I’m angry. And I’m going to spout off. But I’m going to do it gently, with humility, I hope. 

The day began normally. I Googled a well-respected Christian author and scholar I was recently introduced to, only to find a blog by two puffed-up pastors denouncing her “sotto voice feminism” (puh-leese) and moaning about the fact that they had to refer so many readers to Catholic sites (which, when I followed the link, seemed to be about family planning). Annoying, but relatively innocuous.


Later, I Googled another author, whose book I just finished reading. You guessed it, right there on the front page of Google, a fellow Christian with a different opinion had a site dedicated to defaming “False Prophet: person-whose-book-Jenny-read.” (And I promise, it’s not like these were off-the-wall books or anything. I do read those on occasion, to try to understand where people are coming from. And these were not them.) Again, annoying, but hardly surprising


THEN, hopping over to Facebook to see what my friends have been up to, I was introduced to the beginning stages of outcry against a very inappropriate comment posted by a very influential Christian leader (who has an unfortunate history of making Very Inappropriate Statements).


Just for the sake of clarification, I’m not complaining about the outcry (although there are certainly people who will take it too far, and THAT is wrong, too)–I’m complaining about the flippant statement that was, truly, demeaning, rude, and inappropriate. When a person or organization has such a broad influence, I believe they need to hold themselves to a higher standard, for the sake of the body of Christ. Yes, they’re only human, and yes, they’re going to mess up, but they need to acknowledge their influence and use it responsibly. It’s one thing for small fish to set up a blogs dedicated to propagating their opinions and tearing down anyone who disagrees (as inappropriate as those “exposes” can be). It’s another thing for people or organizations that millions of people look up to to use their influence in a way that is not centered on glorifying Christ, through flippant comments, sloppy scholarship, or political manipulation.


Perhaps people in those situations need to assemble a team of wise, godly people who are not “yes-men” to read things before they are posted, published, or otherwise propagated. And perhaps put some Tabasco on their tongue, to remind them to think twice before they let it loose.


But the “small fry” bug me too. I am horrified by how easily we Christians indulge in self-righteous, condemning speech, even (and perhaps especially) about our brothers and sisters in Christ. We act like we can judge others hearts and motivations–and not only can, but have the right and responsibility to! We fling the word “heresy” around willy-nilly, which might be appropriate if heresy WERE being propagated, but usually the accusers just disagree with some lifestyle choice or fringe doctrine. We gather in our little theological, political, socio-economic or racial huddles, and smugly congratulate each other about how righteous we are, how sound our understanding, while defaming those outside our clique–even those who are bringing glory to Christ and offering hope and healing to the world. 


And if I may be so honest, that’s pathetic. 


Harsh, perhaps, But I truly do not mean to demean anyone by saying that. This is a huge, huge sin area that the Christian community needs to work on, if we are going to be an effective witness. To often, we’re only witnessing to hatred, judgmentalism, and fear (of society, change, government, etc.).


I think fear has more to do with this phenomenon than most of us acknowledge. Most of us don’t hate people who are different from us–who think differently, act differently, live differently. But we do fear them, and the impact they may have on our lives. The “Traditions of the Elders” the Pharisees wrote was based on fear–fear of not following the law perfectly, fear of God’s wrath, fear of being sent into exile again. Fear of losing the temple. Fear of the Romans. 


I think a lot of the opinionated spouting-off that happens online is based on fear, too. Fear of how our kids will turn out. Fear of the government doing something we don’t want them to do. Fear of someone holding a belief we don’t agree with, and “infecting” others. And fear leads us to try to control, often by verbal, emotional, or spiritual manipulation or abuse.


Christians are not called to live in fear. In fact, we’re commanded not to. We’re called to live by faith, in peace with everyone, as much as it is possible. 


So, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4: 29-32


I think that about sums it up.