Humility and Love: Should Christians even care?
Does humility even matter anymore? Even for Christians?
Seriously, I am asking that question.
Because, it seems to me at least, in the last five years or so, the only thing that really matters is screaming as loudly and forcefully as one can (or metaphorically on social media) how you or those you agree with are right, and others are wrong. In many ways, I’ve very much been guilty of this myself. But, of late I’ve really grown weary of it all; the name calling, the mudslinging, the hubris, the bad-faith characterizations. No longer is it enough for one’s ideological/political/theological opponent to be wrong—now they are evil and corrupt. It’s like one cannot simply disagree with someone else, now one must question the very moral character of the one they disagree with.1
Recently, I was sent a book by
from Eerdmans Publishing, titled Humility: Rediscovering the Way of Love and Life in Christ. I was cautiously optimistic as I opened the book and began to read. My faith was rewarded early on. Speaking about Christianity as “the Way”2 Austin writes this; “The revolution of the Way does not involve coercion, mere political power, violence, social status, or any of the other traits of lesser revolutions. The revolution of the Way is different. It's a revolution of character and community, a revolution of humility and love.”3 This sounds like a revolution we need to revisit. For Austin, Humility (and love) are not options or unnecessary features of the Christian life, he writes “Humility and love are essential for good character. These virtues are two essential parts of the Way that we must rediscover and re-place at the center of our lives and our life together.”4As necessary as Austin’s emphasis on Humility and Love are, for me what really grabbed my attention was his discussion of the so-called “culture wars,” especially the tendency of both sides to view their opponents as enemies. He asserts, “A crucial failure of the culture-war approach is that it leads us to see other people as enemies, not fellow human beings made in God's image… In the culture war, we caricature others, their experiences, and their beliefs. We fail to understand, and perhaps fail to even try to understand, where they are coming from. This is because we are seeking to defeat them, rather than relate to them in humility and love.”5
Instead of thinking in such black and white terms, Austin calls for nuance. “While many of us are horrible at nuance, nuance is exactly what is needed…”6 And, an important topic to which he adds nuance is so-called “deconstruction,” where a Christian re-examines or “deconstructs” their faith. He writes, “when we think of deconstruction as yet one more part of the culture war, it tends to produce failures of humility and love as we relate to those who have deconstructed or are in the process of doing so. This is not the Way.”7 Not only is it not the way, its just not effective. “These days, polarizing words and deeds can help us get attention and the glory we misguidedly seek for ourselves. But why seek attention and glory? And what is the cost to our souls and the souls of others?”8
Ultimately, Austin is trying to get Christians out of the culture-war-machine “We shouldn't be concerned about winning a culture war. We shouldn't participate in a culture war or relate to others with a culture-war mindset. We should be concerned about manifesting the kingdom of God in humility and love, in righteousness, peace, and joy (Rom. 14:17) and in ways that manifest the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).”9 But, this doesn’t mean giving up however; “Quitting the culture war doesn't mean Christians shouldn't engage the culture, including challenging views present or prevalent within it. Rather, it means that we do so from a posture of humility and love.”10
Finally, Austin adds this important reminder, “We must remember that there is a story behind every person's beliefs, words, and behavior. Often it is a story that includes significant suffering. We would do well to keep this in mind!”11 Yet, holding to such a perspective requires a great deal of humility and love. And to that point, I guess Austin has brought us full circle
Yes, its now apparently ok to end sentences with a preposition.
As it was described in Ancient Christianity.
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