Christians and The Image Problem

Christianity has an image problem. In America, Christians are seen as homophobic, closed-minded, superstitious individuals who are concerned only with getting their way. Abroad the problem is more that Christianity is associated with America, which means Christians are seen as materialistic, immoral, and narcissistic war-mongers. In a religion that desires to be recognized by our love (John 13:35) this seems like a problem.

Does this problem need to be reconciled? Shouldn't we just be faithful to what our religion is concerned about and pursue it regardless of what others think? Not exactly. The problem is that Christians have long pitted themselves against the values of non-Christians. But we need to recognize that Christians are not the only ones concerned with doing good. While we should not abandon our faith to be accepted by others, I think we should be retooling to address the issues that Christians and the world converge on. These issues include solving global poverty, becoming more eco-friendly, and finding a way to create a more peaceful society.

When Christians focus on issues like homosexual marriage, they distance themselves from non-Christians and appear unloving (even if the pursuit is done with honest heart). And I think it matters how we are seen by others. I think Christians ought to find points of unity where we can live in harmony with others of different beliefs from ourselves.

Important Qualities of a Modern Day American Christian

My pastor challenged me to think of 10 qualities that are important to develop in present day Christians. The list below is not systematic nor is it comprehensive. The qualities are numbered but keep in mind that they are not being ranked in order of importance.

1) Global awareness - appreciation of global problems
2) Prayerfulness - relationship with God that infuses all of life
3) Community mindedness - both valuing and building community
4) Integrity - ethical behavior in work, school, and personal relationships
5) Compassion for others - willingness to learn how to help others
6) Self-awareness - understanding thought patterns and behavioral habits
7) Peacefulness - desire for peace with others, both politically and interpersonally
8) Service - Working to help the church by serving others, both inside and outside the church
9) Sense of Christian Identity - becoming comfortable with the positives and negatives of being a Christian and knowing how to represent Christ well, in both words and action
10) Discipline - ability to practice spiritual disciplines, both individually and within a community

Disabled

I started classes again yesterday. Dr. Brown, my neuropsychology professor, shared that his thinking on disability was that it is a range rather than a category. From that perspective we are all disabled to some extent. For example, I wear glasses and thus am disabled in vision. While some people are more disabled in some areas than others, we can all relate to the experience of not being able to do something that we would like to do. (As a side note, I have frustrations with people who believe that all we have to do is put our mind to it and we can do it - we all have our limits.)

Being disabled I have to remind myself of two key ideas. The first is that I must rely on others to meet many of my needs. Regarding my nearsightedness, I have to rely on an optometrist to give me the right prescription, the eye glass store to have fashionable glasses, and insurance to help pay for it. We all have to accept that we need others to some degree in order to survive. More generally I need to remind myself that I need to search out counsel, support, knowledge, and direction in the ways that I choose to live my life.

The second related idea is that others are relying on me. Given that I have physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual handicaps, I need to accept that others will have them too and will be looking to me to bear with their disabilities and help in any way I can. Understanding that when others are a burden it is not their choice reminds me to be patient, generous, and kind. So let's remember to be united with one another and love one another.