Machetes and Scalpels: A Retraction of Denominational Tectonics
Dana60Cummins, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Message from the Editor: Along with Luke, I would like to apologize for not requiring him to omit his needlessly inflammatory language; I should have required him to communicate his meaning without it. Please forgive me for my editorial carelessness. ACV remains committed to the liberty of expressing critical opinions, but with a renewed commitment that this be done with charity. - Tom Loghry
INTRODUCTION
Last week, my article “Denominational Tectonics” caused a bit of a firestorm amongst the readership of Advent Christian Voices. To be honest, that was one of my goals. I was trying, through confrontational and colorful language, to get people’s attention. What I failed to anticipate, however, is the way that my tone and candor may have deepened the divisions that I desired merely to identify and assess.
I have asked editor-in-chief Tom Loghry to retract the article. For those who did not have the chance to read it, the article consisted of a series of descriptions of conflicts and problems that I saw as integral to the current state of the Advent Christian denomination. I retracted the article, not because I changed my mind about the content, but because the tone was exceptionally harsh and biting. After several interactions with people who felt hurt, offended, or just plain flummoxed by the ferocity of my criticism, I realized my failure and responded accordingly. At the end of this article, I will issue several apologies. But first, I want to briefly share some things I have learned through the discussions I’ve had with various people since the release of the original article.
HISTORY MATTERS
One of the most eye-opening revelations I experienced in the aftermath of “Denominational Tectonics” was the realization that the current Advent Christian bent toward peace and charity is relatively recent. I had no idea how fraught with conflict and infighting the 70s and 80s were for our denomination. I suppose it is a typical error of young people to think that things have always been as they are now. I confess that I made that error.
Understanding this will help me to soften my sharp tongue in future interactions. I will keep in mind that some of those listening can remember a time when it was common to hear and see brothers and sisters they loved treating one another with harsh contempt in public disagreements. With God’s help, I will strive not to let that history repeat itself in any of my future contributions, whether in person or in print.
MACHETES & SCALPELS
The first rule of medicine is to “do no harm.” I’m no doctor, but I did attempt a surgery in my article last week. It did not go well. In the days since the release of my article, I have been accused of stirring trouble just for fun. This is absolutely false. I cut because I care. I deeply care about this denomination and the people in it. Greater still is my care for my sons and daughters who will inherit this dying denomination. Above all, I care about the Lord Jesus, and the good news of his death, resurrection, and soon return, and I am deeply frustrated by our inability (with a few admirable and noteworthy exceptions) to effectively communicate that good news to a world that needs to hear it. I did not speak so harshly because I like being disliked; I did it because I’m desperate.
With all that said, I confess that I cut too deep. I used a machete instead of a scalpel. In my attempt to remove the infection, I nearly took off the whole limb. Lest my analogies become confusing or tiresome, allow me to speak more plainly: I caused more harm than good. I hurt a number of people. And although I believe it is sometimes necessary to hurt in order to ultimately heal, in this case I went far beyond necessity.
IT WORKED . . . SORT OF
This will be my last comment before I make my apology. As you will see below, I make no attempt to justify my careless and inconsiderate language. Nevertheless, I have been and continue to be committed to honesty and forthrightness. So, here it is: I don’t know what else to do. I wanted to spark a conversation. The gentle, peaceful, quiet approach wasn’t working. Unfortunately, I solved that problem by starting a forest fire.
It is clear to me now that I am the wrong person to be leading these discussions. I have nowhere near the maturity and patience required to lead them productively. With the Lord’s help, maybe someday I will. But until then, I hope others with more self-discipline and tact will pick up and run with the baton that I have dropped. And I pray that they will speak boldly into a crisis that is going to get much worse before it gets better. We as a denomination are not merely facing rough seas; we are on the Titanic and the stern is in the air. Now, having said my piece, it’s time for me to make some peace.
FOUR APOLOGIES
I apologize to the readers who were hurt by my harsh words in “Denominational Tectonics,” for my carelessness and my inconsideration. I was wrong, and I ask your forgiveness.
I apologize to the people who are part of the institutions that I maligned in the article, for my carelessness and inconsideration. I was wrong, and I ask your forgiveness.
I apologize to people close to me who have suffered from the fallout caused by the article, for my carelessness and inconsideration. I was wrong, and I ask your forgiveness.
I apologize to the people on whose behalf I arrogantly presumed to speak and consequently misrepresented, for my carelessness and inconsideration. I was wrong, and I ask your forgiveness.
PARTING WORDS
Obviously, the Lord has much work to do in my heart to teach me the power of tenderness. My God is a God of both grace and truth. I have a lot to learn about practicing the former before I can claim any legitimate calling as a prophet of the latter in settings as public as this one. While His Spirit works in me to teach me how to write in ways that honor Jesus Christ, His gospel, and His bride, it seems best that I lay low for a while.
If anyone who felt hurt by the original article desires to speak with me, you can reach me at lukecopeland21@gmail.com and I will strive to make amends with you.
The Lord be with you all.
-Luke