FEAR FACTOR

The definition of a Christian is, “a follower of Christ”. So how, then, have we fallen so far away from Him?

We are commanded to go into the world and spread the good news yet we, many times, find ourselves alienating those who are seeking God by turning our backs on them as we turn to worship Him.

Kathleen Norris wrote in her book, Amazing Grace, that she had to walk away from her Christian inheritance when she reached adulthood. The Christianity that was handed down to her in her childhood left her feeling, “Stranded with a boogyman God.” She would eventually welcome religion back into her life but she did so with caution. As Kathleen took a closer look at the faith that was given to her in her youth she describes the difficulty of welcoming some of her ancestors that had a hand in her upbringing.

“It can feel like a curse – to include in my welcome the difficult

ancestors: The insane, the suicides, the alcoholics, the religiously

self-righteous who literally scared the bejesus out of me when I was

little, or who murdered my spirit with words of condemnation.”

I find it interesting that she casually includes the insane, the suicides and alcoholics but goes on to tell us of the scars that the religiously self-righteous left on her.

Norris mentions reading a book called, Memories of God, by Roberta Bondi. She must have felt a connection with Bondi as she also was scarred by the (revival-style) theology that she grew up in. In Bondi’s words:

“Only believe that God loves you or he will send you to hell forever.”

Despite a fear-filled religious upbringing both women have found their faith. Others, however, leave and never come back. Phil Jackson, a North Dakota native whose parents were Pentecostal preachers, is one of these. He grew up with the fear factor so instilled in him that when he came home from school to find that his mother was uncharacteristically not home he was convinced that the rapture had taken place and he had been left behind. He began meditating in high school. This led him to Buddhism, which he continued to practice. (Sacred Hoops, by Phil Jackson)

Where does this fear come from? How do we get to feel so condemned? Is it God’s judgment that overshadows His love or is it our judgment?

Emily Dickinson also had painful experiences connected to religion. When she was sixteen she attended Holyoke Seminary during the great revival. The girls at this school were asked to stand and declare themselves for Jesus. Emily was the only girl who remained seated. She found herself isolated in a room full of those declaring themselves for Christ! But it is her next phrase that hit me hard.

“What strange sanctification is this – that brings Christ down,

and shows Him, and allows Him to select His friends!”

Ouch! How horrible and yet how often do we see it? How often do we do it?! How can we, who are unworthy of Christ and yet claim Him, be so good at making those who are still searching feel so unworthy that they can’t claim Him?

But we don’t stop with the unbeliever. We find ways to cut down our fellow brothers and sisters using the same judgment that creates this fear of; “I’m not good enough”, “I’m not doing it right”, “I’m still not good enough.” We condemn those whose narrow view of God is not the same as our narrow view.

There is a twelve-year old girl who attends a Catholic church as well as an Evangelical youth program. A Catholic friend tells her that Evangelicals are not Christians. Her Evangelical friends tell her that if she skips a youth night she doesn’t love God. (May God bless her with ears to hear His whispers above their shouts)

When did we stop focusing on building the Kingdom of Heaven and start focusing on how to go to hell?

Have we become the modern Pharisees? What authority do we claim to be able to condemn, lookdown at, or even have pity on other human beings when we ourselves are so pitiful?

How is it possible that we who are merely dust feel secure in telling the unbeliever anything other than of the love and grace of God that saved our sorry butts? Or with our fellow believer have anything other than a shared sense of awe and gratitude?

If we have indeed become today’s Pharisees then we should heed the words that Jesus spoke to them:

“…you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces.

You yourselves do not enter nor will you let those enter who are

trying to…. You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and

when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as

you are….. (Matt 23: 14,15 & 23)

We are Christians – we are followers of Christ.

We are human and fall easily into the snares of this world including pride. Therefore, let us allow humility back into our faith. Let us take hold of Paul’s warning not to think of ourselves more highly than we ought (Romans 12:3). Let us remember James’ words, “ Mercy triumphs over judgment!” (James 2:13).

We are Christians – Disciples of Christ.

The same Christ who said,

“By this all men will know that you are my disciples,

if you love one another.”

(John 13:35)