Baptismal Vows: Resisting and Renouncing Evil In the World, and In the Church

The baptismal vows and promises made at baptisms are incredibly powerful words, shaping how we are to live out our lives, shaped by these baptismal words. For example, in the United Methodist Church, the question is asked of the one being baptized or by parents/guardians of those about to be baptized: "Do you resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves?" In the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), the questions are: "Do you renounce the devil and all the forces that defy God? Do you renounce the powers of this world that rebel against God? Do you renounce the way of sin that draws you from God?" And finally, the Presbyterian Church (USA): "Trusting in the gracious mercy of God, do you turn from the ways of sin and renounce evil and its power in the world?"

In sum, we are to resist, renounce, and turn away from evil, injustice, oppression, and sin in this world, turning always to God and trusting in the gracious mercy of God.

In the latest cycle of news, there has been opportunities for the "baptized" to resist and renounce evil and the devil in both the world in which we live, and within the church in which we identify ourselves.

For example, there is this story about evil that is embedded outside a church that we must resist and renounce. The one news event that keeps recycling itself regularly has to do with those people who protest drag queen reading to children at not only libraries, but even churches. Caroline Foreback of advocate.com reported on such a protest in Baltimore at an event at the Enoch Pratt Free Library, in association with the Church on the Square in Canton, Maryland. Everyone was invited to listen to stories that emphasized having "pride in yourself." Seems innocuous enough. There were protestors outside the event, raising a ruckus. Nevertheless, the parents, with their children, went into the event and listened to the children's stories, read by drag queens. This is a case in which we, as Christians, need to renounce and resist the evil of the protestors who didn't want children to listen to stories that would support each child have a healthy sense of pride-of-self. 

Here's a link to the story: https://www.advocate.com/news/2023/1/16/protestors-clash-over-librarys-drag-queen-story-hour

And sometimes, the evil that needs to be resisted and renounced is in a church. MSNBC pundit and Washington Post columnist Jonathan Capehart confronted the Rev. Leon Benjamin, Sr., over statements he has made against LGBTQIA2S+ people. Benjamin runs what he calls "The Escape Hall," helping people escape from "homosexual and lesbian living." Benjamin claims that people can be healed from being gay, just like adulterers, thieves, and murderers can be "healed."  Christopher Riggins of advocate.com wrote that, in 2011, on a post on his Facebook page, Benjamin wrote that: "LGBTQ+ community (are) people who are 'sick, disease[d]' and who have bipolar disorder and are addicted to drugs and alcohol." He wrote in that same posting: “'Bring you sick, disease, gay, homosexual, lesbian, transvestite, bipolar, alcoholic, drug addiction friends and love ones!!!!!!!!!!' to an event at his church."

Here's a link to the story: https://www.advocate.com.

Like I wrote above, this is a case of resisting and renouncing evil from within a church. 

In sum, as LGBTQIA2S+ people who are baptized members of the body of Christ, we have our work cut out for us in resisting evil and renouncing the "devil" both outside in the world in which we live, as well as within a church as well. But we are buoyed by the knowledge that we are already safe and secure in God's love, saved already by grace, and that, within and among the body of Christ, we are not alone in facing evil, injustice, and oppression in the world. 

And that's good news.

May it be so.