Just a reminder: Jesus did not die and rise from the dead to establish European civilization, found America, protect your gun, prioritize property rights over the common good, make English an official language, secure your border, affirm you in bullying and self-pitying selfishness, Make America Great Again, or ensure the purity of the white race. He came to give his life as a ransom for many, rise from the dead, to give us newness of life, to proclaim good news to the poor, to set the captive free, to give us his Spirit so that we can live in love and to lead us to live lives in the Blessed Trinity.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control are what people are hungering to see in Christians as signs pointing back to the Spirit who gives those gifts. What Augustine said remains true: You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless till they rest in you. The disgusting fake gospel of nihilist MAGA power hunger and butthurt self-pitying bullies is a million light years from Christ.
That’s why “You get to spend eternity with us!” is not the selling point MAGA Christians think it is. I remain a Christian in the deep mystical hope that the power of Jesus can change even the horrifically awful people who try to use him as a sock puppet for their monstrous evil. Looking at them, I cannot see that power at work with my mortal eyes or human understanding. But then, looking at me, I often cannot see it at work either–until it suddenly bursts into view with fresh mercy and growth I never knew he was creating. So I keep on keeping on because I can’t not desire Him and He will not permit me to despair of them lest I despair of myself.
There are disciples of his in this world who believe and live that. But because they are humble and not constantly proclaiming themselves the Greatest Christians of All Time in a vain struggle to mask their being completely selfish jerks, you don’t hear about them. They are busy quietly doing good things for others out of love and not caring about getting credit for it. You probably have met some. The kingdom does not come with noise and pomp, but in humility and love. Look to such servants of Christ if you seek signs of his presence.
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One Response
Bullying and self-pitying are .. sins. Prioritizing property and striving for racial purity are quite dubious as well. As for the other things you mention:
”The biggest lesson I’ve learned making and showing Moundsville is that every place carries an organic placeness that deserves respect for its uniqueness. You can find wisdom and thoughtfulness in people when you engage them over that place and recognize its differences from your place. We can’t love our neighbors as brothers and sisters if we expect them to be just like us””
You can find the story at WherePeterIs
https://wherepeteris.com/the-road-to-moundsville/