Socialism is many things, but at it's core there's shared responsibility in mutual community. A laudable ideal, yet in practice an anathema to many in the western world. As Christians we are extraordinarily sensitive of criticism about our lifestyles. I wrote recently: Forgive us for frittering away time in exceptionally silly ways, for forgetting the people furthest away, and those who like us the least And I received this critical comment "That is what that fragment seems to say to me: How dare you enjoy things in life, shame shame on you. People else where are suffering, so how dare you enjoy things in your life." It seems merely raising forgiveness invokes a hyper-sensitivity of implied criticism. Framed by this (I'll get back to socialism), I've been asking people a number of related questions around two basic issues that are troubling me, and which we fail at miserably. a) How should two (Christian) people engage when each are absolutely convinced about their opposing positions? I come across this not just on theological issues like creationism, but equally or even more frequently on secular issues such as climate change, the middle east, or political policies. b) How should (Christian) advocacy be undertaken? We easily accommodate the promotion of ideals as legitimate from the politician and preacher, in fact we expect it. However, evidence would suggest we are also very good at saying it does not apply to me. By contrast, we do not welcome this from our peers and usually take it as an implied criticism. Yet there are troublesome passages such as Matthew 18, especially vs 15-17, which seems to encourage us to confront each other. So, let me take each of my questions separately, and then consider the synergy. 1. Polarized disagreement. I'll use climate change as a hot-button example (pun intended). I often pose the question "Why are Christians so quiet on the issue of climate change?" For if it is real, then it is of serious multi-generational consequence, especially for the vast majority of this planet who live in poverty. How then can a Christian ignore this? For the record I am strongly convinced and deeply concerned how I, as a Christian, should respond to this issue. On one Christian forum where I posed the question the responses (that disagreed with me) included:
Necessarily, by taking a position in opposition to you I imply you are wrong, and by implication that you are not in alignment with God's compassionate concerns. Well, that's seems arrogant! But is it arrogance to say gravity exists, if I believe it does? How then do I talk to someone who believes the opposite, because only one of us can be right? Either I am wrong, in which case I am chasing fantasies at the expense of doing God's work, or the other person is wrong and guilty of neglecting Jesus' mission. This is not a trivial issue for a Christan (I guess atheism can accommodate this moral tension). One responder implied that the world is headed for end-times tribulation and so we should just be accepting; but really, does end times tribulation negate any responsibility on my part to work for the alleviation of suffering? Of course not. 2. Undertaking correction with each other. This is tough. Really tough. Because the moment we engage in this we presume a mantle of authority and we are making a judgment - yet this is also clearly a biblical principle. Further, quite aside from verses such as Matthew 18:15, the New Testament letters are filled with instruction and correction. What's going on here? Well, firstly lets remember that giving Christian instruction and correction to others presupposes two principles by which all parties should be operating: a willingness to listen (an action), and a willingness to admit we are wrong (an honesty). Neither of these attributes are strong in todays society, which is perhaps partially why we find this so discomforting (the other part of it is that we hate to be wrong ... pride has consequences). In fact if anything, we are raised in todays culture to tolerate everything but intolerance. This extreme individualism - faith in ME - is a hallmark of the western expression of democracy and capitalism, and bears its fruit in relativism; each person to his own. Yet "Subjectivism about [moral] values is eternally incompatible with democracy. We and our rulers are of one kind only so long as we are subject to one law" (C.S Lewis). This is perhaps why pure democracy is seldom found and so weakly expressed in the world today. But Christianity is not a democracy, its a theocracy. The majority preference does not define truth. In Christianity we (claim to) serve one Lord, one holy, perfect and unchanging God, one absolute right and wrong. If that is the case, and if we are Jesus' representatives, then we must be compelled to engage in the correction of others when we see (in hard self-reflective humility) what in others seems to be a contradiction of God's heart (not talking of rules here!). This is not about imposing preferences as absolutes - much extreme evil has been done in that guise, and even in the name of Christ. Rather, I am talking about truths of relationship; each individual is valuable, each individual is made for community, and so we are responsible to God and for each other. Christians are theoretical socialists? Formally, socialism is "a system of social organization in which the means of production and distribution of goods are owned and controlled collectively or by the government." Socialism is Christianity without God. Sadly, Christians often live only a theoretical socialism. Christianity says we should care for one another because all belongs to the one ultimate authority, God; whereas the secular capitalist world says "I am my own, and let no-one tell me differently." How then should all this work for the Christian? First, Christians (should) live in recognition that "nothing is mine, all is a gift from God". Unfortunately we unconsciously measure each other by power and wealth. Thus we are little moved by the poverty of the world. If we hear of a rich and admired man suffering, we are moved because we disproportionately value them highly (think of the reaction to Steve Jobs' death!). Yet daily we go about unmoved by the billions suffering in poverty. As a Christian, God says "give of your first fruits", that's not a huge ask is it? I am called to give of my gifts, talents, material wealth and my even more precious time to serve the compassionate desires of God's relational heart - to care for the poor, to alleviate suffering, and mitigate causes, whether directly or indirectly, because I profess that God's desires are perfect. Second, I need to "speak" truth, as Francis of Assisi said “Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.” Gravity is a gospel (literally, "good news") truth that defines our lives. Likewise our Christian gospel has many inescapable consequences: this "gravity" of life is because our existence is bound to God, we are made for community, we are called to share with those who do not have, and we are responsible to care for this world. In the beginning God says "It is not good that the man should be alone" - whether we like that language or not, we are made as relational creatures, co-dependent with God, each other, and our world. We are not constructed as individualists. And perhaps because of this, the very first instruction in the Bible is to enjoy creation and care for it. Thus Christianity is necessarily socialist in the pure sense of the word, and I am called to be an advocate for what I understand God to say is right. I cannot live by "every man for himself" because I am made for community. Thus I am compelled to share. A Christian professes love for God, and by our advocacy and service we show what we truly love. So, back to my two questions: how to engage when in opposition, how to advocate for a position? Mandela (a socialist) said "If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy, then he becomes your partner." I think there is a biblical truth in this of how to go about Christian advocacy. And last, on issues that are global and which touch every individual, apathy is the one clear core delinquency. Some quick biblical perspectives on engaging in opposition, and advocacy for position:
Matthew 18:15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. Matthew 18:1-35 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 1 John 4:20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. James 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. James 2:13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
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Probably the best therapy is to express yourself. Why do you think psychiatrists make you lie on the couch and talk, while all they do is murmur "hmmm", "uhuh", or "go on"? Archives
May 2017
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