PILGRIM NOTES

When fear searches for an explanation, simple stories become attractive. Some point to immigration, religious pluralism, ethnic groups, or political opponents. Whether these explanations contain elements of truth or not, they often reduce a complicated cultural transformation to a single villain. Fear rarely tolerates complexity. It searches for someone to blame. And once fear has identified an enemy, taking back political control begins to look like the obvious solution.

Does Jesus call His followers to influence the world—or control it? Human beings have long assumed that power is the surest way to influence others. Yet from the pages of Scripture to the unfolding story of history, God consistently works through humble, self-giving love. Twenty years ago, I was pastoring a small church in Tucson. A leader in the congregation came to me, excited about a video series produced by historian and political activist David Barton, who argues that