Jesus, Not Jesús: Finding The Divine In The Space Between Us.
  • Be Kind
  • About this blog
  • About the author
  • Contact
  • Be Kind
  • About this blog
  • About the author
  • Contact

What’s in a name?

10/3/2018

0 Comments

 
Years ago when my daughter was learning how to spell, she saw my brother-in-law’s name and noticed something unique. His name is Brian. And in his name is my name: Ian. Perhaps you saw that coming. 

On a similar note (but not really yet bare with me because I will make it come full circle), I read a news story that quoted Franklin Graham, yes the son of the late world renowned evangelical leader Billy Graham as promoting toughness among Christians. That is to say, we ought to be less like Jesus. And more like Graham's idol Donald J Trump - a world renown, tough talking, self-centered bully.

It’s hard to see Franklin’s point. At least from a minister and a Christian point of view, this kind of action doesn’t seem very Christian, at east not as Christ laid out in the gospels. 

I’ve read all four gospels numerous times and nowhere could I find Jesus pushing people around to get what he wanted. Not once did he bully or belittle a human being to make himself look good. And I don’t think Jesus ever grabbed a woman in her private parts. 

There’s a story that’s been preached on (and also refuted) that suggests Jesus promoted aggressive behavior when he drove all the merchants out of the Temple yard, which is in all four gospel accounts. In light of the entire gospel message, and by all the actions and words spoken by Christ, I don't think that argument holds up. Was it a one time event? Perhaps. But it doesn't match up to the rest of Jesus’ or our own story. 

More than just chasing the crooks out, Jesus was clearing the way to welcome all people to worship in the one place God had promised to always be. God did not allow the Temple in Jerusalem to be just for the Jews anymore than God made Jesus for evangelicals. 

While the name of God comes in many forms, followers of Christ have only one name: Christian. We are not Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant anymore than we are Baptist, Evangelical, or Methodist. We are Christian. One people with one goal: to live as Jesus lived. And if you need a refresher on what that entails, read the gospels. 

In each of the four you will find a common theme: love. And if you want to know what that means, again I invite you to read the gospels. Pick one and read it. You’ll see how love does not mean love of self, but love of the other including those who hate you or revile you. That love means to serve others and not yourself. Love means giving to Caesar that which is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. 

The gospel does not change to fit our agenda. Instead it changes us to live more in harmony with God’s agenda...and with one another. This is the gospel, the truth, that Jesus taught. 

I challenge you to read either Matthew, Mark, Luke or John and see for yourself if you are living up to the name of Jesus Christ through whom each person is able to be called a Christian.

I am a Christian, and I am proud to call myself one. As I like to point out, my life without Christ means I am just Ian.  
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Ian Macdonald

    An ex-copywriter turned punk rock pastor and peacemaker who dedicates his life to making the world a better place for all humanity. 

    "that they all might be one"  ~John 17:21


    “Prius vita quam doctrina.”
    ​~ S
    t. Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274)​
    * “Life is more important than doctrine.”


    Archives

    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    February 2011
    December 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010

Be Kind

About this blog

About The Author

Contact

Copyright © 2011