Why be a Christian? [July 31, 2008, {0892}; An e-Review Commentary by Bishop Timothy W. Whitaker]

08-04-2008

Dear Bishop Whitaker, I was reading an excerpt from a biography about Condolezza Rice, "Condi" by Mary Beth Brown, and latched onto something written by Hans Morgenthau, a political theorist, that spoke to me about your e-Review Commentary and the way our church views reality. Morgenthau, from the foreign policy realist school of thought, stated his view in a way that I very much agree. "Realism is the idea that human beings seek power, both as individuals and as nations. They fight to gain or maintain power, and in such a world, each nation is responsible for defending its own interests against those who would encroach. Realism rejects the vain idealism of the progressives, liberals, and other ideologues who think they can make a heaven on earth full of peace and justice. Realists commit themselves to making the best of an imperfect world where various interests struggle for power. Morgenthau based his realism on the Judeo-Christian moral tradition largely inherited from St. Augustine who taught that Christians are not exempt from the business of this life, including politics and war." (p.101) It is this vain idealism I often see promoted by the leadership in our General and Annual Conferences. And, it appears largely directed towards making a "Heaven on Earth." I believe that direction is both unrealistic and fraught with danger and disappointment both to our church and society. This thinking seems committed to the belief that all society must adopt their post-modern view in which everything is tolerated except intolerance. They naively ask "Can't we all just get along?"  Well, in my reading of Scripture and history, the world has never been that way, and until Jesus returns never will. In the meantime, as Morgenthau suggests, let us commit ourselves to making the best of an imperfect world. You are exactly right when you say about Christianity, "It's the best way to live." And, I would add, Christianity prepares us and gives us hope for the next world as we strive to bring people into personal relationship with God through Christ. As you also correctly state, Christianity provides the most adequate view of reality. I would add, however, "when it is properly interpreted."  

J.D. Collner
First United Methodist Church, Port St. John

Why be a Christian? Bishop Whitaker's profoundly significant answers include: “It’s the best way to live.”  However, he also says: “Someone is not likely to find this response compelling unless she or he is dissatisfied with her or his life.” Such dissatisfaction also seems to be a pre-requisite for genuine repentance.     

William  Roughton
First United Methodist Church, Lakeland

Bishop Whitaker's article is a clear and helpful guide to the Christian faced with the question as posed by the title. For me, the answer can be summed up in five points which I believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ to teach as axiomatic. They are: 1. God is. 2. God knows each of us personally. 3. God loves each of us. 4. God loves each of us so much that He would come to Earth as a man and die on a cross for our salvation. 5. He did. The Gospel teaches that the manifestation of that love of God for us is the life and death and life of Jesus Christ. To know of God's love for me is to love Him with my entire being. To love and worship Him is to love and worship Jesus Christ. I cannot not be a Christian. 

W. Paul  Dammann
Perrine-Peters United Methodist Church, Palmetto Bay

John  Denmark
First United Methodist Church, Melbourne