Having now spent what feels like years in Seminary (ok, three months) and studying a brief overview of Systematic Theology I am constantly running into a battle in my head I feel I must present to the world somehow, so here it is.
Thesis
No matter what period of history, no matter what denomination you belong to, no matter what theological basis you connect yourself with, Christ's message is undeniably clear. Godliness is not found in ultimate power but through ultimate sacrifice.
Foundation
Humanity in its inherent nature is prone to evil doing. God promises Israel deliverance into His promised land through a messiah while laying the foundation for the moral underpinnings of how one lives righteously (ten commandments). Christ comes and fulfills the messianic prophecies of the old testament (in view of the Christian Tradition). Yet instead of placing himself on the physical throne (like King Harod and many others expected), he lays himself at the feet of human hatred and wrath and submits to humiliation and crucifixion.
Think about it, what do you want in this world? (Alright, your stocks back to where they were and a decent retirement plan isn't what I am getting at, or is it? how about what a kid wants?) Money, Power and Fame. Right? I mean don't we look at being rich as having lots of wealth and wielding power in one manner or another?
Greek Gods were wrathful, jealous and mean. The idea of a God is power, not love. Maybe you have thought about this before, but here is where the tension lies for me.
Greek Gods were wrathful, jealous and mean. The idea of a God is power, not love. Maybe you have thought about this before, but here is where the tension lies for me.
The Challenge
If Christ's message is one of love and sacrifice, where does our current culture and nation land in its self professed identity as a Christian Nation. A claimed 80% of Americans say they are Christian. We are also supposedly a culture of tolerance yet take two seconds to look around. Does capitalism and our current form of politics and/or policies reflect that identity?
Christ breaks all the boundaries. He eats and gets drunk with the tax collectors, adulterers, low life's of first century Galilee. He talks with women (Samaritan women at that!). He breaks the Jewish laws enforced by the Pharisees. Lets not mention claiming to be able to forgive people for their sin, cure them of their ailments and say that he is the Son of God. Christ says the greatest law is 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Matthew 22:37-39
How does this affect me?
Are we loving our neighbor? He doesn't say love your best friend or the dude you went to high school with. He says neighbor. The dude next door you are scared to run into cause you think he's creepy, or the girls who live above you and never make a peep, the old couple down the way who always give you the evil eye when you drive down the street. You don't know these people and you probably don't agree politically or religiously but Christ clearly states, Love them.
Christ's Example
If that is not enough, he gives us the example he expects. He fully places himself in our midst and lives out the life we are bound to live. While on this earth does he dine with the rich and enjoy the best of the best with the coolest of the cool? No, he hangs with the forgotten, the tread upon, those we mistreat and demean. Christ wanders around on foot, homeless, jobless, living off the kindness of those who take him in. God comes to earth and walks among us and finally dies the death we all are inevitably faced to die. He doesn't die a natural death. No we beat, torture, curse, spit on him and put him to a death that is arguably one of the most painful ways to die.
Personal Political View
God's ultimate sacrifice isn't an excuse to wield our power to promote our self interests (oil in the middle east). It's not a right to build fences and patrol borders and to deport people away from their families (Mexico). It's not a right to institute rules that discriminate against anyone (segregation, woman's rights, sexuality). It also does not give us a right to make a theological claim and continue the divides that keeps people separate and against one another (continued battle between denominations and world religions).
Conclusion
The message is clear. Godliness is not power. It's limitless love and sacrifice for the greater good. How do any of the current "hot topics" in our culture fit within this message? I know I can't live up to it but I am doing my darnedest. And I am sure as heck not going to make a stance on an issue that contradicts this clear and undeniable message. A struggle I am sure I will face for the rest of my life.
May Christ's message permeate our personal lives, spill into our communal lives and slowly affect the world we live in.
~soundguy
How does this affect me?
Are we loving our neighbor? He doesn't say love your best friend or the dude you went to high school with. He says neighbor. The dude next door you are scared to run into cause you think he's creepy, or the girls who live above you and never make a peep, the old couple down the way who always give you the evil eye when you drive down the street. You don't know these people and you probably don't agree politically or religiously but Christ clearly states, Love them.
Christ's Example
If that is not enough, he gives us the example he expects. He fully places himself in our midst and lives out the life we are bound to live. While on this earth does he dine with the rich and enjoy the best of the best with the coolest of the cool? No, he hangs with the forgotten, the tread upon, those we mistreat and demean. Christ wanders around on foot, homeless, jobless, living off the kindness of those who take him in. God comes to earth and walks among us and finally dies the death we all are inevitably faced to die. He doesn't die a natural death. No we beat, torture, curse, spit on him and put him to a death that is arguably one of the most painful ways to die.
Personal Political View
God's ultimate sacrifice isn't an excuse to wield our power to promote our self interests (oil in the middle east). It's not a right to build fences and patrol borders and to deport people away from their families (Mexico). It's not a right to institute rules that discriminate against anyone (segregation, woman's rights, sexuality). It also does not give us a right to make a theological claim and continue the divides that keeps people separate and against one another (continued battle between denominations and world religions).
Conclusion
The message is clear. Godliness is not power. It's limitless love and sacrifice for the greater good. How do any of the current "hot topics" in our culture fit within this message? I know I can't live up to it but I am doing my darnedest. And I am sure as heck not going to make a stance on an issue that contradicts this clear and undeniable message. A struggle I am sure I will face for the rest of my life.
May Christ's message permeate our personal lives, spill into our communal lives and slowly affect the world we live in.
~soundguy
2 comments:
Go Jim! Thank you for the reminder of what 'it's really about'. I agree whole heartily with you & appreciate the challenge/reminder of what we are to do.
brother: i am consistently humbled by your perspective. thank you for taking the time to write this.
miss you.
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