Jesus yes. Christianity, I hope so.

 

8 minute audio file

I identify as a Christian. But once I was speaking with a friend who asked me whether I was a Christian, and I said, “Jesus, yes. Christianity, I hope so.” A person who overheard us expressed surprise that I could even make such a distinction. Today, I want to explain.

Christianity contains truth, much truth, and, yes, saving truth. But many thoughtful persons find that the truths that they appreciate in Christianity are mixed with other teachings that create needless obstacles. These obstacles distract people, so that they do not discover and embrace the religion of Jesus. I have no doubt that Jesus’ gospel will one day rule this very world. But I also believe that, if Christianity is to survive and thrive, it needs to relax its grip on these obstacles and eventually release them. The positive alternatives make so much more soul sense!

I will present my thoughts largely by means of questions.

Jesus portrayed God as our Father. How shall we interpret this? Was he projecting a metaphor of a biological and sociological male in a manner that reinforces patriarchy, excludes women, and forces one particular name for God down the throats of his followers?         Or was Jesus’ teaching of the fatherhood of God a liberating revelation of the personality of God, implying that all God’s children, women and men, are equally and infinitely loved; opening the door for us to discover the motherhood of God; and encouraging individuals in their freedom to choose the name that fits their personal discovery of the God whose spirit lives within?

Next question cluster. What is the meaning of Jesus’ death on the cross? Did he die because God’s punishment for us sinners is everlasting torture—unless we believe that Jesus came to be tortured to death in our place so that we can go to heaven to be with this wonderful God?        Or shall we interpret the meaning of Jesus’ death on the cross in accord with Jesus’ own teaching? That he is the good shepherd, who loves the Father so much and loves us so much, that he was willing to lay down his life to reveal to us all the new and better way?

In the communion of the Lord’s supper, we partake of the bread and wine. What do these elements mean? In the sacrament, are we eating Jesus’ body and drinking his blood?        Or are we embracing Jesus, who is the bread of life, and who is really present with believers in the sacrament through his outpoured Spirit of Truth, the water of life?

Next, should Christianity allow its spiritual mission to be upstaged by social, economic, and political teachings and involvements? Or will the spiritual renaissance have to wait for new teachers of Jesus’ religion who will be exclusively devoted to getting that spiritual mission back on track?

The last alternative is not a choice between truth and untruth. But it does represent a challenge to Christianity. It is a question about whether advanced truths should displace basic, entry-level truths. Higher teachings can be confusing to people who need first of all to find their way in, to realize their identity as children of God.    For example, consider the truths of Jesus as the divine Son of God and the mystery of the holy Trinity. Do people have to accept these high teachings before they can enter the spiritual family of God?        Or should we invite newcomers into the family . . . by reaching out with Jesus’ simple, spiritual message of the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man? It is a many-sided message, that invites us to specialize in living and sharing basic truths of love and mercy, joy and service, prayer and worship, faith and spiritual rebirth; the spirit within and the will of God, the golden rule of treating others as we want to be treated; and the righteousness that we receive by strong and open faith as a gift from God?

Many persons share the views implied in these questions. The seeds of a new reformation are being sown. Would you like to be part of that new reformation?

Enough questions for today.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Question_in_a_question_in_a_question_in_a_question.gif