By now, you've probably heard about Glenn Beck's unChristian rant calling for people to leave their church if it promoted social and/or economic justice. Many, more prominent leaders have called Glenn out for his statements, including Jim Wallis of the faith-based social justice organization, Sojourners. Everyone is asking the same question:
When did compassion become unChristian?
The answer is that it hasn't. Unfortunately, there are many who will listen to him. There are many who will do exactly as directed. This is a danger to our society, and perhaps more importantly, to our own spirituality. Because when one's spirituality is taken over by the most unspiritual concepts and philosphies, we remove ourselves from the Sacred, and walk away from our most important teachings.
Social justice and compassion is a foundational Christian value. In fact, it's older than Christianity itself. Consider the Jewish origins of the tithe.
Each year, farmers set aside one tenth of their crops against future needs. For two years, the tithe would go to the local community storage. The third year, it would go to the national storage. This three-year process would repeat again, and was then followed by the seventh year in which the farmer would put the tithe in his own long-term storage.
First the local communal needs were met. Then the national. Finally, the personal needs were attended. You could look at this and see a similarity between this and caring for those in need in today's society. Yet Beck and his hypocritical ilk will tell you that caring for others through our governmental institutions has no basis in faith. Really?, I wonder. Which version of the Bible is he reading, I ask, The Bible for Selfish, Greedy, Self-centered Hypocrites?
The Bible I have studied for over forty-five years is in direct conflict with Beck's lunacy. The Jesus I know, and whose teachings I do my best to follow, would have a field day lecturing Beck on his many lies and his outright disrespect for God.
Kowtowing to a lunacracy is not Christian. Turning your back on your fellow man is not spiritual. Encouraging others to eschew the teachings in favor of selfishness is not noble.
And none of it has anything to do with living a life with Spirit.
In peace,
Lane
When did compassion become unChristian?
The answer is that it hasn't. Unfortunately, there are many who will listen to him. There are many who will do exactly as directed. This is a danger to our society, and perhaps more importantly, to our own spirituality. Because when one's spirituality is taken over by the most unspiritual concepts and philosphies, we remove ourselves from the Sacred, and walk away from our most important teachings.
Social justice and compassion is a foundational Christian value. In fact, it's older than Christianity itself. Consider the Jewish origins of the tithe.
Each year, farmers set aside one tenth of their crops against future needs. For two years, the tithe would go to the local community storage. The third year, it would go to the national storage. This three-year process would repeat again, and was then followed by the seventh year in which the farmer would put the tithe in his own long-term storage.
First the local communal needs were met. Then the national. Finally, the personal needs were attended. You could look at this and see a similarity between this and caring for those in need in today's society. Yet Beck and his hypocritical ilk will tell you that caring for others through our governmental institutions has no basis in faith. Really?, I wonder. Which version of the Bible is he reading, I ask, The Bible for Selfish, Greedy, Self-centered Hypocrites?
The Bible I have studied for over forty-five years is in direct conflict with Beck's lunacy. The Jesus I know, and whose teachings I do my best to follow, would have a field day lecturing Beck on his many lies and his outright disrespect for God.
Kowtowing to a lunacracy is not Christian. Turning your back on your fellow man is not spiritual. Encouraging others to eschew the teachings in favor of selfishness is not noble.
And none of it has anything to do with living a life with Spirit.
In peace,
Lane
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