Into the Wood Chipper

Christianity Today’s Emily Belz worries, “Is This the End of USAID?”, before launching into a list of all the wonderful things the biggest humanitarian agency in the world does for the poor, sick and uneducated in the Third World. Her article’s title is a reference to Elon Musk’s remarks that certain government organizations would probably be going “into the wood chipper”, USAID among them. Belz quotes a former USAID employee who says, “Pray for what’s happening. People are dying every day because of this.”

Perhaps. It will take a little time and investigation to determine that. At this stage, it’s worth the risk to do the due diligence.

The Beautiful and the Not-So-Good

All over the Christianity Today website are logos for something called “Beautiful Orthodoxy”. It’s their new flagship cause, and their main web page features a major link to a series of sparkling-toothed testimonials from people on how wonderful this is. And they’ve got a conference, organizational partners, and even churches on board.

Some well-known Christian leaders have signed on, it seems: Harold Smith, Katelyn Beaty, Sam Rodriguez, Joni Eareckson Tada … a whole list. Below the testimonials are articles declaring “The world is yearning for Beautiful Orthodoxy”, “Why we need a Beautiful Orthodoxy”, “Why We Champion Beautiful Orthodoxy” and that it’s “A Beautiful Calling”. The page ends with a wide click-on banner proclaiming “Join the Cause”.

Of Meth Heads and Christ Figures

People are complicated, Christians included. They are not all one thing, either good or bad.

Friends of whom I once thought very highly have later shown the world sides of themselves I never knew existed, betraying and deceiving loved ones, harboring unimagined secrets and bad habits, or getting involved in situations that seem incomprehensible to those who thought they knew them. Equally, people who lived quite openly and despicably in sin have on occasion shown evidence of tenderness, affection or intelligence I never thought possible for them.

People are complicated, and they will surprise you.

The Beautiful and the Not-So-Good

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