:: In.a.Mirror.Dimly ::

Perhaps I’ve watched a little too much Dr. Who, but I thought I’d close out my posts this week on Christian unity by reaching out with a letter to the most difficult, judgmental Christian I know: myself from 15 years ago.

Dear Ed,

How’s it going? I’m writing you today because I think we have a lot in common, and I thought that perhaps I could offer you a few words of encouragement and wisdom to help you out.

I know you think you’re a pretty devout guy, and I will say that you have some good things going for you. However, I’m also a little concerned about some patterns that you’ve established, and I think you’ll have a much better time in life if you deal with them.

There’s no easy way to say this, but you see, you’re a bit up-tight and judgmental. No, you’re not as bad as the people who judge others for going to a movie theater or for having long hair, but still, you have a pretty narrow definition of Christianity and discipleship.

You’re always comparing yourselves to others, ranking the super-Christians above you and the backsliders below you. You don’t realize that there are guys you’ve placed in the backslider category who will one day become missionaries. Trust me, you won’t see it coming. But then, that’s the point. You don’t know what’s in the heart of the people around you, so stop trying to pick apart their theology or judge them based on what they did or didn’t do. Knowing what I know about you, there’s some plank extraction that needs to happen in your own life.

And then there’s this business with the Catholics. I know the Catholic church burned you. I know there were priests who told you the Bible was dangerous and who used intimidation and manipulation to press their views on you. However, they’re part of a much larger church that has many faithful followers of Jesus. Even one of your college roommates will one day convert to Catholicism and end up working in a classified position for the government—you’re on a need to know basis about the details, and you don’t need to know.

There are certain things I know you’re suspicious about, and though you don’t think you could be right, you actually are. Take evangelism for instance. In your heart you know that you shouldn’t befriend people with ulterior motives or treat the Gospel like a presentation.

You don’t think that fear of damnation in hell is a good reason to share the Gospel because the message of the Gospel is ultimately Good News, and you want to share it naturally out of the good things that God has done in your life. You’ve gotten a taste of this, and you’re willing to keep searching for answers. Keep seeking, because finding those answers will change your life.

You’re also taking time to pray because you want to meet God in a deep way. It’s going to be a long, frustrating haul, but hang in there. You will find more of God and his Holy Spirit some day. Though you have a lot of doubts about the Holy Spirit right now and you’d probably call me off base if I told you everything I have experienced and subsequently believe, patiently wait for God and you will see his salvation manifested in your daily life in new ways.

There are a lot of surprises waiting for you. You’ll find out that the church will let you down, that secular music isn’t evil, and that women really can teach men. Your worries over the rapture and evolution will pass away, and you’ll end up in a career that you won’t see coming but you should have seen all along.

And one more thing. I know it’s going to take a lot of faith to believe this, but trust me, I would never be so cruel as to dash your hopes with something like this… The Phillies will win the World Series before your 30th birthday. Perhaps that leaves you suspicious of my credibility, but it really will happen.

I wish I could say that same for the Flyers, but as of 2011, no dice.

Blessings,

Ed

For more posts on Christian unity, drop by the blog of Rachel Held Evans for the latest round up and don’t forget that part of the goal for the Restore Unity Rally is to provide clean drinking water for people who don’t have it.