Objective Christianity, and the typical reactions to it...
You would be hard-pressed to find someone without an opinion or reaction to someone claiming to be a Christian. You'll find people who are happy to hear it, others who respond negatively. Even more so when I use the term Objective Christian I receive numerous questions about it. Half the time they aren't even questions. I often get comments like "Objective Christian? More like 'Subjective Christian'" and "That's an oxymoron."What an interesting phenomenon. Without knowing me personally or having heard or read a single viewpoint of mine, people find ways of accusing me of numerous things. People usually assume to be Christian means to be closed-minded. To such people my typical response is "ask me anything, and find out how subjective I really am."
I almost never get any takers.
What is an Objective Christian?
Let me come right out of the gate on this one. Yes, this is a title I created. The reader should know that this is not a title of what I am, but rather a title of what I seek to become. Perfection is a moving target, and one I am far from achieving.Let's break it down.
What is a Christian?
In this day and age when a person states she or he is a Christian, what thought immediately comes to your mind? For many in the west it triggers a knee jerk reflex of someone who displays intolerance and bigotry toward others. For many it incites feelings of bitterness and discomfort. No doubt that during the so called "Christian age" there have been innumerable dark moments in history. The objective thinker acknowledges this fact, and makes no attempt to diminish the impact it has had.An anecdote
When I was in my senior year of high school I studied abroad in New Zealand. I could write volumes about how life-changing it was. Among the many experiences I had, one that stands out the most to me was when I was part of a conversation with a Maori girl in my school. Now 20 years later I vividly remember the statement she made. She was talking about how Europeans had made Aotearoa (the indigenous people's name for New Zealand) a bad place, particularly for her people. However the way she said it was "And then those CHRISTIANS came and messed it all up".She certainly carried very strong emotions through her heritage on the subject matter. I remember when she said it I was so taken back that I sat there speechless. Christians? Christians did this?
However, how accurate is this definition of Christianity?
Are the followers of Jesus inherently hate-filled and bigoted? Whether you believe the man to be mythical or historic (most scholars agree there was a historic Yeshua bén Yosef), mortal or divine, there are a number of teachings ascribed to him. These teachings speak of being God's light in the world, like a city on a hill. They speak of being the salt of the earth. They speak of those who are makers of peace, who are known by their meekness, who mourn and are poor in spirit, that they are all to be considered blessed. He spoke of unconditional forgiveness to those who oppress you. He spoke of turning the other cheek, and if being forced to walk a mile, gladly walk two. The Bible speaks of being imitators of Christ, and not conforming to the pattern of this world. Jesus spoke out against violent revolution, while his disciples spoke of not waging warfare the way the world does.When examining this Christian orthodoxy through proper exegesis, how well do those puzzle pieces fit together with the aforementioned stereotype? At no point does one find a statement attributed to Jesus that condones violence, oppression, malice, or malevolence. Furthermore his apostles, those who carried the faith on after his resurrection and ascension, according to scripture, preached the same. While they may draw some sharp lines in the sand at no point do they condone hatred of bigotry.
So then, what actually is a Christian?
Stated simply a true Christian is one who confesses with her mouth that Jesus is Lord, and that God raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9). A true Christian is one who confesses his sins in repentance, and who received Christ's forgiveness and cleansing (1 John 1:9). A true Christian is one who has been spiritually born again (John 3:3-7). A true Christian is one who loves the Lord with his whole being, and who loves others as himself (Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 22:37-40). A true Christian is someone who seeks to be an imitator of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1, Ephesians 5:1-2). A true Christian is someone who displays evidence of their faith not through hollow speech and idle Facebook posts, but rather through action and loving service to others, taking care of those in need (James 1:27). True Christians put others' needs before their own, knowing nothing of selfishness or conceit (Philippians 2:3-4). True Christians are known for their love (John 13:34-35). They are known by the spiritual fruit they naturally produce (Galatians 5:22-23).
While these statements are not necessarily a checklist of what it is to be a believing Christian, they are evidences of one's salvation. Matthew 7:16-20 says that you will know believers by their fruit. In agriculture you'll know a crop is bad when its yield is bad.
Let me put it this way: walking into a church doesn't make you a Christian any more than walking into a football game makes you a star quarterback. If I walk into a 5 star restaurant I don't magically become a world-class chef. There is something more that must take place, a life changing transformation. This is true for being a world-class chef. This is true for being a Super Bowl-winning quarterback. This is true for being a Christian.
There are a great deal many in this world who have been deceived on this, misunderstanding what it is to be a Christian. There are many who believe we are oppressors who would dominate this world. There are many who believe it is little more than claiming to be something without showing evidence, that it is feeling like you hold membership in some corporate identification, or that it is only about attending religious services a few times a year. I testify that in both cases these are incorrect statements.
What is "Objective"?
In English the word "objective" is a homonym, possessing multiple and distinctly different meanings and origins. To be objective is to be impartial, impersonal, fact-based, and unhindered by personal bias. On the other hand to be objective is to have an intended goal to be pursued. Same word. Wholly different, yet faithfully complementary meanings.The two terms assembled. Does it really work?
Skeptics, please hold your knee jerk reactions until the ride has come to a compete stop.
It is here I challenge the reader to be open and objective, and willing to listen. They who have ears, let them hear.
It is the perspective of this blog that, in fact, objectivity and Christian doctrine can exist in harmony. The objective is to show that faith and ideology can show fairness and impartiality to the rich diversity around us, to be scientifically minded, to be concerned about matters of environment, global warming, affordable access to healthcare, and to show unconditional compassion to all. Indeed not only are these fully possible, but I maintain they are all central to true biblical Christian doctrine I listed in the section "So then, what actually is a Christian?" above.
To be fair I fully recognize the burden of proof is entirely on me. Astrophysicist Carl Sagan popularized the statement "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." It is this presentation of evidence that drives Objective Christian.
The objective thinker accepts that every human is guilty of bias. I openly accept that I carry with me certain bias, as does every single reader of these words. However it is the goal of the objective thinker to remove one's bias in these matters. It's to take a step back on every issue and ask open questions, and to seek a deeper understanding from a proverbial orbital perspective.
Likewise I will often put the claims in scripture under the microscope of science. I will warn the reader now that I am not necessarily a young earth creationist. I will argue many points that will challenge common theologies presented throughout history. No doubt some people may be angered by the things I have to say. Many will find it doesn't fit in with their dogma. To that I say "that's okay." I am fine with disagreement as long as it is disagreement in love. After all we are all mortal humans. We are all complicated and flawed. We all have our loves, our shortcomings, our passions, and our regrets. At no point will I ever claim to be perfect, nor will I ever claim my views are concrete fact. After all, I'm just a guy on the Internet with an opinion to share.
To be an Objective Christian is to seek objective truth and perspective in the margin between faith and doubt. To be an Objective Christian is about asking the questions that need to be asked. I encourage you, the reader, to join me on this journey.
To be fair I fully recognize the burden of proof is entirely on me. Astrophysicist Carl Sagan popularized the statement "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." It is this presentation of evidence that drives Objective Christian.
Where do we go from here?
One of my all time personal favorite quotes is from Dr. Neil Degrasse Tyson who states "Science doesn't care what you believe." I broaden the statement to say the truth doesn't care what you believe. The objective truth doesn't care if you are a Democrat or Republican (replace these with the appropriate political parties for your nation if outside the USA). The objective truth doesn't care if you're male or female, black or white, straight or gay, etc.... Objective truth doesn't care if you think the world is flat. It doesn't care if you personally accept or reject Christian doctrine.The objective thinker accepts that every human is guilty of bias. I openly accept that I carry with me certain bias, as does every single reader of these words. However it is the goal of the objective thinker to remove one's bias in these matters. It's to take a step back on every issue and ask open questions, and to seek a deeper understanding from a proverbial orbital perspective.
Final Thoughts: A Fair Warning!!
There is no topic that is safe. The reader should not assume that since I identify as a Christian, that my arguments will automatically sway in their favor. There are many who claim to be Christians who will find their beliefs challenged by this ministry. I will be forthcoming that I reject the aspects of Christianity that are blatantly man-made. I am a strict advocate of sola scriptura, relying solely on biblical canon for my statements on Christian theology. I will from time to time cite theologians, but at no time will I substitute their word for the concrete and unmovable word of scripture.Likewise I will often put the claims in scripture under the microscope of science. I will warn the reader now that I am not necessarily a young earth creationist. I will argue many points that will challenge common theologies presented throughout history. No doubt some people may be angered by the things I have to say. Many will find it doesn't fit in with their dogma. To that I say "that's okay." I am fine with disagreement as long as it is disagreement in love. After all we are all mortal humans. We are all complicated and flawed. We all have our loves, our shortcomings, our passions, and our regrets. At no point will I ever claim to be perfect, nor will I ever claim my views are concrete fact. After all, I'm just a guy on the Internet with an opinion to share.
To be an Objective Christian is to seek objective truth and perspective in the margin between faith and doubt. To be an Objective Christian is about asking the questions that need to be asked. I encourage you, the reader, to join me on this journey.
