There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor free; nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. — Galatians 3:28
Father Richard Rohr, in one of his daily devotions, made an interesting point about the historic tension between conservatives and liberals.
He noted that in the Bible, one of the characteristics of being Jewish was to be rooted in tradition and history. Paul himself was in this camp before conversion: “I was circumcised on the eighth day. I am from the people of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. I am a Hebrew of the Hebrews. With respect to observing the Law, I’m a Pharisee.” (Philippians 3:5) They symbolize today’s conservatives and traditionalists.
On the other side are the Greeks. They were the progressives who valued philosophy and academics. Paul talked with them enough as to bring out their not-so-hidden arrogance: “Certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers engaged him in discussion too. Some said, ‘What an amateur! What’s he trying to say?’” (Acts 17:18) They symbolize today’s liberals and progressives.
How utterly astounding that Paul said that both sides are doomed if people build a wall around whatever camp they’re in, complete with guard tower. When he said there’s neither Jew nor Greek, he said there’s a better identity that unites us all.
You don’t have to be a professing Christian to have the humility to understand that there is an element of truth in both sides but danger in thinking that you have a monopoly on it. For Christians, the cross symbolizes the death of this divisive way of living. “But now, thanks to Christ Jesus, you who once were so far away [from God and each other] have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Ephesians 2:13)
Maybe a way of taking up our cross is to “cross” over to the other camp, give up our own righteousness, and listen closely and empathetically to those “Jews” or “Greeks.” And maybe that starts with curiosity: “What are your experiences that shape your beliefs?”
That might help us all start seeing our fellow humans as part of a much larger family created in God’s image.
Profound
Amen
I love this.