I’ve had this argument before, most memorably with Jason and again with Aunt B.. I generally think that outside of an epic novel context, it’s a bit strange to have people apologising on behalf of someone else to someone who accepts the apology on behalf of yet another person. Sure, it makes for good storytelling when you’ve got Peter Smith apologising to Paul Jones for Peter’s grandfather taking Paul’s grandfather’s land back in chapter six.
In real life, though, I think it’s an arrogant thing to do. Because if you are apologising on behalf of another person, what you are really doing is saying “look at how bad that fellow is, and how good I am instead! Why, I’ve got such a finely-honed sense of honor that I will apologise on behalf of THAT guy over there! Aren’t I something?”
I bring all of this up again because my fellow Mennonites are just tickled pink over an apology they received from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. When I first read the headline–“Mennonite Church USA accepts Lutheran Apology”–I thought there was some interesting skullduggery involving a co-opted pavilion and dueling carry-in dinners. But no. It’s the Lutherans (in America) apologising to the the Mennonites (in America) for the persecution of Anabaptists (in Germany and Switzerland about 400 years ago.)
Even more appalling is that
From 2002 to 2004 a liaison committee with four individuals from each denomination met five times, charged in part with the task of seeking ways to heal the memories of 16th century conflict.
Please. Just please. We’re all supposed to be Christians. Frankly, I’m embarrassed at the thought of other Mennonites who are still dwelling on the Martyrs instead of forgiving in Grace those who persecuted us in the past. I’m embarrassed at the thought of there being an actual COMMITTEE who sits around and ponders these things. But most of all, I’m embarrassed that there may be people on both sides of the issue who think that they personally can right the wrongs which are four centuries old. That they need to continually look backward and inward instead of looking outward to heal our present communities.
On behalf of Katherine, I feel that I need to apologize for this post. 😀
As a Lutheran, I feel I need to apologize for my fellow Lutherans, even if I’m a Missouri Synod Lutheran, as opposed to those silly Evangelical Lutherans in America folks.
I hesitate to get into the middle of Christian theological debates, but both in my religion and, I think, in a lot of individual psychology, one needs to atone before one can be forgiven. (I’m aware that it’s not officially the case for you.) Maybe the apology/acceptance is a necessary institutional step for moving on. As if, say, you had hit a home run, but the umpire isn’t sure that you actually stepped on second base, so you go back and do so to make sure.
Or, more cynically, the Evangelical Lutherans are trying to show not how superior they are to their ancestors but how superior they are to those Missouri Synod Lutherans who haven’t apologized to you yet. If I were you, I would ask the Missouri Synod for reparations in microbrews and sausage, but YMMV.
in a lot of individual psychology, one needs to atone before one can be forgiven.
Agreed.
But even so, this is beyond odd. The ELCA had NOTHING to do institutionally with the persecution of Anabaptists. That was carried out under Luther and Zwingli–or with the encouragement of Zwingli, I should say.
But the ELCA–apart from the word “Luther” in their name–doesn’t bear any resemblance to the Lutheran persecutors of the Anabaptists.
For crying out loud, the ELCA is a twenty-year old denomination.
Having them apologise for the Switzer-Deutsch Lutheran Church of 1600 is like me apologising to Paul McCartney for William Wallace’s terrorism against England. After all, William Wallace–like me–was descended from the Welsh.
Well then, I stand by my second suggestion.
On behalf of the serial apologizers, I would like to apologize for the apology issued by the ELCA to the Mennonites. We feel really bad about that.
Kat,
you posted in the intro paragraph that we had argued about this before. I must not feel very strongly about it, because I don’t remember that.
Could you tell me what my position was again? I hope I wasn’t for it, because this is just silly. 🙂
Jason
Jason–
It was here and then over at your place as you follow the links. (I’m having trouble getting your server to load.)
I can’t blame you for not remembering…it was roughly 23 months ago.
On behalf of the serial apologizers, I would like to apologize for the apology issued by the ELCA to the Mennonites. We feel really bad about that.
Why are you on a roll today? Should you go to record release parties more often just so you can consistently crack me up? I think so. Yes.
Bruce Robison is having a #1 party next Wednesday. I’m just saying.
I want to apologize on behalf of Jason not being able to remember this issue from nearly two years ago.
In addition, I want to apologize for anyone who intended to apologize for my apology, but has not yet chosen to do so, for whatever reason.
I also want to apologize for my initial apology, and express my regret that I did not do so more expediently.