Thread by @SeanCasten

A few thoughts and some reflection on the day while memories are fresh. In electing @JoeBiden, we just elected a very good man to be our President.

We just might have elected a great one. Thread:

1/ I woke up this morning reflecting on a fascinating and thoughtful interfaith conversation we had last night with @edstetzer (and others), focused on how we heal from January 6. For the full discussion, see here. facebook.com/RepSeanCasten/…

2/ My opening comments focused on the fact that America has only twice been attacked from within. At Fort Sumter in 1861 and earlier this month.

3/ When we are attacked from without, we rally around our founding documents and their moral underpinning (faith- and secular-based). But the last time we were attacked from without, we elevated unity over moral certainty.

4/ Frederick Douglass said "the bitter cries of the heart-broken slave are drowned by the religious shouts of his pious master". Lincoln heard that, and understood it. But in his 2nd inaugural he only faintly echoed the moral part:

5/ "It may seem strange that any man should dare to ask a just God’s assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men’s faces, but let us not judge lest we be judged." He put union over moral clarity.

6/ Later in our conversation, Michael McCoy of Wheaton College made the beautifully-insightful observation that forgiveness is an act of individual grace, and is not at odds with justice. Our moment demands forgiveness with justice, not in lieu of.

7/ Now fast forward a few hours to this morning. Sitting on the steps of a Capitol that was just attacked by enemies from within. Sitting with a crowd much smaller than normal, composed substantially of fellow members who were in the Capitol complex on 1/6.

8/ Knowing that the rhetoric of some of those members contributed to that attack. And wondering how @JoeBiden would address that tension. Would he follow Lincoln's lead and elevate unity and forgiveness, even if at the expense of justice? Is there any other option?

9/ And then a speech that oozed empathy, love and decency. That emphasized our shared humanity, our shared democracy, our unity based on a commitment to respectfully - and peaceably - disagree.

10/ But also a speech that did not shy away from acknowledging the scourge of white supremacy, or the threat to our democracy that comes from situational ethics and tribally-defined truth.

11/ In short, a speech that hinted at - maybe even promised - what Lincoln could not. Unity and accountability. Forgiveness and justice. A chance to be great.

I'm inspired. /fin