If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don't like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.
Saint Augustine
I am absolutely sick, sick of people attacking other people if their beliefs don't line up with theirs. That some how they are less of a Christian, or not even Christian at all. In fact, I really don't care what you believe. It's rather profound that something that was filled with the redemptive imagination and life of Jesus has come down to squabbling, about who believes what. The world is unraveling like a frayed piece of rope, and we're fighting about who believes what; who's in what camp and trying to define what the Kingdom is. And a lot of this is coming from the religious elite of the day.
My eyes, my mind and my spirit have wandered all across the pages, the landscape of the gospels. Maybe my problem is, I'm too simple. Maybe I haven't acquired the proper tools from academia to plumb it's mysterious truths. Maybe I can't hold my breath long enough to dive and find what I'm looking for.
But in my simplistic faith, what I do find is, Jesus was not concerned with belief...in fact I sense he may have thought you'd be better with out it. He didn't choose his disciples by heading to the Temple and talking to rabbi's to see what students had the highest GPA in Old Testament theology. He went to the sea shore, and looked for fishermen who faithfully cast nets. Who likely cursed at the end of a bad day of fishing, untangling and mending nets. Who awoke tired at the break of dawn to faithfully do it all over again.
There was no statement of faith, no affirmation of belief...just a response to a mysteriously profound invitation, " Come, follow." It was journey, not into the dimly lit cellar of the temple where they would untangle the script on ancient scrolls. It was a journey that would take them deep into the context of everyday living.
It was a journey much like fishing. Where each day they faithfully lived, and followed Jesus. Where each day Jesus cast his life into the sea of humanity, and miraculously, mysteriously he pulled the Kingdom to the surface. It was the world upside right...
When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:
"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
"You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
"You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
"You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
"You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.
"You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.
"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
It was one thing to hear the reality of this kingdom, where borders, barriers and boundaries were completely erased, where no one was left outside. Where the rich man's son was sent out a second time, to the gutters, needle strewn back alleys, skid row hotels, park benches to fill the masters table for a feast. Where one loved the enemy. Or, when it came to forgiveness, it was not three times and you were out...it was infinite. Where even wars could be won with love.
It was one thing to talk about this Kingdom. But to see this Kingdom lived sent a shock wave through the mind of humanity. The Kingdom, for humanity was Hope realized.
We can not believe the gospel into being. The gospel can only be lived faithfully into being. But more profound, it can not be lived fragmented, choosing to live out the parts you believe. To live parts, to live pieces...is not the Kingdom. It becomes a game of power, of deconstruction, where it's builders say you must believe this way, live this way. As profound, as mysterious, as messy, and as unclear as it may sound, Jesus said, " I am the way, the truth, and the life."
That's not something I fully understand, it is a journey...it's discovery. I can't even say, I believe what it means. But I do know I can only finding it by living out the absolute fullness of the mystery of the gospels. I know with out a doubt in it, living it, I will find Jesus and his Kingdom.
The gospels are the embryonic beginnings of a new creation, it is the Spirit again brooding over creation inhabiting flesh giving new life. It is us becoming the incarnational presence of Jesus. It is us, " living " the Kingdom into being.
Jesus resurrection decisively inaugurated the reality of the Kingdom. We can squabble over who believes what, who's in, who's out...or we can faithfully live the Kingdom into being. I don't live by belief, it's more...how closely am I following, and how much am I building.
My latest mantra, flagrantly stolen from a comment on a blog post I read: 'You can not say what you believe, you can only do what you believe'. The more I think about it, the more obviously true it appears.
Posted by: Al | February 09, 2010 at 09:55 PM
Such an open, inclusive view of Christianity can only further community. Bravo ! -- from an Atheist
Posted by: Sabio | February 10, 2010 at 02:29 AM