Guest Post: Open Letter to Hateful Christians

This is a guest post written by a friend and former colleague at Newspaptree, Ben Wright. The piece is in response to controversy at events held by the Muslim community in Austin last week.

Dear Hateful Christians,

Here are ten verses that I hope you will read (and weep) over. Sure, God loves you. His love is so big He even those who think He only loves them. But that’s also why he calls you (and me) to live life differently.

1 John 2:9

“Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.”

We’ll start with the simple stuff. Hatred=not knowing God. ‘Nuff said.

Matthew 7:21

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

So sure about your own salvation eh? Careful what you wish for. And what is the will of the Father?

1 John 4:7

"Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

Want a litmus test for faith, doctrine, or salvation? Hint: it’s not the pledge of allegiance. It’s about an inspired allegiance to love. But that’s kinda hippie right? What about Evangelism?

Matthew 28:19

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”

“Baptism” means to “immerse.” A person’s name signifies their reality. Want to obey the great commandment? Go and immerse people in the reality of the One to whom we belong (the loving Father), the one in whom we believe (the beloved Son), and the one through whom we behave (the Spirit of love.) AND IN THAT ORDER TOO: Belong, believe, behave. Not behave, believe, belong. Not convinced? That’s fine. I’m not a scholar. I could be wrong. But while you think it over, how about not shooting from the hip. Here’s why:

Matthew 23:13

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.”

Want to piss God off? Stand by the entrance of his eternal party with a homemade sign and a man made snarl. See what happens. Ask a Pharisee about that time they (literally) got their asses whooped in the temple. (Matt 21) Not moved? Read on.

Romans 2:23-24

“You that boast in the law; do you dishonor God by breaking the law? For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

God’s law is the law of love revealed in Jesus Christ. By breaking this law of love, you are turning people away from the truth of the GOOD news. You are not evangelists – you’re evandalists who graffiti hatred upon the cross of Christ. Do you really want to be that guy? “But we quote the bible!” So what? See below.

Proverbs 26:9

"A proverb in a fool's mouth is as dangerous as a thornbush brandished by a drunkard."

Ever wonder why people’s reactions to your bible bashing doesn’t go so swimmingly? Why does “the truth” seem so hateful, wrong and idiotic to those who take umbrage at your words or signs? Here’s why: The bible may be the absolute truth, but your interpretation of it (or anyone else’s) certainly isn’t.

Proverbs 10:12

"Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs."

Evandelism not working out? Try love instead of hatred. It covers ALL wrongs. Yours, mine, there’s. Here. Now. Forever. Take St John’s word for it.

Luke 9:51-55

“When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’ But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.”

Whether it’s harsh words or ballistic missiles, Jesus does not want you to rain down thunder on those who are unwelcoming to your message. By the way, remember that hippie disciple John? The one who in 1 John goes on about love, love and love like he’s a fricking Beatle? He was one of the dudes asking for divine napalm in Luke 9. This earned him (and his brother) the ironic nickname “Sons of Thunder.” Not only did Jesus rebuke him, he (you guessed it, lovingly) ridiculed him. Later he became “the disciple whom Jesus loved” Love changed his life. It should change yours too. And if it doesn’t, well…

Galatians 5:19-21

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

If you are going to idolize your nation’s culture or history, if you foster factions, if you dabble in hatred or discord, then (according to the very-much-not-a-hippie-like-John St Paul) you are living a life that means you won’t inherit the Kingdom of God. So read again his words above: hatred and rage is as bad as orgies and drunkenness. You and your fellow protestors might as well be draining a keg and taking your church friends air tight on the capitol’s southern steps. Your being just as sinful, and being just as damaging to the Kingdom by spewing ignorance and discord.

Want to be like God? Love, Joy, Peace. Kindness. Can you do that? It sure is hard. I fail at it all the time. But the bible says that mercy triumphs over justice. Wanna fail together?

Love Ben x x x