Justice and Living in the Empire

Good Morning...and
welcome to church!

The whole narrative of the bible (both Old and New Testament) has a major theme of justice coursing through it. Justice for the oppressed.  Justice for those in dire need.  Justice for the environment (God's creation.)  In the stories of the Bible, you will see protagonists and antagonists.  The antagonists is always on top in the world.  A group we could refer to as the "Empire".  Those in power.  Those who have the ability to change things, but only change it to benefit and preserve themselves.  The protagonists are what those without power.  Those who have little ability to change.  They live at the whim of the Empire.  We can call them the "Underdogs."  

When we read those stories, we are always find ourselves rooting for the Underdog. Unfortunately, in America, most Christians fail to realize that they are people of the Empire...not Underdogs. Maybe to to keep this false impression alive...some cast themselves as the Underdog in the context of religious beliefs.  The complaint is cast as: "I am being persecuted for what I believe!" Personally, I believe God isn't very concerned about that kind of perceived 'persecution'. (Honestly, we enjoy more religious freedom in the United States than anywhere in the world.)  Rather, what God is truly interested in is how they treat and respond to the Underdogs.  

In the Gospel, Jesus says to a rich young ruler: "If you want to be perfect, sell everything you have and give the money to the poor.  Then come follow me."  The rich young ruler goes away sad because he has great wealth. Interestingly, this is an example when many Christians make the decision to to interpret this command metaphorically instead of literally, which is an inconsistent approach to scripture. The same approach is applied to when Jesus says: "If someone strike you, turn the other cheek."  Or "Love your enemies".  Or "If your eye causes you to sin, then gouge it out."  The list goes on.  Instead, many American Christians think it is a "God given right" (ironically, no such thing exists in the Bible) to own guns, kill those who threaten us, and let the poor suffer because they deserve their lot in life. They choose to interpret the bible in the way that suits their own warped worldview.   

At least let us admit that we are all members of the Empire.  Furthermore, let's admit that it's rather comfortable being part of the Empire.  Life in the Empire is good.  But let us also understand that we have a responsibility to the Underdog.  We have an obligation toward that which cannot defend themselves. So we should try to do something on behalf of the Underdogs. In the grander scheme, it's not much, mostly because we haven't sold everything to follow Jesus. Honestly, we're probably just too scared. Our fear is rooted in the realization that we don't want to give up our privileged position in the Empire.  But understand this...and it is important: One day we will stand in front of Jesus and have to account for that shortcoming and that fear.  But also understand this: We don't stand in front of Jesus to account for ourselves on whether or not we get into heaven.  It is not a courtroom where we plead our case.  To the contrary, we stand in front of Jesus to account for what did with our life AND what did learn through our life. 

The New Face of
American Christianity?

As I imagine that scene for me, I understand that my day of accounting will be a deeply shameful moment because I had the power to act on behalf of the Underdog, and I chose not to do it because I realized it would cost me...and I was unwilling to pay it.  I didn't help the poor, the underprivileged, the immigrant, the widow, the orphan, the environment because I was scared...and more truthfully...too interested in preserving and protecting me and mine.  Remember the Looney Tune cartoon of Daffy Duck?  Watch this scene.  That is me. That is most of American Christianity.  "We may be cowards...but we're greedy little cowards."  

But of course, if the majority of American Christians actually read the bible, then we'd know all this.  We'd understand that the people most in need of a savior is not 'them'...but 'us'...the privileged American Christian who thinks of themselves as Underdog and not Empire.  We'd also understand this is reflective of another scene in the Gospel where Jesus looks over his people and weeps.  We just don't get it.

Keep the faith,