There
are certain philosophers I find to be particularly good, and when I hear them
say something radical and think, "There is no way that can be true.
They're great on X and Y, but on Z they've just gone too far," I for these
particular people, though I invariably later come to the conclusion that they
were right on X, Y and Z, but I was just not ready to hear about the Z part.
To
demote Jesus to the level of philosopher for the purposes of this discussion,
He is one of those. So much of my early Christian life was spent in
rationalizing away the uncomfortable parts of His teachings, with the help of
my pastor. "The kingdom of God is within you." The disciples didn't
want to hear that. They wanted something to DO NOW which would make the kingdom
of God a physical reality. They wanted the reins of political power,
"Jesus, who'll sit at your right and left hand?" They recognized the
truth of some of what He said, but they were unable or unwilling to let go of
their preconception of what He was here to do. But even knowing how that story
ends, we're no different! How many Christians sort of think that the US is the
Kingdom of God? They don't say it, but they believe it, as evidenced by their
actions, the warmongering, the desire to legislate everything, etc.
"What
is to be done?" Live a free life in obedience to Christ (those two are
amazingly compatible thoughts!). The state sets an unending list of positive
laws as snares before us to keep us ever in fear, but violating those isn't an
offense to God or conscience. Dealing with the consequences provides an
opportunity to witness to the liberty in Christ to be compared to the slavery
of being in State/Satan.
If
Christians were actually FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST we'd be a light unto the world for
temporal living as well as eternal salvation, rather than what the majority of
us currently are.
Cynicism
is the reaction of someone who's put his faith in the wrong place and hasn't
yet put his faith in the right place. I'm working to come out of my cynicism.
It has been a tough 7 years, but it is coming.
Jim
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