A recent email from MinEmergent included a quote from Diana Butler Bass (A People’s History of Christianity).
“Whereas militant Christianity triumphs over all, generative Christianity transforms the world through humble service to all. It is not about victory; it is about following Christ in order to seed the human community with grace.”
The brief quote, titled “Generative Christianity,” raises the question as to how Christianity generates and regenerates itself in the world. The contrast between militant Christianity and generative Christianity gives me pause. Today I am reflecting again on the nature of the klingdom–does the version of church we know best operate according to the methods of this world, or are we pursuing the forms of the kingdom that are “other worldly”? Recall that Jesus himself said that his kingdom was not of this world.
Too often, I fear that the accepted version of Christianity is more destructive than constructive. Some seem more interested in tearing down than building up. The history of Christianity includes periods of overt militancy; more difficult to perceive are the continuing tendencies toward covert militancy. The triumph of Christianity will not be through disciples who fight, even though confrontation was at times a part of Jesus’ ministry. The triumph of Christianity will be through disciples who unhesitatingly and faithfully follow Jesus’ example–reviled but not reviling, giving more than receiving, serving more than being served. The subtle triumph of Christianity, in our own lives and in the lives of those we touch, will be through humble servant hearts that “seed the human community with grace.”
Let us use this phrase as today’s challenge: God, as I go forth this day, may I seed the human community with your grace, wherever I go and wherever you lead me.