Radically unaffiliated

Labels.

We all have them…we all use them.

Why?

Because it’s easy to simply lather certain idealogical expectations on someone and forever be done with it. From that moment on, we approach conversation with them based on their label and not who they actually are. We may not even know everything they believe, but slap a broad brush label on them based on just a few remarks.

This becomes glaringly and conflictingly apparent during the political season, but they actually begin much earlier in life and progress as we get older…

Butt-head…meanie…bully…nerd…geek…jock…hater…socialist…flip-flopper…terrorist, elite…bourgeoisie…anti-semite…racist…homophobe…extremist…the list could stretch on for quite a while.

We generally use labels to help us categorize people, frequently so we can use it against them.

For about 15 years, I’ve wrestled quite a bit with how I can live the identity of Jesus and also be an active participant in governmental and civic life. For some, that’s actually a very simple answer, but for me, it never has been and I suspect never will be.

So…I’ve coined a phrase that I believe allows me to give my allegiance to the Kingdom of God above any other kingdom, but still be involved, aware and committed to the culture where I live.

I am radically unaffiliated.

What does that mean?

Well, at first glance it sounds wishy-washy, I admit. But, for me it’s anything but. You see, my greatest desire is for my life to have a lasting impact across as many generational, political, religious and cultural lines as possible.

So, in order to do that, I must approach each interaction carefully, remembering that while the other voice in the conversation may subscribe to even a drastically different perspective than I do, they’re still, above everything else, a person…created by, and in the image of the same God I was.

Their worth to our Savior is the same whether they’re the most ardent capitalist, a pinko commie, or the mastermind of a plot to crash planes into buildings to kill thousands. My pursuit cannot be about changing their political persuasions.

Mostly because politics is about labels…divides…differences. Some have a distinct calling to that, but I do not.

Historically, the church flourished even under the most totalitarian government rule…where it began to falter was when Christians decided it was time to take over.

In fact, I’d say that when your faith begins to align too closely with any political perspective or societal philosophy it’s time to take a step back.

Christ is transcendent, and our legacy should reflect that heart.

Early in Joshua’s days of leading the people of God in the Old Testament, he has an interesting encounter with an angel…when the angel approaches, Joshua immediately asks, “Are you friend or foe?”, to which the angel replies: “Neither…I’m actually in charge of the Lord’s army.”

Oh, snap! But why wouldn’t the angel be affiliated with God’s own handpicked people? Because there was something much more incredible happening than what Joshua could see and understand.

When Joshua asks for instructions, the angel simply says, “Take off your sandals…this is holy ground.”

In everything, there is always something much more incredible happening than what we can see and understand. Something holy…something eternal…and we’ve been invited into that reality by our Creator. We must not waste it.

What if we lived each day as if God was entrusting us with His story, instead of our own agendas?

What if we walked out our journey as though we were on holy ground instead of always on the battle ground?

Does your faith look different based on what culture you’re in? (I’ve seen people act one way with the poor in Africa, and a totally different way with the poor on the streets of their city.)

When you look around is it easier to see people or labels?

I’ve said before that I believe our primary call isn’t to keep people out of hell (or picket their event…or boycott their product), it’s to carry the broken to Jesus.

So…let’s grab our stretchers and head into the fray.

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Cover art by Scott Erickson

Why did Jesus hang out with a Terrorist?

A while back, President Obama was accused of being friends with a terrorist, but did you know that Jesus asked one to be a disciple?

A man named Simon. A Zealot.

You may not know much about the Zealots, but they were a group of people who were part of an insurgency to overthrow the Roman occupation of Judea during and after the days of Jesus.

(They actually succeeded for a short time around 66AD).

They hated the Romans and traitors, and if you wanted to live it was best you weren’t associated with either group.

They were assassins. They were some of the earliest known terrorists.

And Jesus chose a terrorist as a disciple?

As part of the select group that was supposed to change the world?

How could he?

Why would he?

He also chose a traitor: Matthew the Tax Collector (my namesake…thanks mom and dad!)

If you’re keeping score at home, this means that among Christ’s original posse of 12, we have a terrorist and a traitor (vehement political enemies), a betrayer and several school flunkies.

Fantastic.

So what’s my point?

My point is this: if Jesus hadn’t done things the way He did them, you wouldn’t be reading this right now. The whole reason we have a Savior to entrust our very lives to is because Jesus did things differently.

The people were looking for a King to replace Herod…but Jesus is born in a manger and announces His birth to some shepherds (who probably gave up drinking for good after that night). And if you think the serenading angels simply appeared to the wrong people, keep in mind a group of astrologers figured out who Jesus was way before the official people of God.

The people wanted a political leader, Jesus laid down His life instead.

Mere moments before He was raised up on the cross, Jesus reveals to Pilate, “My Kingdom is not of this world.”

No one saw it coming. Everyone’s expectations and predictions were completely off.

Jesus came to set up a Kingdom where Simon’s ability to inflict terror was no longer needed, but his passion for a life-altering message was.

A Kingdom where guys who failed school could preach the story of redemption that still carries on from generation to generation.

A Kingdom where even a traitor and a betrayer were invited into community.

A Kingdom where haters, liars, cheaters, murderers, doubters, racists, whores, Capitalists, Socialists, thieves, gossips, perverts, poor, starving, alcoholics, users, cutters, and every type of people are told: “Come as you are…”

He came for the broken.

He came for me.

He came for you.

And when you and I become part of His Kingdom, the call on our lives is this:

“Go and do the same.”

When’s the last time you spent any significant amount of time with any of the kinds of people listed above? Truth is, you probably interact with them every day, but the trick is learning how to see them…and see them as Jesus does.

We need to stop filtering our faith by the kingdoms of this world. Why do we get so caught up in the temporal? While financial markets crash, nations are plunged into rioting, famine wiping out tens of thousands of precious lives, and governments are left floundering for answers, we are part of a Kingdom that will never crumble.

This is our hope. This is our message.

I’m convinced that if we all lived out this reality, things would begin to look drastically different.

Following Jesus is about more than having better vision. It’s about having new eyes.

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By the way – an amazing song that goes along with what I’ve talked about today is “Hookers and Robbers” by my dear friends the Charlie Hall band…

Click the image below for a link to download the song…do it!

A lie I believe all the time

I’ve tried to write this post about ten times.

Each time I begin putting words to the page, something stops me. It’s not because I’m afraid it’s too controversial (although, I do think it’s something we all deal with regularly), but it just never felt like the right time.

Until last Friday.

Anders Breivik perverted and distorted the message of the cross. In the aftermath, nearly 100 people are confirmed dead, untold thousands are affected, and potentially billions around the world are left wondering “why?”.

What we must remember is that what happened on Friday actually began years ago.

Somewhere along the way, Breivik believed a lie. It was the same lie that fueled the inquisition, led the charge during the crusades and continues to wage war for our hearts every day.

It’s a simple lie, and that’s the problem. Simple lies are the easiest to believe.

Here it is: people are the enemy.

Confession: I believe this lie all the time.

“That jackass just cut me off…”

“Those jerk [insert despised political party here] are just trying to RUIN our country!”

“My boss…”

“My spouse…”

“That pastor…”

“Those illegals….”

Typically it’s much easier to identify our enemies than name those we are called to serve.

Why?

Well, for me, I like when I’m able to be a Christian on my own terms. I mean, seriously, the terms laid out by Jesus in scripture are way more difficult, and ultimately require me to give my life away. C’mon, where’s the fun in that?

The problem is…unless I am giving my life away, “Christian” is just a label. It’s what I write on my name-tag when I walk into the country club on Sunday mornings.

I cut myself too much slack while leaving hardly any for anyone else.

And then, before we know it, suddenly the rest of the world has us figured out.

In fact, studies have been done in recent years that have painted Christians as pretty much closed off to any dialogue. The perception is that we already know everything, and if you don’t agree with us, you better get out of the way or else you’re going to be run over.

Spoiler: that mentality doesn’t look ANYTHING like Jesus.

Jesus never ran over anybody, no matter who they were.

Jacques Ellul narrows it down perfectly when he says, “Propaganda begins when dialogue ends.”

The message of Jesus is not propaganda. It’s not a sales pitch. It’s a sacrifice of love that was born in the heart of God. If the world looks at us and sees anything else, we need to replace the flag we’re flying.

I’m always blown away at how reactionary the Church of Jesus Christ (myself included) appears to be when someone questions or gets too close to our sacred cows. (Mabye we just shouldn’t have sacred cows.)

If the message we speak is really the truth, what do we have to be afraid of? The answer of course is nothing. I’m not nearly as concerned with having a generous orthodoxy as I am a patient orthodoxy. A faith that isn’t worried about taking its time.

Years ago I heard a talk by Erwin McManus where he said, “Don’t be afraid to take the long way home with someone.”

How you get home is just as important as arriving at the right destination.

Sounds simple, but in my brokenness I continue to wrestle with these things.

It comes down to whether or not I really trust God to take care of what happens in the end.

Do you?

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. // Ephesians 6:12