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They carry labels like trophies or gold medals. The labels of Conservative Christian or Right Wing Christian seem to be badges of honor, much like Liberal Christian or Progressive carries the same badge of honor.
The problem I have with either title is how to define them. The right, or conservative, loves to take the bible literally. “If the bible says it, I believe it, so be it. The world was created in seven days; the bible says it; therefore, it must be true.” However, when one looks closely at the bible and especially the words that Jesus is to have spoken, very seldom does he take things
or speak in a literal sense. His words are poetry, often exaggeration and parables. It is hard to take a story literally. He didn’t expect people to take some of his statements literally. For example, take the ones about your hands causing you to sin, your eye causing you to sin, and your foot causing you to sin. If we were to take it literally, many churches would be half blind, in need of a helping hand, jumping on one foot. He overstated his point.
So, if we follow the definition of being conservative, those who label themselves thusly are actually liberal in their interpretation of much of Jesus’ teaching as most of the Bible. They insert what is not there, which is much of the accusation they make of liberals. But what if we challenge these labels? What if we look beyond the surface and delve deeper into the teachings of Jesus?
On the other side, those who are labeled or call themselves liberals do the same in an opposite form. They claim that the bible states that none of it is to be taken literally, and therefore, the interpretation can be what we decide. This happens because of all the biblical criticism realizing that most of the red-lettered words Jesus didn’t say but are instead the words of the early church. They too cherry pick what they like and exclude the verses that do not speak to them. They push social action and responsibility. But rarely looked at are the verses that say it is time to work on one’s self or look within. If anyone has something against you, fix it first before you bring your gift to the altar. Jesus said the kingdom is within so look there for what you need to know. Can we find a balance between these two perspectives? Can we embrace both social action and personal reflection?
The liberals quote verses, too. They like Matthews’ as you did it to the least of these; the prisoners, the thirsty, the naked, the hungry is a favorite. Jesus being with the poor, the prostitutes, and tax collectors (while said is often not emulated) reminds us what we are to be about. I looked at it, and if followed, it sounds much like the conservatives. So we must wonder if liberals are conservative and conservatives liberal. Much like our cultural situation, we have assimilated into the church nationalism. We only see two sides and a war between them regarding who is more Christian. Yet both stances seem to miss the mark. Can we find the common ground that unites us as Christians rather than focusing on our differences?
If Jesus were to be asked if he was more conservative or liberal, he most likely would laugh and shake his head. You need to catch the point. On the one hand, he constantly broke the rules of the sabbath; he broke the cleanliness laws, touching and eating with castaway people. But he also reminded his hearers that the sabbath was still a thing to be kept holy, that the law of Moses was not to be thrown out but followed.
What is missing and what he is trying to bring to us is a third way of seeing and doing. It is not either or but both liberal and conservative and more. It appears that Jesus was bringing about a new alternative to the back and forth. He offered a way through bipartisanship to be in the kingdom where both have their place in a new form. The form would be that of community. A place where the common good was lifted higher than tax breaks for some, a people who understood that if justice is denied to anyone, it is a threat to justice being denied to all. A vision where all people could sit under their own fig tree and enjoy the fruits of their labor and then come together for a huge potluck to share the bounty of God. Can we envision this new form of community? Can we see the potential for a more inclusive, just, and compassionate society? Let's strive for this vision together.
The labels of conservative and liberal are a regression into the working of the state. It is hard to define what each really is. However, What is being offered is a different voice outside the rhetoric we have been taught for so long. How difficult it is to accept it and to believe that it can be true. But then, that is the way Jesus taught and the way that he lived. No wonder they killed him; he didn’t know how the game was to be played. He changed it too much. And until we see it, the blind will remain blind, the lame will remain lame, and we all will fight and struggle for that which does not bring life. We are close, however, to seeing the new alternative offered when we can let go of our medals and labels and be born into a new vision.
