We Christians are known for practicing the ethics of the Kingdom of Jesus: truth-telling, humility, selfless sacrifice, generosity, hope, peacemaking, and the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
Or are we?
Sadly, across our country some Christians have chosen anger, meanness, spite, bitterness, and attack. We American Christians far too often in recent years, have allowed ourselves to get sucked into outrage culture. As I write this, the 2024 Paris Olympics concluded a week ago. The Paris Olympics’ Opening Ceremony included a scene that led some Christians to outrage. See the photo below. On top is a reproduction of Da Vinci’s famous Last Supper. Below is the scene from the Olympics, a transgender gathering that looks like Da Vinci’s painting. The organizers of the Opening Ceremony later stated that they intended no offense. But plenty of Christians were outraged.
I was at a gathering of Christians the day after the Opening Ceremony and one person expressed their outrage, claiming frustration that many people were now boycotting watching the Olympics because of the transgender display, and those people were going to suffer from not being able to watch the wonderful competition of the athletes. If you would like to read a powerful response to Christian outrage at the Olympic display, please read this article.
I recently heard a story about how some Christians acted in a way that is not in line with Christ. The story was from a podcast in which a Christian lawyer described an eye-opening moment he had defending a Christian’s freedom of religion. Here’s what he said,
“I was working on a case [in which a] Christian had their constitutional rights violated. In other words, a government entity [a public school] treated the Christian in a way that violated the Free Exercise of Religion clause in the Constitution. It was a classic case where [some Christians] would say we are being persecuted.”
The lawyer said that he took the case, he won the case, and justice was done. The US Constitution was upheld. The Christian’s rights to freedom of religion were preserved. Case closed, right? No.
Here’s what the lawyer said happened next. “Years later, I was interacting with somebody who actually worked at the school that we had litigated against. The story they told was horrifying. When this school took action, which did violate the rights of the Christian, they did it in part because the school didn’t know what to do. They had received some bad legal advice from in-house counsel, but they didn’t have malice towards Christians. They were doing what they thought they had to do under the establishment clause of the Constitution to protect other students. The school was wrong on the law and they lost the case. But when they told the story of what they experienced at the hands of Christians, it was downright chilling. From death threats to screaming encounters at parking lots, to insults of family members. You know what it sounded an awful lot like? What we Christians would call persecution, if it was directed at us.”[1]
Imagine, rather than outrage, what would have happened if the Christians at the public school were loving, gentle, kind, patient, joyful, showing self-control and goodness. Imagine if they would have taken time to listen to the school staff and learn their heart and intention.
Let’s not be like the Christians who practice outrage. Instead, let’s be Christians who practice what Jesus taught, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” We Christians treat people like Jesus treated people, such as when he was being nailed to the cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” We Christians so deeply dwell in the love that God has for us, in the forgiveness that we have been given, that we are ready and willing to share that love and forgiveness to others.
Is there a situation causing your feelings to rise up to anger, outrage, offense, and wanting revenge? What can you do to show love instead?
If you’re wondering, “What does this post have to do with a week of posts about 1st Samuel chapters 26 & 27?” here’s the link: Think about how David treated Saul. Need a refresher, read the post here. David viewed Saul from God’s point of view. Saul should have caused David outrage and vengeance. But instead he viewed Saul as God’s anointed. Think about the people you struggle with. See their faces. Feel the emotion the people cause you. Then imagine how God feels about them and treat them as God would with grace, mercy, love, kindness, and gentleness.
Also check out this helpful and humorous guide (from this blog) to dealing with outrage:
[1] From The Holy Post: French Friday: “Childless Sociopaths & Evangelical Outrage,” Aug 2, 2024.
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