I love quotes such as this and believe that they do describe the place Christians — true followers of Jesus — should hold in society. Christians should be in some ways like the old testament prophets, always there playing there appointed role but seldom the kind of people the powerful would invite to polite dinner parties. That is one of the reasons I am troubled by the efforts of certain US religious types to make this country ’safe’ for Christians. It shouldn’t be safe if we are really acting like Jesus.
It is that whole civil religion thing in part. Christianity was a whole lot better off before the Romans decided everyone had to be one. Look where Christianity is thriving today — mostly in countries where it isn’t exactly OK to believe.
Comment by: David H
1 06/7/07 10:42 PM | Comment Link |I love quotes such as this and believe that they do describe the place Christians — true followers of Jesus — should hold in society. Christians should be in some ways like the old testament prophets, always there playing there appointed role but seldom the kind of people the powerful would invite to polite dinner parties. That is one of the reasons I am troubled by the efforts of certain US religious types to make this country ’safe’ for Christians. It shouldn’t be safe if we are really acting like Jesus.
Comment by: Rachel
2 06/8/07 7:41 AM | Comment Link |I agree, David. How do we go from being challengers of the status quo to preservers and defenders of the status quo?
Comment by: David H
3 06/8/07 9:07 AM | Comment Link |It is that whole civil religion thing in part. Christianity was a whole lot better off before the Romans decided everyone had to be one. Look where Christianity is thriving today — mostly in countries where it isn’t exactly OK to believe.