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Christian Values
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AUTHOR: Ron McDonald
But I am a left-leaning Christian, and my point of view is judged and condemned constantly nowadays.
Ironically, I'm quite conservative, seeking to live with traditional values such as simplicity, moderation, monogamy, sharing and a belief in individual consequences.
Yet never before have I felt so much under attack for my perspective and ethics. And it's other Christians who condemn me! Sometimes I think I should wear a T-shirt I once saw that says, "Jesus, please save us from your followers."
Beliefs are one of the world's greatest sources of conflict. And there is nothing wrong with thinking "we're right and they're wrong." What's wrong is to "know" we are right and take that as license to oppress others. Tohave a peaceful social or political life, we have to acknowledge that wemay not possess the absolute truth.
To claim that a particular verse from the Bible is factual when another verse contradicts it, or that a point of view is clearly in line with"God's will" when another point of view can follow logic, ethics and Biblical guidelines equally well is blasphemy. Religion is not about factsbut about perspective and wisdom. It ought to make us better people, not meaner ones.
I'm tired of sermons that are based on "we win, you lose" theology. Why can't there be dialog and disagreement without smug superiority and hubris?
I'm tired of being hit over the head with judgmental quotes from John, my favorite gospel about love. I'm tired of being told about Paul's lists of right behavior when his theology of grace and faith inspires me to a different ethic than he sometimes wrote about. Am I wrong? Maybe, but I'm tired of being told by some Christians that I should "know" better.
I'm also tired of being told that no self-respecting Christian can be a left-winger. That's baloney.
I'll tell you where I start: with Jesus's ethical mysticism. I grew up singing with deep conviction, "Tell me the stories of Jesus; write on my heart every word." Jesus and his teachings -- not the other two great foundations of Christian theology, Paul's wonderful high Christology and John's loving salvation message -- are the foundation of this Christian's perspective.
And in starting with Jesus, I notice that he wasn't a Christian; he was a good Jew. He didn't carry a weapon. He cared for the poor and sick as his number one priority. He had fun with salty people. He didn't cast the first stone. He was more concerned with money than with sexuality.
He loved our natural world. He was interested in the insight that comes from wandering in the wilderness and wrestling with his personal demons. I even think he probably wasn't homophobic.
Why, maybe Jesus was a liberal, a left-winger! And since I am one too, maybe there's still room for me in the church that pays attention to Jesus.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ron McDonald is a pastoral counselor in Memphis and a Quaker.
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