Like most folks, my view of Christianity is heavily influenced
by my years as a child and youth growing up within local churches. I must say at the outset that whether in a more
rural or municipal setting, discussions of ethics focused upon our direct call to
responsibilities as individuals and as Christians. Whether merchants, teachers, or farmers, the
question was always how we could contribute towards realizing a more abundant life in all its
dimensions in the broadest possible way.
I knew even then that Christianity could take a turn towards
emotional fanaticism—with "End-Timers" being peculiarly suspectable to an ugly indulgence
in self-righteousness twisted together with a “burn-baby-burn” mentality towards remaining humanity. These groups evinced utter
confidence that (despite Jesus’s advice that only God knew when that date would come) the End-Time was indeed here, that they themselves were safely within the mob boss's favor, and
that all others would writhe in pain and destruction—while they themselves (being in the strong mob
boss’s good graces) would reap the rewards of triumphant gang loyalty.
This is totally antithetical to my view of Christian
ethics. We are to serve as a creative and
redemptive force often in a very local and specific sense. But even on the world stage, we are never to exalt
in the rending of civilization into smoldering heaps of ashes. We mortals
are to do what we can to help advance societal health; and not to gleefully anticipate the suffering retribution of the great-unwashed
less-worthy-than-we ourselves.
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Johann Sebastian Bach
Jesus, joy of man's desiring
Holy wisdom, love most bright
Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring
Soar to uncreated light
Word of God, our flesh that fashioned
With the fire of life impassioned
Striving still to truth unknown
Soaring, dying round Thy throne
Print Page
