I offer this lament while attempting to channel William Barclay’s more generous spirit:
There are many ways to God. He has his own secret stairway to every heart. He fulfills himself in many ways; and no man or church has a monopoly of his truth.
Lord! Lord!
I get so discouraged at the news media’s portrayal of faith.
Lately there’s a focus on “white evangelicals.”
I’m not even sure that represents a denomination or religion.
It’s a political party that meets in churches.
Their cultural leanings and political views have become their faith.
They weaponize the Bible.
Fear seems to be a greater inspiration than Spirit.
It’s not my version of the Christian faith.
But you admonished the disciples...
Do not stop him for whoever is not against you is for you. (Luke 9:50)
Do not judge so that you will not be judged... Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? (Matthew 7:1-3)
Still, I get so discouraged...
Lord! Lord!
As a postscript, this comes from my Scripture Union Bible study. Robert Parkinson is writing about Micah 6 (act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God) and how people of faith sometimes act abominably:
In my work as a Christian minister, I often come across people of other faiths, or of no faith at all, whose daily practice of kindness, fairness and humility is exemplary. They conduct themselves as they may perceive God requires, and I am pleased to acknowledge this. Conversely, however, people of faith sometimes act abominably. We learn from Micah that whenever faith makes a person unkind, violent or haughty, it is a spurious faith. God does not lead people to commit acts of violence or to behave unkindly towards others. The God of mercy and love requires the same of any who would claim to follow him.
