—Psalm 146:1-6

In the 2000 movie Meet the Parents, Robert De Niro played Jack, the overbearing father-in-law-to-be, while Ben Stiller played Greg, the young man desperate to achieve his approval. It is a silly movie, to be sure, but one of the metaphors used by De Niro’s character, Jack, an ex-CIA officer, was the circle of trust. In a nutshell, if Greg wanted to achieve Jack’s approval to marry his daughter and become a solid member of his family, Greg would have to work very hard to gain Jack’s trust. In Jack’s world, trust was a currency earned only by absolute loyalty and obedience to his way of seeing and operating in the world. If Jack likes you, and you praise Jack, you are in the circle of trust. If Jack disapproves, or you have even the slightest critique of Jack, you are out of the circle.

It turns out that the circle of trust is really a thing in psychological and sociological circles, although the movie parodies the concept. Pioneered by Dr. Parker Palmer (PhD, Sociology, University of California, Berkeley), circle of trust theory teaches that wholeness and integrity is achieved when one learns to listen to one’s own inner teacher. As we learn to listen to and trust ourselves, we increasingly invite others and resources in from the community, building solidarity within a community, workplace, etc. By increasing levels of trust radiating out from self into community and then reflexively back into self, we become more authentic, and community flourishes.

I see two problems. First, it ought to be clear that the fictional Jack’s circle of trust was really just a shackle and his “love” was really a narcissism that saw no good and no possibility for flourishing for anyone or anything outside his circle of manipulation. In other words, what was good for Jack was good for everyone else. Second, even legitimate circle of trust theory is deficient as a critique because nowhere is it inscribed on stone that our inner teacher is completely true. In fact, from a Scriptural perspective, our inner teacher, the human heart, is corrupted by self-interest: we learn what our distorted hearts allow us to see and learn. If history is any measure, then the whole world is filled with “teachers” schooling us in the wrong lessons.

If we are so prone to this inward “curvature” of our hearts (Luther’s exact description of the condition of sin), then whom can we trust? Do we listen to others who say that their point of view, or their power, or their program is the only true hope out of the present darkness? Do we listen to our hearts, which may agree with such voices, especially when we are worried and afraid? What “circle” is there in which we can invest our weary hearts?

These aren’t just rhetorical questions. In the coming weeks, and maybe months, there will be no shortage of people on the local, national, and international stage ready and willing to lead us into the Promised Land. Demagoguery abounds, and it knows no party or factional boundary. No, the world is filled with people talking about circles of trust, circles of power, and circles of belonging, and each of us, in our own way, fears standing outside that circle. Pharaoh’s chariots must have seemed truly impressive, and too much for the Israelites to bear (Exodus 14:10).

In the midst of all this, I would remind you of the simple truths spoken of by the Psalmist: “Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help. When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish.” Translation: there is no human being, human institution, or human project in which we can place our ultimate trust, no matter how powerful or appealing it may seem. None, not even your own inner teacher, if by that you mean the inclination and insights of your own heart. As Jeremiah reminds us in 17:9, “the human heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.” If you are disturbed by that assertion, read Psalm 146:3-4 again. All we have is God’s Word.

If our ultimate trust must exist elsewhere, then where? Again, I give you the Psalmist: “Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever.” There is only One who keeps faith forever, the Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. To use the earlier analogy, there is only one circle of trust, God is the center, and all other things we cling to, if they are to have life, must be joined to Him.

And here is the wonderful thing about God: we know He is trustworthy because not only does He give us the cure for the trouble of our hearts, but He is also the cure. Here, I amend my earlier assertion: there is a man in whom we can place our ultimate trust, and his name is Jesus Christ. He is our evidence that the Father keeps faith forever.

In the coming days and weeks and months, please, do not confuse this name above all other names with any other. Jesus brokers no competitors (Matthew 24:23-24).

In Christ,

Pastor Sam