Jesse A. Schroeder

As always, Brian McLaren states clearly, calmly and Christianly how I feel about the current issues - this time, regarding the very hot health care debate. A few excerpts of his "Open Letter...to Conservative Christians"

My concern is that many of my sisters and brothers, without realizing it, have begun seeing Jesus and the faith through the lens of a neo-conservative political framework, thus reducing their vision of Jesus and his essential message of the kingdom of God. As a result, too many of us are becoming more and more zealous conservatives, but less and less Christ-like Christians, and many don’t seem to notice the difference.

But we Christians, it seems to me, have a high calling – to be radically committed to integrity and civility, even (especially) with those with whom we disagree. God, after all, is merciful, generous, and kind to “the just and the unjust”: How can we not have that same obligation regarding those with whom we disagree? Even if others resort to dirty political tricks and distortion of the truth through exaggeration and fear-mongering, we simply cannot. At the very least, we should be seekers of truth, seekers of wisdom, not consumers (or purveyors) of propaganda – even if it comes from members of our own political party and people who quote a lot of Bible verses (often out of context). We have a higher calling.

I would simply like to plead with conservative Christians – conservative evangelicals, conservative charismatics, conservative Catholics, and so on – to take a stand for integrity and civility in the health-care debate, alongside and in solidarity with those of us who love Christ just as you do, but do not rally around the conservative political banner.

Even if we disagree on health-care reform and other political issues, I hope we can agree that it is time for us to start walking – and talking – more worthy of the calling to which we have been called, to use Paul’s words, to speak the truth, and to do so always in love.

I wish that I had something eloquent or profound to comment on McLaren's words, but he seems to summarize what is really important, namely living and speaking as Christ would at all times. Christians cannot continue to let issues - whether they be gay marriage, politics, or eschatology - continue to divide us against ourselves. How ridiculously embarrassing! There is a better way. The way of Jesus.

On the same note, Jim Wallis also has a good blog post you should read.