I’m not sure that I would normally take advice from a “wise old Carny,” but when the Wizard sings that people buy into your ‘blarney’ and hold onto what they want to, he may have a point.

The song, ‘Wonderful,’ from the Broadway hit musical and recent film Wicked: For Good, reminds listeners that 

The truth is not a thing of fact or reason
The truth is just what everyone agrees on

You see, back where I come from, we got a whole lot of people who believe
All sorts of things that aren’t true
You know what we call it? History 

A man’s called a traitor
Or liberator
A rich man’s a thief
Or philanthropist
Is one an invader or noble crusader?
It’s all in which label is able to persist
There are precious few at ease with moral ambiguities
So we act as though they don’t exist

Perhaps the urge to create one’s own storyline has been there from the beginning. When God asks Adam and Eve why they are hiding, they both create their own narrative of events. Notably, they blame others for their own choices. 

In politics, the right blames the left and the left blames the right as they work to create the “winning” narrative of events that convince enough voters to keep them in office. Reporting current events is also prey to the competition of narratives. After all, the headlines with the most outrage generate the most clicks, views, and revenue. Even reality TV stars and influencers and content creators must have a brand or a narrative. It isn’t enough to just tell your story or share your opinions, anymore. Instead, you have to tell the most compelling narrative to “win” people’s attention (and money).  

We, the writers of the Reformed Journal, have all kinds of different perspectives and narratives. We don’t agree and sometimes contradict each other. Our wise old “carnies,” (Jeff and Steve 😊) don’t tell us what narratives to fit into or avoid. They also don’t pay us to explain a certain perspective or point of view. Sometimes, we may even be full of blarney. But that’s refreshing, especially when our perspectives are not for fame, money, or influence.  The Reformed Journal is a place for a wide variety of perspectives that you may enjoy or not. You may disagree and fume or disagree and start a dialogue about what we’ve said or left unsaid.  

Whether all the volunteer writers are invaders or moral crusaders, traitors or liberators, what I love about the Reformed Journal is that all are welcome. It’s a cacophony of voices, not always in harmony, but united in our passion for sharing our perspectives.

Today, will you consider a financial gift to help the perspectives of the Reformed Journal continue?  While we’re all volunteers, there are still costs to keeping this vibrant community afloat. Click on the purple box below to find all the ways to give, and the how-to details. Please consider our But Wait…There’s More! offer to receive three new books in 2026. Thanks so much!