Monthly Archives: October 2004

Hatred Toward Christians

QUOTE
“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
– Mahatma Gandhi

“If all Christians acted like Christ, the whole world would be Christian.”
– Mahatma Gandhi

I was talking with a colleague the other day, and she was telling me about the professor that she has that has made his dislike for missionaries clearly known. In fact, he works a statement of his distaste into nearly every lecture. This bothers her because she has a missionary background, and her professor knows it.

Similarly, I’ve had discussions with others about why they despise Christians and Christianity. The reasons they’ve given me are legitimate and just — Christians can be some of the coldest, most judgmental, most condescending people on the face of the planet, both to unbelievers and to one another. Naturally, this turns a lot ofpeople off to Christianity.

To be honest, this is something I have struggled with and continue to struggle with. Why are the very people who are called to a higher calling and who claim to be the people saved by grace unwilling to extend that same grace to others? It makes me ashamed sometimes to be called a Christian and to be associated with others who call themselves Christian. I find it so much more difficult to share my faith when the initial reaction is one of disgust, hatred, and
bitterness. I admit, I’ve become cynical toward Christians. At least unbelievers are honest regarding what they are about.

Forum

I know there are at least a few of you who enjoy good theological and philosophical discussions. For those who do, I encourage you go to:

http://www.forums4free.net/thinkings/index.php?

and register. This is a forum set up by a friend of mine (I think he has to approve all new registrations, so once registered, it might take a few hours to actually gain access), and it is a pretty good place to go for some interactive discussions. And if you know of others who enjoy such discussions, share the link with them. I’d love to see the forum come alive with good discussions.

Spiritual Disciplines

Mastering the spiritual disciplines begins, for me, with the physical disciplines. I’ve gained another 20 lbs. or so the past few weeks (even though my lifestyle and eating habits have not changed over the past year or so). As a result, I believe, I feel fatigued much of the time and my mind is constantly foggy. My goal is to exercise an hour a day at least four days a week, drop roughly 50 pounds, and get back near my ideal body weight.

I believe that to fully master the spiritual disciplines, one must also master the physical disciplines. It’s necessary to master one’s own body, to bring it into subjection, making it the temple of the Holy Spirit that it was meant to be. I need more discipline in my own life, and the best place for me to start at this point is disciplining my body. It’s going to be tough because I’ve grown used to the lack of activity, but in the end, it will all be worth it.

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On another note, I’d like to throw a question out to my handful of subscribers. I have been told numerous times from numerous sources that I am a gifted writer, that I am very eloquent in presenting my thoughts, even in a rough draft. As a result, I’ve been kicking around the idea of beginning a newsletter to share some of the lessons of life as I learn them. (If anyone is familiar with Scott Garber’s Unconventional Wisdom, it will probably be something similar to that.) The question is, if I were to do that, would anyone be interested in subscribing? At this point, I’m just curious as to what the interest levels might be, as it might be a while before I would such a project off the ground. Also, if there is enough interest, I’d be interested in getting ideas for titles for the letter.