UnChristian: Who Do I Emulate?

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Posted Apr 18 2011 by Colin McCartney with 11 Comments

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I have been doing some thinking about the book UnChristian in which non – Christians had the opportunity to share their views of Evangelical Christians. Not surprisingly they are not too impressed by us. In fact the huge majority of them see us in a very negative light. Specifically, they see us a being homo – phobic, pro – war, insensitive and extremely judgmental.

When I read these accusations towards us I could not help but think of what would happen if we were able to go back in time and do a similar research project on people’s views of Jesus. What would the “sinners” in Jesus’ day say about him? I think that they would be very positive about Jesus after all they were always hanging around him (see Luke 15: 1 - 2).

I believe that they would see him as being the opposite of how non – Christians view us Evangelicals today. They would see Jesus as being sympathetic and forgiving (not homo – phobic), merciful (not pro – war), empathetic (not insensitive) and very gracious (not judgmental).

Then I got thinking of what would happen if we surveyed these same people, the sinners, tax collectors, prostitutes and other so called “unclean” types found in the Gospels who hung out with Jesus and who loved him so much. What would they say if we asked them what they thought of the Pharisee’s? I think you know what they would say. They would probably use the exact same words that non – Christians today used in describing us – insensitive and extremely judgmental!

So my question now is this – who do we Evangelicals really emulate the most – Jesus or the Pharisees? Who do we best represent when it comes to what we say and how we behave towards the homosexual community – Pharisee’s or Jesus? Who do we most look like when we take a stand on issues like war, torture of suspected terrorists and tax cuts (that will negatively affect social programs to help the poor) – Pharisee’s or Jesus?

These are tough questions, questions that shine a spotlight right onto our hearts. It is our response to issues like these (and there are others) that the world watches and judges us on. Pharisee or Jesus? Take your pick. I hope I choose Jesus.

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Rev. Colin McCartney is the founder of UrbanPromise Toronto and author of two best selling books: The Beautiful Disappointment and Red Letter Revolution (Castle Quay Publishers). He is also a mentor to pastors and business people and is in high demand as a speaker. Colin is married to Judith McCartney and has two children – Colin Junior and Victoria McCartney.

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About the Author

Colin McCartneyRev. Colin McCartney is the founder of UrbanPromise Toronto and Connect Leadership Ministries. He has appeared on Canadian television, radio and national newspapers regarding urban issues. Colin is the author of two best sellers, The Beautiful Disappointment and Red Letter Revolution, is a mentor to pastors and business people and is in high demand as a speaker who has spoken to audiences as large as 7,000 people.View all posts by Colin McCartney →

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http://ruralministry.wordpress.com Harry Colegrove

Excellent post! Very thought provoking and timely! Will be tweeting this article today, keep up the great work!
Anonymous

I think one of the ways in which we are NOT like Christ, is that we take it upon ourselves to be keepers of the flame which often translates into us being unloving and unkind. Jesus, on the other hand, explicitly trusted His Father (was about His business) and thus only did what the Father instructed. If we would just do THAT, we’d be much better off.
Sam Smith

If I show compassion to a person whose lifestyle is outside of the boundaries that are established by Christ and that person receives Christ and his forgiveness. Then as Christ shared with the woman to be stoned go and sin no more am I now a judgmental pharisee?
Or If I lovingly point to the sin in ones life as he did with the woman at the well am I over stepping my place in the gospel presentation.?
- Shelly
  
  hope i am understand you correctly….I think I do and if not please correct me. Jesus told the woman to go AND SIN NO MORE. He did not say you are forgiven but just go ahead and keep living in adultery…you are fine. That is where i feel the accusations of being “judgmental” come in. A drug addict cannot continue to abuse drugs on a habitual basis and be ok with God but these days we are being judgmental to say such a thing. If a friend is doing something that separates him/her from God and we don’t say anything for fear of “judging” WHAT KIND OF FRIEND AM I or if the situation is just the opposite I surely want my friend to alert me. Loving someone and wanting the best for them can be hard work…..just like parenting. Please respond with your thoughts.
  - Sam Smith
    
    I agree with you. Many times we think that Jesus was just about love and look the other way. No Jesus dealt with sin whether it was a base sin of the flesh or the pride of the heart. We are called to repentance. Without repentance then there can be no love. Sin is the very thing that destroys us. The problem is that we are so afraid of being offensive that we water down the message of God and make people believe they can accept Christ and continue to live a life style outside of his will. Christ message is offensive. All have sinned and are separated from God. Christ is the only way back and if we do not repent and choose Christ then we will perish eternally. So to say that homosexuality is a sin is not homophobic it is sharing the truth. I am willing to share my pew with any gay man or woman but I will not allow them to stand in my pulpit.
    - http://www.facebook.com/people/Jonathan-Jensen/42108458 Jonathan Jensen
      
      I can agree with you to a certain extent… Scripture calls Christians to hold other Christians accountable for living a Christ-like life. But never to hold judgement of others outside faith. I believe we are to simply love and keeping loving and looking for ways to serve and know and be involved with the people around you that are not Christians, through your life and relationship they will see and feel Christ, and the Holy Spirit will convict them of there worldly lifestyle. I think we need to take heed of the impression that has obviously been made on non-believers that is pointed out in this article. Whether or not we are trying to judge the world, people feel as though we are judgmental, so something needs to change. But to say homosexuality is a sin is not homophobic, I agree it is truth. But from experience, I know that to discuss the sin of homosexuality with someone who is gay, is much better understood when they know that I love them, that I know them (and not just there sexual orientation), build relationship with them, and they know me and see Christ in me. To announce the sin of homosexuality towards those you don’t know and don’t know you, is still truth… but it comes across judgmental or homophobic, so maybe we change the way we say, instead of asking them to change the way they are hearing it.
  - Alan
    
    Jesus ask a very fundamental ? where or they that condemn you she says there is no one then neither do I is advise is given with no judgement he reaffirms what the people had already stated we are in no position to condemn anyone
Alan

when we promote a world view that we are in and everybody else is out what other image can show than what you truly believe READ LOVE WINS in truth I cried lord Im so sorry
http://profiles.google.com/margotstarbuck Margot Starbuck

Thanks, Colin. Right on.
Sue Hatcher

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe it’s the Holy Spirit’s job to convict people of their sin, and our job to show the love and grace of Jesus.
Never are we given the ministry of judgment, but only the ministry of reconciliation.
I have read some of the previous comments and it saddens me to think that some Christian’s believe its our job to point out other people’s sin.
Well it isn’t. Even Jesus showed us the way of grace. Its time for His followers to emulate Him.
Anonymous

I’m not sure who these “evangelicals” are that are homophobic, pro-war, insensitive and judgmental. Maybe I should get out more. I do know that a phobia is a debilitating fear that interfere’s with normal daily functioning. I suppose there are some people who are “that” afraid of homosexuals, I just haven’t met them. Seems a little dishonest to use that phraseology that has been coined by those who think that any moral objection to homosexuality is hateful. I have met Christian folks who don’t like the homosexual lifestyle or consider it a godly alternative. Most of these don’t “like” the lifestyle of adulterers either, or liars, thieves or child molesters. As for pro-war, again I know some who realize that Al-Queda and the like have to be dealt with so that they don’t have free reign to blow us to kingdom come, but I don’t know any believers who are Pro- kill your enemies every chance you get. Still others see that force like unto war may be necessary to prevent atrocities and genocide but that hardly seems like an indiscriminate pro-war stance.

Perhaps the folks you are referring to just don’t get that Jesus was able to hang out with sinners without condoning or participating in their sin. Maybe these “evangelicals” are like the religious elite in the story of the Good Samaritan, who did not want to defile themselves, neither did they have compassion on the hurting. Then the pendulum swings the other way and you get those who don’t care enough about people to point them to the only one who can deliver them from their sin. To them, even mentioning God’s will revealed in Scripture in reference to sin is being “insensitive”. The Master, however, was able to get involved in the life of sinners in a way that opened them up to his message of the kingdom.

I’m hoping that the Spirit of Christ will show you, as well as those church members you reference in your article, that the answer lies in not being afraid to treat all people with dignity regardless of what kinds of sin they are involved in. It’s that getting involved, the caring enough to see people as God does with the potential to be His children by His grace, that will sometimes allow people broken by sin to come to a knowledge of the Truth.

Even if everyone in the church begins to love like Jesus did, however, there will still be those on the outside of faith who will hurl criticism at the church. Our way is narrow and restricted, while theirs is broad and easy. We don’t allow the opinions of some to be the barometer of our lives. We will be persecuted for loving just as Jesus was but our reward will be from God and not men. It’s a courageous stance to love so deeply that you look past sin to the heart of another human being, while at the same time snatching people out of the sin that is killing them.