Judgmental Christian: An Oxymoron
Posted: Sunday, October 07, 2007
by Steve Radford
Sometimes I think more people would follow Jesus if it weren't for Christians. The reason is that people make up their mind about Christ, based on what they see in those that bear his name. Consider the following example.
On a recent Sunday morning, at a church in the Midwest, two men were denied the privilege of worship. Met at the door by two ushers, they were told that they would not be allowed entry because of their blatantly sinful lifestyle.
The purpose of this account is not to argue whether the men's lifestyle was right or wrong. It is not to condemn them as sinners or approve them as normal. It isn't even aimed at debating whether their actions are genetic and unavoidable or simply chosen behavior.
The sole purpose of this article is to suggest that we try harder to imitate Jesus in our treatment of others, especially those different than us. Our job is to love without judgment. Too often we find a verse that condemns a sin, usually one we don't struggle with, and use it as an excuse to judge someone else. Yet we are warned not to judge in Matthew 7:1-5.
So the couple in our story, embarrassed and angry, returned to their car and drove away. Their sense of isolation was deeper than ever. Their opinion of Christ was distorted by those that purported to speak for Him. They couldn't believe they were rejected for obesity?
The incident was fictional. I chose gluttony because it seems to be a sin we overlook in ourselves. But you can reread the story and substitute the behavior you most detest. Make your couple two lesbians or gay men or an unmarried couple living together. Maybe you would prefer them to be members of a political party you despise. It won't change the message.
Though the incident at the church was a fictional illustration, it seems like Christians and Christian groups often make the news by fighting, condemning and judging somebody. Something is wrong when Christians are associated with judgment and hateful behavior.
True followers of Jesus reach out in love to everyone, even those that are the hardest for them to love. It doesn't mean we endorse their behavior. It just means pouring out unconditional love to people who need it.
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More commentsVery nicely written article - the song "Amazing Grace" applies to us all, we each have something we struggle with. Misrepresenting Christ is a serious matter, and leaders and churchgoers seem to have somehow forgotten this. We "represent" Christ in our treatment of others. Great job!Deirdre, Thanks for your gracious comments.
Great Steve. I hope articles like these encourage the Christian left to find their voice, which resonates more closely with my Buddhist experience. Best...........eThanks E. If something I write just helps someone to see Jesus, the one who knows everything about me and loves me anyway, I will be delighted.
Very Well stated! Excellent article! Keep up the insightful writing. Blessings, AngieAngie, Thanks for reading and for the encouragement. Steve
Hi Steve, better late than never :-) I just came across this article. It's sad but true. I remember people leaving the church I attended because we "allowed" bikers in our church. Some still had a rough word here and there, but the point was they were growing closer to the Lord. I'll never forget our pastors response to such people "well, we would rather have these bikers in here with us and not out there on the streets killin' people like they used to" I couldn't have agreed more! Didn't Jesus say He came to seek and save the lost? Wouldn't all the buildings be empty if only perfect people could attend? Anyway, thanks for sharing. May God forgive us! TeresaThanks Teresa. We had a guy attend our church recently who had just been released from prison. I agreed to drop him off at the halfway house and he mentioned that everyone at the church treated him like they had known him all his life. He's been back every week since. You are exactly right when you say 'the buildings would be empty if only perfect people could attend'. Thanks for reading and for your spirit of grace.
Jesus indeed loved and took time with sinners, but not with hypocrites. That is, with those who profess to know God with their lips but in deeds deny Him. Your idea as stated plainly in an earlier response: "we will love people when they least expect it and flatly refuse to judge anyone" is simply not scriptural nor is it loving. It is, however, quite congruent with the Christianity of our age, hence the response to this article.The comments posted here are exactly as I would have expected given the condition of the church at large and given the prevalence of postmodern humanism in religious thought (though most Christian humanists would never consider themselves "religious").Exihibting judgment when scripturally called for is not exhibiting hate. It is exhibiting love. To "love" and to "accept" and to fail to show judgment where judgment is needed is actually not love at all, but rather it is hate. A "judgmental Christian" is not an oxymoron, it is a biblically and historically based Christian if his judgment is levied when scripturally mandated.Seems you write so holier than thou. Its funny, people could of passed judgement on you and called you a hypocrite, which people did behind your back at one time. Step off you high horse Constantine. This church sounds like that one you go to in Grayslake. Looked down on me when I walked in the door but still accepted my labor at the church and the pastors house for free without a thank you. Just remembering the past. Used and basicly ripped off for alot of things. But I guess thats alright to do things like that to someone who isnt as holy as though. Oh no, im getting way to personal. Sorry. anyways people. If in this guys eyes you are not christian he can pass his judgement and whatever else he wants.
Yes, it is hard to to to not pass judgment on others using our own beliefs as the model. Christians are also the wall builders. They think they have the truth and anyone that does not have their truth is condemned. Is not all of gods children loved by Him. By building the walls, both mentally and physically, are we not turning our love away from our brothers. We can not claim to love God if we do not love ALL His children.
What does the Bible say? I think the issues on judgment should be expressed in the context of what the Bible says. The Bible says what we are, and are not supposed to judge.We can judge what is true or false, sinful or righteous, based on what has been revealed in Scripture. Biblical doctrine or sin, we not only may judge; we must judge.This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered over to Satan, so that they may be taught not to blaspheme. (1Timothy 1:18 – 20)I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths. (2Timothy 4:1-4)"Holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict" (Titus 1:9)."This is the third time I am coming to you. Every fact is to be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses" (2Corinthians 13:1).We are to love the sinner, but not the sin.
Great article. Thank you. I am saddened that there are those in the Christian community who have 'accumulated for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desire' who assist them in venemous judgment of others in a way that is to exert control over them. I recently had a self-declared fundamentalist command me to repent online - because I was wasn't willing to shun a certain celebrity because they had divorced and remarried and were adulterers. I don't know many churches where that level of judgement would be tolerated, yet online it seems to be rampant. Galatians 6:1 says, 'Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.' This is what your article is saying, but not what so many people are doing. I think harsh, immature judgements are a sign of insecurity on the part of the one doing the judging. They may not have developed interpersonal skills to engage in judging the way God has laid out. I wonder if ministers
hi steve,
i don't attend church because of the hypocrisy i have witnessed.
i talk to God many times a day, both in statements, and questions. then, there are the pleas! :)
unfortunately, it is the human side we see and hear, not the whispers of our Maker.
thanks for sharing, and i like your picture,
my best,
sueSue,
Thanks for commenting. I think a lot of people love God, or at least have an interest in knowing more about Him, but can't connect with the church. That's why I wrote the article. Don't write off the church completely though. It's made up of imperfect people like me that want to do the right thing but often get it wrong. Yet there is value in making the journey together.
Thanks again for commenting. I enjoy your writing.
Steve
If I interpret John 7:24 correctly, Jesus commands folks to judge righteously, not by appearances. Today we say "Do not judge a book by its cover". That is not the same as "Do not judge the book". Just read the dang thing before you do. It seems to me that if anyone is upset with Christians being judgemental, that person should also be upset with Jesus for commanding them to be so.Jim,
Thanks so much for taking time to read and comment. I'm not picking at you here but I get a different meaning from that verse.
Reading that whole passage in John from verse 14, Jesus is pointing out the hypocrisy of the Jews in the crowd for accusing him of breaking the Sabbath by healing a man. He says that they circumcise on the Sabbath but judge him for healing on the Sabbath. So verse 24 sums it up with "Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment."
I don't see that as a command to be judgmental. But here are some fairly strong admonitions... Matthew 7:1 starts with "Do not judge...". Luke 6:37 leads with "Do not judge...". Those would be problematic if you took John 7:24 as a command to be judgmental.
I've had discussions with fellow Christians about this. Sometimes I get pushback and they make sensible arguments for proper or correct judgment. I accept that. But I think the measure should be the motive and spirit of the one judging. If it's hateful, self-serving or an attempt to elevate myself, I see no way to defend it. If it's loving, helpful and an attempt to lift another, then okay.
Thanks again for commenting. If I was in central Florida, I would love to buy you a coffee or tea and discuss this further.
...Steve
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