Compromising Our Identity
On this issues of "boycotts," a lot has been said
about "compromise." I really think the dreaded "C" word freaks people
out way too much these days. It might be informative to note that in
the book, Biblical Perspectives on Evangelism: Living in a Three
Storied Universe, theologian Walter Brueggemann comments on the Old
Testament nation of Israel’s accommodation:
“In the disciplines of fasting and
sackcloth, the Israelites “separated themselves from all foreigners”
and confessed their sin (Nehemiah 9:1-2). This act in the drama needs
to be understood carefully. Wrongly understood, according to
Christian stereotypes of Jews, this separation sounds like arrogant
legalism. Such a view misses the point completely. Rather, this
community in its amnesia had assimilated itself, domesticated its memory,
and compromised its identity, so that it had nothing left of itself.
Judaism had become such a detrimental embarrassment, that Jews had worked
to overcome their Jewishness. And now, in these dangerous liturgical
acts, Jews are facing up to their oddity, to their strong commitment, to
their distinctive obedience. The recovery of distinctiveness entails
the acceptance of an odd identity. I report this point to you because
I believe the church in the United States faces a crisis of accommodation
and compromise that is near to final evaporation. Note well, the
distinctiveness is not in doctrine or in morality, but in memory. For
the text adds that all through this time of separation, “They stood up in
their place and read from the book of the law.”
Today, while everyone worries about doctrinal
compromise, Brueggemann reminds us that the issue isn't about what we
believe as much as it's about our identity. In this case, who we are
as Christians in the digital age. Remember the Unique Selling
Proposition – what makes a product different from every other product in
the marketplace. What makes the Church different and unique
today?
Hopefully, it’s more than the snappy design of
your church newsletter.
John 13:35:Jesus said, By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. This is what sets us apart. Yes, there are times when we need to take that stand for the truth, but it is to be done "speaking the truth in love." What really makes the world sit up and take notice is when we empty ourselves and allow God to love others through us. Having done some short term mission work in other countries, I can tell you that this question has been asked more than once: "Why would you go to all the trouble to come to us? Why do you care about us sinners (their words, not mine)? (this usually comes after a simple time of just getting to know the people a bit and sharing Bibles and simple gifts for the children).
I'm such a fan of Brueggemann, it's a pleasure to see him quoted at such length. His word "amnesia" is so descriptive for both an OT Israel and a 2YK US. If God's rich covenant and provision were forefront in our thought and memory, I suspect we would spend much less time worrying about changing the behavior of others and be more worried about our own authenticity.