Thoughts On Christianity

Last month I had the opportunity to dialogue with a gentleman who had published an article titled "Wasn't Jesus A Liberal?" on the website commondreams.org in 2004

Herewith I am publishing my letter to the gentleman, with some applicable edits. I encourage your comments and feedback, and thanks for stopping by.

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I have some thoughts and wonder if we might be able to commence an honest, open and respectful dialogue on some of the issues you raise, because reasoning together to learn more of the things of God is a Good Thing, in my opinion, and has the potential to glorify God in the process (yes, I am a Christian).

It is unfortunate that people of both “conservative” and “liberal” political persuasions have so vociferously claimed to one degree or another a sense of legitimacy and mission based on what they say Jesus would do in this or that sociopolitical situation, and it begs the question of what did Jesus do, and what are we to learn from Him.

I hope to start thought-provoking lines of inquiry that will hopefully spur substantive discussion on current events in light of Christian theology and a Christian worldview

Liberalism, as defined in Webster’s dictionary (New International, I believe), is not necessarily something that should cause feelings of threat or harm to people who want to see a society better off from the input and support of Christian men and women. However, liberalism as expressed by and large in today’s society, is a rabid, emotion-based (almost anti-intellectual) atheistic movement that is not going to bless those it touches, in my opinion.

Christians supported and helped advanced of the labor movement in the early 20th century, and every time true Christian love, justice, charity and ethos have come into play, changed lives, and for the better, have resulted.

But let us agree on at least this: the people who encouraged injustice to labor and the environment and women (and men) and people of color do not represent Christianity and are not in their roots, Christian. Some among us want to depict a paradigm of liberal Christians fighting for Good, arrayed against fundamentalist Christians fighting against Good, who wish to further such social constructs as racial inequality or unfair labor practices, or denigration of the environment, etc. As an interesting aside, it was liberals who voted against the civil rights act in Washington in 1964 (food for thought re: a different discussion).

“Conservative Republicans” do not, in my experience, tend to evince less in the area of Christian values than do “Liberal Democrats” and as you say so eloquently, “So, Christians can go after the various “fruit” of sin in our society, but they won’t see the real change for the better until the axe is laid to the root of sins we each of us commit. Christians should oppose greed-driven policies as a primary point of political concern.”

Yes, it is vital that the axe be laid at the root of sin in our society, not at the fruit of sin – our sin – yours, mine, as we are all sinners (this reference to “axe” is figurative, not literal, lest someone get upset over an inference that Christians are partial to and supportive of violence – just the opposite is true). And Christ’s answer to that calls for us to be more Christ-like, not more liberal nor more conservative, per se.

We must also resist the temptation to believe that God needs our help to bring His will to pass – we ought not to try too diligently to engage in ‘liberation theology’ unless that is God’s will; and if it is, He will surely make it known to those whom He has called to accomplish His purposes.

Yes, Jesus defied the social and religious structure of His time here on earth and He aligned himself more with his Father than the poor: that is to say, His life demonstrated the need for us to give up sin and take up Him. Doing that will necessarily reduce social strife and evil behavior; James 2:16 has an injunction for us regarding inaction and hypocrisy, and we would do well to follow it.

Jesus does indeed want us to help each other and lift each other up, while spreading his Message; unfortunately some in need do not want to hear what my core beliefs as a Christian are and, I must admit, I often do not know what to do in such situations, except pray.

“Christians should look for candidates that will work for issues that are of importance to Christ and that can be tackled legislatively.” Bravo! I agree. However, let's not put God "in a box" by looking for and supporting candidates whose records fit what "we think" God would (or should) do in a given situation; rather, let's compare candadate's records with what the Bible actually says.

It is time, yes it is, for Christians to stand up to religious, political, and social hypocrisy. Christians should proclaim humbly, and in obedience to God’s word, his values today for us as a community.