a Generous Orthodoxy - Why I Am Green

This was a good chapter from McLaren's 'A Generous Orthodoxy' (as they all have been). It's turning into a real good read.

In this chapter I liked what he said Neil Livingstone told him, on p.247: "...that Jesus didn't want to create an in-group which would banish others to an out-group; Jesus wanted to create a COME-ON-IN GROUP, one that sought and welcomed everyone. Such a group came not to conquer, not to badger, not to vanquish, not to eradicate other groups, but to save them, redeem them, bless them, respect them, love them, befriend them, and embrace them."

He went to to say, "Or, put another way, Jesus threatened people with inclusion; if they wre to be excluded, it would be because they refused to accept their acceptance."

I like that approach. But it's so hard to grasp/teach/relay/relate... because I think everyone wants to be accepted. And part of being accepted is this feeling that you're on the "inside"; and inherent with being on the inside is that someone has to be on the "outside." And I don't think that's how I think, but I think that's how a lot of people think. It's the classic Jr. High mentality; and I don't mean to de-mean anyone, but unfortunately I think that is where most people are at (even myself much of the time). It's like that is where people relate when we're not using our brain. And it's so hard for people to constantly being "on"; to constantly be using their brain; to constantly be "aware" of what they're doing.... Hmmm.

And please don't take from the above paragraph that I am somehow superior to others. I am not. I think we all know things that we have trouble living out. I am just really fortunate that I can spend a great deal of my time trying to be consciously aware of how I'm living and what I'm thinking. I wish I were better able to live this out with the people in my church; and could better relay it.

On a somewhat related note... I saw a bumper sticker the other night that said: "When Jesus said, 'Love your enemies' I think that meant 'don't kill them.'" It took me a minute to digest, but I think that's an anti-war saying. AND I LOVE IT. How do you argue with that? Unless you take the approach that we are somehow superior to others. And how Christ-like is that attitude?

I said this at the close of church on Sunday (the bumper sticker). I didn't explain or go into detail, because they all know I am a pacifist, and so many of them are NOT. I would be curious to know what everyone thought though. I have actually been thinking of doing a message on why I am opposed to war/killing/capital punishment/etc. It's certainly something I want to handle with a lot of grace though, because I can understand where people are coming from. But that doesn't mean I think it's right. And I honestly do think that's part of a pastor/preacher/teacher's job - to address wrong thinking/acting, but in a gracious, loving way. And that's usually where I struggle - the gracious, loving part. :) Help me to save, redeem, bless, respect, love, befriend, and embrace them, Lord.