Diversity in the Christian faith

For many people the word heretic means that a person or an organization is so far out of line from prevailing rules or practices that fellowship and association is no longer possible. A church that I served and I were “disfellowshipped” by a church judicatory because of our heresy. Our heresy was that we accepted gay people into our membership without regard to their sexual identity. All offices of the church, including clergy ordination, were open to gay persons. I have long argued that heretic and heresy indicate nothing more than a differing opinion. I would further argue that diversity strengthens rather than weakens organizations, including churches. Resulting discussions refine and energize a congregation.

Christmas presents Christians with a special problem. Christmas is a huge Christian holiday. I celebrate the holiday and sing the carols of Christmas with delight. The manger story, the star that moves magically across the sky, the shepherds, the wise men, the angelic choir, and even the virgin birth do not fare well under historical scrutiny. They are myths and legends that I cherish. They form a backdrop for belief in a loving God who loves and visits people on earth.

I look at legends and myths as literary devices that have a rich history of speaking and maintaining religious and cultural values. I consider Jesus from Nazareth to be the greatest story teller in Western history. He exaggerated in his stories, he used humor; and he used his stories for political commentary. No one suggests that his stories are to be read as history.

Today we have more and better Bible scholars than ever before. Top Bible scholars are more likely to be found teaching in a state university than in a church sponsored college or seminary. Top Bible scholars are apt to be found at University of California Santa Barbara, Oregon State University, University of North Carolina, University of Texas, or University of California Riverside, to name a few.

A growing number of Bible scholars now argue that Jesus was not born in Bethlehem but somewhere around Nazareth in Northern Palestine. There was no hurried flight to Egypt and no confrontation with scholars in the Jerusalem Temple.

After the death of Jesus, his disciples and his followers fled in every direction. Jesus was crucified as a criminal for the crime of insurrection. To be publicly known as a follower of the rabble rouser from Galilee was dangerous. They ran for their lives. His followers did not have uniform memories of the man they had chosen to follow. Jesus was not a writer, and no written accounts were left behind. Diversity was their lot. The differing opinion was their mark, not uniformity. The spread of Christianity into the corners of the earth is a reality. Christians in the world today number well over 2 billion. Diversity continues to be the mark of Christian Faith.

Christmas season is a good time to celebrate diversity. I am a devout Christian and a devoted heretic.

I have recently become aware of a respected Christian organization that has decided to invoke disciplines on non-conforming leadership persons who want to remain in good standing. Their thinking is familiar. Should not a Christian organization have common standards for their leaders?

I come to situations such as the one faced by this respected organization with sadness and with an anti-rule perspective. I was the fifth of seven children of my parents. They loved one another dearly. They loved their children dearly. The family was devout in our church life. I lived my whole life with very good relationships with my siblings. We were a family without rules. The family was well organized. I shared a bedroom with two brothers without tension. There was no slapping. There was no paddling. There were no harsh words. There was no fighting. We practiced the civilities of “thank you” and “please.” Without rules, there were no penalties.

There were no rules, but there were expectations. In trying to understand my rearing, I have pondered what would have happened if expectations were not met? I have concluded that it is an irrelevant question. Love, kindness, gentleness, and respect are overwhelmingly the best path to take. They are a marvelous option.

Can the experience of a family be transferred into a very large and very complex world? In discussions of what Jesus taught, the language of family was prominent. Apparently family mattered to him and was a model for the world. I do not care whether or not Jesus was born to a virgin Mary. I care immensely about finding ways to live happily and joyfully with the diverse population that begs for love.

Peace on earth and mercy mild. That is for everyone, even heretics.

The End

Howard Bess is a retired American Baptist minister, who lives in Palmer, Alaska. His email address is hdbss@mtaonlline.net.