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On Tuesday as I walked
from class and past the union, I was disgusted and
enraged by what I saw. The sight was to some very
comical and the validation of a stereotype. To
others it was a source of bewilderment and anxiety.
To me it was complete hypocrisy and misguidance
aggrandized to a level of theatrical foolishness.
On Tuesday, members of
a radical Christian group set up in Free Speech
Plaza on LSU’s campus in an attempt to promote their
faith and to supposedly challenge “sinners” toward
repentance and the acknowledgement of God. But
their attempt was far from a divine appeal for
salvation. Rather it was a mockery of the very God
whom they claimed to represent. While it is clear
from a Christian perspective that there is an
acceptable year of the Lord—a judgment day—it is not
clear to me what this group claimed to accomplish by
their display. How could such a display compel any
man or woman to accept Christ?
As an African-American student, what
infuriated me the most was seeing individuals who
were white parade around with condemning signs while
a black man “preached” to the crowd. It brought to
mind images of the historical abuse and misuse of
Christianity to keep slaves in line. I saw him as a
misguided pawn for a radically misdirected religious
agenda. I was so embittered that I started to get
on a soapbox myself and preach another perspective
on the faith, but I thought about the old adage that
says, “Never argue with a fool because people from a
distance don’t know
who is who.” Instead I
looked for a more creative and effective way to
channel my frustration and my faith.
I am unapologetically
Christian. I believe in living by biblical
principles and standards. I believe in the divinity
Jesus Christ. However, to Tuesday’s ambitious
believers, I say I can respect what you want to do
but I can’t respect the way you do it. How are we
to persuade this generation with such pharisaic
portrayals of Christ? Love and respect will
persuade more men than any self-righteous
condemnation. Consider the biblical teaching of 1
Corinthians 9:19: “For though I be free from all
men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I
might gain the more”. Reflect on Paul as he
preached in Athens in Acts 17 when he was invited
into an educated setting with the request, “May we
know what this new doctrine is of which you
speak?” More importantly, remember Jesus in Matthew
9:10 as he “sat at meat” and “many publicans and
sinners came and sat down with him and his
disciples.” We minister to people where they are,
and we can only extend our views to the areas they
allow us to reach. Don’t destroy them with your
faith, and estrange them by your zeal.
I am in no ways
advocating a soft, passive, apologetic
Christianity.
Rather, be unapologetic but respectful with your
faith knowing in whom you have believed. The best
witness you will ever have is your lifestyle. Love
your fellow man, live the faith, represent Christ,
and the Lord will add to the church daily such as
should be saved.
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