4th-movement Human
The conservative Christian’s problem is the willingness to transfer the energy created by maintaining lists of sins into a type of moral righteousness… at the expense of its victims.
The liberal Christian’s problem is the fabricated indignation toward conservatives for doing such a thing, all the while presuming moral high ground at the expense of their victims. (e.g., the conservatives).
The conservative scapegoats the sinner. The liberal scapegoats those who dare to call people sinners. And everyone contributes to the victim-making machine until, as G.K. Chesterton said, “The world is all one wild divorce court.”
If we continue with this behavior, we will surely blow ourselves up. But it doesn’t have to go down that way. You and I could influence this thing if we wanted. It will take a deep commitment to love. Jesus said, “The world will know we are followers by our love.” I actually think they already do know us by our love. Unfortunately, “our love?” It’s often a victimizing kind of love.
‘Healthy” humans seem to be in a progression often characterized by four movements:
I’m right. You’re wrong. I must convert you to my side. I get my group to help me change you.
After not being able to convert you, I consider you compromised, cursed, damned, beyond help, etc. I go to my group and let them know that while it breaks my heart to say such things, you are, in fact, hopelessly lost.
After time, I soften a bit. I realize that life can’t always be so black and white. That there are things I have to work on as well. I’m not the judge; maybe you do have some good thoughts? I spend some time attempting to help my group be more patient with you.
While this third movement seems to be taking me in a healthy direction, Peter Rollins points out that there’s a fourth that takes a different approach: I’m wrong. You’re right.
The first three all share the common denominator of me being correct. Even within the 3rd iteration, when I’m giving you credit for possibly not being wrong, I’m still claiming to be right. It’s only as I work through the 4th progression that I’m changing my mind, that is, laying down my right to point out your sin, offering forgiveness to you, inviting you to the party, and loving you as I love myself.
And it’s here in this 4th space where I go to my group (hey, maybe that's you :)) and ask them to join me in repenting of our arrogant, judgmental, victimizing ways. The 4th movement helps us redefine love. Love isn’t sacrificial, violent, or victimizing. Love is unconditional.
And may you, on this day so many of us commonly gather to worship a God of love, be willing to be a 4th-movement kinda human being.
All my best,
J
