Keep Your Civilized Faith

You can keep your civilized faith, your domesticated, docile, acceptable, stereotype of Christianity.

There was nothing civilized about Jesus. His whole life ran contrary to the accepted norms and religious traditions of His time. He took risks. He was an innovator.

Jesus didn't come to save us from hell, which seems to be evangelical's preoccupation. Missing hell and judgment is a part of the benefits of salvation, but even more than that, Jesus died to put us into a community -- to give us a family; to make us children of God.

And Jesus never promised to save us from pain, suffering, and conflict. But He did promise to give our lives meaning. He has given us a purpose, a reason to live, work, and survive.

Domesticated believers take the path of least resistance and avoid conflict -- with the world and with other believers. But Christ never took that path, and neither should we.

Keep your civilized faith that makes no demands on you. For me, I'm willing to take some risks, be embarrassed, and take some knocks in the pursuit of following Christ. And you?