There are few things in life that really bother me.
I've seen so much advertizing and the reality that follows that I just smile when I hear a local bank's radio ads about how much they care for the community and want to help you. Truth is, if it would make the directors an extra dollar and a half they would foreclose on your house with no qualms whatsoever. Noticably, over the last few years, Americans are waking up to the fact that our government is in the business of controlling information and controlling people for the benefit of an elite few. This used to bother me, but I've realized that governments all do that. This is a sinful world. I can live in the midst of its corruption and walk around humming and whistling. Because I don't really live here. Just passing through. Also, I believe in God's justice; He will set everything right in the end.
The Kingdom of God is the home of God's children. And while that Kingdom has some elements visible and operative on this earth, its full glory and realization are future.
Here and now, our actions have effect in that eternal Kingdom. That fact is what lends weight to our behavior. I heard President Obama speechifying recently about President Clinton's legacy. Except for his effects on the Kingdom of God, it doesn't matter. If the world lasts a little longer, Americans will care no more about Mr. Clinton than about President McKinley. Who? So what kinds of things really do bother me? The same things that got Jesus and His closest followers irritated: influential people, posing as godly leaders, who use that influence to deceive the naive, in order to gain more influence for themselves.
That bothers me.
To put a point on it, consider the often repeated mantra of the so called "progressive Christian movement," to the effect that "We only believe in Christ crucified; you cannot know anything else for sure." This is the postmodern adaptation of the same old lie Satan used in the garden. "God didn't really say that, did He?"
Here is the great irony. Please let this sink in; your understanding of this may deliver you from the corruption of this deception. While these "progressive Christian leaders" condescend to anyone who claims to know any Truth, and smirk at the backward fundamentalists and evangelicals, they themselves CONSTANTLY make truth claims! About everything! Yes, it is absurd.
If I were an artist or more technically savvy, I'd put together a meme. I envision Jesus seated, teaching Truth to a group. He proclaims, "What do you mean, is doctrine important? I'm TEACHING here!"
Let it sink in.
-David
