You don't have to know me very long to know how I feel about charlatans and cons. You've all heard me rail against “cryptocurrency,” and not just because of the climate disaster fueled by “bitcoin mining” operations. But did you know that no one knows who invented the stuff? The name attached to the enterprise, Satoshi Nakamoto, is a fiction. And as “The Economist” reminded us in a recent issue, it was promoted as “libertarian” from the outset. Or as I like to call it, “sociopathic and criminal.”
It should come as no surprise that this phony money, backed by absolutely nothing, went from being the preferred currency of sex traffickers and those dealing in illegal drugs and weapons on the “deep web” to being a tool for terrorists and state-based hackers, to its current status, as one more tool to fleece the working and middle classes.
Cryptocurrency and libertarianism are the opposite of our core theology. Our story starts with the idea that a couple in what is today Iraq entered into a voluntary committed relationship with God. We call this a “covenant,” and it continues to be the defining feature of our faith, voluntary and committed. Testament is just another word for covenant, so the “New Testament” is a covenant between God and humankind as initiated by Jesus.
Our United Church of Christ congregations are not property of a hierarchical institution or franchises selling spiritual goods and services. They are never more nor less than this: a group of individuals who made a covenant commitment to journey on the Way of Christ together.
In a couple of weeks, we'll celebrate another form of Christian covenant, that between the covenant community, the congregation, and the one they have called as “pastor and teacher,” in this case, me. And as with every covenant, promises will be made. It is a little like a big wedding, a chance for our wider network of relationships to witness our commitment. It will be a chance to celebrate that we have found each other, and plan to journey together for awhile, Inshallah, “God willing,” as our Muslim sisters and brothers might say. Please consider joining us for the “installation” on May 15th at 4:00pm if you are in town.
Blessings, G