Civil Communications Part 3

Civil Communications Part 3

     I love teaching American history. Despite many missteps, misadventures, and mistakes our nation has done a wide variety of good things; things which improve the human race and contemporary culture. Among our gifts to mankind is the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Now, we did not invent either document or the concepts included in them. But both those documents gathered together a variety of ideas into one place, establishing a government that, while imperfect, attempts to ameliorate the negative tendencies of government and individuals, creating a nation in which both individuals and the corporate body find adequate protections. In my class we spend almost a month on the Constitution and Bill of Rights, exploring the ideas which form the basis of our government. I want my students to develop an understanding of how we think government ought to function. I also want them to understand how their government must both respect and protect their rights; which is rather interesting and paradoxical.

     I teach at a Parochial school; one that takes the idea of a “Christian” education very seriously. We seek to create an educational experience that focuses our students on living in a fashion that bears the imprint of Jesus. We actively seek out ways to help our students develop into Godly young men and women. All of these goals, and others I did not list, are good. But I always pause when teaching the Bill of Rights. Invariably, my students take the Bill of Rights very personally. They consider the rights listed as, “their rights;” rights they expect the government, and others, to respect and uphold. In this aspect they conform well to our current cultural norm.

     In our nation we fully expect others to respect our rights. Much of what consumes the time of the Supreme Court centers on discerning if some law abrogates an individual or groups’ rights. And this is part of what makes our nation good. We want to defend the weak and powerless. The Bill of Rights springs from our desire to protect against the pernicious tendency of the powerful to resort to tyranny, exploiting the weak. In any social media you find an unending discussion concerning how our rights have been trampled in one way or another. Sometimes we find other’s expression of what they consider their freedoms or rights offensive. Other times we claim the heavy hand of oppression falls directly on us. Even Christians engage in vigorous defense of our rights. But should we?

     As a Christian, I believe that my ultimate citizenship lies in a non-temporal, currently unseen, realm. In very fundamental ways, I share more with a fellow believer in Bangladesh than I do with the Atheist who resides just down the block, no matter the current cultural bonds. Despite my love and desire for a bright, everlasting future for my nation, I know that at some point in the future God’s return and reordering of reality will overwhelm the United States. The Constitution and Bill of Rights will disappear, replaced by the new heaven and new earth with only one citizenship. So as a Christian, one who, at least attempts, to see and understand no matter how dimly true reality, how do I define my rights according to what I see in God’s revealed word?

     I find these thoughts and concepts problematic at best. Jesus never gets around to defining, or even defending, my rights. Reading through His recorded utterances does not help me much regarding my civil rights. In Matthew 10 and Luke 9 Jesus reminds us of the folly of seeking our own life. Evidently, in God’s economy, we should not spend time seeking to “find” ourselves. Jesus, the King of Kings, came to serve, not be served, Matthew 20:28. Jesus calls us to accept insult and injury; “…turn to him the other also,” Matthew 5: 39. And in an astonishing bit of fiscal craziness, Jesus calls us to, “And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.” Matthew 5:40. In these, and many other passages, Jesus tells us that to follow Him we must give up our rights. As a teacher and an active participant in our culture, I find this challenging.

     How do I teach my students about one of the greatest documents produced by humanity while inculcating an opposing lifestyle? Our founding documents enable a culture of unparalleled freedom and civic advancement. We enjoy great freedom and protection based on our Civil Rights. Yet, when Christ speaks, He calls us to abandonment of our rights. Those who follow Christ follow Him into self-denial. We must drink His cup. Jesus does not stand alone in this issue. Paul issues similar challenges in His writing, which makes up a very large portion of Holy Writ.

     Almost exclusively Paul refers to himself as a “slave.” Sometimes translators soften the blow by using the term, “bond-servant,” which may be very accurate. No matter how we parse the Greek, Paul identifies himself with those in the lowest rungs of society. Throughout the letters attributed to his pen, he almost always subdues himself, lifting up Christ and others. And this is no mere stylistic appellation. Paul consistently counsels giving up your rights. In Romans 14 and I Corinthians 8 show that Paul clearly subjugated his rights in order to support others, especially weaker brothers. He limited himself rather than inhibiting the gospel. For us as Americans in the twenty-first century, this lifestyle seems abhorrent. In the words of an old cigarette commercial, “We’d rather fight than switch.” Unlike Paul, we’ve taken up the cause of personal rights in the extreme. We elevate our personal rights and freedoms at the expense of civility…and the gospel.

     Much of the discussion taking place on Facebook and other social media, focuses on someone’s behavior somehow trampling on my rights; my right to define myself how I wish, my right to wave the flag of my choice, my right to bear arms, my right to protect certain species of the animal kingdom. When someone holds a view opposing ours we view that as infringing upon our rights. We act as if that enables us to say mean, hurtful things. As Christians we ought to take a different approach.

     After all we’re the people who’ve given up our rights. When we put on Christ we become slaves to righteousness. We gave up all our “rights” to be counted as His. Paul puts it well when he reminds us that we are either slaves to righteousness or slaves to sin. Spiritually speaking, none of us enjoy rights. We’re all slaves; to one thing or another. So when I speak in a public forum why does my speech reveal such deep felt personal affront? Slaves have no right to feel or express displeasure. This does not mean that I do not feel or cannot express opinion. It just changes or colors how and what I express, removing or moderating rancor, ill-will, and accusatory speech. When I enter the public domain, I do so belonging to someone else and speak desirous of reflecting well on my owner. I no longer seek to defend my rights; instead I seek to point others toward my master.