Christianity’s (Largely) Forgotten “Secret Sauce”, Which Really Makes You and I Shine
Our deepest longing is to be seen, heard, valued, included, and loved. Let’s do more of that for one another—especially people unlike us.
Hi beautiful being,
You know the saying, “Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water”? First off, can we step back and take that at face value. How exactly did we get that expression anyway? Were there actual people who forgot to take their babies out of the tub before they emptied it outside, who needed reminding to do so? Can you imagine a mom telling a dad, “Hey honey, just wanted to remind you to not throw little Chris out after you wash him. Since you forget sometimes.” I definitely have the makings of an entire comedic skit bouncing around in my brain about this.
That said, whether or not actual babies have been harmed in the tossing out of dirty bath water, we have this idiom for a reason. Us humans—if you haven’t noticed—tend to think, believe, and behave in very black or white, in or out, and all or none types of ways.
In this regard, we’re biased to believe “one bad apple spoils the whole bunch”. So, when one aspect, thing, person, etc. is bad, our first impulse is to throw the whole lot out—so to speak.
Isn’t that interesting?
Somewhere along the line, I developed a passion for retrieving metaphorically tossed away “babies”, while also sorting out—and, as necessary, washing off—the good apples. With that said, I wonder: When you hear or read the word “Christianity”, what comes to your mind?
Did you know all the trends and statistics indicate it—while not dying, per se—is well on its way to the margins in the Western White World? I believe it’s because (and studies back this up), based on the words and deeds of Christians, most people in the United States experience Christianity as judgmental, exclusionary, stingy, and even hateful.
This breaks my Christ-loving heart, because the people aren’t off base. Significant chunks of Christians have been deluded into believing being condemnatory, exclusionary, ungenerous, and mean are Christlike ways of being in the world. Now, don’t get me wrong—they don’t think they’re actually being judgmental, exclusionary, stingy, or hateful. How do I know? Because I’ve been a “card carrying” member of the sect of Christianity that believes and behaves in those ways, without realizing they are.
(From Inspiring Quotes)
As I reflect on that long season in my life, though, I remember having this nagging sense that something was “off”. Even though I believed I was on the godly, good, and biblical path—there was always a dissonance deep inside of me.
Please know I don’t share any of this lightly, or disparagingly. It’s long been a divine fire burning in my heart, and it’s time for me to lovingly speak up. What is more, I’m lucky enough to know many beautiful Christians who haven’t fallen into—or have escaped—this trap (Cheers to you if you’re reading this).
As we hold what I’ve shared up to the Light, let’s shift the energy. Did you know that Christians didn’t name themselves “Christians”? Originally, the Jesus people—comprised of Jews and Gentiles (aka those who were “in” and those who were “out”)—referred to themselves as followers of “The Way”.
Yet, suspicious and disapproving of their nonjudgmental, inclusive, generous, and loving ways; Romans began calling them Christians. While it was meant to ridicule the Jesus people by naming them the followers of a man the Roman empire had crucified and killed; the term stuck, and the rest is history.
What, then, was The Way, and why did the Romans frown upon it? Its distinguishing characteristic was, and is:
Radical, unconditional, and universal love. A lovingkindness that includes, embraces, and tangibly cares for outsiders, foreigners, the unfortunate, the oddballs, and even enemies. A spirit that is birthed by being radically, unconditionally, and universally loved by the Divine.
(From Inspiring Quotes)
This didn’t sit well with Rome, because it was the most powerful global superpower (aka empire) of its day. The thing is, empires are tricky beasts. By being so big, they naturally include a diversity of people—who don’t all get along with one another. This built-in friction between citizens makes it hard to keep empires together. They’re a bit like a tinderbox.
A long standing “trick” for super powers to keep their citizenry in line, is to focus their attention on—and make them afraid of—a real, or often perceived, threat. The thing is, when there isn’t an actual one—as in another nation state that threatens them—empires tend to direct their people’s attention toward outsiders, foreigners, and/or oddballs. The tried-and-true strategy is to pin the problems on “them”. The early Christians rejected this notion, and the Romans did not like it!
Yet, try as they might, the Roman Empire couldn’t stop the radically loving, inclusive, nonjudgmental, and caring Christians from being radically loving, inclusive, nonjudgmental, and caring. So, do you know what they did? They made Christianity the state religion, and infected these spirits with those I listed above for America—from the inside out.
And, while there are definitely exceptions, much the same thing has happened in the United States—and beyond. Yet, not just to Christians, but to all of us!
That said, friend: How ever you identify religiously, do you see how all I’m really doing is calling us all back to our better nature? Myself included:
I’m inviting us to judge less, include more, give generously, and love without end—because radical nonjudgment, inclusion, generosity, and love has not only already been given to each of us—they are the nature of reality, the Divine, God, and humanity.
Friend, what did this stir up in you? It would be a true blessing to hear from you in the comments. And please “like” 🤍, and consider sharing/restacking this post if it spoke to you.
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Hugs & Love,
Lang (aka “Dr. Love”)