The History of the Riverside Church in the City of New York

5: The Public Witness of the Riverside Church: An Ethical Assessment

5 The Public Witness of the Riverside Church An Ethical Assessment Peter J. Paris It is very easy for liberal-minded Christians to fall in love with the Riverside Church because few churches in the world offer such a dynamic combination of architectural splendor, diverse membership, prophetic preaching , meaningful programs, ecumenical spirit, aesthetic creativity, and courageous action as does this twentieth-century phenomenon in the heart of New York City. From the beginning, this church has viewed its life and mission as a public enterprise.1 In contrast to the parochial aims of most congregations, Riverside’s mission has always been to reach beyond its own walls to serve the needs of a broader humanity. Its early motto of being interdenominational, interracial, and international rapidly distinguished it from all other congregations in the city. Its liberal theology, progressive teaching, and courageous activities combined to make it a public church that took pride in being free from every heteronomy, whether religious or otherwise. Such a public enterprise implied no radical separation between the church’s internal life and its external witness. Hence, it was hoped that its members’ spirituality would be manifested in the daily activities of their various workplaces and the many and varied social services of the church itself. In short, Riverside has consistently been outward in its orientation and has always measured its spiritual life by its public mission. Thus, it has tended to view all its activities as contributing directly or indirectly to its public mission of making the world a better place. First and foremost, Riverside’s motto has always functioned as a beacon welcoming the creation of enduring spaces for the exercise of freedom and  tolerance. Over the past decades it has developed and nurtured an environment that has been increasingly interethnic, interclass, gender inclusive , and intercultural. Those combined qualities were rare elements in American Protestantism during the first half of the twentieth century. It would remain to be seen how such a church, sheltered and distinguished by its symbols of wealth and influence, would be able to express all aspects of its motto in its congregational life. Gradually and, at times painfully, the diversity of its membership presented many challenges. By recognizing itself as a microcosm of the larger public arena, the church resolved from time to time in the midst of considerable conflict to make appropriate modifications in its lifestyle so as to create the necessary conditions for doing justice and expressing love and goodwill toward all its peoples. Since its beginning Riverside has been in the vanguard in creating public spaces for the spiritual development, educational enlightenment, and moral formation of children, youth, men, women, seniors, gays, and lesbians . In addition, it has encouraged the development of programs in the arts, athletics, social services, neighborhood relations, and coalitions for various forms of social justice advocacy. In each of these programs, participants have had to discern and accept their responsibility for a broader humanity . Riverside also has created public spaces for the study and discussion of various social issues through the sponsorship of conferences, consultations , rallies, lectures, and plays. Similarly, the church has created public spaces by allowing its facilities to be used by community groups, institutions , and many others promoting causes commensurate with its public mission. In close alliance with these ventures, the church also has created public spaces to celebrate the numerous moral and political struggles that it embraces and blesses as well as public spaces for its own worship life, including many ecumenical and interreligious celebrations.2 It also continues to provide space for the nurture and development of several diverse worshiping communities. Origins Undoubtedly, Riverside’s mission was determined in large part by its founders, Harry Emerson Fosdick and John D. Rockefeller Jr. United by their common spiritual vision, both believed that the church’s teaching and mission could and should be harmonized with contemporary thought       .     in general and especially with modern science. In fact, both believed that scientific methods should be applied to all dimensions of the Christian faith, including the Bible itself. Most important, they both embraced the cardinal moral principles of liberalism: the inviolability of the individual person; freedom of thought; personal liberty; toleration of religious differences ; benevolence toward the poor; and moral and social progress through education, international peace, and improved race relations. Even a casual observer quickly discerns that the Riverside Church has not departed very far from the vision...