It's been awhile since I have written here. My apologies. Due to a number of factors (summer being one), I have just lost motivation and/or been busy with other activities. A semi-steady music gig, an anniversary vacation, and the acquisition of a "Wii U" gaming system, have cut into my writing time.
Lack of motivation is likely the primary culprit. Perhaps as a creative outlet, writing must come when it comes. As such, if inspiration does not strike, it is easy for writing to get lost in the day to day.
In the past, this blog has served as an outlet for my various views (sometimes unpopular), on Christianity primarily, but occasionally other things.
I've felt in my heart lately that our entire western Christian perspective has lost its way. Looking back in history, it seems our generations of Christians have become the most spoiled. Our biggest concern is that someone on Facebook will disagree with us on a theological or political point. Putting all of our focus on these often petty disagreements has turned us into a congregation of divided views.
Some would argue it has been this way for awhile. After all, there are tens of thousands of denominations of Christianity. But, the political climate of the past few years, combined with the easy access opinion generator known as Facebook, has brought the division amongst Christians more into view. With the instant communication of the internet, there is little secret that Western Christians have divided themselves into camps.
Denominations aside, it has essentially morphed into a sort of political Christianity, where the goal is less about Jesus and His teachings, and more about whose political candidate is more godly (hint: none of them). I used to be of the opinion that church and state should be somewhat integrated. My views leaned more to the right, as I felt that was the more theologically sound side of the Christians. I've since drifted further away from that thought.
When Christians begin dividing themselves by political belief, the gaps and small theological disagreements can become massive. You are either for, or against, with no in between, and no room for either side to give in to the other. This results in a very polarized Christianity. Jesus was more liberal. Jesus was more conservative. Jesus was _____. It's a common debate. My question is why?
Christians in the West (myself included) are spoiled. We sit here debating politics while our brethren overseas are beheaded and persecuted. We build our large churches and value prosperity and the good life over helping and reaching out to those less fortunate. We do a mission trip now and again to alleviate our feelings of superiority, but once we arrive back home, the pursuit of money and happiness again take over, and our Christianity becomes once again a worldly version of Christ's original teaching.
Looking back in context to Christ's time and what was happening politically and socially then, we see that it was often the prosperous (rich) religious people of the day who Jesus specifically targeted as being hypocrites. They had added to God's original commands, and used the religion (Judaism at the time) to keep the rich rich, and the poor poor.
We see numerous times in the Gospels Christ reaching out to the less fortunate and the poor. That isn't to say someone who is well off is automatically disqualified from being Christian. Christ's focus is the heart. It is possible for God to prosper us, but the prosperity should not be our sole pursuit. As I mention in my upcoming book (if I ever get finished), Christianity is a dangerous faith. There is much actually required of those who fully commit. I know I fall short of full commitment daily. Honestly, I'm in a spiritual dry season even as I write this. Not to be hypocritical, but often it's in these dry seasons when perspective becomes a bit clearer. I still identify as a devoted Christian, but I can't say I've invested much time in the kingdom lately.
That being said, what is the best way to do this? Most cannot just drop everything and become full time missionaries (though that was essentially what the disciples did). Most cannot give everything they have to the poor without causing their own families to suffer. To a degree; however, there are things we can do.
I won't write much on these things because I think deep down every Christian is aware there are ways they can be giving back and building the kingdom. God uses our individual and unique gifts and talents to further His will, and what that looks like for me, will likely not be the same as for others. In this way, we do need to seek God's purpose for us, and how best to use our God-given abilities.
So, since we know there is more we need to do, why don't we do it? The primary reason mentioned here, is because we are all too busy fighting one another over petty differences to look to common ground and Christ's call to us.
The far left Christians (I'll pick on them first since they are picked on less) perhaps become so engrossed with acceptance of everyone and everything, that to a degree the Gospel may become compromised. To their credit; though, they are the often the ones reaching out to their neighbors and the less fortunate. In addition, they are less prone to judging the secular world- which is not specifically the Christian's call (as Paul mentioned in Corinthians). The judgment we are to pronounce is actually on those within the faith, and that even is to be done sparingly and with love and witnesses present for the purpose of renewal, not condemnation. The other side of the spectrum is perhaps the more well known and criticized (often with good reason).
Conservative (read: right wing) Christianity has become so obsessed with every political move signaling the falling away of society, that they constantly rally and rail against any perceived acceptance of alternate beliefs and lifestyles. Previously, I would have actually identified more on this end. But, as I get to know more people of different backgrounds and life situations, it becomes abundantly clear to me that they are people deserving of love too, not just from their neighbors, but from God. They are not automatically excluded from God's love because they are different. Right-wing Christianity would argue that they are, or that the ultimate goal of conversion is more important than their immediate feelings. The old adage of catching more with honey (not that these people are flies) is somewhat true. Treating the outside world in such a negative way is not likely to win any to Christianity soon.
Christ did not go into the prostitute's houses to tell them how horrible they were. He ate with them, spoke about His way, loved them, and called them to something greater than their current circumstance. He did not hold up signs of protest about the evils of prostitution. To the credit of the conservative end, many Christians I know who truly strive to emulate Christ's teachings fall on that end of the spectrum. It's not all or nothing, but there is still a problem with the left versus right Christianity.
I have not done it yet (see earlier mentioned lack of motivation), but I think it's time to re-read and really assess the Gospels and what Jesus actually spoke about- in the context of His time first, before applying it to our times. I want to know how he treated others because ultimately if we are to be His followers, I believe modeling ourselves after His life is way more important than our current way of exclusion or the pursuit of prosperity.
I'm sure it will challenge me, but I have confidence I will gain new insight. It sounds cliche, but I really wonder why we can't all just get along? Shouldn't our faith be the one area where we stand firm on common ground, instead of dividing the flock with petty political disagreements. I don't care if you love or hate our political leaders, they are the current leaders, and Romans 13 says respect God's appointed leaders. I'm tired of hating people with my faith, I want to love and draw people to Christ, not push them away with hateful statements or actions.
It is in this we can maybe all find some common ground. When in the Gospel does it say, "Jesus saw the crowds, but perceived some of them were sinful, so he and the disciples made signs to protest their sin and tell them how horrible they were?" I missed that verse I guess. Seriously, why are Christians such haters these days? What is our problem? If Christ's return is imminent, shouldn't we be loving people and giving knowledge of Christ through our actions and attitudes. Railing against the hot issues of the day will not win anyone's opinion. These days, it will push it further away. I know Christ said the world will hate us, but He never encouraged us to Hate the people of the world.
Food for thought perhaps.
Blessings!
