So I had a really, really hard experience in Philosophy today. I've noticed a trend throughout the semester with the students in the class that argue against Christianity. The class is not supposed to cover religious premises, but it's almost impossible for them not to come up, as the topics we discuss pose moral dilemmas.
Just as a prelude, here's the video we watched at the end of class:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_hyT7_Bx9o
Okay, so if you watched it, you might know why I was so deeply disturbed. If you aren't sure what the big hubbub is, let me tell you.
Let me first say that I'm not angry or upset at the people that made the video. What hurts me the most is that we, as Christians have largely failed to do what Christ has called us to do. I felt such a sense of conviction and wrongness after watching this video because it caused me to ask myself, "How do I present God to the world? What do my actions say about salvation?"
Jack Black's portrayal of Jesus just really, really hurts. This "Jesus" uses the Bible to turn Christianity against itself by claiming Christians pick and choose which rules we want to follow and which rules we want to overlook. First of all, that's not the way Christianity works, but I will admit that is the way we as Christians and sinners often behave. Secondly, I think the greatest problem with this video and many others' arguments against Christianity is the lack of understanding of salvation that is given to us through Christ's life, death, and resurrection.
Some recognize the Bible calling for husbands to stone their wives (Deuteronomy 22) and for us to carry out the "eye for an eye" ideal (Exodus 21:23-25). However, Jesus tells us these things in the New Testament:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."
--Matthew 5:38-39
"Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”
--John 8:4-11
This is what's so incredible about Christianity: Jesus. When He died on the cross, we were told, "It is finished" (John 19:30). But what was finished? So many things. God's covenant to us was fulfilled, completed in the flesh. Jesus showed us how to live and breathe as God's people. Jesus is the example of the characteristics of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control that we are called to exude as God's children (Galatians 5:22). Jesus' incredible sacrifice saved us from having to seek retribution from others for their wrongdoings. It saved us from having to stone sinners because Jesus sacrifice literally covered it all.
Hard to believe? Yeah, Christianity is pretty incredible. We sin, we do bad things, but the fact that Jesus died for those sins makes everything okay. All He asks we do is believe He is our savior. Knowing He made that sacrifice and seeing how Christians have presented themselves is why I feel so convicted. We have suggested to the world that we are better than everyone, that we pick and choose our morality. What the heck, y'all. I've done so many things so incredibly wrong, how can I possibly look down on others? But of course, I still do.
Jesus is love. I'm so proud to live in a country where I am allowed to express that love freely, without government intervention. And that is why I will defend my country: to defend that freedom. Yeah, I'm trained to kill and sometimes that's hard to grapple with, but more than anything, my objective is to protect my country, love those who don't understand my faith, and hope to show Christ's mercy to those who only know hate.
If you aren't a Christian, I pray that you will understand Christianity is not about condemning others for their sins and trying to be "better" than everyone else. Christianity is about shaping our lives to show God's love for everyone and sometimes we just get that horribly wrong. To Christians, take this as a challenge. Allow God to absolutely change your life and fill your heart with love, mercy, compassion, and personal conviction. God has been so, so good to us. Let's return the favor.
