Christians Know How to Hate

This is a long one, so strap in. I've been trying to keep 'em short but I think this one is worth the long read.

A recent Wall Street Journal article by Lauren Winner demonstrates so often what people think about Christians.

The article cleverly titled "Burnt Offerings" is about a church in North Carolina that took it upon themselves to rid the world of unholy literature. Some of the books "thrown into the flames included those by supposed heretics Billy Graham, Mother Teresa and emergent church guru Brian McLaren."

What?

"Most disturbing," Winner correctly states, "Scripture itself was burned—onto the pyre flew modern translations of the Bible."

What!?

Christians, burned books!? Well, we've been doing that for some time. Wait, they burned copies of The Bible, the inspired word of God!?!

"We believe that the King James Bible is the Word of God" declares the church's website, a perfect justification for their actions.

Since I have gotten into blogging, I've come to realize something that I've always known: Christians really know how to hate well. I mean some people are haters, but we have made it dang near professional.

I am hesitant even to write this, because I am in a sense doing the same thing, hating on Christians who I think am doing something wrong. It just tears me up inside

It reminds me of Relient K's old song "Down in Flames:"

Christians--we mourn, the thorn is stuck

In the side of the body watch it self-destruct.

The enemy is much ignored

While we fight this Christian civil war.

We're cannibals.

We watch our brothers fall.

We eat our own, the bones and all.

I used to subscribe to Matthew Turner's blog Jesus Needs New PR, but I had to leave after a long time of just hearing his, to put it plainly, whining about the Church. Granted, what he had to say about John Piper is what really set me off, but my departure was a long time coming.

I find it ironic that many people take huge issue with fundamentalist Christians, attempt to embrace a more "radical," love-based ministry and outlook toward those around them, and then proceed to demonstrate the most skilled, virulent hate toward those who are part of the same body!

How can someone justify this? I could see someone saying "Look at when Jesus and John and Paul criticized people--it was when they were spreading lies or untruth about God and His kingdom." But many of the issues here are not straight-up lies, but rather simple theological disputes. "Kitchen-table arguments" my campus minister says.

If we believe the Bible (a question who's answer could be the root of this whole deal to begin with) then we know that the Church is Christ's bride. [II Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 21:2; Isaiah 54:5] Now, is there any married man you know who will be okay with you if you despise, hate, and ridicule his wife?

Likewise, we cannot expect Christ to be okay with us degrading, despising and hating our brothers and sisters, our own body. Yes, exhort one another, but on to good works, not on to universal theology.

We do have one theology: God, 3-in-1, Jesus, his son. Came, lived, loved, died, rose, ascended. Sin is gone, death is undone. Christ will come, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess. Now go and love everyone, including the disagreeable siblings you have to live with.

"Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

--1 Thessalonians 5:12-18

--and--

"Exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."

--Hebrews 3:13