God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God and God abides in them. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgement, because as He is, so are we in this world.
Those who say, 'I love God' and hate their brothers or sisters are liars for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.
These words were written by the Apostle John to a group of Christians in a church he doesn't specifically identify, but they are applicable to all of the church. The specific reference is from the book of I John, chapter 4, verses 6-18 and 20-21, but the whole narrative in this part of his epistle lays out this essential doctrine of the church and points to what Jesus taught as a visible demonstration of Christian faith.
The attack on Paul Pelosi was just one more in a series of events that has given Christians in this country a chance to show their true colors. Believing in God means reflecting the virtues and values that, for Christians, are an inherent part of their faith. The phrase "as he is, so are we in this world" is not just a collection of nice words, it's a core principle of Christian faith. For those who believe that all humanity is a creation of God, in his image, it is a demonstration of that faith and belief to reflect that image.
The term "brothers," which can be translated "brothers and sisters", does not mean only other Christians, as some interpret it. It is a reference to people who live in community, neighbors, those who live and work in the same community. John says "God is love," and reflecting his image to the surrounding community was the primary means by which Christians testified to their belief in, and love for God. It isn't possible to love God and hate people, at least, not in any Christian context or practice.
What Real Christianity Would Look Like Right Now
After the attack on Paul Pelosi, those political leaders who claim to be Christians should have been the first on their feet to condemn the attack, just as they should have been to condemn the attack on the Capitol on January 6th. That doesn't equate to agreeing with the opposing political party's views. It does mean being a human being who believes in God and desires to reflect his image. I have not seen anyone from the extreme right of the GOP even talk about "thoughts and prayers," much less give anyone reason to think they believe in God by reflecting his image.
In the political realm, that would mean ranking Republican leadership who profess Christian faith standing shoulder to shoulder with Speaker Pelosi, and President Biden, in public solidarity, condemning not only the attack on the Speaker's husband, but all political violence, publicly calling it out, calling for an end to it and taking action and leadership in a bipartisan way. Instead, what we have is silence, tacit approval or open hostility, making the attack either the butt of jokes or regrets that it wasn't more cruel and inhumane. Votes and political support are more important to them than this core value of Christian faith and practice.
I'm not judging anyone. I'm merely pointing out the contrast between what we are seeing from conservative American Christianity and what the Apostle John says about what Christianity should look like, written in what conservative Christians believe is the inerrant, infallible word of God. I believe that what we are now seeing is an intrusion of those who "pervert the grace of God," in the same way that the Apostle Jude warned the early church about similar kinds of heresy that leads to apostasy. The kind of Christianity that is being reflected in those who embrace extremist right wing politics doesn't look anything like what the Apostle says it should look like.
And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the spirit he has given us. I John 3:23-24, NRSV
It's either there, or it's not. And I'm not seeing it from those who give the most lip service to their piety.
We Did See This From Democrats, Regardless of Religious Preference or Practice
The "whataboutism" changing of the context that Republicans have made the core of talking points to deflect attention away from their faults points to Democrats "doing the same thing" when it comes to Black Lives Matter and the violence that erupted following the murder of George Floyd. I have a pretty clear, short, to-the-point answer to that deflection.
No they didn't.
Condemnation of the violence in Minneapolis, and in other cities where it erupted afterward, was quick and virtually universal from Democratic politicians. It came from the Mayor of Minneapolis, the Governor of Minnesota and both of its Senators immediately. Calls to stop the violence came from the leaders of the Black Lives Matter organizations immediately, even before Republicans could raise their hands in holy horror. And help, real help, financial help, came not only from the support of Democrats in government, but it came from everywhere.
But where was the Republican support, not only in providing for those people who lost their businesses in the violence, but for George Floyd, who was murdered? Whatabout that?
That's probably not a good example for Republicans to use. Those who were hurt the most by Floyd's death and those who have suffered the most under decades of systemic racism were the loudest voices for peace, calling out those who took the opportunity to be destructive and standing for perfect love that casts out fear. That included the leadership of the Black Lives Matter movement.
And some Christians saw this in them, and stood by their side and said so. Take a look and listen carefully to what this pastor, speaking at George Floyd's funeral in Houston, Texas, had to say about it.
Houston Pastor Steve Wells Stands With the Floyd Family Against Violence and Racism
The church in America needs more pastors like that, and less pseudo-Christians who only use their faith as a means to get votes.
Standing with the Speaker and the President Against Violence
We are taking a stand beside Paul and Nancy Pelosi, beside all of the members of Congress who had to live through the horror of January 6th, beside the children of Robb Elementary School, Sandy Hook, Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School, Virginia Tech, and the now too numerous to name schools where students went to class and lost their lives for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. We are standing beside George Floyd, and all of the other victims of law enforcement violence and racism.
We stand against violence of any kind, and for peace. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God, said Jesus. And while we may vehemently disagree with the politics of others, we would stand with anyone who has been the victim of politically-motivated violence. It is a sin that separates us from the love of God, and silence in the face of it is inhumane and anti-Christian.
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