DEAR CHRISTIANAPHOBIC . . .

Today I am pleased to welcome a guest blogger, Larry Landin, who also happens to be a friend.  My husband and I worked with him in a Christian school several years ago when we all lived in Maryland, just outside of DC. 

 

 

Dear “Christianaphobic,”

We Christians do not threaten your lack of belief; why do you act as if we do? We do not call you names; why do you feel the need to do so? We do not work to take away your freedom of speech, even when we disagree; why do you desire to take away ours? We do not work to force things upon you that go against your principles; why is it right to force things upon us that go against our moral code?

 We do not condemn you for holding other beliefs, though we may in private pray for you to the God we believe is gracious and loving. Is that something you find especially egregious?

We Christians are often taunted with claims that because we have faith, we have no intellect, are second-class citizens, or worse, are intolerant or “haters.” Does that make you somehow feel superior? If so, that is okay with us. We know who we are, where we have been, and the positive affect faith in God has brought us. We do not condemn. We do not hate. We are not intolerant. No, we are followers of Jesus of Nazareth, who did not condemn, who ate and socialized with sinners, who forgave and healed and loved. He was called a fool, His sanity questioned and His actions attributed to demons. He was considered a rebel and a threat to the status quo. He was unjustly tried, undeservedly ridiculed and mocked, inhumanely beaten, tortured and killed by the most horrific death. That is, however, just the beginning of the story!

 Why are you “Christianaphobic”? Is such a reaction natural? The answer is a resounding yes. You see, it is not about us, it is about the natural man’s reaction to Christ, just as it was over 2000 years ago. Jesus said, “. . .and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake.” (Matthew 10:22)