These three phrases are spoken quite regularly in our current national political discourse. There is a desire for primary leaders and actors in our national drama to speak on the record and be examined under oath and not be above the law. The tension this desire reveals is the suspicion or suggestion that there will be different answers given when someone is speaking on the record or under oath than when they respond in public media or private conversations. The tension highlights the gap or disconnection or contradiction that is believed to exist between what someone is saying and what is really true.
On the record and under oath describe careful and limited discourse that happens in a specific context, often legal and adversarial. To speak off the record, not under oath, or as an anonymous source allows us to speculate wildly or use drastic and combative language to shape or frame a narrative before other sides of the conflict weigh in with their comments. Speaking off the record also is often how we first learn of controversies and troubles. There is a freedom to speak more openly when not making official statements.
As people of faith and followers of Jesus, we are called to live lives that are not characterized by drastic differences between what we say and do and what is true. Jesus invites us to a free and abundant life in love with God and our neighbor and ourselves. We are invited to find unity and wholeness in God’s mercy and grace as individuals and communities. We are given light and guidance by the Holy Spirit to see the truth of our lives. We understand the differences between our walk and our talk to be conditions of our humanity, we are sinful and have limited understanding of the mystery of this life we share.
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9).
It is not easy to live authentic lives in the tension of our culture. We find strength in God’s grace and our shared spiritual community to be honest about our brokenness and still make positive contributions to the common good.
This is a shorter version of On the Record, Under Oath, and Above the Law.