What Have We Learned?

Christians disagree. About important stuff.

That’s not really a surprise, but still…. Deep down, I think we each assume that Christians, real Christians, will agree with ME. Our opponents just haven’t been given the right perspective or been confronted with the real facts, or maybe–the real issue?– they just aren’t as serious about Jesus as I am.

What a shock for us all to discover that opinions other than our own can be held by real believers. In fact, as we discussed the issues, often we began to understand why one might take another perspective, even find places of agreement. Different values lead to different starting places, which lead to different emphases and conclusions. So we learned:

Issues are complicated, even when you walk by faith.

We are like the explorers in the old story of the blind men and the elephant:
I am impressed with the wiggly trunk, while you notice bulk and strength. No one is wrong, exactly, but no one is completely right either. Together, with time and attention, we might find a way forward.

That’s ok. The Gospel has always been about more than being right. No matter what we may think of all the theological debates of past and present, Jesus invites us to walk the way of love, not orthodoxy. That doesn’t mean what we believe doesn’t matter. What we believe has consequences. But those consequences are embraced and evaluated not in terms of orthodoxy, as we often suppose, but by the more complicated standard of Jesus’ command to love God and one another. We’ve been learning to love those with whom we disagree by attempting to find a place of understanding. But the Gospel calls us to more.

If the Gospel is about more than being nice, it must be about change.

Love changes the way we treat people. Quick example from our conversations: following Jesus’ commands, we need to refrain from calling people names, pray for our enemies, and turn the other cheek (see Matthew 6). Imagine applying these rules to our talk about government workers or Congress! These behaviors aren’t part of a strategic debating strategy, that is if our goal is to win. If our goals is to connect, then Jesus’ words offer direction. These commands get us to see our opponents differently. So far, so good. Still, the Gospel asks for more.

Following Jesus means we dare to have the humility to change our minds. Our conversations served to broaden our perspective. Now we must follow Jesus through that opening into new possibilities. This is the hardest part. Listening is one thing. Letting what you hear change you–that takes faith, the faith that Christians have–the same old message that we’re not the center of the universe, that we need God and each other. Refusing to repent and change–that’s when faith ends.

Surprise: It’s not all about you!

Having conversations with your opponents, knowing that they could change your mind–not everyone is brave enough to go there. If we do follow the Gospel, we won’t win in the usual sense, but there are other victories. Listening, connecting, finding new answers and the presence of God–these are the victories of the Kingdom. In putting ourselves and our demands aside, something else comes to the fore. Those who lose their lives will find them… Sound familiar?

Reconciliation is our goal. Jesus calls us forward, past politics and our usual opinions, and into the Kingdom. With that priority in place, everything changes. It starts with listening. That, and being faithful enough to follow where Christ leads.