Steven, this is wonderful reflection on these very important issues that still divide us.

I especially like what you wrote here, comparing our contemporary church disconnect with what happened during the event of Jesus' arrest:

"You think justice will come from a power grab? From brute force? From a Republican? From a Democrat? From a Supreme Court Justice?

This is essentially the question that I have been presenting to my evangelical brethren lately, as they have been feeling so threatened by the changes in our politics.

And speaking of novels (East of Eden) . . . I wrote one --King of Soul-- a few years ago that included scenes from my childhood hometown of Jackson Miss.

Down there in Mississippi in the 1950's, black folks were not allowed in the main Baptist Church on the Sunday following the murder of Medgar Evers.

A young Christian woman, Aerlie Mufrow (historical Anne Moody) and her black companions were turned out of that Baptist gathering.

But they went down the street and the Episcopalians admitted them to worship.

We've come a long way since that time, but still have a long way to go.

The struggle is a little bit like Jesus toting that cross up Calvary toward a tragic end . . .

but that torturous tragedy enabled the greatest event in human history: Jesus Resurrection.

Thanks for sharing your perspective on Medium, Steven. As you can see, you have inspired this Christian, and probably many others as well. . . maybe even a few who do not yet believe.