Universalism vs. the Christian “Litmus” Test
The ability to “see” — critical to pursuing and being pursued by God — necessitates transcending the traditional boundaries associated with “conservative” Christianity. My coupling of the terms “conservative” and “Christianity” is no accident. Too often, political parties assume religious postures, pushing a “distorted” view of Christianity. Buying into this view requires accepting rigid parameters; to be a “Christian” requires passing a certain “litmus” test. This litmus test includes but is not limited to the following:
- Language. “Christians” do not swear; that is, use four-letter words push the edge or violate parameters of socially agreed on “taste” or “standards.”
- Deportment. Outward expressions of anguish, rage, etc., typically are frowned upon.
- Clothing. “Christians” wear suits and ties, have short haircuts, no piercings or tattoos.
- Books. Obviously, books containing “explicit language” (see bullet 1) are out. It goes farther than just language, however. Content questioning the viability of God and religion in general is eschewed and not investigated.
- Music. “Christians” listen to hymns; at the very least are tolerant of music only if “God” and “Jesus” and various other buzzwords such as “salvation,” “victory,” etc. are predominant.
- Sex. Heterosexual relationships only. There are even attempts at “courting,” attempting to remove the impetus of passion from relationships. Intercourse is undertaken only after marriage
- Belief system. Faith is it. Faith is the predominant criteria required for “salvation.” The litmus test for “faith” is conversion. Conversion is binary in nature (Christian or non-Christian) and exploration beyond the traditional boundaries of Christianity (e.g., exploring the applicability of Buddhism, etc.) is shunned or considered heretical.
The case for including other items to the litmus test is possible, but you get the idea. The attempts to define God and putting parameters or borders on God is shortsighted at best and marginalizing at worst. In keeping with the pervasiveness of God’s divine spark, God pursues and is pursued through mediums too numerous for human beings to begin to comprehend.
Consider Matthew 13:1-9 (New International Version)
The Parable of the Sower
1That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9He who has ears, let him hear.”
The element of Jesus’ parable that is striking is the “extravagance” of God. God plants the kingdom of God everywhere, even among those who possess no interest nor inclination for the message. God pursues all individuals. There is no “elite” group or “righteous” group that God prefers or targets God’s message. God prefers to pursue all individuals, even the most difficult and the least promising. There is no litmus test for this pursuit.
Similarly, the book of Ruth illustrates the importance of human beings actively engaged in the pursuit of God, regardless of nationality, gender, belief system, etc. Ruth provides an excellent model of the importance of actively pursing God, a perfect “yang” to Naomi’s “yin.” Naomi is the “accepted” Hebrew woman who passively accepts her fate via faith.
The book of Ruth promotes the universalism of the kingdom of God, propagating this theme through the slow but growing relationship between a widow – Naomi – and her daughter-in-law – Ruth. The development of this relationship is met with initial resistance from Naomi. Naomi represents the traditional inclusiveness of the Hebrew community. Naomi is a passive character in the story, resolute to her fate. In the Hebrew community, she lacks wholeness as a woman. For a woman to fulfill her role, she must be married and have male offspring for the husband’s lineage to remain intact. For Naomi, her worth as a woman ended with the death of her husband Elimelech and her sons Maholon and Chilion. Israelites identifying with Naomi felt empty, lacking spiritual wholeness when forced into exile, their Temple and their land destroyed and conquered.
Conversely, Ruth is portrayed as an “active” character; a “yang” to Naomi’s “yin” comprising wholeness. In spite of their need for each other to survive, Ruth experiences Naomi’s initial resistance. Similar to Jonah’s resistance to prophesying to Nineveh, Naomi resists Ruth by outlining the dangers of their association. Yet, Ruth reframes this resistance in the monologue as Naomi’s love and concern for her. Ruth assumes the active role, promoting their relationship, a “wholeness” relationship. Ruth’s admonition to Naomi concerning her belief that God left her empty when entering Bethlehem reminds Naomi that she is not empty, she has the love and support of Ruth which proves invaluable. The view of “wholeness” or universalism provides a resonating message to exilic populations. For example, the belief of the Judeans that the presence of God was gone during the exile is premature. When Cyrus allows the exiles to return, the community is restored albeit differently comprising a mixture of foreign peoples, Babylonian exiles and the inhabitants left behind. The message promoted in the book of Ruth is that God loves all peoples residing inside and outside of Israel; a direct contrast to Deuteronomistic History’s (Deut 23:1-3) insistence of exclusion to maintain moral order.
Lastly, the benefits of universalism include an etiology regarding the eventual birth of one of Israel’s greatest kings – King David. Naomi — representing the Hebrew community – survives and even thrives only through the inclusion of other peoples and their differences. This includes acknowledging females as active shapers of their destiny and experiencing benefits from this shaping.
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
Are you new to The Divine Spark? Register and become part of the community. If your a registered member, please Login.
If you enjoyed this post, we invite you to register, leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a comment