Zoom Call with Os Guinness and Chaplain Barry Black
By Rob Fields
A few weeks ago, Faith and Law in Washington D.C. hosted a Zoom gathering featuring Os Guinness and US Senate Chaplain Barry Black. May some of these little highlight be encouragement to you as was to those of us on the call.
Chaplain Black opened the time in prayer and shared these encouraging words from Romans 8:28 in the midst of these trying times.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Os Guinness is an author, social critic, and great-great-great grandson of Arthur Guinness, the Dublin brewer. Os has written or edited more than 30 books that offer valuable insight into the cultural, political, and social contexts in which we all live. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of London and his D.Phil in the social sciences from Oriel College, Oxford.
Here are some of the thoughts he shared with the group:
We need to win back the west. This involves winning back to Christ and His Lordship.
There are three ideas at the heart of the Modern World. We are in a engagement or assault with these ideas. 1) Permissive Heart. Did God really say? God is cramping in on my freedom and there is no need for Him. 2) Politicization Heart. We have the struggle between might verse right. It has been said, the first thing to say about politics is that politics is not the first thing. 3) Progressive Heart. Society is going through so much change. We have a those who adopted that the “newest is better.” This needs to be challenged at times because it may not be accurate.
I was able to ask a question of Os during our time together. He mentions on a few occasion about “winning back to Christ and His Lordship.” I asked if he would explain this further. He said the Gospel is the Good News. What it does for society and for all people is remarkable! It restores the foundation, human dignity, freedom, forgiveness, and many other essential virtues. It is the best news and we are to proclaim it to others!
What a refreshing and encouraging moment together. May the highlighted thoughts from this little gathering encourage you!