I’ve been thinking a lot lately about human relationships—and about how we treat each other. If you read my blog Returning to the Playground many months ago, you know this isn’t a new concern for me. But the people I mentioned in that blog weren’t Christians. Although I like to think the majority of people, Christian or not, treat other human beings with dignity and respect, they aren’t necessarily called to do so like we are.
What I’ve been noticing more and more are the Christians who cut down other Christians. I’m convinced that if the final judgment day happens exactly as so many think it will, many of us are in trouble. Because if God is who God claims to be, we’ll have to answer for much more than how many people we helped lead to Christ.
What about the pastor who got fired because I started a Facebook group claiming he wasn’t a real Christian?
What about the friend who sank into a deep depression when I stopped talking to her because I found out she voted for *gasp* Obama?
What about that group of people I called out as heretics simply because they believed we should feed the hungry then tell them about why we’re loving them?
I’m concerned about the witch hunt of the early 21st century. Sure, no one really gets burned at the stake. But the damage we knowingly do to one another doesn’t go unnoticed. By Christians like me who at those moments are ashamed to also be Christians. By non-Christians who decide if that’s the way we treat each other, who needs Jesus? By God, who created and loves absolutely every one of us—even when we can’t seem to love each other.
photo credit: bowtoo
So how should Christians call out/rebuke other Christians then?
Approaching them on 1-on-1 first, instead of publicly calling them heretics. If even after talking to the person and they refuse to listen to wise council. Then, then you can communicate with a larger audience. But still in a loving way, not with a judgmental tone.
Agreed, Scott. Christians will undoubtedly disagree. My problem is with the approach some are choosing–when people begin to point fingers, to make their own, public lists concerning who's in and who's a heretic. The mob mentality can be strong and dangerous (i.e. the Salem witch trials, the Holocaust…the list goes on).
I agree with both of you. Doesn't seem like anyone wants to discuss how to go about it the biblical/Christlike way. Jesus and Paul weren't always nicey-nice.
Even Christ was ridiculed for His efforts to reach out to the broken, hurting, and lost. I realized in a recent situation (very similar to the one you described, Kristen) that I needed to gracefully end the "conversation" lest I be drawn into a similarly-entrenched, unhealthy mindset whose sole purpose was to "win" an agrument. I felt checked that pushing my argument would have been more about my pride and less about His purpose.
While I now realize the inherent dangers of quoting Mahatma Gandhi, I do think he has a very valid point. One of Gandhi's most impact quotes is “Be the change you want to see in the world.” If Christians are going to begin changing the way we're viewed in the world, it has to start with each of us in our own conversations, interactions and yes, (insert gasp), disagreements. It doesn't mean comprimising Biblical orthodoxy, it just means being more charitable.
Thanks again, Kristen, for making us think about how we treat others.