Monday, March 30, 2009
Relationship
It’s interesting how much of Christianity is relational, and yet we constantly see people trying to break apart that relationship. Creation or evolution? Both. Faith or deed? Both. And tonight I came across another example that takes away from a large number of Christian leaders’ theology and mission. Many people say that simply by loving people, you are showing non-believers God, and fulfilling what God has asked of us. Although at first glance this may seem like a fairly unarguable statement, tonight I began realizing it has both truth to it as well as being narrow. “Actions speak louder than words.” This has been the proverbial argument of people that believe that words are an ineffective way of showing people God, and that love is the only way we can show God to the world. This comes as a response to ineffective theology, or misinterpreted theology. “God is love” is another phrase they have in their arsenal to back up their belief. But I do not see this. Yes, love is a good thing. Yes, God is love. But it is also very clear in the Bible that the love of God is unconditional. Human love at its best is conditional. It is just one of those things that we cannot get away from due to our humanity. So maybe when people saw Jesus they did see God through his love, because JESUS' love was unconditional. But as humans we cannot rely on our love for others to be the sole designator that we are Christians. FACT: Non-believers are capable of love. Love does not make you a Christian. Being a moral person does not make you a Christian. Abiding by morals, obeying legal obligations, and being generous are not unique designators of Christians. Sure, all of these are required of Christians, but they are not attributes that make you Christian. Loving your neighbor is not enough. Or should I say, “loving your neighbor is not the most important thing.” There is a relationship between loving people and belief. This is simple “faith without deeds is dead” and vice versa. The two are inseparable; yin and yang. You can have good deeds/love without faith. But you cannot have actual, legitimate faith if you do not show it through love/action. That is why I disagree with these Christian-based social justice activist/humanitarians. Being a humanitarian does not make you Christian. Helping the poor does not make you Christian. But if you are a Christian, then all of these things are required of you. The thing that distinguishes you between a Christian and a typical nice person is belief. As much of a curse word as it is to some humanitarian Christian-types, theology is not a bad thing. Interpretation of theology, sure, that can be iffy. But Biblical theology and belief is not bad in and of itself. It is the first step, and a required step which requires for the rest to brought shortly afterwards.
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01. i think that loving others becomes such a large focus because it where we-- and the world-- struggle the most. it's not meant to discount belief because belief is the well from which love is drawn. of course, non-believers love, but they love from themselves, not their creator. it's ultimately unsustainable.
ReplyDelete02. what would you suggest is the best way to present oneself as a christian to others?
03. in my mind, i put an emphasis on relational love because actions do speak louder than words. it's also simple-- i love you and care for you. the world is broken, starved for community and something to depend on. our relationships with others ultimately speak of the relationship between ourselves and god.
04. elaborate on the dislike of christian-based social justice activist/humanitarians. you say that those actions don't make you christian, but that as a christian, they are required of you. so what's the source of the dissenting opinion?
Interesting thoughts on the place of theology and the importance of more than "acting" love towards people in purely a form of social justice.
ReplyDeleteIt is true to say that if you love people, care for social justice, provide for the needs of the poor, and needy..etc, but never speak propositional gospel truth, then you have not truly loved them. To feed someone for a day and not provide them with eternal sustenance is not ultimate love.
This is why it is important to remember that belief depends on hearing and hearing depends on preaching...so if no one is ever preached the gospel in word they can never believe.
This is a true point
However, we can't forget that theological belief, and preaching must be lived and loved to be seen as real, and it must be experienced.
BOTH LIVING AND PREACHING LOVE is NECESSARY.
To Ellen:
ReplyDeleteMy main point is that a loving relationship will not always show God to people. They do not connect love with God. They will see kindness and think "oh, that's a nice person". When I see someone do a nice thing, I do not even think that they are a Christian, merely that they are a nice person. So for that reason, we cannot bank on people seeing God in us SOLELY by our love for others. Yes it's a part, but not the only part.
And as for somewhat humanitarian dislike: The problem I have with them is that some of them believe that their love for others proves that they are Christian. It's the whole "don't worry about theology, just love people" kind of response that I find limiting. Yes loving people is good, but if there is no belief to it and that belief is not at least spoken in SOME degree, then I don't believe anyone will see that love as something from God.
To Jeff:
ReplyDeleteWell put. I particular liked the "to feed someone for a day and not provide them with eternal sustenance is not ultimate love" part. There is a relationship/union between belief and love, and they must both be done or it will discredit the other...just like faith without good deeds is dead.
any suggestions for how to do both? how to love and still present theology in a true, kind way? maybe the next topic for your blog? ;D.
ReplyDeleteIt's not exactly a one answer kind of question. You've just got to find a medium between showing the love of God, while reinforcing it with theology. Theology does not have to be this "beat it down your throat", arrogant, "I know something you don't" kind of belief. It's just belief in God. That doesn't mean every nice thing you do has to have some alterier motive to "show God". Again it's a relationship. How that relationship works, you've got to figure out. As long as it's not this sense of earning faith/salvation through deeds.
ReplyDelete