by Tyler Knight

Philippians 1: 12-18

One can almost hear Paul dictating his letter to the church in Philippi, as he expresses his excitement for opportunities to advance the name of Jesus through his bondage, in verses 12 through 14.  Most people who have spent any prolonged amount of time in a Christian environment recognize Paul as the epitome of ‘joy through suffering’.  Though comparatively I am quite certain that Paul would find my worst day his most pleasurable, my admiration for Paul and his attitude throughout his life’s predicaments often sustains me through what I perceive as my tribulations. 

As I began reading this passage, I fully expected to find text that would further support my appreciation of Paul.   However, it is his message in 15 – 18, a message that I have often overlooked, that challenges my most foundational Christian identities.

The Richardson East You Too Class recently completed a study of the book unChristian.  The book explains the Barna Group’s thorough social study of people under the age of 40, and their perception of Christians.  The results of the study were quite unnerving: Most young people, both Christians and outsiders, believe Christians to be hypocritical, judgmental, and overall – void of love for others.  Unfortunately, most respondents have an intimate knowledge of the Christian faith through church experiences and relationships with Christians.  Behaviors of Christians in church and relationships with the respondents are the root of such unChristian perceptions.  Bottom line: the world witnesses our actions, and does not see Jesus.

While I find these results to be extremely disheartening, I think Paul would find potential and optimism in the fact that our actions caused such negative perceptions.  If our behavior drives perception, then we can change the worldview of Christianity through changing our actions. 

A current Christian position, which I believe sends the wrong message to outsiders, and impedes the progression of Christ’s love, is our reaction to the merits of our nation’s President.

Since the beginning of Barack Obama’s rise to political popularity, a common pastime for many Christians is to question his religious allegiance.  Unfortunately, the questioning often turns into accusations, and worst, condemnation.   In this case, we demonize a man, doubt his Christian affiliation, and lead a witch hunt for his true nationality, solely because he comes from a party adverse to the adopted political ideals of the Christian majority.  Instead of focusing our energy towards building up a brother who exhibits compassion for adulterous women, who wants to feed the poor, and who seeks to provide healthcare for all, we exhaust all efforts to prevent him from doing so.  We as Christians are seen as voluntary road blocks to such provision, and thus are perceived to stand for principals adverse to Christ’s initiatives.

Perhaps Barton Stone taught political pacifism, because he sensed that somewhere along the way, we as Christians would place political ideals over the priorities of Christ.  Often times, our political fervor is driven by fear: fear of change, fear of the unknown.  Political parties’ religious loyalties are not mutually exclusive.  Yet we fear that, because he is ‘liberal’, the President claims himself as Christian for selfish ambitions, to gain political advantage perhaps.  The Bible tells us to be free of fear.  Jesus wasn’t afraid and neither was Paul. 

Paul’s outlook in verses 15 – 18 suggests that we should spend less time worrying about the President’s motives, and more time in jubilation over the fact that a Christian is in the highest authoritative position in our country!   At worst, if the President only identifies himself with Christianity out of selfish ambition, Paul’s response is “what does it matter?  The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.”

Instead of discrediting a man’s Christian proclamation, because he is a Democrat, maybe we should trust our yearning to spread the love of Christ by building up our brother, encouraging him to do the same, and supporting initiatives that imitate Christ’s compassion.  If we do so, I believe that our exhibition of Christ’s interests will allow for more people to know the love He has for everyone.  Soon, we may find that the common perception of Christianity aligns with those principals of our namesake.