I Am a Christian

Christian: A follower of Christ. 

One who belongs to Christ. 

One who strives to faithfully study, learn and follow the words and ways of Jesus of Nazareth. 

This word, Christian, has a meaning. 

Christian does not mean American. Or Republican. Or conservative. It does not mean Democrat. Or progressive. I know faithful Christians in ALL these categories. 

I am a Christian. And an American. And an Independent voter. And a Progressive. I have spent long hours studying, praying, discussing and listening on this journey. I have come to exactly none of my convictions lightly or quickly.

• Not for acceptance.
• Not for show. 
• Not because it's easier.
• Not so "the world" would love me more. 
• Not to destroy children or families.
• Not because I hate my country. 
• Not because I hate babies.
• Not because I hate democracy.
• Not because I want to distort history.
• Not because I am mean, or cruel, or deceived, or deluded.

All of these are categorically false, yet I have heard all of these as descriptions of people who would self-describe as Progressive. And not just in the virtual world of fringe extremists. But from people in my actual world, in sermons from folks who, it is clear, have not had a serious conversation with a progressive Christian, people who I know personally and have easy access to asking questions of those they're slandering (and yes, I know this is a strong word, but this is what is happening)... Folks who feel free to demonize without seeking to know or understand the actual people they speak and preach and "meme" against.

I see this tendency on both sides as we continue to push further and further apart, demonizing "the other" with greater and greater glee and self-righteousness. 

I speak of what I know. I lived most of my life in a conservative, Republican, very isolated pond. That is what I know. So I know that many within that group are also doing their best to follow the words and way of Jesus, even when I now deeply disagree with some important conclusions. 

I came to new convictions based on my firm belief that it more faithfully reflects the ways and words of Jesus. (Read that sentence again please. And then again, if you still aren't hearing it.) You do not have to agree with another person's conclusions (obviously), but disagreement does not mean that they are not sincerely held, faithfully thought out, prayed over and studied convictions. Every single "progressive" Christian I know personally defies the descriptions in the above list. Every one.

I am exceedingly thankful for a local community of faithful, committed followers of Christ that also hold, within this group, to a wide variety of political and societel opinions. I am thankful for pastors that lead us to walk together in our differences. I want to remain open and empathetic in a world that is screaming for me to close off, to isolate, to cast dispersions. This community is leading me in that harder but, I believe, more faithful way. We all get it wrong at times. I spent a lifetime of years mostly comfortable in my certainty. I want to spend the rest of my years willing to be somewhat uncomfortable, willing to sit with: "What if I'm wrong?" "What if there is something I need to learn here?"

This mindset, I believe, will more likely keep me kind, hopefully humble, gentle, curious. Love must be the driving force as we wade through this thing together.

I pray that our disagreements would drive us to ask better questions. To be curious. To think more deeply. To draw toward rather than away. To pray rather than disparage. To study rather than assume. To cultivate greater imaginations for what could be. 

This is hard work. Everything in us wants to pull away, to find comfort and safety in "likeness". Likeness will give us a sense of camaraderie. Kinship. Comfortable belonging. Peace-keeping. But it will not bring healing. It will not make for true peace. Or shalom. Or justice. 

I do not know all the answers, but I know these ways we are most prone to choosing will eventually destroy us. I know when we demonize and dehumanize, we are not only hurting others, but we are hurting ourselves as well. When we redefine people and words to fit our arguments, we've cut off any hope of real communication. We must lean into love - with all of its messy unknowns, if we're ever to find healing together.