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Thursday, March 08, 2007
Christian Ego Quote
While reading the Love Above All blog, I came across a quote from another blog, Makarios:

However, a major step toward becoming a Christian, a major realisation that makes becoming a Christian an option is the realisation that we are not in any way better than anyone else. It’s the dawning upon our awareness that deep within us (sometimes not so deep) lies the potential to be the worst human being this world has ever known.


Why do you think we as Christians often have this reaction to non-Christians? Where do you think it comes from?

Here's a snippet of what Love Above All had to say about this quote that I thought might be of interest as well:

"There is no series of steps to holiness; Athiest, then agnostics, then Christians, then Saints, then God. There's none of that. There is only humans, and God. End of story."

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posted by Lydia at 11:07 AM ¤ Permalink ¤


4 Comments:


  • At 3/08/2007 10:19:00 PM, Blogger Unknown

    I think these reactions run very deep. It comes from years and years of battling, fear, arrogance, etc. etc. I don't even think it just happens to non-Christians, it even happens within Christian circles. We demonize the "other so-called" Christians because we are "right" and they are "wrong".

    If you are raised in a church or in Christianity the ideas of "us as in group" out to save the "outgroup" is taught very young. By the time we are adults we have had many years of conditioning to this effect.

    The other reason is fear and self-centeredness. We don't like to evaluate what we have learned or question. For many, that is a very scary thing. When we focus on the "other" people it detracts from what "I" may need to change about my own life. I think many Christian's feel "choosen" (well and even believe that is so) so it also becomes an arrogance thing. We are special and have "God" on our side.

     

  • At 3/09/2007 06:57:00 AM, Blogger Lydia

    it even happens within Christian circles

    Definitely.

    to save the "outgroup" is taught very young.

    This is where it gets a little sticky for me, because I do think that it's important to be open about our faith. Evangelism can be done in a very healthy, respectful manner.

    Yes, there are many truths that can be found outside of Christianity, but I still believe that Christianity is the closest thing to Truth we have in this life.

    The question for me is: how best can this be communicated without falling into the belief that we're better than "them" (whoever that may be)?

    When we focus on the "other" people it detracts from what "I" may need to change about my own life. I think many Christian's feel "chosen"

     

  • At 3/09/2007 09:24:00 AM, Blogger Unknown

    I agree that we need to share our belief...it is in the "outgrouping" mentality that I have the problem. We almost automatically end up on a higher plane just because of the "in"/"out" position.

    Even though Christianity is my heart, I have found that encountering other thoughts/beliefs challenges me. It makes me think about what I "know", what others think, why etc. I have also learned to be much more compassionate to people in general and less "determined" to "witness". I think in honest conversation and relationships with others our "witnessing" comes through.

    Non-Christians can smell "pushiness" and arrogance a mile a way. I just try to be me, with no agenda, and trust God in the mix. That is something we as Christians struggle with...allowing God to work. We decide it is our mission to convert, convince, and "save". That is not our job. God will move, we just need to trust that.

    As a side thing...

    I know how hard this journey has been for me. As I re-evaluate what I think and believe, it is not easy. There are a lot of opinions, and thoughts on all kinds of matters. I just try to put my feet in someone elses shoes. If I was raised in another part of the world as a Hindu, I would be just as fervent in that belief system as I am Christianity. If a Hindu tried to convert me now, I would not convert. We think many times just telling people about Jesus should make them believe as if it is "that easy". If we are pushy, condescending, not willing to hear their positions, we won't get anywhere. I am all for relationships, and love because of that.

     

  • At 3/09/2007 07:18:00 PM, Blogger medium guy

    Michele L.,

    I hear you on the not forcing issue - the way I've come to understand it is that if we're loving other people and we feel we're doing as God calls us, God really is the one behind it and in control and whether or not someone is challenged to come closer to God is not fundamentally up to us. That takes the pressure off us, and gives the credit where it is mainly due - to God.

    On a somewhat different tangent, since I am one of the minority who come to love and know Jesus in mid adulthood, one epiphany of many I have had is I became aware of how selfish I was and my complete ignorance thereof. Now it is something with which I wrestle mightily, but at least I can see it. I remember observing people at the first 2 churches I was a part of doing service at the expense of self and I felt blessed to have such role models. However, I still often swing too far on the pendulum of either close to martyrdom on one side versus solubsistic on the other. Also, with respect to ego, I struggle with the issue of striving to be humble sometimes.

     
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