Beware The Funky Shepherds
Rev. Erik Swanson
April 26, 2026
I’ve always loved backpacking and fishing, especially the trips my son and I have taken into the Sierra wilderness. On more recent hikes, we’ve stayed on well-marked trails, but I still remember a trip years ago when the path wasn’t so clear. We set our direction by the map and walked for about an hour, thinking we were on course. When we finally reached a higher vantage point, we realized we had drifted off track. Not by much at first — but over time, that small deviation had taken us far from where we intended to be.
Who We Listen To Matters Deeply
That experience has become a powerful metaphor for me, especially when I think about the spiritual life and the life of the church. The path we follow — and the voices we listen to — matter deeply. A slight misalignment, sustained over time, can lead us far from what is good, whole, and life-giving. There are voices that guide us well, and there are others that can lead us astray.
The image of the Good Shepherd is familiar and comforting. But I find myself wrestling with the idea that people don’t listen to false or harmful voices. In reality, we do it all the time. There are plenty of leaders, both inside and outside the church, who claim authority or divine backing but lead in ways that contradict the deeper message of Jesus. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I do believe we are living in a time filled with competing voices — some of which are dangerous if we don’t engage them thoughtfully and critically.
The Danger Of Combining Faith And Nationalism
I see this especially in how faith is sometimes used to justify power, wealth, or even violence. There are religious leaders and public figures who speak in the name of God while promoting agendas that seem out of step with the compassion, humility, and justice that Jesus embodied. This blending of faith with nationalism or political power concerns me deeply. History shows us that when religion aligns itself too closely with empire or authority, it often loses its spiritual depth and integrity.
Discerning What Is True
So how do we discern what is true? For me, it begins with returning to the life and teachings of Jesus. I try to pay attention to how he treated people — especially the marginalized — and how he challenged systems of power and privilege. His message consistently points toward love, compassion, justice, and care for others. That becomes my lens for evaluating other voices.
Question And Think Critically
I also believe it’s essential to question, to wrestle, and to think critically. Authentic faith can withstand doubt and inquiry. In fact, I think that kind of engagement strengthens it. Voices that demand blind agreement or discourage questions tend to be fragile and self-serving.
Another key question I ask is: where is this voice leading me? The voices worth following tend to open us up — to life, to growth, to a sense of abundance and possibility. They invite us into something expansive and life-giving. In contrast, harmful voices often narrow our perspective. They create fear, division, or a sense of scarcity. They may even point back to themselves rather than toward something greater.
Listening And Discerning
Ultimately, my hope is that we all learn to listen more deeply and discern more wisely. I want us to resist the misleading voices and seek the one that leads to fullness of life. And I don’t expect anyone to take my word for it. I think each of us has to do that work for ourselves — questioning, exploring, and following the voice that calls us toward what is truly good and whole.