Attempting to Bridge the Divide

I care very deeply about how the world is getting a polarized view of the Christian Faith and who Jesus was on this earth.

This blog is for individuals who hear Christianity aligned with modern day politics and question why in the world individuals of sound mind would cling to the old testament scripture. Let me first say – I wrestle with it myself. In all honesty, I’ve wanted a church that follows the New Testament and specifically the Gospels. It’s obvious it was difficult even for the disciples of Jesus to decipher many of his teachings, so I try to stick to the specific (specific as possible with translations) words and actions of Jesus while on earth. To me, this makes the most sense considering my understanding of psychology and humanity and the tendency of humans to not report history without the influence of their own understanding and culture. God and Jesus are divine (people are not).

I am, however, trying to understand the entirety of the Bible and explore whether or not there is usefulness of the Old Testament text in today’s world. The book “A theological Introduction to the Old Testament” (scholarly work used for education in seminary) is helping me to understand the Old Testament can still speak to us today. In trying to apply the Old Testament to today’s world, it is perhaps most helpful to review the political depth. This can help modern day Christians to see and understand how many political problems – misuse of power, injustice, oppression, neglect of marginalized groups – are the issues addressed in the Old Testament. Therefore, this ancient text can help the church engage modern politics not by replicating ancient models and applying specific mandates, but by bringing its vision of faithful community and just society to today’s world.

I wonder sometimes how my interpretation of things can be so far different from the majority of Faith believers. Take the prosperity gospel for example and this common belief that God is up there ready to heal us and make us prosper if only we pray hard enough and act righteously enough. My interpretation is that most of the miracles Jesus performed were with non-believers outside his community. Jesus ended up on a cross and John the Baptist ended up with his head on a platter. This screams to me that our suffering and dedication to God is our witness to the world. Perhaps this is why I share so often my struggles in life because it is my testimony to a belief that our human suffering will one day end and that living a life in relationship with Jesus (not perfectly, but with struggle!) is more fulfilling than worldly prosperity or positive perceptions from others. I’ve felt the presence of God most strongly at the psych hospital, in residential treatment, and in support groups over the years. Like some people say, God can sometimes be felt more in a church basement of an AA meeting than in the sanctuary.

My interpretation of a dominant message from Christianity is basically you are going to get what you want in life if you follow God and live righteously, but if we think of this from a broader perspective of God - What would be the point of this? To treat people like children rewarding them with a toy to do the right thing? Yes, it's a good marketing strategy to attract the most Christians to the Faith (the goal of many churches) because consumers are often focused on avoiding pain and prospering on earth (and not going to hell/being rewarded in heaven), but I think God has more depth than that. I think God actually DESIRES A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU, which means relying on him and maintaining Faith when things are not good and understanding the shallow nature of our desires in this life. I think he longs to make us more selfless, more compassionate, and more devoted to him and his purpose. When outsiders of the Faith view Christians with such a lack of compassion as what is evidenced in our politics today, they want nothing to do with religion.

Shaming an individual does not help him sin less (examples of addictions). I know this from my work as a psychologist. God does not want addiction because it interferes with a relationship with him, not because we are "bad" or "pathological" or because it will keep us from getting into heaven. It is not helpful for Christians to cast judgments politically on individuals being gay or trans or women having abortions because this is extremely harmful - especially the Christians among us because you are separating them from their Faith. Whether you believe it is right or wrong - I'm not arguing this point (although there are sound theological arguments to debate). Consider for a moment the woman sitting next to you at Church who had an abortion early in life or the parents of a trans individual. We are not legislating against people who have affairs or divorce, but imagine for a moment if we were. Imagine the internal turmoil that would cause for a vast number of Christians. Jesus did not condone adultery, but he did not stand for others harming a woman who committed it. He normalized sin, and we are similarly called to be compassionate and normalize that none of us are without sin or faults. I'm telling you as a psychologist that you are doing major harm! Jesus uses hyperbolic language to emphasize the seriousness of sin by saying "If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away." If human men actually followed this, there would be a lot more one eyed individuals walking around. He suggests this as a striving, an inspiration to do all that you can to commit to your relationship with God the father. I have counseled pastors who struggle with porn addiction and elderly church ladies that have had abortions. If you don't want to have compassion for these "liberals" you demonize, at least have compassion for your own people. 

The reliance of framing moral struggles as spiritual warfare is dangerous in how it adds to shame, guilt, and mental illness. We have human minds that are flawed, psychological and spiritual challenges, and our striving and sometimes failing is what helps us stay in relationship with Christ. "Spiritual warfare" statements and guilt about behavior is what keeps people sick rather than healing them and allowing them to connect spiritually with themselves and their God. Our behavior deemed "sinful" may separate us from God, but it is shame in the human realm that perpetuates spiritual and psychological illness. Addictions and other mental health issues are complex biological, psychological, spiritual, and sociological issues and saying you need to just pray and keep the devil away or you aren't a good enough Christian is short sighted and harmful behavior by the church.

I would propose instead that God placed Jesus on this earth to demonstrate grace, compassion for our suffering (because Jesus suffered as well), and guidance to model a relationship with God that inspires commitment and connection. Preachers need to preach most to themselves and others the message of removing the "plank out of your own eye" and being less hypocritical. What God wants most with us as his children is what our parents want most - a relationship...not perfection.  

I submitted my application to Duke Divinity school today. I'm not certain that I want to take on more graduate education or debt after already spending 10 years in undergrad/grad school...Actually, I know that there are many ways in which it is not appealing, but I am open to whatever God's plan is for my life - even the suffering. I trust that God has guided my path to learn about social justice as a work of Faith in grad school, to view in therapy how spirituality both hinders and helps human psychology, and to now consider blending another path into my career. 

You can all laugh when they reject my application and have a sigh of relief that God doesn't want Mandy in the pulpit :) Actually I'm more drawn to careers like the one of another Duke Divinity grad who is the Director of civil and human rights for the United Methodist Church. Analyzing legislative/policy issues on immigration, mass incarceration, death penalty, gun violence, discrimination, etc. and engaging with congressional offices and government agencies. Either way, this feels currently like a more purpose focused goal than engaging with others about politics on facebook.