What does it really mean to “be a Christian?”

What does it really mean to “be a Christian?” In my growing up years, this meant joining a particular church and affirming their beliefs which were usually stated in creeds, doctrines or printed on the back page of the hymnal. We read these with some frequency in the Church services as a way of reminding ourselves now only who we were but, also, what we believed. I now label this “tribal religion” or “imbedded religion.” It was what my family, friends and Church, aka, the “tribe” taught me. It was what all these folks whom I loved and who loved me believed and taught me; it was “imbedded” as a significant aspect of my growing up. Now at a more mature age, I wonder “Is this really what it means to be a Christian?” In my practice as a psychotherapist, I often tell folks to “read a person’s behavior because that will be a more accurate insight into their values and beliefs.” Jesus said something like this “By their fruits you will know them” (Matthew7:15). James, Jesus’ brother wrote, “What good is it, my brothers [and sisters] if you say you have faith but do not have works” (James 2:14). Sounds to me like claiming to be a Christian involves one’s behaviors which is more than membership, creeds, doctrines, etc.

The Southern Walls

I am not a supporter of the southern walls to keep out the families of the southern hemisphere. I think those walls are monuments to our fears. Unless you are a native American, you are an immigrant. We have forgotten that reality. If the families of the southern hemisphere feel like they must leave their native country for their safety and security, why are not our political leaders and people asking what is happening in those native countries and can we help so they feel safe and secure at home? I cannot help but also notice that the American Churches are silent about this major event happening in our country. The Hebrew Bible says (Malachi 3:5) ESV “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.” “Thrust aside the sojourner…” = ouch. Jesus said we are to welcome the stranger (Matthew 25:35) which is part of his statement about how the nations will be judged. “Ouch” again. Why are our Churches silent? What fear or fears have imprisoned us, our leaders, and churches? I recall an old tale that is so true. Folks were finding others who were near drowning in the river and as an act of charity, they were pulling them out of the river. Someone finally asked, “Do you think someone needs to go upstream and find out why so many are in the river?”

Clothes, a Spiritual Discipline

Clothing is important but we may make them too important. Their purpose is to cloth the body and keep the body warm or cool--depending on the season of the year. Clothes do not make the person. Clothes are best if simple and have not put a burden on others, usually the poor of other countries, to produce them. I wish more of us would check the clothing labels and discern where the item was made. They may hve been made in sweat shops and by children in poor countries and our purchase is supporting that practice. When any type of clothing is purchased it would be a healthy spiritual practice to give a comparable piece of clothing to a charity. It has been said that if we really wanted to know what greed looks like, we might look in our closets. Clothing ourselves and families is a spiritual discipline.

Christian Nationalism?

How did we permit the phrase “Christian Nationalism” to become stolen from us who know and love the Bible and become a political phrase? If by Christian Nationalism, we mean what Jesus said in Matthew 25 then I am a Christian Nationalist. I believe our nation’s priorities are to be welcoming the stranger who may be of another faith, skin color, language, culture, etc.; taking care of widows and orphans which surely involves universal health care; feeding all who are hungry; taking care of those who have been imprisoned so that they can be fully incorporated and welcomed back into society; making sure everyone has adequate and healthy water to drink which must involve taking care of the earth; seeing that everyone has adequate clothing especially in wintry weather. I did not make up this list of priorities. It is Jesus’ priorities and He said this is how the nations will be judged. I do not believe Biblical Christian Nationalism involves building walls to keep out the strangers, reducing food for the poor, building bigger prisons, shrinking income for the widows and orphans, or permitting a city’s drinking water to become foul. I think we need to let the Bible and Jesus speak for themselves and stop using them for our political and self-serving interests.

Read the Behavior

It angers me when individuals and groups, especially in the political arena, use Biblical terms, phrases, and concepts for their own personal or political agenda with no understanding about what the scriptures mean. We interpret scriptures to fit our personal agendas rather than the work of self-discipline so that our agendas match the scriptures. The answer is stated in the sentence—the need for self-discipline. It also frustrates me when I see those individuals, especially political figures, claiming to be Christian but their personal and political actions say otherwise. I tell my clients in the consulting room, “Read the person’s behavior and there you will find the truth.” Words are easily spoken but behavior, especially habitual behavior like one’s character, is the work of self-discipline which comes neither quickly nor easily. I fear we are creating a very shallow Christianity which is not at all as Jesus taught.

The Quote on the White Board

I was visiting the Abbey of Gethsemani this past weekend and noticed a saying that someone had written on the white board. I asked several of the monks who wrote the saying and was it original. The couple of monks whom I asked did not realize that the quote was there, and they did not know who wrote it or if it was original. I think it is a great quote and one that would help nearly all of us if we could follow it. That quote is “Almost everything is none of my business.” Thanks to whomever for a significant lesson about life.