Imagine a Faith Grounded in Justice, Dignity, and the Common Good

Some of my friends and colleagues got together this past weekend and led The Rally for Faith: A Public Witness for Justice, Dignity, and the Common Good.

It was a powerful statement for faith that is rooted in loving God and loving your neighbor. I had the chance to speak, so here’s what I said:

Greetings everyone,

I want to talk about how we came to be here today.

First let’s ask the big question: “Why are we here?” I am here carrying a prophetic faith because 2000 years ago, a radical man named Jesus was executed by the state - but that couldn’t stop his message.

But why are we here today, at this Rally for Faith? Because some people were willing to imagine:

• The National Convocation imagined a gathering to Revive, Reset, and Resist.

• Rev. Edwin imagined what it would look like to train theologically-rooted organizers to win for liberation.

• Brite Divinity School’s Center for Theology and Justice imagined creative ways to connect seminary education to the real work of justice.

We are here enjoying the fruit of their imagination... so let me ask: what is this Rally for Faith inviting you to imagine?

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I believe that God put me on this earth to help cultivate a redemptive imagination, which is the stubborn belief that even a seed of hope can grow roots large enough to break the boulders of despair.

We reject the idea that “the world as it is” is “the world as it must be.”

In faith, we can imagine a world rooted in love, and then we can go out and build it together.

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We have all witnessed certain versions of faith that act like they’re called to control their neighbor and dominate the world.

But today, we declare that we are called to love our neighbor and serve the world.

We live amidst a crisis of character in faith communities, when hypocrisy abounds and clergy cave to the powers that be.

But we contend that faith transforms us with courageous love for people who are marginalized & excluded.

Far too often, faith has been the face of extremism and an advocate for nationalism.

But we believe that faith can become the face of compassion and an advocate for anyone with their back against the wall.

So you are invited to imagine with us - but to imagine on your feet, as you move toward the pain in this world.

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A rally is just the beginning of possibility if we all begin to imagine.

• What does faith activated for justice, dignity, and common good look like in communities ravaged by injustice? Imagine.

• What does this faith look like when young black boys receive longer prison sentences than white adults? Imagine.

• What does this faith look like when people in power profit off of xenophobia? Imagine.

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I’ll close by quoting Dr. Walter Brueggemann: “Every totalitarian regime is afraid of the artist.” So let’s keep dreaming and imagining a world transformed by divine love and liberation.

Amen?