Given the traumatic political landscape and current sick and sad situation in our nation (racism in many facets, black injustice, gun violence, unwanted homelessness, food deserts, lack of access to services, etc, etc, etc), and of those who claim to be "Christians," I think it is time for those of us, who also call ourselves "Christians," to define what that actually means.
I am young, but I am supposing that at one point if one needed help in defining what "Christian" meant and did not even know they could go to the Bible (if they had access to one), that one could go to the "Christian Church." Here, the "Christians" within would be able to demonstrate what it meant to be a "Christian" and not just tell them what it meant to be a "Christian." These "Christian" churches wouldn't lord their wealth and privilege over those who looked and smelled differently than they, or, heaven forbid, those who were born from another country or spoke a different language. All would be welcome into the "Christian" church to explore, have dialogue, and to truly be loved. They would not be shut out and told "no" out of fear, and because of what the consensus of the "Christian" church feels is right is more important than what truly is right.
Or, in the event that there was no "Christian Church" that one could walk into (maybe their signage was bad? Maybe the non-Christian was not welcome? Maybe the non-Christian was a single mom working three jobs and caring for her children that should couldn't make it there on Sunday morning or Wednesday evening? Maybe the non-Christian didn't speak the "Christian" language of "The-Holy-Christian-Church," etc, etc, etc) then the "Christian" neighbor could help them with this. This "Christian" neighbor would be more than just nice, but would be loving and truly concerned for the well-being of this neighbor. This "Christian" would actually not just know the Bible from studying it (given that said "Christian" actually read and studied their Bible...), they would practice the words contained within and demonstrate it in their conduct of character in all facets of life. Perhaps this "Christian" neighbor would invite one into their home to share a meal, or to build relationship, rather than wait for their "Christian Church" (let's just call it "Six Flags over Jesus") to mail out a pretty, expensive flyer telling (inviting?) people that this one "Christian-themed" event is something that they do not want to miss (rather than, you know, the Jesus that "Christians" say they believe in).
Etc, etc.
The media and my social media feeds show me that "Christians" are good at defining what "Christian" is not, so passionately so that "Christians" employ things that are over and against what "Christianity" teaches. This includes "Christian-ized" hate speech, "Christian" anger, "Christian" this and "Christian" that ("Christian" businesses, a "Christian" chamber of commerce, etc, etc).
I think it is high time that the "Christians" define what "Christian" actually is, rather than what it is not. We all know what "Christian" is not right now. But, then, what is it? What is left once the fingers are done being pointed and the shouting has simmered and the political elections are over and people are denied access to the mental health services they so desperately need? Then, what? Anger?...wait, too late...we are already there. Violence?....nope, already there, too.... Death and destruction (the infamous "End Days" rhetoric)...what's left?
Bigger, fancier "Christian churches"? (Quote: "We pay the sheriff's office to direct traffic for us;" meanwhile, ignoring the fact that many DO NOT even have a car, or gas money, or a bus to TAKE THEM to "Christian Church"...but "Christian Church" may pick them up in a bus or van to bring them to the Church. Good luck getting a ride to get your light bill paid on Monday... from the "Christian Church" or the "Christians" who attend).
A "Christian" culture (ha...that one made me throw up a little) is left in the wake of "Christians"?
Nope, I've got it....smaller "Christian" churches with bi-vocational pastors struggling to make ends meet for their family as they pastor two churches and work a full-time job without even health benefits? Yup, that's what's left.
Even better yet--what's left is people who have no interest, care or concern for anything identified remotely as "Christian" because they've been cold and hungry, physically and spiritually, one too many times.
Ahh....now I'm on to something. The "Christians" have won. They have gotten what they want. Privilege, "God's favor," economic security...the untouchables have been pushed out because, after all, that's truly what "Christian" means--defending and protecting me and mine for the sake of saving "Christian" to return our "NATION TO ITS ORIGINAL GLORY." I, mean, at least we still pray and then recite the pledge of allegiance, right? (ha!--and, hold on--what happened to the model that Jesus guy did or showed or whatever he did with those beautiful blue eyes he MUST have had because it is in all of iconic paintings of "Christian").
Unfortunately, this probably means "we" (whoever "we" are) can no longer call ourselves "Christians" as the term has been too lax to include to wide a variety of nonsense that truly is not the essence of "Christian." Just because things appear to be "Christian" does not mean it/they are. This includes people (political candidates included), institutions, or a brand of clothing or shoes (I know, I went there...paying more for it and wearing it because it is "Christian" is a good marketing scheme. Jesus didn't wear it and it only separates the privilege that some "Christians" have over others. Shop at a Salvation Army Family Store instead and tithe the rest of the money (albeit I'm biased to the Salvation Army)).
Maybe "Followers of the Way" or "Jesus Folk" or a cute, trendy, post-modern, hipster, millennial term that someone more hip than I could conjure up? Because, after all, that's truly what "Christian" is...hip and trendy...modern...
I am a ragamuffin follower of Jesus Christ. Screwed up with many imperfections and rough patches. But I love my LORD. I'm not empty, but being filled. I'm not standing still, but moving forward and making progress. I'm not the same that I used to be, nor do I want to be. But I DO NOT want to be labeled a "Christian."
This isn't an us versus them sort of thing. This hurts my heart. For my many friends who are not "Christians," I, personally, am so very sorry. I do not contain the words to express how mortified I am within my being on so many levels for what "Christians" and the "Christian Church" has done and will probably continue to do. I have purposely not included "Christian" scripture in this post because, after all, even that, too, has been misinterpreted as "Christian."
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Sunday, February 21, 2016
The Cost of Discipleship: The Beatitudes
Jesus is on the mountain. The disciples are there separate from the people they formerly, and so comfortably, belonged to. Once they were called out by Jesus and responded, they had a new identity apart from the crowd.
They were ordinary crowd dwellers until the call.
The disciples staring at the people in the face; the people staring at the disciples in the face. Awkward in some ways, yet definitely different than their pre-Jesus experience.
The disciples were still a part of the people, but Jesus sees them differently, even though they may not see themselves as distinctly different yet. "But disciples and people are one, for they are all members of the Church which is called of God."
"They have only Hi, and with Him they have nothing, literally nothing in the world, but everything with and through God."
His rejection is theirs. They now belong together.
These "called out" ones are blessed because the call and promise;
they are poor because they have no security, no possessions to call their own, not even a foot of earth to call their home, no earthly society to claim their absolute allegiance. No spiritual power, experience or knowledge to afford them consolation or security;
For His sake they have lost all.
(* Note: The Anti-Christ also calls the poor blessed, but for quite a different reason, not for the sake of the cross, which embraces all poverty and transforms it into a source of blessing...he raises a smoke screen of political and social ideology. He may call it Christian, but that only makes him still a more dangerous enemy)
they are mourning because they are refusing to be in tune with the world or to accommodate oneself to its standards; mourning for the world, for its guilt, its fate and its fortune;
(The gulf is widened more between the disciples and the people with each beatitude)
they are meek because renounce every right of their own to live for the sake of Jesus Christ. They show by every word and gesture that they do not belong to this earth;
they hunger and thirst after righteousness as they renounce their own righteousness because Jesus did, too;
they are merciful because they renounced their own dignity as they take upon themselves the distress and humiliation and sin of others willingly;
they are pure in heart because they have surrendered their hearts completely to Jesus so that He may reign in them (pure hearts see God);
they are peacemakers because they have been called to peace as children of God. They must not only have peace, but must also make peace. Peace was made upon the cross.
they are persecuted because of the sake of Christ.
They were ordinary crowd dwellers until the call.
The disciples staring at the people in the face; the people staring at the disciples in the face. Awkward in some ways, yet definitely different than their pre-Jesus experience.
The disciples were still a part of the people, but Jesus sees them differently, even though they may not see themselves as distinctly different yet. "But disciples and people are one, for they are all members of the Church which is called of God."
"They have only Hi, and with Him they have nothing, literally nothing in the world, but everything with and through God."
His rejection is theirs. They now belong together.
These "called out" ones are blessed because the call and promise;
they are poor because they have no security, no possessions to call their own, not even a foot of earth to call their home, no earthly society to claim their absolute allegiance. No spiritual power, experience or knowledge to afford them consolation or security;
For His sake they have lost all.
(* Note: The Anti-Christ also calls the poor blessed, but for quite a different reason, not for the sake of the cross, which embraces all poverty and transforms it into a source of blessing...he raises a smoke screen of political and social ideology. He may call it Christian, but that only makes him still a more dangerous enemy)
they are mourning because they are refusing to be in tune with the world or to accommodate oneself to its standards; mourning for the world, for its guilt, its fate and its fortune;
(The gulf is widened more between the disciples and the people with each beatitude)
they are meek because renounce every right of their own to live for the sake of Jesus Christ. They show by every word and gesture that they do not belong to this earth;
they hunger and thirst after righteousness as they renounce their own righteousness because Jesus did, too;
they are merciful because they renounced their own dignity as they take upon themselves the distress and humiliation and sin of others willingly;
they are pure in heart because they have surrendered their hearts completely to Jesus so that He may reign in them (pure hearts see God);
they are peacemakers because they have been called to peace as children of God. They must not only have peace, but must also make peace. Peace was made upon the cross.
they are persecuted because of the sake of Christ.
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
The Cost of Discipleship: Discipleship and the Individual
Through the call of Christ men become individuals. Every man is called separately, and must follow alone.
For some reason we are afraid of solitude. We often equate solitude with loneliness even though they are quite different from one another.
A barrier is set up between a person and their natural life once they become a believer. Life looks differently and our response to life, and even to what reality actually is, must reflect that reality.
Christ came between man and the natural life in His incarnation. The call of Christ brings individuals face to face with the Mediator.
"The call of Jesus teaches us that our relation to the world has been built on an illusion"
"For the Christian the only God-given realities are those he receives from Christ.
Following Christ means a change in situation. Now everything must pass through Christ. While the outward appearance may look the same, the inward is completely different.
We enter into discipleship alone but are not lonely. We have the fellowship of the Church.
For some reason we are afraid of solitude. We often equate solitude with loneliness even though they are quite different from one another.
A barrier is set up between a person and their natural life once they become a believer. Life looks differently and our response to life, and even to what reality actually is, must reflect that reality.
Christ came between man and the natural life in His incarnation. The call of Christ brings individuals face to face with the Mediator.
"The call of Jesus teaches us that our relation to the world has been built on an illusion"
"For the Christian the only God-given realities are those he receives from Christ.
Following Christ means a change in situation. Now everything must pass through Christ. While the outward appearance may look the same, the inward is completely different.
We enter into discipleship alone but are not lonely. We have the fellowship of the Church.
The Cost of Discipleship: Discipleship and the cross
Jesus suffered and was rejected in fulfillment of the scriptures. Discipleship, as submission to the law of Christ, means that we who call ourselves disciples must also suffer.
Discipleship means adherence to the person of Jesus, and therefore submission to the law of Christ. In other words, it means the cross. This cross, according to Christopher Wright in Mission of God, is the key to history. This cross (in Revelation) is redemptive, universal, victorious. It is powerful. Perfect. Complete.
An individual comes to a turning/decision point (crisis of belief) where they must decide if they are going to truly be disciples ("suffer") or play a game with God mocked in whatever cloaks we use in the Church to keep things comfortable and surface.
To know Christ means to know only him. The idea of self-denial is to know Christ as we cease to know our fleshly selves.
We are to bear the cross for His sake.
For me, some of the imagery attached with this is uncomfortable. Sounds like religious fanaticism on some levels, but that is exactly what it is.
All in. Everything. Totally surrendered and available.
The cross is the call to abandon attachments. We surrender in unity with Christ's death.
This is just crazy talk to those who do not believe. For those who do, their total allegiance is to the cause of Christ.
"Suffering means being cut off from God. Therefore those who live in communion with Him cannot really suffer"
Suffering has to be endured in order that it may pass away.
Lots to ponder and sort out.
Discipleship means adherence to the person of Jesus, and therefore submission to the law of Christ. In other words, it means the cross. This cross, according to Christopher Wright in Mission of God, is the key to history. This cross (in Revelation) is redemptive, universal, victorious. It is powerful. Perfect. Complete.
An individual comes to a turning/decision point (crisis of belief) where they must decide if they are going to truly be disciples ("suffer") or play a game with God mocked in whatever cloaks we use in the Church to keep things comfortable and surface.
To know Christ means to know only him. The idea of self-denial is to know Christ as we cease to know our fleshly selves.
We are to bear the cross for His sake.
For me, some of the imagery attached with this is uncomfortable. Sounds like religious fanaticism on some levels, but that is exactly what it is.
All in. Everything. Totally surrendered and available.
The cross is the call to abandon attachments. We surrender in unity with Christ's death.
This is just crazy talk to those who do not believe. For those who do, their total allegiance is to the cause of Christ.
"Suffering means being cut off from God. Therefore those who live in communion with Him cannot really suffer"
Suffering has to be endured in order that it may pass away.
Lots to ponder and sort out.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
The Call to Discipleship: Spontaneous Obedience
(From The Cost of Discipleship by Bonhoeffer, chapter 2 notes)
The call goes forth and is followed by a response of obedience. The response is an act of obedience and not a confession of faith.
It is Jesus who calls. Notice that Jesus/the Bible never praises a disciple for obeying the call. The call goes forth and one is obedient to that call.
Discipleship is obedience. Without obedience, there is no discipleship.
A disciple must be willing to leave all for the sake of the call.
"Discipleship means Jesus Christ, and Him alone. It cannot consist of anything more than that."
Only God calls people to follow.
There are different types of disciples when reduced to human understanding:
1. Those who want to follow without being called (this person does not know what they are doing).
2. Those who want to follow, but the law (obligation) get in the way (Jesus says "just follow"...no excuses)
3. Those who want to follow on their own terms. He wants to follow, but has his own conditions and terms.
"This disciple places himself at the Master's disposal, but at the same times retains the right to dictate his own terms. But then discipleship is no longer discipleship, but a programme of our own to be arranged to suit ourselves, and to be judged in accordance with the standards of a rational ethic."
Wow....this one could say a lot about Salvation Army officership and the conditions that are placed upon the Army in order for people to "fulfill" their call to full-time ministry in the Army context.
To follow:
The past is the past. The call to follow Jesus produces a "now" situation.
To follow brings one into fellowship with Jesus and binds him to Christ alone.
To follow makes faith possible. Lots of people hear the call, but do not obey. The call vanishes without obedience/following.
Discipleship is not an offer one makes to Christ.
Only he who believes is obedient, and only he who is obedient believes.
When you are disobedient you are trying to keep part of your life under your own control. You cannot hear Christ when you are willfully disobedient.
First, faith, then obedience. For faith is only real when there is obedience. Faith only becomes faith in the act of obedience.
Lots of people think they believe but lack obedience. They are not disciples.
"Unbelief thrives on cheap grace, for it is determined to persist in disobedience" (pg.60).
The devil hides under the cloak of cheap grace.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The commitment issue. Jesus is not interested in excuses or in problems, but in the person. Difficulties show disobedience. Doubt and reflection take the place of spontaneous obedience.
The call to discipleship requires spontaneous obedience.
The call goes forth and is followed by a response of obedience. The response is an act of obedience and not a confession of faith.
It is Jesus who calls. Notice that Jesus/the Bible never praises a disciple for obeying the call. The call goes forth and one is obedient to that call.
Discipleship is obedience. Without obedience, there is no discipleship.
A disciple must be willing to leave all for the sake of the call.
"Discipleship means Jesus Christ, and Him alone. It cannot consist of anything more than that."
Only God calls people to follow.
There are different types of disciples when reduced to human understanding:
1. Those who want to follow without being called (this person does not know what they are doing).
2. Those who want to follow, but the law (obligation) get in the way (Jesus says "just follow"...no excuses)
3. Those who want to follow on their own terms. He wants to follow, but has his own conditions and terms.
"This disciple places himself at the Master's disposal, but at the same times retains the right to dictate his own terms. But then discipleship is no longer discipleship, but a programme of our own to be arranged to suit ourselves, and to be judged in accordance with the standards of a rational ethic."
Wow....this one could say a lot about Salvation Army officership and the conditions that are placed upon the Army in order for people to "fulfill" their call to full-time ministry in the Army context.
To follow:
The past is the past. The call to follow Jesus produces a "now" situation.
To follow brings one into fellowship with Jesus and binds him to Christ alone.
To follow makes faith possible. Lots of people hear the call, but do not obey. The call vanishes without obedience/following.
Discipleship is not an offer one makes to Christ.
Only he who believes is obedient, and only he who is obedient believes.
When you are disobedient you are trying to keep part of your life under your own control. You cannot hear Christ when you are willfully disobedient.
First, faith, then obedience. For faith is only real when there is obedience. Faith only becomes faith in the act of obedience.
Lots of people think they believe but lack obedience. They are not disciples.
"Unbelief thrives on cheap grace, for it is determined to persist in disobedience" (pg.60).
The devil hides under the cloak of cheap grace.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The commitment issue. Jesus is not interested in excuses or in problems, but in the person. Difficulties show disobedience. Doubt and reflection take the place of spontaneous obedience.
The call to discipleship requires spontaneous obedience.
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