No Junk. Just Jesus.: Can Christians serve God and ammo?

Monday, December 28, 2009

Can Christians serve God and ammo?

While writing my next blog post for this site, this came across Twitter today, and I was led to set my own writing aside.

Jesus said that those who love Him, obey Him. Yet, in the face of the Prince of Peace, who not only told us to turn the other cheek but also demonstrated how to do that with His very life, how often do we as Christians believe in war blessed by -- even required by -- God?

How often do we set ourselves up as among those who cry "God is with us!" as we support and commit war, as if Jesus has anything to do with the deep, revolting evils within our hearts that we cover in gold painted bullets and bombs?

Check out Gary Kohls' article, 'Gott Mit Uns': Christians Excusing War.

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Did you know that Jesus in the Bible actually taught that he would never be represented by most of the people who would claim to do so?

In fact, his Bible warns us explicitly to recognize and avoid these glitzy-holy "Christians". It tells us over and over that he condemns people who claim to be about him but really aren't, and he rejects their hurtful, violent, judging, hypocritical, and oppressive actions (they don't teach you that part of the Bible in Sunday School or on television, do they?)

The Old and New Testaments of the Bible describe again and again the garbage religious human beings have piled on top of what God really wanted of them, only to then pretend NOT doing what God wants is what God really wants after all. Crazy!

There's a better way. A way that Jesus invited us to live. It's not hard to learn. In fact, the more "educated" you get trying to figure out it, the further you'll actually end up from the real Jesus and the message he and his first followers wanted you to understand.

Jesus' way truly is about love - but it's also about justice, peace, and turning even (especially) the Christian religious world out in the cold.

Jesus' way isn't about rejecting Gays, or downgrading women, or oppressing the poor - and it isn't about re-translating and reinterpreting the Bible to make it seem he is (though 2,000 years of "scholars" have done just that).

If you've rejected Jesus because you think he's as jerky as the evil-minded, shallow-hearted people who've hurt and disgusted you and others you care about, give him another (real) try.

Check out (the real) Jesus. He's not where they say he is. He's not part of their plans. He's right here, wanting to be THE source of love, strength, mercy, and justice that lives in your heart.

Go for it. No junk - just Jesus.