Eric, I sense that this is a far more important post than even you may realise. Especially the recognition that having "Jesus in the midst" makes things worse when we can't agree on who Jesus is. We all tend to create Jesus in our own image to some extent. And what we believe about Jesus often reveals more about us than it does about Jesus.
And so, as you rightly say, the answer to our problems - and not just those in the USA, but our problems globally - must lie elsewhere. But where that might be and how we can come to an agreement about it is equally challenging…
Thank you for a really challenging, truth-telling, and insightful post.
Hi John! So thankful you took a moment to respond. As you probably know firsthand, sometimes we sense things to be true, but second guess ourselves to death, especially on such sensitive topics. It means a lot to have your validation. Thank you!
As for the answer to “Then what?” Great question! I’d love to hear what you can come up with.
For me, I think the answer lies in us embracing the best of what diverse humanity has in common… kindness, love, compassion, empathy, goodwill… these are all things that the greatest religions and best humans have practiced throughout history.
From an American perspective, I think that some form of what the deistic Framers of the US Constitution had in mind is probably a good place to start. Concepts of unalienable rights for both citizens and non… human dignity and equality for all, regardless of race or religion.
All of these things are right in line with Jesus, but they can also operate comfortably outside of a traditional Christian framework.
I absolutely agree with your starting point. I couldn't have said it better.
For me, the problem that I'm struggling with is how to respond to / engage with / work with those who don't subscribe to diversity, kindness, love, compassion, empathy, goodwill, and unalienable rights.
I'm still working through something that Brian McLaren wrote a long time ago:
"To be truly inclusive, the kingdom must exclude exclusive people; to be truly reconciling, the kingdom must not reconcile with those who refuse reconciliation; to achieve its purpose of gathering people, it must not gather those who scatter." (The Secret Message of Jesus, p.169).
I believe he is right about this. But it does raise the question of how we can build a world of peace when war mongers still hold so much power, and when violent people get protected by their government.
Perhaps the best I can offer is to go back to Jesus' parables about the hiddenness of God's reign, and how it operates within oppressive systems where power and wealth are held and controlled by the few.
And this brings me back to what you're saying - that those of us who do subscribe to justice, dignity, love, and inclusion need to put our values into practice in the midst of the broken and destructive systems of our world.
It's not an answer. I'm not sure there is one. But it is the only response I know of at this stage in the face of the current chaos. For what it's worth…?
Eric, I sense that this is a far more important post than even you may realise. Especially the recognition that having "Jesus in the midst" makes things worse when we can't agree on who Jesus is. We all tend to create Jesus in our own image to some extent. And what we believe about Jesus often reveals more about us than it does about Jesus.
And so, as you rightly say, the answer to our problems - and not just those in the USA, but our problems globally - must lie elsewhere. But where that might be and how we can come to an agreement about it is equally challenging…
Thank you for a really challenging, truth-telling, and insightful post.
Hi John! So thankful you took a moment to respond. As you probably know firsthand, sometimes we sense things to be true, but second guess ourselves to death, especially on such sensitive topics. It means a lot to have your validation. Thank you!
As for the answer to “Then what?” Great question! I’d love to hear what you can come up with.
For me, I think the answer lies in us embracing the best of what diverse humanity has in common… kindness, love, compassion, empathy, goodwill… these are all things that the greatest religions and best humans have practiced throughout history.
From an American perspective, I think that some form of what the deistic Framers of the US Constitution had in mind is probably a good place to start. Concepts of unalienable rights for both citizens and non… human dignity and equality for all, regardless of race or religion.
All of these things are right in line with Jesus, but they can also operate comfortably outside of a traditional Christian framework.
More thoughts?
I absolutely agree with your starting point. I couldn't have said it better.
For me, the problem that I'm struggling with is how to respond to / engage with / work with those who don't subscribe to diversity, kindness, love, compassion, empathy, goodwill, and unalienable rights.
I'm still working through something that Brian McLaren wrote a long time ago:
"To be truly inclusive, the kingdom must exclude exclusive people; to be truly reconciling, the kingdom must not reconcile with those who refuse reconciliation; to achieve its purpose of gathering people, it must not gather those who scatter." (The Secret Message of Jesus, p.169).
I believe he is right about this. But it does raise the question of how we can build a world of peace when war mongers still hold so much power, and when violent people get protected by their government.
Perhaps the best I can offer is to go back to Jesus' parables about the hiddenness of God's reign, and how it operates within oppressive systems where power and wealth are held and controlled by the few.
And this brings me back to what you're saying - that those of us who do subscribe to justice, dignity, love, and inclusion need to put our values into practice in the midst of the broken and destructive systems of our world.
It's not an answer. I'm not sure there is one. But it is the only response I know of at this stage in the face of the current chaos. For what it's worth…?
Love this. I’ll have to sit with that McLaren quote.
You've given me tons of food for thought, too!
Thanks for a really helpful conversation. Keep up the great work!