Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. – Romans 12:15
Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison. – Hebrews 13:13
This capacity for empathy leads to a genuine encounter – we have to progress toward this culture of encounter – in which heart speaks to heart. – Pope Francis
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
A recent social media comment from Christian Praise Musician Ben Garrett, about Bishop Budde’s plea for mercy during her inaugural prayer service sermon, read “Avoid the sin of empathy!”
Like many others, I was taken aback at the notion that empathy is a sinful emotion and wondered where the roots of this understanding could be found in modern Christianity. I found an article titled, Have you heard the one about empathy being a sin? by Mark Wingfield in Baptist News Global written August 14, 2021.
Wingfield traces a recent emergence of “empathy as sin” sentiments back to two conservative evangelical pastors and their ministries, and notes that both ministries have suffered for it as pastors, staff, and congregants have left. “One of the common threads in their explanations for leaving is that Piper, Rigney and others have created a toxic culture of abuse that is devoid of anything like empathy.”
“This (“Empathy is a sin”) may be the most unwise piece of pastoral theology I’ve seen in my lifetime. Pastors without empathy are not pastoring.” – Scot McKnight (Professor of New Testament at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary) Christianity Today
Wingfield notes that both Rigney and Piper build their case against empathy on twisted definitions of empathy, and unfounded claims that empathy requires that one abandon reason and surrender oneself to the same plight as the one who is suffering. Several psychologists and therapists are cited as taking issue with this:
“Empathy isn’t acceptance of things you don’t agree with,” he (Throckmorten) writes. “Empathy doesn’t require you to give up any position you might otherwise have. For instance, parents can empathize with their wayward children … and still administer correction and direction. When parents communicate their understanding with care, it helps build relationship even when restrictions need to be imposed. Empathy is simply understanding the inner world of other people. It is all about being able to relate to them and understand what they are going through. It is quite important in human functioning, and when absent is associated with cruelty and antisocial behavior.” – Warren Throckmorton (Professor of psychology at Grove City College in Pennsylvania)
“Empathy, in a biblical context, is closely linked to compassion and love. It involves actively seeking to understand the emotions, experiences, and perspectives of others. It calls for genuine concern for the well-being of fellow human beings and a willingness to walk alongside them in their joys and sorrows. Empathy mirrors the compassion God has shown to humanity through Christ.” -Scott Wylie, Wisdom International: Articles, Bible Questions, Discipleship Guides
These are unsettling and upsetting times for a great many of our neighbors. Dramatic and forceful changes are taking place that are causing upheaval and apprehension in their lives. It is not necessary for us to abandon our stance on the rightness or wrongness of the new actions that our government is currently taking to be empathetic to the distress that these actions cause others. “Let each of us look not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of others.” – Philippians 2:4
Peace,
Pastor Layne