Radical Christianity

Ok, so I have been thinking more and more about this issue of radical christianity, and there are several things which has brought me to this topic. 

Firstly, I believers that as lovers of the king that we desire to be radical in our faith, but too often we are dismayed when we cannot meet this expectation to exist in this ministerial role. So, our concept is that we should be preaching the gospel 24/7, standing on a soap box somewhere, condemning the sins of the world. Now there are a couple of issues with this idea. For one, it is not all that rational to think that somehow all of our needs are going to be met simply because when we are shouting the word of God out to the masses that we appear to be passionate. In addition you have to ask where is this expectation coming from? 

Secondly, I believe it is a deception, to believe that we have to be that way in order to be considered radical. No way. Guess what, when you aren’t doing this thing 24/7, then all of a sudden you feel condemned and ashamed and may even feel like you are a failure as a christian. And if you are a failure, you are in large part completely ineffective.

Thirdly, we do not properly evaluate what our purpose is. If each of us has been given a particular gift, or a calling then our expectation may be false on many levels. You know, we can hear an evangelist speak a highly motivating message about how we need to be out there having these open air meetings with millions of people. But if this was true then we could just get the entire world saved, with no basis for true relationship with Papa. We need to understand our purpose, and in many cases have it rekindled. Too many times in the church people are guessing at what other people should be doing. Next thing you know, you have had ten conflicting prophecies about what your calling is and you are more confused than ever before. When was the last time you heard it said that someone was called to be a professional musician? But do you doubt that Papa has gifted people to be musically inclined?

Fourthly, and I believe that this is the most important thing. And since Michael Jackson passed away I have heard some amazing reports on how much he loved people, how generous he was, and how much judgement he faced in his lifetime. And this is what it comes down to. And I used this illustration of MJ because everyone has their own opinion on this celebrity icon. But are we capable of loving someone and existing judgement free regardless of what the truth is? I believe it is not only possible, but very attainable. In psychology, this is called the ‘one down’ position – which is an approach to people which requires that one never assumes that they are above or superior to someone else, that they never assume that they are on the same level, and they never even guess that perhaps they are inferior – in fact, the one down position is one which requires zero judgement. And it is the position which people have the most difficulty with. The truth is we all have our judgements, not only of other people but of ourselves. You see, in most instances you discover that whatever information that judgement was based on was a falsity. It is wasted energy based upon some false precipice.

I believe that radical christianity is not the call of converting the masses and then moving onto the next area and converting more. I do not believe that radical christianity is serving in the many programs and affiliations in the church today. I do not believe that radical christianity is found in any of these places. Radical christianity comes as a result of allowing Papa to stretch our heart muscles and love people, regardless of what is happening in their lives, regardless of what people say about them, regardless of imprisonment, regardless of incarceration, regardless of how they look, talk, seem, or appear to be. Radical christianity is a heart thing, and it begins to happen when we allow all of the falsities of our judgmental nature to fall away as we embrace wholeheartedly this thing of loving. How about we start our radical journey by loving those whom we really don’t want to.

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