I am impressed with how well Bill McKibben can mix together the Christian faith with America's lack of Christianity, all while adding a slight hint of cynicism! I, too, find it rather depressing that although our country claims to be "Christian", many people within its borders do not live a Christian life. Our fast-paced society seems to only utilize the "Christian" label when it works for them. Much attention in the Christian bookstores really do focus on how individuals can better themselves. Obviously, our country did not become like this overnight. The tiny, subtle changes slowly creeped up, creating a generation of "believers" that cannot fully understand what Jesus was implying because they haven't been able to view the Scriptures in that way.
I admit wholeheartedly that I am NOT perfect, nor will I ever be. I will inevitably continue to fail at Christ's teachings because I am human. Does that necessarily mean that I don't TRY to adhere to them? Absolutely not! I want to consider others better than myself. I want to love my neighbor as myself, but why do I find myself sometimes putting stipulations on my actions? Jesus didn't say to help my friend, but not the starving children around the world. There are many teachings in the Bible that I will continue to spend the remainder of my life trying to uphold and live by. Every day is a learning experience that teaches me just how sinful I am and how incredibly pure Jesus is. My hope comes from the fact that although I am just a sinner, I am saved by grace.
I believe that if more people who professed to be Christians would have the opportunity to read some of Bill McKibben's writings and actually take them to heart instead of becoming defensive, our country could begin to turn the tide on the way we live our lives.
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2 comments:
I sometimes try to find out what some of the subtle things were in my past that helped me make an excuse for not allowing actions to match my words. One is about tithing: I remember being told that since I was in school I shouldn't feel obligated to tithe--I needed the money to pay for tuition. But there is always something else that I can use the money for, what makes working different than school? Or giving money to people on the street is not a good thing because they will just spend it on drugs or alcohol. Then how can we help people?
The excuses have allowed us to forget Jesus' message of helping/loving the other. In my few experiences on service trips, I felt more self love and love of other when I was serving the other. I think we need to take more opportunities...and we don't have to travel far to do that.
That's a great point you made at the end, about people being defensive. It's easy to feel defensive when your core values and beliefs are questioned or threatened. I think as educators it is our role to figure out how to get the message across in a way that brings people together, instead of offending and alienating those we are trying to reach.
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