I’m spending so much time writing these days that I don’t have too much time to read, but I finally decided to give Brian McLaren a try, and am working through his book A Generous Orthodoxy. I hesitated to read McLaren mainly because when someone in a certain stream has written that many books about it, I get a little suspicious that maybe he’s got it all figured out, and I’m a little gun-shy about hooking up with another “camp” who has it “figured out”. I can tell that I won’t agree with everything he’s saying, but so far I’m enjoying it.
In fact, the first “official” chapter, “The Seven Jesuses I Have Known”, has really got me thinking a bit off subject. In the chapter, McLaren talks about the different streams of Christianity (e.g., Evangelical, Charismatic, Catholic, etc.), and the various ways they see Jesus, the parts of His life/death they emphasize and relate to. It got me thinking again how irresponsible it really is of us to base our entire faith on a certain brand of theology instead of the person of Christ. The point of the chapter, of course, is not that there are seven different Jesuses (there is only one), but that we tend to frame Him according to our own understanding and mindsets, when He is much bigger than our abilities to box Him in. One reason I think we need community with people different than we are is that none of us sees Him accurately–we “know in part”–and interacting with different perspectives (and even theologically different ones) helps our own understanding.
And that got me thinking about the issue of diversity (a loaded term in some circles), and how we as people tend to gravitate toward folks who are like us, and distance ourselves from those who are different than we. And of course, the next step is to measure our group against others–who’s right, who’s wrong, who’s better. If you think about it, this sort of thing is the undercurrent for racial issues, gender issues, political camps, and just about any other thing where it has become “us” and “them.”
Unfortunately, many well-meaning people try to cross these divides by resorting to the “lowest common denominator”–in other words, focusing only on those things we share in common and basically going into denial about where we differ. I understand the reasoning here, and it sounds like a noble effort, but I seriously disagree with this approach. Let me give you a couple of examples to explain why.
I have never liked when people use the term “colorblind” when talking about racism. I understand that it means basically that in terms of white-black relations, everyone should be treated the same regardless of skin color. I get that, and I agree. But colorblindness? I think that does an injustice to race in general, not to mention insults the intellegence of everyone involved. I’m white. That guy’s black. For me as a white man to pretend he’s not black is an injustice to him, as though his skin color is just something I just have to overlook. That’s what I’m talking about. There are, in fact, certain characteristics that black man possesses, which I do not possess as a white man–things about him that have everything to do with his background and culture and genetics and race–that I will miss if I just pretend there is no such thing to keep from causing offense. I’d much rather embrace him as a different person, learn how he thinks, and why he thinks that way. I’d rather celebrate the fact that we’re different, even our cultures cause us to disagree on certain points. Does that clarify what I mean?
Another place the lowest common denominator does not work is in the church. I have come to detest most “church unity” movements, simply because they are based on not talking about “taboo” subjects and only focusing on the things we agree on. That approach doesn’t work because at the end of the day, not a whole lot gets done. We just spend all our time trying not to offend each other by ignoring our differences–when instead we ought to be dealing with the sinfulness in our hearts which causes us to be offended with each other in the first place. A theological difference does not have to be a litmus test for relationship–and strained relations between different camps just because we’re supposed to be in relationship is not true unity. It’s just denial in the name of unity. We’ve missed the point entirely.
I don’t know about you, but I find I do a lot better with this whole thing when I am willing to face a difference between myself and someone else–when I’m able to ask that person why they think a certain way, and listen to the answer. I find that is much healthier than just pretending we are the same, when in fact we are not. And I certainly find that I learn more when I listen than when I speak. 🙂
I think diversity is not a bad word. I think God created people to think differently and see the world differently. I think God created culture and race and gender, and in our attempts to be “colorblind” about this stuff, we end up trampling on the fact that God made us black and white and red and yellow for a reason. I don’t think the answer is in overlooking the differences. I think it is in learning to embrace them, in learning not to be offended by the difference. It is in learning that our differences do not have to be points of division, but points of engagement.
That’s what I think, anyway. 🙂
Wayward Son
Musician. Composer. Recovering perfectionist. Minister-in-transition. Lover of puns. Hijacker of rock song references. Questioner of the status quo.
I'm not really a rebel. Just a sincere Christ-follower with a thirst for significance that gets me into trouble. My quest has taken me over the fence of institutional Christianity. Here are some of my random thoughts along the way. Read along, join in the conversation. Just be nice.
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I appreciate your comments here – they really resonate with me.
One of the key struggles I see among my fellow followers of Jesus is learning to "Celebrate our Differences" – as God given.
Jean Vanier of L'Arche was the one who introduced me to that phrase and it is been of great help. As has their journey in creating community WITH people with disability – not for but WITH.
The challenge of seeing someone different from ourselves as a gift from God and not a threat can be great. Very often those who have been the greatest challeng to me have most been used by God to change me – in the right way!
Blessings to you Jeff and your family and all readers of this blog.
Richard Wilson
South Australia
I often think that a band, or a movie, or a preacher can't be as good as people say he is, so I tend to back off things that everyone likes. But I imagine you'll like McLaren.
(And I think you picked a great book to start with.)
I also think diversity is good. Among other things, it might keep us from getting arrogant, from thinking that of all the people in the world, we got it right!
And, like you say, it helps us recognize each others strengths and differences.
Richard,
I appreciate what you said here: "The challenge of seeing someone different from ourselves as a gift from God and not a threat can be great." The Bible puts it this way: "Iron sharpens iron; so one man sharpens another." We so often forget this principle, and fail to realize that sometimes (not always) people who rub us the wrong way are sent by God to sharpen us. I am with you–some of my most shaping moments as a believer have come from people who saw the world differently than me.
Al,
I once heard an atheist suggest that most of the problems that occur in the world are caused by people who are absolutely convinced of their point of view (in other words, can't entertain an alternate view). It's one of the reasons he's a skeptic about the existence of God–he doesn't understand how anyone can know for sure. While I obviously think he drew that line a little too far, there is some real truth in what he says–it's when we are dogmatic about our beliefs (read: religious) that we tend to start causing problems instead of solving them. Another reason why we do not need to isolate ourselves among people of identical belief. 🙂
Good thoughts Jeff. I think that it takes a bit of security in your own theological skin to embrace the diversity that your are advocating.
yes that makes sense…. and the local church *should* be diverse shouldn't it? Full of people that do differ on certain 'issues' and don't ignore those differences but also don't let it be the constant focus – which leads to trying to figure out THE 'right' belief/way.
great post 🙂
forgot to click for follow up comments
I don't know. The whole 'diversity' thing can be a little too broad, if you ask me. There is one; and only one, way to the Father; and that is through Jesus (his son). Some use the diversity 'case' to argue that there are multiple ways. And, sin is still sin. Hence; acceptance of the theology of churches that give their stamp of approval on sexual deviant acts; according to the defintion given in the bible, is taboo (in my book).
KB,
I think you're right. I think we could all use a bit of that security. And I also ought to mention the balancing view that when it comes to theology, there needs to be some wisdom applied for the "easily convinced", let's say. There are seasons when we guard our young, and seasons when we let them experience. Same thing applies, I think, to someone young in faith and early in discipleship. But what I do think is that rather than *always* distancing ourselves from opposing points of view, discipleship oubght to be about grounding ourselves in Christ, to at least know *why* we believe what we believe, so we can have healthy conversations with other views without knocking loose from our foundation.
Randi Jo,
I've heard it suggested that Scripture wasn't initially meant to be read in private (though there is nothing wrong with that). When Scripture was written, it was read aloud, in the community (most Jewish communities only had one copy of the Torah), where it could be discussed and grappled with; and in the interaction and engagement, truth would be interpreted. That kind of engagement can be a sort of "safe place" where extreme views get tempered, etc. That's the idea behind that picture, anyhow. Interesting to think about. 🙂
Anon.
Appreciate your interaction here. People use "diversity" the wrong way, just as people use anything else the wrong way. That doesn't mean we don't appropriate it the right way. By diversity, I don't suggest we embrace all points of view, or multiple paths to Christ for example; I mean we embrace all *people*, and don't refuse engaging them just because they believe differently than we.
"grounding ourselves in Christ, to at least know *why* we believe what we believe"
On that we agree Jeff. Interesting how I could, at one time (my bible college days), tell you why I believed what I believed but now find myself not believing some of those things I once believed 🙂
The great thing about the web. and blogging in specific. is that it helps to expose us to other's views.. and it also exposes some of our own bad theology if we are open.. and I think that is a big if.