizations about what matters in the world. They are deeply imaginative and mentally tough, like artisans of the sacred.”
Thanks for the intro to Anna Jane Joyner. I had no idea. This whole piece brings up so much for me, as my parents were R. Joyner fans and I was raised from HS on in a deeply prophetic branch of Christianity. Also, my family just returned to CO after a 5 yr stint in Nashville where my kids went to a "less Christian school" than CPA. One of the reasons I ran away to Nash and dragged my family along was for the creativity of the city, but it was in response to the loss of my mom, and then my dad while in Nash. We had already left the church building years prior, but for some reason, immersing myself back into the South was just the place to continue exploring and unearthing what I believed and why, apart from my parents and the faith of my youth. I welcomed with open arms a reintroduction to critical-thinking. Faith in the camps we were raised required checking CT at the door. I resonate with the choice to walk away and live apart from the crucible of toxic fear-based, patriarchal theology, as Anna and her siblings have done. (*I paused here and read some other articles.) It's funny b/c *most of our friends whose parents were Reagan Republicans are registered Dems.
As per the silent prophet, I get it. And I hate it. I've always been wired to know or see things ahead of time, but the truth is, "we know in part and prophesy in part," yet the 80's-today's prophets, especially within the charismatic camp, have set themselves up to be an authority. Even Daniel told the king his dreams and interpretations, but it wasn't, "Thus sayeth the Lord," rather, "Oh, King, this is potentially what could happen if you don't check yourself and your pride at the door." Our modern day "prophets" have hijacked the actual Good News of Kingdom come with damnation to hell and end times rhetoric proclaimed through their own cultural, societal, and nationalistic hermeneutic, then have their messages broadcast thru their own labels, brands, and publishing houses, and I know parents, too, at CPA, and throughout the American Church, who equate obedience to this messaging as obedience to Christ.
So where do silent prophets share? They'll only be called false prophets from the camps where they dwell, which, who cares what someone else calls you, but it's those folks in those chairs who need the messaging the most. Alas, it's why we leave and become "godless Democrats at work for Satan," as we love our neighbors, and enemies, without the fear-driven need to proselytize. It's outside the rhetoric we find freedom in Christ.
Is there anything more complicated or more "American" than the story about the Joyners? I found the NYT piece to be brutal and kind all at once...I'm hoping that the ripples make it to dinner tables and church pews.
Thank you David! I read the piece about Kennekuk Camp, I remember so many Christian parents I knew the way back that always sent their kids to that camp. I remember feeling sad I couldn’t afford to send mine. God, am I happy for being poor sometimes....
Thanks, David. So good... your own awareness of your own foibles almost always comes out in your essays and it is human and good. I wish I knew more young people like the ones you so nicely described. Wow. I don't get out and about much these days.
Thanks for this, brother. I’m so glad you highlighted Anna Jane Joyner. I can sooo relate to your description: “It’s as if they’ve emerged from a crucible of toxic ideas about God, themselves, and other human beings and now possess essential and hard-won realizations about what matters in the world. They are deeply imaginative and mentally tough, like artisans of the sacred.”
I am hearing Jed Clampet saying, "Whoooo wee!" and shaking his haberdashered head.
Whoo WEEE, David. I miss you and Sarah. With all the water rising, maybe y'all need to consider a move to Fort Worth?
Thanks for the intro to Anna Jane Joyner. I had no idea. This whole piece brings up so much for me, as my parents were R. Joyner fans and I was raised from HS on in a deeply prophetic branch of Christianity. Also, my family just returned to CO after a 5 yr stint in Nashville where my kids went to a "less Christian school" than CPA. One of the reasons I ran away to Nash and dragged my family along was for the creativity of the city, but it was in response to the loss of my mom, and then my dad while in Nash. We had already left the church building years prior, but for some reason, immersing myself back into the South was just the place to continue exploring and unearthing what I believed and why, apart from my parents and the faith of my youth. I welcomed with open arms a reintroduction to critical-thinking. Faith in the camps we were raised required checking CT at the door. I resonate with the choice to walk away and live apart from the crucible of toxic fear-based, patriarchal theology, as Anna and her siblings have done. (*I paused here and read some other articles.) It's funny b/c *most of our friends whose parents were Reagan Republicans are registered Dems.
As per the silent prophet, I get it. And I hate it. I've always been wired to know or see things ahead of time, but the truth is, "we know in part and prophesy in part," yet the 80's-today's prophets, especially within the charismatic camp, have set themselves up to be an authority. Even Daniel told the king his dreams and interpretations, but it wasn't, "Thus sayeth the Lord," rather, "Oh, King, this is potentially what could happen if you don't check yourself and your pride at the door." Our modern day "prophets" have hijacked the actual Good News of Kingdom come with damnation to hell and end times rhetoric proclaimed through their own cultural, societal, and nationalistic hermeneutic, then have their messages broadcast thru their own labels, brands, and publishing houses, and I know parents, too, at CPA, and throughout the American Church, who equate obedience to this messaging as obedience to Christ.
So where do silent prophets share? They'll only be called false prophets from the camps where they dwell, which, who cares what someone else calls you, but it's those folks in those chairs who need the messaging the most. Alas, it's why we leave and become "godless Democrats at work for Satan," as we love our neighbors, and enemies, without the fear-driven need to proselytize. It's outside the rhetoric we find freedom in Christ.
Is there anything more complicated or more "American" than the story about the Joyners? I found the NYT piece to be brutal and kind all at once...I'm hoping that the ripples make it to dinner tables and church pews.
Thank you David! I read the piece about Kennekuk Camp, I remember so many Christian parents I knew the way back that always sent their kids to that camp. I remember feeling sad I couldn’t afford to send mine. God, am I happy for being poor sometimes....
Thanks, David. So good... your own awareness of your own foibles almost always comes out in your essays and it is human and good. I wish I knew more young people like the ones you so nicely described. Wow. I don't get out and about much these days.