Over on “Suddenly Christian,” I put up … well, this video (which is Part 2 of my discussion about the relationship between the Great Commission and the Great Commandment):
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Thank you, John. What you said in this latest video makes so much sense to me. Your message here is refreshingly honest, clear, and compassionate. Way to get to the heart of the matter with regard to respect being at the core of love for one another!
As you may remember, I am not a Christian–just an old friend who reads your blog
However, it has always seemed to me that there are an endless number of ways in which an individual might experience God–whose entire scope, anyway, goes beyond any one human’s ability to perceive.
One of my all-time favorites on that theme is Coleman Barks’ translation of “Elephant in the Dark,” a poem by Rumi. It offers an excellent example of how many perspectives of God can manage to be, simultaneously, equally correct & equally incomplete. And, since no one of us has the full view, it makes sense that we are respectful and trusting of each other when another says, “Thank you for sharing, but my perception is a bit different.”
For me, the best hope of piecing together the whole God picture in my heart’s eye is to hear from everyone who earnestly believes they hold the truth, then try to cobble those pieces together into a wider Truth–one that resonates with me.
I guess that’s what I’m doing here, reading your blog!
Thanks, CG Marley! As you see, I have not aged a bit since we hung out. I know the LIGHTING in the video makes me look quite a bit older—but that’s just the lightening. I can’t control that.
I very much appreciate this positive response to my … well, having hit the “record” button and then babbling for 10 minutes. Thank you.
Thanks for easing my guilt. I never considered it this way, but I think you’re mostly right. I say “mostly” because I don’t think the average non-Christian really understands the gospel. Call me smitten with the God I worship, but I think if people really did get it, it would actually look like good news and our churches would be crowded with converts. As it is, the minute I open my mouth to “witness” I play into all their misconceptions (many of which were created by well-meaning but stupid Christians like… well, myself), and I lose my chance to communicate the truth. The best chance I have to fulfill the great commission is to somehow make them curious about the message of Jesus, and the only way I know to do that is to be quietly but clearly a Christian, and to fulfill the great commandment.