Monopolization of Values and the Real Meaning of the Gospel

It seems as if in today’s world, and particularly in America, there is an attempted monopoly placed upon just about everything. Yet, I suppose what bothers me more than anything is the way in which certain individuals or groups seek to monopolize my faith or the convictions that stem from that faith. Perhaps the greatest example of such is what comes from the arrogant interrogations by others of the values held in common by mainline Christians like myself. The historic churches in America have stood for social justice, often, I relent, at the expense of emphasizing this over the proclamation of the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. However, there must be a proper balance; and it sickens me to the degree of outrage because of my feelings of “insolidarity” with the extremism of fundamentalist gurus. The full gospel encompasses much more than the value system being promoted by “conservative” activists, or liberals, and follows that much good may come from, once again, ridding ourselves of toxic ideologies. In other words, as we think about the political ramifications involved in our daily living, and in its culmination of a vote of conscience, remember (especially my Xian siblings) that to be “pro-life,” for example, is to also be an activist against the atrocities committed in Darfur, or reaching out to the disenfranchised of our own country. It means obeying the first command given to humankind found in Genesis to subdue, i.e., care for the earth. It means coming out of our “ivory towers” to be in the midst of the poor and rejected; it is fighting against the evils of racism, sexism, classism and now ageism. This is what the good news of Christ is all about. This is why the Lord of heaven and earth was incarnate in the womb of a young woman so long ago. He came to share in our humanity; he came to redeem the whole person(s), namely bringing about the restoration and healing of both body and soul. It is the duty of Christians to participate in this transformation of the human race through our active support of and involvement in social justice and in the evangelization of our human brothers and sisters who have not yet entered into the fold. Remember, when Jesus fed the five thousand, he paid attention to their physical distress first, and then he began his sermon of feeding their souls. He was preaching before he opened his mouth, through his actions. If we’re going to be real disciples of Jesus Christ, we must follow the order of his evangelization. They recognized his goodness through his miracles. They can recognize His goodness through the “greater things” that our Lord promised we would accomplish in his absence. So, let’s get over the labels that are placed upon us by the world. Let’s simply embrace the spirit of Jesus and so “really” proclaim release to the captives.