Andy Bryan wrote about the recent decision of the World Council of Churches to publicly ask God's forgiveness for America being such an awful country, what with the war and the environment and such. Andy asks readers if it is acceptable to confess someone else's sins.Here's my take: the confession of sin is a sacred act. It is an act of communion with God, who is holy, for the sake of our redemption. In contrast, political speeches (Left or Right) are not holy. They may be necessary or appropriate in certain settings, but they are not a sacred act established by God. This speech was not an authentic confession addressed to God. It was a political speech intended to attack the US government for perceived wrongs. It was just plain rude to God for them to talk past him to their real audience. God deserves better than to serve as a prop (again, Left or Right) in a staged event.
I don't think that the US has anything major to confess, but if you, as an American, do feel that way, here's what you do:
"When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you."
Let the WCC close its doors, turn off the cameras, kneel before God, and apologize for America. It would be, IMHO, morally misguided, but at least it would be an authentic confession directly addressing God.
5 comments:
Interesting, John. This is a little like what Simon Weisenthal wrote in his book, "The Sunflower". He was a POW in Nazi-occupied Poland and was confronted by a dying Nazi soldier who had requested that "any Jew" be brought before him so that he could ask forgiveness for his part in the atrocities against Jews. Mr. Weisenthal asks: Should he have forgiven the soldier? Did he even have a RIGHT to forgive the soldier?
It seems to me that the United States has a whole lot more to apologize to the Lord about besides its participation in war and a free-market economy. Abortion leaps to mind.
It also seems to me, however, that if one feels compelled to ask forgiveness for anything, then one must necessarily be a part of that for which forgiveness is required. Anything else on behalf of others is, as you implied, arrogance of the worst order and highly questionable as to motive.
sometimes we confess on behalf of our parents or forefathers don't we? And we ask that God will not curse us to the nth generation.
In europe for example there have been walks through to Jerusalem repenting of the crucades, when awful awful things were done in the name of Jesus.
I do think that the USA has plenty to repent of - as a nation - but I think that applies to most western countries too. Lies are told, profit comes before humanity etc
Confession of sin is a sacred act. I agree. Sometimes we are to hold another person accountable for their actions. That's not confession though on their behalf though, and if done in the wrong way can end up being judgemental which also is wrong.
I'm not sure of the ins and outs of the WCC - if it was, as you write, simpoly a policitcal speech intended to attack the US government then it was IMHO wrong and the WCC themselves will be held accountable to God
But I suspect there's more to this than I at least understand. I'm not an American and as we all know it's easier to see specks in the eyes of others than planks in our own eyes.
those are my thoughts. but then I'm only an ex pat Brit living in Finland - and so what do I know :)
be blessed
Are confession of sin and asking God's forgiveness the same thing?
In Luke 23:34, Jesus asks forgiveness for those crucifying him. None of us would say that the Lord is confessing his own sins here.
Have you ever asked forgiveness for the one who mugs you? It's not confession of sin, but there is precedent for it in the actions of Jesus Christ.
If the WCC deems America's actions to be sinful and seeks forgiveness from the Lord on our behalf, then we should be grateful. If our sins are variants of arrogance and pride, we probably would have been blind to them anyway. I pray for the forgiveness of the Christians who were burning Muslims in the Nigerian streets today. Given the chance, I would hope to convict them.
Given the chance, maybe the WCC hopes to convict Christians in the U.S. That would explain why the request for forgiveness is public, not private.
Given the chance, wouldn't you hope to convict a promiscuous, angry, debauchering, blaspheming, uncaring brother or sister in Christ? (Even if they disagreed with your definition of debauchery?) What if all other attempts to get their attention had failed, and all you had left was public reproach? I feel that if I am to live according to the Gospel, I require fellow Christians to hold me accountable. (In private if possible, but in public if necessary.) Thank God for those willing to treat us as true brothers and sisters in Christ!
I partially see your point, Jerad. Jesus did request forgiveness for his executioners. Of course, it was his blood providing the atonement. I think that this is an exception than a norm, given that Christ has the soveriegnty to make such a request.
The NT does call upon us to rebuke a wayward brother or sister. The language of such commands (as we scattered throughout Paul), however, does not suggest that we do so in a false confession of sins where God is a stage prop.
If the WCC had simply given a speech condemning the US for its alleged sins, that would be a different matter. It would not disrespectful to God because it would not be claiming to speak to God.
I am not sure where it states in the document that they are confessing on behalf of all Americans. Maybe I didn't read it close enough.
What is interesting is if anyone uses Word and Table I for communion and reads he words of confession and pardon. Should we confess our sins and ask for forgiveness in community? Isn't this required before partaking of the community of Christ?
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