Fear its ownself

Of course, I don't know enough about economics to claim Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal would stimulate our 2012 economy. But we definitely need the courage, compassion and conviction of a leader like FDR today.

Seventy-nine years ago this month, he stood on the steps of the U.S. Capitol and delivered his first inaugural address. In the opening moments of that great speech, he delivered lines that echo across eight decades: "This great nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life, a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days."

(You can read the entire speech, as well as watch and listen to parts of it, here.)

It's not hard to argue America in 1933 faced a much bleaker future than we consider today. The Great Depression gripped the nation, and the threat of conflict (which exploded into World War II) darkened the eastern horizon.  Yet President Roosevelt urged citizens to look forward with courage.

Fear sells

Unfortunately, fear is today's political currency. Politicians of both parties fear they will lose power. You get the feeling most pols reason sending the country into a spiral is a fair trade for maintaining control of Congress and/or the White House. So much for the common good.

Meanwhile, we, the people, fear. Rich people fear losing their stuff; poor people fear grinding poverty. Republicans fear socialism; Democrats fear fascism. People of one race fear other races. Many folks still fear a black president. Parents fear for their children's future; old people fear losing their health care. Fear, fear, fear.

Fear grips America, so deeply that citizens won't risk politically helping people who are observably different. And politicians stay in power by stoking that fear.

A way forward—love

It's time for Christians of both parties and no party to step up and lead our beloved nation past the fear that so thoroughly besets us.

John the Evangelist advised the first Christians to live in love: "By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us. If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also" (1 John 4:17-21).

Of course, some modern Pharisees will interpret "brother" to mean only fellow Christians.  The spirit of John's admonition transcends such narrow terms. We must love others—all others—because God has loved us.

Casting out fear

For years, I have loved and pondered verse 18: "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear … ." This message cuts two ways.

First, Christians need not fear, because God's perfect love overcomes all that may frighten us. No matter what happens, God's love and grace are sufficient to carry us through. And even in the worst of times, God is present with us, redeeming even our suffering. We know this to be true: "Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).

Second, God's love working through us can cast out fear in the world. If anything, this is a more splendid and miraculous thought than the truth that God's love overcomes our own fear. If we properly love others and seek their best interest, that love can shine light into darkness. Such good can overwhelm evil. 

So, what if Christians truly started acting unafraid? We would trust God's goodness and mercy and refuse to fear the prospect of need and want and uncertainty. And by truly envisioning and working toward everyone's good, we would eliminate reasons for others to fear. We would move our nation, and world, toward a better future.

You may consider this naive. Perhaps. I hope it's simply faithful. If all the pols and the preachers and the good Christians who trade in fear would turn toward love, we would not call this naive. We would say it is fearless.