So where did all this musing leave me?
Basically, I think we overcomplicate a lot of things as Christians. We often try to make a little box called 'Christian', with a list of things that Christian should look like. And we can often be very strict as to what is/isn't allowed in the box. And can be very mean to certain people if they try to get in the box, but don't look like anything else in there.
Over complicating can leave to alienation. Over complicating can make a lot of people go 'well, if that's how you're going to treat me - I don't even want to try and get in the box any more'. I know for myself I've felt like that some days; as have many of my friends who have left Christianity, or have 'dabbled' in it for a little bit.
I don't expect everyone to agree with these last few posts. Heck, some of it I'm still frowning over, and wondering where I 'fit' in all of this.
I don't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater. And I know when I start a discussion (?diatribe LOL) like this, it can have people question where your Christian faith stands.
There is a lot of that 'what will people think' approach to Christian thought. There can be a very strong 'follow the crowd' when we talk like this.
Because it's scary. It shakes things up. It promotes self-thought and self-analysis, something which can be a bit scary when it might mean stepping away from the crowd for a bit. And history tells us that Christian communities haven't always dealt with that in the best way possible.
But, I needed this. Moreso for me than for anyone else. And I think that at the end of the day, the question I'm left with is:
What Would Jesus Do?
It's become one of those 'naff' questions we throw around our wrists; something we say when we disagree with the behaviour of someone who calls themselves a Christian; another one of those Christian pop-culture references.
I don't think it should be like that. I think there's some tough stuff behind that question - yet sadly it more often than not gets used for all the wrong reasons. Especially when you look at Jesus himself, what He did, who He hung out with and where He went.
And I think Jesus would like us to ask these questions. DON'T make it the 'crux' of life as it exists - but don't be afraid to challenge group thought and challenge the behaviour of Christian industry, when you believe it's missing the mark or alienating people.
I think I'll always be a bit more 'fringe' than I was growing up. I know that I'll shock people sometimes. I know I may even drive people to distraction with how I behave.
But honestly - I think that's okay. Based on history, I think I'm in good company.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
I was about to say, "Nah, we simplify things too much!"... but I get your point. Rather than 'Is it loving?' we use 'Does it conform with...?'
And in one sense, it's fair enough. Because working out what's truly loving and uplifting can be a damn hard process. It's easier to codify things, except for the bleeding obvious (to me) point that as soon as you start codifying what's loving and what's not, you actually start falling into unloving judgmentalism. Hence why God warns us against it - because he's the only one who can see the WHOLE picture at work.
When it comes to 'WWJD' I think it's important to stress that he focused foremost on God and love. He didn't hide parts of himself which wouldn't fit in well with the current church. He didn't avoid shocking and offending people where necessary. He let go of all interest in climbing the church hierarchy, in order to do what he was born to do AND safeguard his place in the non-material world.
^ You can probably tell that I'm still thinking all this through too, and trying to apply it to my life. There's an odd line to walk, at times, between 'being my true God-given self' and 'being selfish'. The two are often confused, and I sometimes find it confusing too, whether I'm honestly seeking God or conveniently going my own way while sticking a postmodern 'God-approved' bumper-sticker on it... :-P
Post a Comment