Most recent articles are first below:
December 2, 2017
Healing Divisions in our city and nation (an op-ed by pastors Mark Beliles & Alvin Edwards of Charlottesville, VA)
The City of Charlottesville along with many Americans were shocked by the events in July and August. This community experienced and witnessed violent acts that is unlike the City of Charlottesville that two long time pastors have seen in their 36 years. What has happened is not the Charlottesville they know and have experienced. Yes, we have history and it is not pristine or untouched from the wrongs in this country or this community. However, we are willing to acknowledge that we have challenges and there is much work to be done; there are problems and issues that need to be solved; and we believe that together we can solve them. The City of Charlottesville is nothing like August 12 when the Unite the Right group gathered here with evil intentions and the chaos they caused, as well as the loss of life is nothing like the City we know. And because we are both believers, one African-American and the other Caucasian, yes, we are different, but it is our opinion that as believers in Jesus Christ, and the Christian community need to speak up and challenge other believers that business as usual is not and should not be acceptable to the Christian community. And so, we are calling our community to change.
And so, we want to state emphatically, that we both love our city, and even more, we love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and are loyal to His Kingdom even more than to any earthly political party. We are also friends who respect each other and believe that we can find common ground and work together for good of our Lord.
While we acknowledge that our City is very divided, as well as churches. We are divided by race, politics, both black and white churches tend to be active in social issues, while some more conservative churches, both black and white, views social issues as a tangent from their real mission, and so they don’t get involved in much beyond pastoral care.
We respect and celebrate differences and diversity, but we believe that these are serious times in our city and nation, and that we need to find some common ground for the good of our city. 1 Peter 2:17 (NIV) says to “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers…” And in 1 Thessalonians 5:15, “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all mankind.” These verses teach us our commitment to our fellow-believers, and but also instructs us to “show proper respect” and to seek “that which is good” for all people. Honor and respect is expected of us for every human being, even those we disagree with on most things.
This is where we believe that Christians can help heal our community. Our nation and city is polarized today. There are many things that you can blame, and maybe perhaps it is due to a generation who are used to using social media which allows for forceful opinions to be expressed to people who we do not really know, and seemingly without consequences. And yes, they can be unfriended or blocked. However, we believe that the voice of the church of Jesus Christ needs to be heard, and our view made known, so that people will know where we stand.
Our city has real problems and to solve them we have to have meaningful discussion of how to solve these problems with those who have perhaps completely different viewpoints, no less valid than our own. Talking and doing something after the conversation, is the ONLY path to actually solving problems. We can shout our opinions and criticisms and blame in a crowded city hall chamber, or campus forum and feel good about ourselves, but no problems are actually solved.
We believe it is only through the aid of Jesus Christ that we can overcome our own biases and get out of our own comfort zones. When we are honest, the divisions over statues and race and politics are our responsibility as Christians in our community as much as anyone. To that end we asked all believers to participate in yesterday's day of prayer for our City and to ponder action in the year ahead. It was held just before the first Sunday of Advent when Christians begin to celebrate the coming of Jesus over 2000 years ago. Let us continue to reflect on what we can do different than before. Perhaps we can end this year, asking Jesus to come in this city with "...peace, goodwill toward men" and give us a new beginning so that this city becomes a testimony to the world that is different from the narrative since August 12. Let us become people that restore respect to our community for all people and thus unleash the creative solutions for thorny problems we face in the year ahead and continue the #Healing4Charlottesville.
Rev. Mark Beliles, Rev. Alvin Edwards, Co-leaders of Healing4Charlottesville.com
Dec 13, 2016
Christian Voters' Impact on the Recent Election:
The recent presidential election provided interesting insight into the impact of Christians. Trump's surprising victory with over 62.7 million votes was comprised of no less than 43 million Christians - over two thirds of his total votes! Of these, about 24 million votes were from white Evangelicals, 15 million were from white Catholics, and 4 million were from Hispanic and Black Christians. About half as many Christians voted for Clinton and of these about half were white Catholics and the other half were Blacks and Hispanics. Of her 65.4 million votes only about a third were Christians (and only about a 9 million were Evangelicals). The ratio among Evangelicals (black and hispanic included) is about 3 to 1, and among all Christians (including Catholics) is about 2 to 1 in favor of Trump. The gap of over 20 million Christian votes in favor of Trump and the Republican Party far exceeds any other demographic advantage by far, and in the battleground states, the turnout of Christian voters was even higher than in other areas and especially explains how Trump won the most electoral votes.
Hispanic voters are identified by pundits to be crucial to the future of presidential elections but in states such as Florida, Texas and Arizona the influence of Evangelicals on Latinos especially hinders the Democratic Party from winning those states. Studies show that over time Hispanic immigrants gradually become more Republican voters due to both Evangelical and Catholic churches in those areas favoring Republicans. The only likely change in this pattern of voting is if religion declines in America or if the Republican Party stopped appealing to religious voters so much more effectively than the Democratic Party. (Hispanic votes in big margins in California and New York add to the Democratic popular vote nationally, but in terms of the electoral college, these states always go Democratic anyway.) All in all, it shows the amazing power of Christianity in American politics.
Even more amazing is how sophisticated the Christian vote proved to be. Instead of being swayed emotionally by media soundbites and simplification and perversion of candidates' views, strong majorities of Christians, even Hispanics, looked past personalities and mistakes by the candidates, and beyond single issues or purely ethnic interests, and voted based on substantial analysis of all issues and worldviews. They did not necessarily vote "for" Trump but clearly against what they deemed was a worse evil in the policies of the Democratic Party. Neither did Christians fall into the mistake of wasting their vote on minor party candidates. The data shows a maturity in the Christian vote in America which is highly commendable. Having said that, the post-vote responsibility of Christians is to not only support those in power, but also reach out with humility to those believers who voted for the Democratic Party and try to educate, learn and heal as much as possible.
If Clinton had won perhaps the direction of the nation was irreversible, but it seems that God mercifully gave to us in America a gift of time. The question we must answer is "time for what?" If we think simply voting and a Trump administration is going to turn America around we deceive ourselves. We must act now to develop better leaders in all the spheres of culture and perhaps in 8 years we might be in a position that new leaders are beginning to step up for the future.
July 20, 2016
Trump, Hillary and the new era of how Christians should Vote
For the first time in my adult lifetime Christians do not have a candidate that they in good conscience can vote for. Of course there is never an ideal candidate but at least since the late 1970s there has been someone who has given believers some relative comfort in the choice on election day. This year is different. The Democratic Party has been largely dominated by abortion-sex-government school monopoly, etc for decades while the Republican Party has at least stood for traditional religious and family values. Beyond all that is the fundamental understanding of the purpose of government. The Bible defines government exists only for the purpose of protecting citizens and upholding justice which demands that it be limited. The pagan idea of government, first exhibited by Nimrod at the Tower of Babel (Gen 10-11), turns it into a tool of messianic ambition by politicians who promise things to people to gain more power. This pagan philosophy of government has dominated the Democratic Party for years and was at least articulated by the Republican Party's platform (even if many in power ignored it).
Because of the above, about 75% or higher of Evangelical Christians consistently supported the Republican Party in national elections over the last few decades. But now it has become obvious that the gradual decline of numbers of Christians in America and the significant decline in Christians with interest in politics and understanding of a biblical worldview have led to the marginalization of Christians in the process. It's clear that we are now a minority.
This brings us to a new era of how to vote. There is likely to rarely be candidates anymore (at least until there is a revival and renewed increase in Christians in the parties) that we can actually feel comfortable voting for.
When then happens some make the mistake of saying they will not vote at all or perhaps vote for a presidential candidate of a small party that has no chance of winning. Both reactions are wrong. In parliamentary systems such as in Europe you can have a tiny party and still get your candidate into parliament and by coalitions there, get your candidate into cabinet positions or even as prime minister. But in a presidential system as we have in America, a vote for a presidential candidate of a small party is simply a waste. Nothing good is possible through it, except to make the voter feel better about themselves. The problem is that us feeling good is not the purpose of the right to vote. Rather it is to overcome evil with good. (Note: Voting for a new party on the local level is fine because there is a reasonable chance for success, and then as that new party proves itself, it can likely win on a statewide level. Only after that party's statewide success spreads to a majority of states is there a rationale for voting for its national candidates.)
When Christians are a minority in a nation they learn to use their vote to overcome evil with good by becoming effective in opposition to the worst evil. They do not vote because they "feel comfortable with" or support a candidate that they agree with, but rather they learn to use their vote AGAINST dangers and philosophies that are contrary to biblical government.
Christians in Europe, where Christianity declined long ago, and Christians in other countries where Christianity is still growing but yet a minority, have been using their votes against evil for many years. American Christians have to learn that now.
So in the coming election for President of the U. S. don't look for the candidate that you can vote FOR but the candidate that you must vote AGAINST. In doing this the platforms of the parties must be taken into consideration in addition to the candidates themselves. Take your job seriously; study and vote effectively. Overcome evil with good. Become a faithful opposition to the worst evil out there. If someone asks me, I no longer say that I am voting for such and such person, because I am not "FOR" them, but I will boldly say that I am voting against someone, telling them that I am not staying home on election day and not wasting my vote on minor parties.
July 9, 2016
Racist-Police and Violent-Black Protesters
I agree with the concept that "black lives matter" because those who say it don't intend to say that ONLY black lives matter (so whites need not assert that "all lives matter" because it just makes them angry and because it is interpreted by them as undermining their point). And we cannot deny when there is a bad actor among police or government officials, it must be addressed even if it might be a tiny percent of those who have that authority.
But guilt or innocence cannot be determined based on a brief video clip or by the first person that speaks up. Proverbs 18:17 says that everyone's case seems right until another comes with different views and evidence.
It takes a jury of peers to look at all evidence and decide. A recent news report showed that when even black activists go through a drill that police do for their training, they discover that they also fire shots at the moment that they feel they are endangered. It surprises them and makes them appreciate the real-time realities.
We do not want "crowd" justice. It used to be the means of perverted justice against blacks by white crowds and now is increasingly becoming used by modern media and public leaders who want to be liked by their constituents or affinity groups. This is a frightening trend.
Police lives also matter. We need to condemn all media figures, politicians or statements by anyone based on brief immediate videos or reports. Movements that might be generally good such as the Black Lives Matter organizations must be judged with the same standards as we do others. If there are bad actors among them, even a tiny percent, that advocate violence against police or anyone, then that must be addressed. Just as government leaders must be accountable for rogue cops, so also must leaders of black social justice groups when there are rogue activists connected to them. You cannot excuse them because they have good intentions anymore than you can excuse the police as a group because the vast majority of them are good people.
There is no way out of our divisions unless that we no longer excuse bad actors anywhere we find them. Both white and black leaders need to demand that this be done now and as often as necessary.
December 2, 2017
Healing Divisions in our city and nation (an op-ed by pastors Mark Beliles & Alvin Edwards of Charlottesville, VA)
The City of Charlottesville along with many Americans were shocked by the events in July and August. This community experienced and witnessed violent acts that is unlike the City of Charlottesville that two long time pastors have seen in their 36 years. What has happened is not the Charlottesville they know and have experienced. Yes, we have history and it is not pristine or untouched from the wrongs in this country or this community. However, we are willing to acknowledge that we have challenges and there is much work to be done; there are problems and issues that need to be solved; and we believe that together we can solve them. The City of Charlottesville is nothing like August 12 when the Unite the Right group gathered here with evil intentions and the chaos they caused, as well as the loss of life is nothing like the City we know. And because we are both believers, one African-American and the other Caucasian, yes, we are different, but it is our opinion that as believers in Jesus Christ, and the Christian community need to speak up and challenge other believers that business as usual is not and should not be acceptable to the Christian community. And so, we are calling our community to change.
And so, we want to state emphatically, that we both love our city, and even more, we love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and are loyal to His Kingdom even more than to any earthly political party. We are also friends who respect each other and believe that we can find common ground and work together for good of our Lord.
While we acknowledge that our City is very divided, as well as churches. We are divided by race, politics, both black and white churches tend to be active in social issues, while some more conservative churches, both black and white, views social issues as a tangent from their real mission, and so they don’t get involved in much beyond pastoral care.
We respect and celebrate differences and diversity, but we believe that these are serious times in our city and nation, and that we need to find some common ground for the good of our city. 1 Peter 2:17 (NIV) says to “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers…” And in 1 Thessalonians 5:15, “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all mankind.” These verses teach us our commitment to our fellow-believers, and but also instructs us to “show proper respect” and to seek “that which is good” for all people. Honor and respect is expected of us for every human being, even those we disagree with on most things.
This is where we believe that Christians can help heal our community. Our nation and city is polarized today. There are many things that you can blame, and maybe perhaps it is due to a generation who are used to using social media which allows for forceful opinions to be expressed to people who we do not really know, and seemingly without consequences. And yes, they can be unfriended or blocked. However, we believe that the voice of the church of Jesus Christ needs to be heard, and our view made known, so that people will know where we stand.
Our city has real problems and to solve them we have to have meaningful discussion of how to solve these problems with those who have perhaps completely different viewpoints, no less valid than our own. Talking and doing something after the conversation, is the ONLY path to actually solving problems. We can shout our opinions and criticisms and blame in a crowded city hall chamber, or campus forum and feel good about ourselves, but no problems are actually solved.
We believe it is only through the aid of Jesus Christ that we can overcome our own biases and get out of our own comfort zones. When we are honest, the divisions over statues and race and politics are our responsibility as Christians in our community as much as anyone. To that end we asked all believers to participate in yesterday's day of prayer for our City and to ponder action in the year ahead. It was held just before the first Sunday of Advent when Christians begin to celebrate the coming of Jesus over 2000 years ago. Let us continue to reflect on what we can do different than before. Perhaps we can end this year, asking Jesus to come in this city with "...peace, goodwill toward men" and give us a new beginning so that this city becomes a testimony to the world that is different from the narrative since August 12. Let us become people that restore respect to our community for all people and thus unleash the creative solutions for thorny problems we face in the year ahead and continue the #Healing4Charlottesville.
Rev. Mark Beliles, Rev. Alvin Edwards, Co-leaders of Healing4Charlottesville.com
Dec 13, 2016
Christian Voters' Impact on the Recent Election:
The recent presidential election provided interesting insight into the impact of Christians. Trump's surprising victory with over 62.7 million votes was comprised of no less than 43 million Christians - over two thirds of his total votes! Of these, about 24 million votes were from white Evangelicals, 15 million were from white Catholics, and 4 million were from Hispanic and Black Christians. About half as many Christians voted for Clinton and of these about half were white Catholics and the other half were Blacks and Hispanics. Of her 65.4 million votes only about a third were Christians (and only about a 9 million were Evangelicals). The ratio among Evangelicals (black and hispanic included) is about 3 to 1, and among all Christians (including Catholics) is about 2 to 1 in favor of Trump. The gap of over 20 million Christian votes in favor of Trump and the Republican Party far exceeds any other demographic advantage by far, and in the battleground states, the turnout of Christian voters was even higher than in other areas and especially explains how Trump won the most electoral votes.
Hispanic voters are identified by pundits to be crucial to the future of presidential elections but in states such as Florida, Texas and Arizona the influence of Evangelicals on Latinos especially hinders the Democratic Party from winning those states. Studies show that over time Hispanic immigrants gradually become more Republican voters due to both Evangelical and Catholic churches in those areas favoring Republicans. The only likely change in this pattern of voting is if religion declines in America or if the Republican Party stopped appealing to religious voters so much more effectively than the Democratic Party. (Hispanic votes in big margins in California and New York add to the Democratic popular vote nationally, but in terms of the electoral college, these states always go Democratic anyway.) All in all, it shows the amazing power of Christianity in American politics.
Even more amazing is how sophisticated the Christian vote proved to be. Instead of being swayed emotionally by media soundbites and simplification and perversion of candidates' views, strong majorities of Christians, even Hispanics, looked past personalities and mistakes by the candidates, and beyond single issues or purely ethnic interests, and voted based on substantial analysis of all issues and worldviews. They did not necessarily vote "for" Trump but clearly against what they deemed was a worse evil in the policies of the Democratic Party. Neither did Christians fall into the mistake of wasting their vote on minor party candidates. The data shows a maturity in the Christian vote in America which is highly commendable. Having said that, the post-vote responsibility of Christians is to not only support those in power, but also reach out with humility to those believers who voted for the Democratic Party and try to educate, learn and heal as much as possible.
If Clinton had won perhaps the direction of the nation was irreversible, but it seems that God mercifully gave to us in America a gift of time. The question we must answer is "time for what?" If we think simply voting and a Trump administration is going to turn America around we deceive ourselves. We must act now to develop better leaders in all the spheres of culture and perhaps in 8 years we might be in a position that new leaders are beginning to step up for the future.
July 20, 2016
Trump, Hillary and the new era of how Christians should Vote
For the first time in my adult lifetime Christians do not have a candidate that they in good conscience can vote for. Of course there is never an ideal candidate but at least since the late 1970s there has been someone who has given believers some relative comfort in the choice on election day. This year is different. The Democratic Party has been largely dominated by abortion-sex-government school monopoly, etc for decades while the Republican Party has at least stood for traditional religious and family values. Beyond all that is the fundamental understanding of the purpose of government. The Bible defines government exists only for the purpose of protecting citizens and upholding justice which demands that it be limited. The pagan idea of government, first exhibited by Nimrod at the Tower of Babel (Gen 10-11), turns it into a tool of messianic ambition by politicians who promise things to people to gain more power. This pagan philosophy of government has dominated the Democratic Party for years and was at least articulated by the Republican Party's platform (even if many in power ignored it).
Because of the above, about 75% or higher of Evangelical Christians consistently supported the Republican Party in national elections over the last few decades. But now it has become obvious that the gradual decline of numbers of Christians in America and the significant decline in Christians with interest in politics and understanding of a biblical worldview have led to the marginalization of Christians in the process. It's clear that we are now a minority.
This brings us to a new era of how to vote. There is likely to rarely be candidates anymore (at least until there is a revival and renewed increase in Christians in the parties) that we can actually feel comfortable voting for.
When then happens some make the mistake of saying they will not vote at all or perhaps vote for a presidential candidate of a small party that has no chance of winning. Both reactions are wrong. In parliamentary systems such as in Europe you can have a tiny party and still get your candidate into parliament and by coalitions there, get your candidate into cabinet positions or even as prime minister. But in a presidential system as we have in America, a vote for a presidential candidate of a small party is simply a waste. Nothing good is possible through it, except to make the voter feel better about themselves. The problem is that us feeling good is not the purpose of the right to vote. Rather it is to overcome evil with good. (Note: Voting for a new party on the local level is fine because there is a reasonable chance for success, and then as that new party proves itself, it can likely win on a statewide level. Only after that party's statewide success spreads to a majority of states is there a rationale for voting for its national candidates.)
When Christians are a minority in a nation they learn to use their vote to overcome evil with good by becoming effective in opposition to the worst evil. They do not vote because they "feel comfortable with" or support a candidate that they agree with, but rather they learn to use their vote AGAINST dangers and philosophies that are contrary to biblical government.
Christians in Europe, where Christianity declined long ago, and Christians in other countries where Christianity is still growing but yet a minority, have been using their votes against evil for many years. American Christians have to learn that now.
So in the coming election for President of the U. S. don't look for the candidate that you can vote FOR but the candidate that you must vote AGAINST. In doing this the platforms of the parties must be taken into consideration in addition to the candidates themselves. Take your job seriously; study and vote effectively. Overcome evil with good. Become a faithful opposition to the worst evil out there. If someone asks me, I no longer say that I am voting for such and such person, because I am not "FOR" them, but I will boldly say that I am voting against someone, telling them that I am not staying home on election day and not wasting my vote on minor parties.
July 9, 2016
Racist-Police and Violent-Black Protesters
I agree with the concept that "black lives matter" because those who say it don't intend to say that ONLY black lives matter (so whites need not assert that "all lives matter" because it just makes them angry and because it is interpreted by them as undermining their point). And we cannot deny when there is a bad actor among police or government officials, it must be addressed even if it might be a tiny percent of those who have that authority.
But guilt or innocence cannot be determined based on a brief video clip or by the first person that speaks up. Proverbs 18:17 says that everyone's case seems right until another comes with different views and evidence.
It takes a jury of peers to look at all evidence and decide. A recent news report showed that when even black activists go through a drill that police do for their training, they discover that they also fire shots at the moment that they feel they are endangered. It surprises them and makes them appreciate the real-time realities.
We do not want "crowd" justice. It used to be the means of perverted justice against blacks by white crowds and now is increasingly becoming used by modern media and public leaders who want to be liked by their constituents or affinity groups. This is a frightening trend.
Police lives also matter. We need to condemn all media figures, politicians or statements by anyone based on brief immediate videos or reports. Movements that might be generally good such as the Black Lives Matter organizations must be judged with the same standards as we do others. If there are bad actors among them, even a tiny percent, that advocate violence against police or anyone, then that must be addressed. Just as government leaders must be accountable for rogue cops, so also must leaders of black social justice groups when there are rogue activists connected to them. You cannot excuse them because they have good intentions anymore than you can excuse the police as a group because the vast majority of them are good people.
There is no way out of our divisions unless that we no longer excuse bad actors anywhere we find them. Both white and black leaders need to demand that this be done now and as often as necessary.