Essays
Someone Stand Up
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” - Matthew 5:3
Matthew 5:3 is an interesting declaration of fact; and one can’t help notice, translated in such a way as to open the door of ambiguity concerning whom this verse specifically applied. For example, to be “poor in spirit” could have a direct connection with being actually poor. It could also mean (as The Message demonstrates) that this person is at the end of their rope. It could also imply hopeless circumstances. It’s not a far stretch to thing that such a phrase could mean low self esteem. I for one, (considering my state of mind, this should be no surprise), read the text to mean the “depressed.” Because speaking from personal experience, nothing seems to so aptly present itself as a definition for “depressed” like “poor in spirit.”
But that’s only the first half. The second part of the verse, a dependent clause mind you, says that “theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Does this mean “theirs” as in “will be?” How about “theirs” as in “already in possession of?” Much to the chagrin of fundamentalist “Old Truth” empty sacks of externally polished, yet filthy dishes everywhere, there is no way to read this verse simply. There is nothing literal about it. From just two paragraphs, I’ve presented a variety of options concerning as to what this verse may or may not mean. And we’re not even touching on the original text, and the variety of meaning any one Greek word may have taken in the light of who Jesus’ audience was and what implications his yoke as a Rabbi may have concerning the ideas he preached.
If anyone ever tells you the Bible is a simple book, then that person is just simple-minded.
Ambiguity Hurts
The Immortal Charles Simic
Charles Simic once wrote that “the sun doesn’t care for ambiguities, but I do. I open the door and let them in.” If you think about those lines, it’s not hard to see how that sentiment could conflict with what most Christians think.
Many Christians believe that there is no room for ambiguity. No room for questioning. That means no questioning God, no questioning faith and no questioning their doctrine concerning faith and ultimately who they believe God to be. Any nonsense like that requires labels like apostate, heretic and emergent.
I grew up in a private Christian school where questioning was looked down upon. In the minds of the people around me, any concern for ambiguity I may have had was considered a breach of faith. A place where the devil could get a foothold in my life. And while the devil may or may not have footholds in my life, I hardly think it’s because I’m questioning my faith. At some point, in a time long before my birth, it became unreasonable to question the will of God. It became heretical to question the traditional meaning of this or that verse.
And now look around us. With every generation, it’s becoming more and more unreasonable to be a Christian. A recent article contained a study in which “most young non-Christians…felt Christianity is judgmental (87 percent), hypocritical (85 percent), and too involved in politics (75 percent), among other negative perceptions. Furthermore, 91 percent of young non-Christians and 80 percent of young churchgoers say present-day Christianity is “anti-homosexual.”
With asswipes like Ann Coulter, James Dobson and Pat Robertson speaking out as leaders of the Christian political agenda, we’re quickly becoming easily dismissed. In case you can’t smell it shark bait, that’s blood in the water.
And it’s ours.
Will The Real Slim Shady…
Please stand up? Our oh-so misinterpreted strategy of separating ourselves from the world has left us culturally masticated.
Christopher Hitchens
Everyone is asking questions about Christianity except Christians. That proved to be too much work, so we created “Jesus-sanctioned” Bibles, and music, and clothes, and language, and hairstyles and defaced every other damn spot where we could draw yet another line in the sand.
And in the process, we got stupid.
With the rise of “Darwin’s Rottweiler” and bitter-nancy Hitchens, atheists are making a strategic play. Somehow, they’re convincing society that it’s “unreasonable” to be a Christian, in fact, it’s a sure sign that you’re losing your sanity if you believe in faith at all. And yet, the Christian community has very little in the way of a public defender. We’re getting stomped. We’re being repeatedly painted as barbarian and no one is standing up. No, we’re preaching the same old guard: don’t question, believe God, hold on to the faith, don’t be a homosexual, don’t kill your baby — when the world is dying from questions in their hearts. It’s not enough anymore. It’s not enough to sit with our hands under our asses and hoping our bills get paid.
Where is our C.S. Lewis’? Our J.R.R. Tolkiens? I’m not asking for a loud speaker. But a monster of critical thought. The only reason atheist arguments sound so good is because Christianity sounds like a scandal. And no one has the balls to speak in our defense. Hitchens blames religion for most of genocide throughout history, when it’s plain and simple that such an argument is a red-herring. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. It doesn’t matter if that man ascribes to Christianity or not. To blame a faith for something that men are ultimately responsible for is equivalent to saying “the devil made me do it.”
Is it too much to ask that someone with the brains and know-how, that someone who hasn’t been afraid to ask questions, who hasn’t been too much of a frightened kitten to press through doubt and criticism, who possesses skin thick enough to say to both Christopher Hitchens and Todd Friel, “you’re an idiot” to step forward and make Bill O’Reilly out to be the hypocrite that he is? To say, “Yes, Christianity is reasonable. Not because it answers every question, but because at the very least, it inspires us to be selfless and to love our neighbor as ourselves.” To think that atheism will ever advocate such a position is ludicrous. Of course, they’ll claim that it’s possible. But it’s not probable.
I think I’ve heard this argument before.
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I have so many thoughts I don’t know where to start - but let me say this. Two truths - first Christianity isn’t a religion if religion equals “I Obey therefore I am…” Being a Christ followers is about accepting the gift of God. Second, the beauty of following Christ is that its not about one person (well Jesus)- no earthly person. Its a movement of mass, truth shared among “poor in spirit”.
I’ve always wondered how did Christianity moved so fast from 12 men to a world? I think it has something to do with Gal. 5.22 “…love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such there is no law.” NO LAW…they will never outlaw these actions…I think this is deeper than we give credit. Its powerful because none of these can be taking away. They can miss quote you and point fingers at your actions…but they can’t take away what makes of believers - the characteristics of the Spirit of God.
I think God wants us to question things. If He wanted a bunch of mindless followers, He wouldn’t have given us free will. In the end, everyone has a choice. “Well what about the people who never hear about Jesus? Do they have a choice?”. I don’t know. But, if God is as just as He claims to be, he’ll sort it out in the end.
Sorry…my comment posted before finishing my thought.
You are correct. The Christian community has insulated itself. But that’s not what Jesus did! He was out among the people who needed him most. It was the religious leaders of the day who wouldn’t dream of mixing with the masses. I fear our current public “representatives” have done the same. Instead of the love of Christ, people see the condemnation of the Pharisees.
Christianity is about more than rules. It’s about more than the 10 Commandments and the “rules”. Jesus made it easy for us by cutting it down to *TWO*. Love God. And love your neighbor as yourself. I think more than anything, Jesus wanted His followers to be in the world, but not OF the world.
He didn’t want us in our ivory towers of righteousness. He wanted us out among the people who need the message most.
The message (in my mind) is that someone gave their life so that you could have a chance at pure joy. He did it not for his own personal gain, but out of love for you. What could we accomplish if we presented the message of Christ like that?
When the Defender of our faith comes, I suspect he will be able to show the love AND the strength of Jesus.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” - Matthew 5:3
I believe this has everything to do with why a “monster of critical thought” has not stepped forward. Surely if one was to take this position he himself would be standing in the opposition of what Jesus, was in my understanding speaking of in this verse. What you yourself are speaking against as well for that matter.
For far too long, Christianity has been drudged down as an oppressor of freedom. This it, is most certainly not. However there are things in God’s word that are absolute. God’s word speaks directly against them. There is no ambiguity about these. Some, of these you have mentioned. It is when these things are fragrantly ignored that we as God’s people must stand up and say something. We can not continue to accept the unacceptable. If we continue, then how could we honestly proclaim to “love thy neighbor as thyself”? This in itself would be an intentional untruth. To stand up, and note that these wrongs are against the word of God should be done out of our love for our neighbor. If not it will surely end in their demise.
John 15:19 “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” Almost sounds like we are called to be “shark bait” does it not? We just need to make sure before we jump in, we are walking, or in this metaphor, swimming in His Spirit.
I sure hope you don’t ever ban me from your blog; I really enjoy the exhilaration of thought. Also, if I may, “McCool”, your name fits you all to well. Admirable words.
@Joshua - First, I’d like to reassure you that I don’t ban people for making heartfelt comments that just so happen to disagree with my point of view. In fact, I like it that you do. Now, to address the points of your comment.
Point #1) A “monster of critical thought” can still be “poor in spirit.” These two things are not mutually exclusive. I used the example of C.S. Lewis. A person who was both a “monster” and a Christ-follower. To imply that it’s one or the other is a fallacy, plain and simple.
Point #2) Let’s take a concrete example: homosexuality. I’ve written a few posts on this subject before, but here’s the thing. Yes, it is our job to stand up and say something. I understand that. But we have said it: over and over. It’s been our mantra for years, while we simultaneously ignore every other mandate from Christ. We’ve picked and chosen what we’ve wanted to extrapolate, and left the balance of Jesus’ words to become unsteady.
You speak from the view point of a doctor. If we loved our patients, we would tell them the truth. They have a disease and God has the cure. But the point is, we’re all diseased. We just have different kinds. The church has chosen homosexuality and abortion as their lines in the sand. What about greed, promiscuity, obesity, pride, these are all on equal footing. But we don’t talk about that. We don’t have political agendas based on these sins.
It’s hypocritical.
Point #3) We may very well be shark bait. But consider this. If we had been doing our job, if we had been truly loving our neighbor, feeding the poor, helping the sick, sheltering the homeless - not like we’re doing now, with paltry helping hands here and there - but with one purpose, the body of Christ moving it’s hand with one accord, we wouldn’t be in this position. People would listen to us, because of our deeds. Because of our goodness. Because of our selflessness. But instead, we are being called out because of our hypocrisy. Because of our greed. Because of our sin.
I’m guilty as much as the next person. Consider for a moment, the following passage from Acts 2:44-47 (Contemporary English Version):
That doesn’t sound like the common view of the American Christian church. Does it? This my dear friend, is to our fault.
Keep it coming, Joshua. We’ll work out our faith with fear and trembling.
Commendable points, none of which I may contend, only concur.
I believe Paul would definitely be as you describe a “monster of critical thought” however in saying so; he was competently walking in the Spirit. This therefore allowed him to serve in humility. I believe the two must walk hand in hand. As Paul states, one must die to his flesh daily. If one was to not walk in the Spirit, I am afraid we would in turn face what has happened to this generation, as well as ones prior, these critical thinkers would take Christ words and pervert them out of their fleshly nature. As a result the herds of senseless followers would mull in the pastures of dissolution all the while crippling the effectiveness of the Body of Christ.
Over the past weekend we studied on what you pointed out in Acts 2. Relationships, the early and current church was and is effective only through relationships. By establishing these, we will not only “love thy neighbor” but teardown the wall we have created in our society.
Thank you for the cultivating thought.
blind bliss Jesus wont work here huh? Damn.
Thank you! Kristin and I are both doing great! We hope nothing but the best for you an Vida!