Commenting on Jesus’ miracle of raising the dead son of the widow of Nain (Luke 7:11-17), Todd Hunter writes:
‘God is back, looking to the needs of his people!’ And the news spread. This is how the rule and reign of God out to be experienced among us today. Caring for the needs of others is what I have in mind, not just the spectacular part about the boy’s resuscitation. I like the thought of others experiencing Christianity ‘for their good.’ But because of two dynamics, Christianity is seldom seen as being good for others. First, many Christians believe that our relationship with God is a private matter–just between Jesus and me. Second, when we do extend our beliefs into the public sphere, we are noted for nagging, for being judgmental, argumentative or holier than thou. But we see neither of these in Jesus.” –Todd D Hunter, Christianity Beyond Belief, 112-113
Yes. I do believe Mr Hunter is correct here. I can tell you from first hand experience that this type (the self-centered, judgmental type) of ‘christianity’ simply must die. And, to be sure, I believe it will.
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–First, many Christians believe that our relationship with God is a private matter–just between Jesus and me. –
To the contrary, it is others, such as some athiests, who wish to make religion a “private matter”. Or a hobby like knitting, as I remember hear one such athiest say.
–Second, when we do extend our beliefs into the public sphere, we are noted for nagging, for being judgmental, argumentative or holier than thou. –
That is to be expected. When one is right, those who are wrong and unrepentant will grasp at any straw, real or fictitious, to label those who are against them.
–But we see neither of these in Jesus.–
I suspect the Pharisees and Sadducees would beg to differ. They would likely say that Jesus was nagging (He got on them about their tithing), judgmental (He called them hypocrites, among other things), arugmentative (why won’t He just feed us already, and not go on about eating Himself), and holier-than-thou (He thought He was God).