I’m sure it’s too strong to say John is weaponized. You know, the story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery. But if you ever call sin a sin, John 8 is whipped out of a back pocket to prove you are unloving, judgmental, and Jesus loved everyone. While yes, that is true, but to call sin a sin, and especially just in discussion in Bible study?
People want Jesus to be the soft, love-everybody conflict-free Jesus. But we must remember that he was also crucified. As in tortured and killed. And it wasn’t because he just kept the peace with everyone. In fact, the things he said were often very offensive.
While people are quick to pull out John 8 no matter if you are discussing the issue of persist, unrepentant sin in the church, where is Matthew 23? That chapter where Jesus blasts the Pharisees? Or when he called the disciples “stupid” and “slow of heart.” It doesn’t fit our picture of Jesus. We want teddy bear Jesus only.
Even when we discuss the Old Testament. Just don’t discuss much that Israel had to face some pretty tough discipline for their persistent, unrepentant sin as covenant people.
One thing I’m deeply, deeply troubled about lately is how much culture has accosted Christianity, even among the older generation. A Biblical worldview is drowned out by the latest cultural trends. The hardest part is any discussion is quickly shut down as it might “offend” someone. ‘Let’s just get to the lesson.’ It’s this sweet get-along-with-everyone Christianity when we need to address and deal with gritty issues–even if we get our feathers in a dander with one another. But let’s discuss it FROM SCRIPTURE, not culture and sharpen each other in the Word. Sigh.
I’m so disheartened and distressed right now.
