Words from WW Blog

“But in your hearts, revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…” (1 Peter 3:15)

On July 21, 1925, John Scopes lost his trial and was fined $100. His offense was teaching evolution in school. The trial, taking place in the small Tennessee town of Dayton, attracted national attention, even being broadcast on radio coast-to-coast. William Jennings Bryan was the prosecutor. He had run for president in three different elections and served as Secretary of State. Nationally-known attorney Clarence Darrow, was the lead person for the defense. He wanted to force the issue of teaching evolution in order to make a point about the closemindedness of fundamentalist Christians.

The court case known as “The Scopes Monkey Trial” had two effects that were opposite from each other. The fundamentalists won the battle but lost the people’s respect.

Ninety-nine years later, the battles continue. They’re disagreements over issues of conscience and faith. Struggles that take in gender, individual rights, government interference, neglect, how the United States is involved in skirmishes around the world, and the absence of morals at home. Social media and instant communication make them larger in stature than they are. People talk about it not being like it used to, but it really is. We just find out faster. The names of the issues have just been changed.

And just like The Scopes Monkey Trial, Christians sometimes win the battles but look somewhat idiotic as a result of it, like children having temper-tantrums instead of reflections of Jesus.

The words of 1 Peter remind us to be ready to give an answer but to do it with gentleness and respect. Answer without minimizing the intelligence of those who hold a different position. Converse without slamming, discuss without condemning, chat without belittling.

Our tendency is to win at all costs, but at what cost? Although my position on controversial issues may be unpopular with the cultural mainstream, I’m commanded to respond in ways that probably won’t win the argument. That last word, “argument,” should not be the scenario I seek, but it often is. Instead, I’m called to be the reflection of Jesus, my words and demeanor guided by the Holy Spirit. After all, as the scripture says, I have “the reason for the hope.” And yet, many followers of Jesus seem to operate out of a hopelessness that is infected with anger, arrogance, and a lack of empathy.

Honestly, there are a number of disrespectful, angry, cruel, mean-spirited people we, who strive to be reflections of Jesus, have to deal with…and that’s just some of the folk inside the church.

Ouch!

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This entry was posted on July 23, 2024 at 12:56 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments.

Tags: Bible, Christianity, Faith, gentleness, God, hope, Jesus, respect

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