Christianity Is Countercultural, Part 2
A faith that enables its followers not only to speak on behalf of the oppressed but also to follow Christ in saying, “Father, forgive them, for they know now what they do,” to those responsible for oppression is countercultural—especially today. In my last post, we discussed the great truth that Christianity, more and more, is just that: countercultural.
Because People Are Precious in His Sight
That’s the Christian distinction. Throughout history, there are people who have stood behind and beside and fought on behalf of the oppressed. That’s not unique to Christian tradition. But what is unique is that not only are we called to defend the oppressed, and to do so with wisdom and courage, but we are called to do so with all the resources brought to us as followers of Christ.
How can the kingship of Jesus be expressed in our community, and what does that look like? How do we care for people in need? How do we encourage people who operate businesses to do so with life and integrity? How can we be a force for good amidst this society? In the kingdom of Jesus, society out there, not just within the walls of the church, really matters.
The countercultural element is to be able to both do that and, at the same time, to say to those and pray for the oppressors, those who are engineering systems of financial well-being at the expense of other people, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing” (Luke 23:34b). And the fact of the matter is, they don’t.
C.S. Lewis put it this way. He said, “If I knew everything that there was about a human being, meaning ‘made in the image of God,’ I would look at them, and I would be tempted to genuflect.” That idea is encased in our baptismal language, where it says, “We respect the dignity of every human being.”
You see, there’s something irreplaceable and precious about each person in the sight of God, regardless of who they are. And we’ve made a commitment before the Lord, who treats us that way, to offer that same kindness and generosity to other people, to walk together in a way that really looks like the kingdom of heaven.
In heaven, we’ll find every tribe, tongue, language, people, and nation. There’s no “in group” in any way, shape or form. Heaven literally represents the very cross-culture of all of humanity.
And so what all of that says is that Christ forgives us. He welcomes us. He calls us to serve him as our Lord and to bring our entire life under his authority, not to have some sort of private relationship with Jesus that has nothing to do with how I spend my money, how I vote, or how I work in my life or community.
Because Jesus Is King of All Kings and Lord of all Lords
It all matters. It all matters profoundly, because Jesus is the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords. Now more than ever, we need to teach people how to value others, even when we disagree. We need men and women of prayer who pray deeply, especially for their enemies or the people with whom they disagree.
We must ask God to work in us the kind of compassion that takes us out of the identity politics and tribalism that so mark our culture, where if you don’t think the way I do, you’re the enemy.
As Christ-followers, we say no. God does not deal with us that way. And I think we’re going to be very surprised when we finally get to heaven and stand before Jesus as our King and Lord. No doubt we will say, “Oh, in some ways I was so wrong.”
Not knowing is a part of what it means to be human. As Paul says, “We know only in part, and we prophesy only in part” (1 Cor. 13:9). So we don’t have it all, but we trust him to guide and lead us and to continue to change us and to work in us that kind of heart of love and care, that kind of freedom to be able to reach out to people—even if they’re not like us. That’s what God intends, even for our society, not just for the church: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me. … Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me’” (Matt. 25:35b-45b).
People in politics would call that a terrifying foreign policy, but our call is to model something different. So, sisters and brothers, ask God to give you a life united—not religion here, politics there, social life there. Ask him to integrate in you the depths of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. And out of that, do you know what would happen? There are people right where you live who are looking and longing for a place where they can belong, where the cries of their heart for forgiveness and mercy can be answered, where they can be known and received even if they don’t look like anybody else in the room
Because in the kingdom of God, membership is not based on culture, it’s not based on race, it’s not based on politics. It’s based on “We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.” And we can ask Him to work in us more deeply, not “Father, I want to get even,” but “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Do you agree that Christianity is countercultural? Why or why not? Share this blog and your response on Twitter. Please include my username, @revgregbrewer.
(This post is an adaption of Bishop Brewer’s sermon on November 20, 2016, at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Belleview, Florida).
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.