On Tuesday, I went about the first two aspects of Struggling with Evangelicalism by Dan Stringer – awareness and appreciation. Originally, I was going to talk about both repentance and renewal – but the post got unwieldy. I decided to do two mini-posts instead, with today’s focusing on repentance.
This section is really the meat of Dan Stringer’s book, the part where the rubber meets the road. It helps you evaluate what you see in the Evangelical churches, and see if Evangelicalism is still “working” for you. It did, however, leave me with additional questions.
That’s ok, though. I found this part of the book very compelling, and I found the questions interesting. I’ll be mulling over them for many months to come.
Repentance
Most (dare I say all?) Evangelicals understand the need for personal repentance – we have sinned and we need to confess (1 John 1:9), and then we need to turn away from that sin (James 4:7-10). Stringer takes it a step further, saying we should also be repenting as a community. He uses the examples of Moses and Nehemiah to show how this is a time-honored tradition for those who follow God.[1]
He also has an incredibly fascinating interpretation of Jesus’ baptism, which deserves to be shared with you in full…
Jesus’ Communal Repentance
Stringer starts off by saying, “Jesus’ example of being baptized by John offers a blueprint for collective repentance as God’s people.”[2] He quotes Matthew 3:13-17, and then provides his analysis:
“Why would a sinless Jesus respond to John the Baptist’s invitation to ‘repent and be baptized’? If there was ever anyone who did not need baptism for the forgiveness of sins, it was Jesus. John the Baptist understandably did a double-take and tried to stop Jesus, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, yet you come to me?’ Jesus responded, “Allow me to be baptized now. This is necessary to fulfill all righteousness.’
“How does Jesus’ baptism fulfill all righteousness and justice? It depends on how we approach the concept of righteousness. If it’s just about individual moral perfection, there’s no need for Jesus to be baptized. But if it’s about the repentance of his people, then Jesus, as a member of the community, needed to be included for corporate repentance to take effect. Jesus acted in solidarity with his people, including their baptism for repentance. One of my seminary professors puts it this way:
“‘Jesus assumes Israel’s sins as his own. He says yes, we are still living the consequences of our unfaithfulness to our God as his people, and I’m part of that people. So in baptism Jesus joins Israel in preparing the imminent work of God to bring Israel through the end of its suffering for sin and into the new life that God has long been promising. How Jesus is in solidarity with Israel’s suffering and sin is central to what it means for him to be Messiah, son of David, son of Abraham.’
“Jesus didn’t seek baptism because he thought he was guilty of individual sin. Jesus understood himself as more than an individual person. He was a member of his community, a people who needed to repent. In that sense, Jesus did not view the sins of his people as anything other than his own. If Jesus participated in corporate repentance for Israel’s sins, how much more should modern-day evangelicals?”[3]
Thoughts on Communal Repentance
Those last two points are especially poignant. First, Jesus viewed the sins of his people as his own – and isn’t that exactly what sent him to the cross? He literally took on our sins and paid for them. Which leads to the second point: if our sinless savior was willing to do this, why won’t we?
I’ve heard it before, and I’m sure many Evangelicals have: “Oh that’s them. We’re different.” The “them” could be anyone – from racists to Catholics. I think many non-denominational, evangelical churches felt the same thing when the SBC report of abuses came out – “Well, we’re not Baptist.”
And so, it isn’t discussed. At all.
My Repentance
It’s time we start discussing it – and repenting of it. And since this is my opportunity to do so, I’ll list some things I want to repent of.
I don’t own a gun, and if I did I wouldn’t shoot someone. But that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t weep and confess the sin of senseless gun violence. I fight hard against my white bias and try to be aware of my privilege; I don’t consider myself a racist. But that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t weep and confess the sin of my white bias (which will always exist) as well as the systemic racism in our country – and heinously, in our churches. I’m not a child abuser, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t weep and repent of this evil, vile, heinous occurrence that keeps happening in all churches, regardless of denomination.
However, saying that doesn’t make a difference. Repentance means changing our ways. So, how am I changing what I do to show my changed heart?
This will look different for every person, but I can tell you how I’m changing my ways in the instances listed above. When my children are old enough, I will teach them about gun safety, as well as how to be aware of what to do in a crisis situation. I will intentionally seek out churches that celebrate diversity. And I will side with the survivors of violence always and seek justice when/if they want it.[4]
Questions on Repentance
But – as I said in the intro – I have questions. How does my repentance help when those who really are doing these things do not repent? Jesus took on the community’s sins, but he was God. Not everyone who entered the Jordan River was associating with the community, but merely their own sin.
Is my repentance for communal sins enough? It certainly doesn’t feel like it.
Then again, starting with one person is how movements grow. And it wouldn’t be an act of faith if it was clear what the impact would be.
So, I repent for the sins that keep cropping up in our churches and beliefs. I encourage you to do so, too.
Notes
[1] He uses Deut. 6:3-4 and Neh. 1:6-7 as his proofs, Dan Stringer, Struggling with Evangelicalism: Why I Want to Leave and What It Takes to Stay (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2021), 86
[2] Stringer, 101.
[3] Ibid., 101-102.
[4] I say when/if because some people do not want to bring their case before authorities as it means reliving the worst part of their lives. I was one of those people, and I don’t feel anyone should be compelled to stand before a jury and rehash the crimes done to them.
