02-08-25

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
February 8, 2025
There is a move to seek out “anti-Christian” rhetoric in government and other entities in our country. I never want there to be bias, and I sure do not want any religion to be targeted negatively, but those who are pursuing this move to root out all “anti-Christian” rhetoric are people who have a very specific understanding of Christianity, and in my opinion, it sure appears to have nothing to do with following Jesus. In fact, I receive notes, social media messages, and other correspondences that tell me I am not Christian. This is often because I do not hold the same understanding of scripture as these folks, my belief about Jesus’ core message is quite different, or my understanding of God’s love made real in Jesus is much more expansive. At the core of what I believe it means to follow Jesus, lies the belief that women should not be treated as inferior to men, that the Bible should not be interpreted literally if it is to be taken seriously, and that being a part of the LGBTQ community does not constitute a sin. Christianity has always included diverse perspectives within its broader framework. However, it was only when governments, such as the Roman Empire, incorporated a specific definition of Christianity that those other views have been forced underground. Of course, those other views have never gone away. When governments have created a legal definition of Christianity (calling it orthodox), it has never been about religion or God. Instead, it has been about power, and the government using religion to control people. I am a bit nervous right now in regard to how some are attempting to define Christianity. I’m not saying they have to believe as I do, but they have no right to present their understanding as THE correct and proper definition of Christianity. In the same way that I do not want my understanding to be established as THE proper and legal definition of Christianity. I only want to be one voice in the ongoing pursuit of following the ways of Jesus, always recognizing that I still have much to learn. And I would suggest that others do as well.

Give us ears to hear and hearts made available to your Spirit, revealing a pathway of faithfulness to your way of love, O God. May our awareness include listening and reading the opinions of others, recognizing how you have consistently used community to disclose your dream for this world. Amen.