The following is part of an interview of Donald Miller, the author of Blue Like Jazz and Searching for God Knows What. You can read the whole interview here. Thought that this part was interesting:
You’ve said that the church “uses love as a commodity.” What do you mean?
Miller: We sometimes take a Darwinian approach with love—if we are against somebody’s ideas, we starve them out. If we disagree with somebody’s political ideas, or sexual identity, we just don’t “pay” them. We refuse to “condone the behavior” by offering any love.
This approach has created a Christian culture that is completely unaware what the greater culture thinks of us. We don’t interact with people who don’t validate our ideas. There is nothing revolutionary here. This mindset is hardly a breath of fresh air to a world that uses the exact same kinds of techniques.
What’s the alternative?
Miller: The opposite is biblical love, which loves even enemies, loves unconditionally, and loves liberally. Loving selectively is worldly; giving it freely is miraculous.
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Ryan, your blog looks cool. I’m jealous, I admit. Content ain’t bad either.
I love this quote. If love or the Spirt of God must serve as a connector of people. Through this lens the only way for the Kingdom to grow is for it experience a mass explosion of inclusively, connectivity and love across all boundaries without question or hesitation.
We must serve as connecting points to other parts of the Kingdom rather than exclusive themed clubs. Sounds simple, but how connected are we to those that are different than us.
Maybe I need to start reading some blogs written by Greek Orthodox or Adventist Kingdom seekers.
just a few late night thoughts