I really appreciate this reflection on the offense of the Gospel. One of the hard lines I often walk with family and friends I have disagreement about faith with is whether or not to tell them their version of Christianity is “real” or not (as if mine is or I have the capacity to declare it so.) How do we balance our knowledge that this Way of Jesus is offensive and hard and countercultural, against a healthy desire to be tolerant and graceful with others, even when their own expression of the faith seems so shallow or harmful? More importantly, how do we shake middle class Americans out of the complacency of that faith Kierkegaard wrote against and ask more of them, when they may not want more asked? As a faith leader, and as a son and brother and friend, these are all really hard conversations to have.
Justin, I agree that this is no easy task. I think that for Jesus and his followers the task is/was always to simply live into the reality of God's kingdom. That will naturally cause offense and conflict with the standing order of things. In relation to others, I think our task is also simply to live faithfully and help articulate that faith to others. We don't have to try to be offensive, but some may naturally take offense. I think some of Leslie Newbigin's work is good on this, such as "Foolishness to the Greeks." It all remains a struggle.
I really appreciate this reflection on the offense of the Gospel. One of the hard lines I often walk with family and friends I have disagreement about faith with is whether or not to tell them their version of Christianity is “real” or not (as if mine is or I have the capacity to declare it so.) How do we balance our knowledge that this Way of Jesus is offensive and hard and countercultural, against a healthy desire to be tolerant and graceful with others, even when their own expression of the faith seems so shallow or harmful? More importantly, how do we shake middle class Americans out of the complacency of that faith Kierkegaard wrote against and ask more of them, when they may not want more asked? As a faith leader, and as a son and brother and friend, these are all really hard conversations to have.
Justin, I agree that this is no easy task. I think that for Jesus and his followers the task is/was always to simply live into the reality of God's kingdom. That will naturally cause offense and conflict with the standing order of things. In relation to others, I think our task is also simply to live faithfully and help articulate that faith to others. We don't have to try to be offensive, but some may naturally take offense. I think some of Leslie Newbigin's work is good on this, such as "Foolishness to the Greeks." It all remains a struggle.