Water First, Lecture Later: Let’s Give Water and then Preach

Last updated on: January 7, 2017 at 11:33 pm by John Mark N. Reynolds

Water First, Lecture Later: Let’s Give Water and then Preach 2017-01-07T23:33:56-04:00 John Mark N. Reynolds

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If you’ve ever been really thirsty, and found something to drink, that is the wrong time for a kind person to remind you of the problems with water bottled in plastic. I am sure such problems exist, and even wish that plastic water bottles would vanish, but at that very moment I am thirsty.

It is hard to hear the voice of reason when dying of thirst.

If you are in a group or movement dominated by fear or opposition to something, get out now. This is especially true if your cause is just. Opposition to a bad idea must come in the context of support for a good idea. This good idea must be the center of our thought . . . get water to thirsty people. . . with opposition to bad implementation, let’s not use bottled water in plastic containers, secondary.

An easy way to see the deforming nature of “opposition first” and everything else second is to take a look at any atheist or secular blog. Generally, the entire site will be overwhelmingly negative, hostile to what they hate, and only rarely advancing a positive vision of the “alternative.” Internet atheism strikes me as nine-tenths anti-theism and one-tenth positive secular agenda. Internet fundamentalists (take King James Only folks, please) are similar.

Similarly, most of us have views that are important to us, but less central to our lives than other views. I think Donald J. Trump remains unfit for the office of the Presidency, but this is a judgment call. For those who make a different call, but share a basic Christian ethical perspective, our shared values are more important than our disagreement. We must begin with what unites us.

Most internet atheists share a commitment to reasoned discourse, the value of science, and liberty for minority people. We disagree on some of the definitions, but before we get to the big things where we disagree, we must acknowledge the big things where we do agree. Even more important, if an internet atheist needs water, I will give him a drink and only then suggest a discussion!

Christianity is a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. It is also a set of beliefs and practices that keep us from fooling ourselves about our relationship. Just as in my marriage, I must recall that Hope is a person and not a means to my happiness and the things this person I love also loves, so in my relationship with God, I must recall that He too has likes and dislikes. Naturally, God’s opinions also are for my long term happiness, in this way different from any human relationship! Deferring to Hope on where I sit in the living room is not directly for my good, but deferring to God’s moral and aesthetic choices is!

Still, in a relationship some things are more important than others. Notice that in the New Testament, folk like Paul is as upset when what we do is contrary to the law of God as he is about what we believe. If we deny the Gospel, then we have messed up, but if we call immorality good, then we are also in serious breach of relationship.

We need to get God right and please Him to have a good relationship. The good news is that God also loves us and so is acting for our good and longs to please us. He is not obligated in any way to do these good things for us, but He does. Yet even here, we must begin by meeting basic needs.

When the Anglicans who have left the faith in terms of sexual practice need help, we should give them water. We don’t have to shout our disagreements at all times. When Mormons, who have beliefs putting them outside of Christian orthodoxy, need help or want to ally to do some good works, I do not have to point out my (serious) disagreements with them at all times. In this way, I can serve everyone without compromise.

If Donald J. Trump does good, I can praise him. If he needed my help (!) as President, then for the good of the nation, I would help him. If asked by the President, I can press the case that Trump should repent, tell the truth, and perhaps resign, but still serve.

Let’s serve, keep our integrity, put the biggest things first, and be known for our integrity and our love.

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