My Mission: To be a Christian

Hey everyone! Sorry for the very long previous post, I’ll try to keep this one concise.

Cast far outside my SPU bubble, I’m really starting to realize my particular vision and version of Christianity is very different than those of the rest of the country and world. This has left me with many questions, including; is one version more correct than another? Is my ministry as much among other Christians as it is nonchristians? What would that ministry look like? I am putting too much importance on small details?

Let me explain. I’ve never thought of myself as particularly conservative or liberal, politically or theologically (and shutter at the integration of the two); but politically, this area is probably redder than a fire truck. Though I consider myself pretty dang moderate, I think if some of my opinions were expressed, I may as well be Obama. For example, one of my main interests in theology is ethics, or the morals and practices of Christianity, and I strongly believe that Christians are called to voluntarily “take up their cross daily and follow Christ” (Luke 9:23). While I really believe this disciplined lifestyle is intended for all Christians, I think it loses its value when it is mandated, especially at a governmental level. I don’t think forcing Christian ethics onto nonchristians makes them Christian, or even open to the idea. In fact, it often drives them away. I think this call to follow Christ comes directly from Christ, not from other Christians in the form of “do’s and don’t’s”.

In the first ten minutes of meeting one particular Christian here, he straight-up asked me if I was liberal or conservative in both politics and theology. It was that important to discuss, even more so than the ministry opportunities here. Being from Kansas, he was pretty far to the right. I tried to explain my position about five times before I gave up. I couldn’t get through to him that though I appreciated his personal opinions are based on Christian ethics, that wouldn’t necessarily be why I vote a particular way. We can’t just force nonchristians to understand and conform to Christian ethics, and just because a particular Christian “rule” isn’t a national law, doesn’t mean we can’t practice it voluntarily.

I think many of the nonchristians that I interact with on a daily basis have been ostracized by what they thought they had to be to be Christians. This morning I spoke with a woman who expressed these frustrations, and I told her much of what I vented above. Basically, I heard her out, and sympathized that Christianity isn’t meant to be expressed primarily politically. DISCLAIMER: I love America and the freedoms I enjoy. But, America is not the Kingdom of God. They are two separate entities with different goals, aspirations and influences; and I tend to think that Christianity is stronger and more free to envelope our lives when not constrained to politics.

“At the age of 42,” she told me, “you’re the first intelligent Christian I’ve met.”
That broke my heart. She had grown up Lutheran and recently converted to Buddhism. I told her two things.

1. What appears to be intelligence is really a refusal to judge and take a position on matters reserved for God’s judgment. When we “hate the sin and love the sinner,” the hate still overpowers the love, and obstructs the loving of one’s enemies. We aren’t called to hate (or judge) at all. All I really need to focus on is loving the sinner, and being humbled by the grace I have received for my own sins.

2. I really want to show people that Christianity isn’t necessarily what’s been forced on them in the past. Yes, it’s a call to a different way of living life, but that happens after someone has been personally called into relationship with God. The Christian life isn’t a strict lifestyle change, it’s a loving relationship first, and that prompts us to seek a disciplined life to cultivate this relationship.
She said, “Good luck with that, I hope you can”.

That was when I realized why I’m here this summer. Not to confront people who fall somewhere in particular on the political or theological spectrums, but to really listen to them, love them and demonstrate the Christian life I have been called to. I must, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words” (Thomas Aquinas).
Thank you all for your comments, emails and, in particular, prayer support. I could really use prayer for strength and perseverance in living this mission out.

I preach again on the Fourth of July! It should be interesting, especially with the particular message that looks like is coming.