Reflections on Confrontational Christianity
One of the
unfortunate guiding principles for many individuals, families, and churches is
“Be nice!” According to this slogan, one is always supposed to be
pleasant and pacifying, regardless of the realities of various situations. An
individual should always wear a happy and caring face. Gatherings of relatives
should always be cheerful and gentle in manner. Those attending church events
should at all times be smiling and affirming of each other. A good Christian is
continually a radiant and successful reconciler.
Tonight’s
reading from Matthew (18:15-20) does not support an “always be nice”
principle. The passage is within a series of Jesus’ sayings dealing with
life in the Christian community; it underscores that discipleship is about a
life together, not a private relationship with God. Moreover, Christ makes it
clear that exaggerated notions of inclusivity and of being non-judgmental, and
the belief that what one does is no one else’s business, all have their
boundaries! As a commentator has written, “… the Christian community
as a whole is concerned with the ethics of its individual members, and it
intervenes in the spirit of love and forgiveness to take pastoral action that
is more than mere advice. The goals are not only to maintain the holiness of
the insiders, but to bring straying members to an awareness of their sins, to
repentance, and eventual restoration as well.” (The New
Interpreter’s Bible, Vol. VIII, p. 379)
Of particular
interest in Matthew is the last resort (that is, excommunication) when
an unrepentant and disruptive member has caused a serious offense, as
judged so by the congregation. The involvement of the faithful community in
such last resort situations prevents hasty, vindictive, and arbitrary decisions
by just a few leaders or members. Additionally, the passage implies that the
prayerful decisions of the covenant community will reflect the will of God, a
belief held by the ancient rabbis as well. An additional comment about such
difficult decisions promises that when the Spirit of Christ prevails, anything
asked related to the community’s wholeness “will be done for you by
my Father in heaven.”
Jesus’
teachings make it clear that participation in a Christian congregation is not
an inalienable right. Nor is church involvement like a membership in an
exclusive club based on race, ethnicity, pedigree, or wealth. Instead,
participation is based on the chosen baptismal path of life during which one
gracefully grows - repentant and truly forgiven on the way - in Christ’s
love and service. If someone has strayed, such that offense is inflicted on a
fellow member, it is an obligation, however awkward, to confront the wrongdoer
in the very measured, pastoral steps provided in tonight’s Gospel. To do
nothing but smile, to avoid confrontation via counterfeit forgiveness, to do
nothing but “be nice” allows simmering negativity and phony love to
infect the spirit of members. One would hope that the last resort of ordering
someone to withdraw would be rare.
A major
problem with the application of this Matthean passage is the conflicting
perception as to what constitutes a legitimate offense. For example, the very
presence of any of these people or their related behaviors could be regarded as
inflicting evil on a couple trying to raise righteous children: unmarried
elderly people living together; individuals of particular races, ethnicities,
or sexual orientations; people who conduct business or play on the Sabbath;
individuals who like to dance or have a glass of wine; single parents; divorced
persons; pro-choice or pro-life advocates; and, those who seem to exhibit any
of the seven cardinal sins, such as pride, greed, envy, and laziness.
Unfortunately,
many Falwellian ultra-conservatives appear to be hysterically and recklessly
obsessed with gender-related issues while showing far less interest in other
areas, such as political treachery and massive business fraud. They would
probably be indifferent or even welcoming to a wealthy, shady business
executive in their fellowship, but recoil from the elderly couple living
together or an unwed mother.
Some ethical
positions result from willful ignorance and irrational fear, and some from
sincere, informed disagreement. Given this dilemma, we acknowledge an
inevitable degree of conflict within some congregations and a total impasse
among some conservative, moderate, and progressive communities of faith.
Occasionally, certain individuals will find that the prevailing view of a flock
is so repugnant that it would be more prudent for them to look elsewhere for a
compatible spiritual home.
There is so
much more in tonight’s readings that deserve our attention! However,
I’ll conclude with this thought: sometimes you and I are called upon to
be confrontational rather than affirming and agreeable. These occasions
include many circumstances within our families and congregations as well as
situations beyond our local gatherings. The resulting path won’t always be
smooth and clear, but as with all else, we apply Jesus’ words as we best
understand them. In any case, I pray that we get beyond bland niceness. I hope
that as Christian disciples we - whether conservative, moderate, or liberal -
fulfill all confrontational ministries in well thought-out, pastoral ways
consistent with the love of Christ.