Being Right and But Getting it Wrong

I've come across a number of posts and a few conversations recently regarding theology or liturgy or Biblical interpretation that really boil down to, "You've got it wrong" and summarily anathematizes the accused. Perhaps you've seen it on the web: Which Bible translation, liturgy book, worship style, or type of song is *really* okay to use. Who is *really* a priest or pastor. Which sacraments offered by whom are *really* valid. Who is *really* a Christian. Or who is *really* Catholic or Orthodox or Apostolic or Saved or Spirit Filled.

(Examples: here, here, and here for instance.)

I recognize the need for discerning what is good and right, for lifting up what is Holy, and for searching out He who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. These are positive things. They build up others in love and truth. Many of the discussions I mention have nothing to offer as contributions, but rather only serve to tear one another apart. Remember, the Spirit, through St. Paul says to the Galatians (5:14-21, NRSV) and to us:

"For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment,

‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ 

If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."    (emphasis is mine)

Have we lost faith in God's grace? Tell me, what errors or sins is God unable to cover? And which one of us is perfect? And if we believe we are perfect, is it not Christ in us that has made us so, and this by grace and not of our own doing so that we cannot boast? Have we attained all that God has wanted for us in an instant, or has God been patient with each of us, calling repeatedly, and forgiving incessantly as we were changed, over time, more and more into the likeness of Christ?

From looking at some of our arguments with each other, it seems we believe God to be the underdog! We act as though we, not God, had better sort things out, because God can't or won't or doesn't know what he is really doing around here. Do we *really* think that the Almighty needs us to defend him? Christ could have chosen to say "you are the gladiators and centurions of Truth," but he didn't. He used the image a city on a hill and lamp on a lamp stand (Matt. 5:14-15). 

Instead, let us be the likeness of Christ to one another. Let us not condemn since Christ came not to condemn the world but to save it (John 3:17). Let us live in love, as Christ loved us (Eph. 5:2). Let God's grace be the truth and the righteousness we proclaim to one another and not bind each other in a new Law.  

Are we sugar-coating the Faith?

Recently, a Christian friend voiced concern about how many sermons and preachers were "sugar coating" God's message, the Scriptures, and the theology of the Church. I suspect what this person was looking for is some of the hard core "Thou shalt..." and "Thou shalt not..." found in the Bible, in the Christian and Hebrew Testaments (i.e. New & Old Testaments) alike.

At the time, I responded only by listening, but I suspect that many of us feel either the same way or the exact opposite. We want someone to tell us what we ought to do or we don't want anyone to tell us what ought to do! Sometimes we may even to want both. In my own life that shows up in a desire for a Rule of Life, a guide to how I intend to live out my faith on a daily basis, and also an aversion to deep and honest confession to my Confessor. I want direction, the "Thou shalt...", while at the same time not really wanting to face how I've broken the "Thou shalt not...". 

I strongly believe we need to hear both. But I also believe that the order is important. If the first thing we hear is how wrong we are, how badly we behave, and look first into the depraved depths of our sinfulness... well... I personally tend to run in terror or hide in shame. But if my first look at God is grace and mercy and love, if I honestly and truly know that there is nothing I can do to make God love me more or less, then and only then, can I face my brokenness and find redemption. I respond best to the "Thou shalt" and "Thou shalt not" once I know the loving heart of God that they emanate from. 

And so, yes. On Sunday, as veteran and rookie disciples, young and old in Christ, gather together for Word and Sacrament, you will find the sweetness of God's Love most prevalent. This is no sugar-coating. Christ reveals the nature of God, that God is Love, and this strengthens us for all else. 

Therefore, I trust that we will not stop at a Sunday faith. I trust we will continue to grow into Christian maturity. I trust that as our experience of the boundlessness and bond of God's love deepens we will go on to wrestle with God's Holy Perfection and our own brokenness. Then, and only then, shall we find Godly and graceful strength to live into "Thou shalt" and "Thou shalt not".