a narrow understanding of God of God |
As a minister who respects the diversity of Theology within the Christian religion I am deeply disturbed by National Republican Committeewoman Kim Lehman’s commentary on President Obama’s faith, his extension of hospitality to Muslim people, and her criteria for defining Christianity. In the August 24 Des Moines Register she refers to Americans as being confused. She shares that she is so certain about her Christian faith she is willing to die for it. She then poses the following questions to our president: “Are you a Christian? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven? Because that’s what the Christian faith believes. It’s the defining difference between Christianity and other religions.” I want to respond to her limited knowledge of Christianity and the implications of her criticism of President Obama’s interfaith hospitality. It seems to me that Lehman is the one who is confused. Following are some pointers to assist her in responsibilities as a Republitcan Party Leader so that she does not add to the confusion of the American people:
- Expand your conversations and relationships to include those who do not think and see as you do. Global summits and conferences include conversations of religious hospitality that foster peace, not war. There are fundamental teachings regarding hospitality to strangers in a plethora of religious texts; we need to encourage rather than discourage such practice with political leaders.
- Be educated in Christian history before claiming to speak for all Christians. This may lead to wisdom rather that wise cracks on twitter. Not every Christian shapes biblical doctrine without historical context. Not only do your statements exclude other religions, you exclude Christian communities and movements throughout history who express their faith in Jesus with doing rather than doctrine. For multitudes of Christians the history of the cross is about justice rather than judgment. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King understood the risks of living for justice. Your religious beliefs would be much less confusing if you could say, “I do not want to confuse people that all Christians throughout history believe as I do. For me and my particular expression of Christianity, I believe Jesus is the only way to heaven and that people who do not believe this are going to hell. Although this is not the litmus test for all Christians it is mine. I would die for this doctrine.”
- Go outside and look around. Hell and heaven reside on the street. It can shape the best or worst of who we are in community. If you have some heaven in your pocket, share it with someone who’s going through hell. Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is within you.” For the disciples of Jesus, who lived under the oppressive rule of the gentile Roman Empire, hell was a lived reality. The implications of his teaching referred to hope in the here and now, not the heavens above.
- President Obama has stated he is a Christian, but Jesus did not. He was a Jew. and had many Jewish followers. The Jesus movement evolved for three centuries into the religion of Christianity, which has continued to evolve in the conscience and life of faith traditions over 2000 years. The Hebrew understanding of “righteousness” is not based on being “right” about God, but being in right relationship with God, others and creation. Jesus was not quoting the Gospels, but rather quoting the Torah, when he referred to the greatest commandment: “Love the Lord your God with your whole, heart, soul and mind and your neighbor as yourself. “ There is room for everybody in this conversation, regardless of their religion.
Being in alliance with propaganda and misinformation that links stereotypes of people, religion and God for political gain is treacherous. Be careful what you sow Ms. Lehman. You can foster the very thing that terrifies you while at the same time claim you are going to heaven. The atrocities of 9/11 serve as a powerful reminder that political agendas and narrow understandings of God are dangerous companions.
Rev. Naomi Kirstein
Minister, Wellspring Community Church
Des Moines, IA
2 comments
Comments feed for this article
September 30, 2010 at 5:03 am
Bonnie Frowick
Bravo Naomi- I am reminded by your response to the “narrow minded” of a a little poem I once read- They drew a circle that shut me out -heretic-rebel-a thing to flaut. But love and I had the wit to win- We drew a circle that took them in. I can’t seem to get my type writer to put this in the form I wanted-but you get the idea. Bonnie
September 30, 2010 at 5:38 am
skywoman
I do get what you are saying Bonnie and touched by your words. Please keep the type writer clicking……….you have said much with a few words.