Du Mez CONNECTIONS

2 weeks ago | kristindumez.substack.com | Kristin Du Mez

“The misleading depiction of Jesus as warrior, man’s man—as unsympathetic, lonely, and harsh was always a caricature. That White Jesus is always eventually exposed as a straw man, an Oz shouting behind a curtain, a former president reliant on spray tan and tax fraud. Jesus as he was and is offers something much more powerful and relatable.”—Angela Denker, Disciples of White JesusAngela Denker and I go way back.

2 weeks ago | kristindumez.substack.com | Kristin Du Mez

There’s no overarching theme to this post, save for the fact that all occurred this Saturday. The Protest. Along with hudreds of thousands (millions?) of other Americans, I showed up yesterday at the Hands Off protest in Grand Rapids. It was good to see many people I knew and meet new friends. Despite the strong turnout, I can’t help but feel the smallness of the effort in comparison to the challenge we face. But I know that we need all the things right now, and this was one thing.

2 weeks ago | kristindumez.substack.com | Kristin Du Mez

I was glad to have a few weeks where I wasn’t on the road. It was good to put my suitcase in the closet, get some writing done, and catch my breath. But then, starting last week, it was good to be back on the road. Really good. I didn’t miss airports or hotels or delays, but I did miss connecting with people, face to face. A lot of people think it’s been tough, doing what I’m doing.

3 weeks ago | kristindumez.substack.com | Kristin Du Mez

“I came here for the politics, not the religion.” She wanted to be sure I knew. I had just given a talk, in a church. From behind the pulpit, in fact. The talk was on Christian nationalism and the threatened state of our democracy. I spoke frankly, and I spoke directly to those in the audience who were Christians. I encouraged them to use their positions and privilege to act now, to mitigate the harm, to defend others, and if necessary, to risk something.

3 weeks ago | kristindumez.substack.com | Kristin Du Mez

If you’ve been following me here for a while, you know how important I think Timothy Snyder’s book On Tyranny is. Several years back, I placed a copy on my bedside table and I read and re-read its 20 lessons more times than I can say. The first, Do not obey in advance, became my mantra. Those five words explain a lot of my choices in recent years. Be as courageous as you can and Believe in truth are also right up there for me.