Dear Christians,
The link attached to this post will take you to a video clip which I hope you will watch. While one naturally desires to elevate positive examples of how to relate with respect, tolerance and love to the broader culture and people of other faiths, occasionally there comes along a negative example so perfect, that we must drag it into the light and gawk at it.
This is an example of how NOT to be a Christian. Please familiarize yourselves with it. Laugh if you can, cry if you must, but please try to remain calm.
Thank you,
FP
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Dear Persons of Other Faiths,
As you watch this film clip please accept our apologies on behalf of Christians everywhere. For too long we have allowed wrong headed and un-Christian thinking to exist in our churches, classrooms and homes. This clip displays one very extreme instance of what happens when Christians are less than loving, tolerant and thoughtful in their application of Christ's example to their lives. (Plus this woman seems to have other "issues" as well).
I believe I am speaking for the vast majority of Christians when I say that we truly love our non-Christian friends, families, and neighbors very deeply and yet we often struggle to find appropriate ways to express that love in light of our deeply held religious convictions. In may ways we have been very poorly equipped to treat others with tolerance, while holding to our faith with confidence. Fortunately, the record of Christ's life still stands in the New Testament. For a better picture of what most Christians strive to embody, consider reading the Gospel of John and note Jesus' interaction with non-religious, or non-Judaic people.
While it may seem that the most appropriate action for us to take as Christians with regard to people with these quite un-Christian tendancies would be to disown them and to distance ourselves from them. To be honest, this is our temptation. Ironically this would be exactly the opposite of what ought to be done. We don't condemn her or people like her, though we strongly assert our confident belief that she is way, way off base in her conduct and attitude towards people of other faiths. Those who seek to be truly tolerant and truly loving, must tolerate and love even those who fail miserably at tolerance and love. And so, we Christians must show this woman (and others like her) patience, tolerance and love. We'll pray for her and hold out hope that God will bring people into her life to correct her misconceptions and inexcusable behavior.
We also hope that the next time a Christian in your life attempts to speak with you about religous issues, that you will extend to them the same grace and tolerance that you desire.
Thank you for your patience with us.
Peace,
FP
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3 comments:
Classic! I wonder if acquired her quiet and gentle spirit from the "dark-sided". That's a woman whose husband's heart can delight in & have full rest. I think my favorite part is how peaceful she is.
kdny,
you need to work on your "game" so you can land a nice Proverbs 31 woman like this one. Just think if you could work her into the campus preaching rotation now and again. You guys would be unstoppable!
I wonder if she has any younger sisters?
FP
I can only hope. If you get a chance, rewatch that video, because I think at one point I see her children rise and call her blessed. I watch that and it makes me realize that I don't want to just settle for any lady, but godly contentment and righteousness is definitely a requirement. I mean, one that I can excercise hospitality with and round out compassion to more thoroughly learn not judge those outside the church, eating whatever a non-believer puts before us, and learning to interact with integrity. The last thing I need is a superstitious wife. This lady is the Kellen Winslow of Christendom, a real warrior.
I would love to tag her in on campus: "Boys and girls, let me now introduce you to my wife. In an age where the Priestly work of Christ needs to abound, she brings healing. Are you leper? Are you unclean? Do you dabble in the mystical or the occult? Then my wife will instruct you in the way of righteousness, joy, and peace with great gentleness and respect. I affectionately call her America's Mother Theresa.
"Young women, she is an example of righteouness, a true daughter of Sarah, and will teach you to respect your husbands and raise your children in fear and admonition of the Lord. She was like the woman at the well until the Son of Man gave her living waters, and now, by the grace of God, those living waters flow to all. So come, those of you who are thirsty, and a get a taste of these living waters. And, lest I forget, she is a great cook."
Man, pray for me, b/c this video makes it tough not to covet your neighbor's wife.
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