Featuring a theme on justice, the Christian Scholars Conference kicked off this week, showcasing a “Tokens” show: “A Change Is Gonna Come,” led by host (and Lipscomb theology and ethics professor) Lee Camp on Thursday night in Collins Alumni Auditorium.
Camp created Tokens in 2008 to develop an environment in which he could infuse music, conversation, interviews and humor to successfully discuss academic questions in an inviting setting. The show has featured notable guests such as Vince Gill, Amy Grant and Ricky Skaggs, to name a few.
The show Tuesday night spotlighted special guests Ashley Cleveland, Jenny & Tyler, Russell Moore, Linda Pastan, World Fiddle Ensemble, Jenny Littleton, Odessa Settles and The Most Outstanding Horeb Mountain Boys.
Throughout the show, Camp said they will be “looking for tokens of a world characterized by a rightful justice.”
Along with worthwhile lessons on justice, political jokes abounded and instrumental music filled the room throughout the night. Music varied from Woody Guthrie — as Camp said, “you can’t have a show on justice without a little Woody Guthrie” — to Simon and Garfunkel’s “The Sound of Silence.”
Dr. Russell Moore, the president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, was there for the discussion part of the show.
Moore told Camp he was wary of talking politics with him, especially presidential politics, to which Camp jokingly responded: “Oh, I don’t want to talk about anything presidential — just Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.”
However, Camp mainly focused (seriously and satirically) the show on the conference’s theme of justice.
“Probably can’t talk too much about justice without talking about marriage,” Camp joked. “According to Google, love is blind, and marriage gives you eyes.”
Camp then recognized his parents, Jim and Condra Camp, who were in the audience celebrating their wedding anniversary.
“I suppose marriage doesn’t get too far without learning a bit about justice and fairness — probably doesn’t get too far without learning a whole a lot about forgiveness, either. I do think that staying together a long time is a beautiful thing.”
Camp also remembered the Fleer family, as they mourned the loss of son Nate Fleer. Dr. David Fleer, Nate’s father, is the director of the Christian Scholars Conference.
Camp concluded the night with final words on the meaning and importance of justice.
“What justice entails, we have not even begun to try to articulate,” Camp noted.
“The justice of the Kingdom of God seems to look something like truth telling, especially the powerful, even — always — when it’s awkward. It looks like something calling all people to account, or it looks something like an insistence of making something right.
“A change is gonna come. The question is whether we shall be on the side of God’s justice when it comes in fullness — or not.”
Tokens will continue its podcast throughout the year. Another live show will be held Sunday, November 20, 2016 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.