Modern Disciple Magazine for Men (MDM4M), published in Canada 
NOVEMBER 2004
NOVEMBER 2004
Subversive Christianity
by Stephen Barkley
What we want is not more little books about Christianity,
but more little books by Christians on other subjects
- with their Christianity latent.
There are two very different types of Christians in the world today: subcultural Christians and subversive Christians. Subcultural Christians like all things Christian. Their cars are adorned with "Honk If You Love Jesus" and "This Blood's For You" bumper stickers. Their radio is always preset to the local Christian station, where they are guaranteed to hear 100 percent non-offensive music, advertisements, and social commentary. When traffic gets rough on the way to the Christian book store, they turn to the stack of worship CDs at their side to ease the burden.Subcultural Christians are not ashamed of Christianity. They proudly identify themselves by the clothes they wear-their t-shirts have bold logos like "Got Jesus?" and "God Answers Knee-Mail." You are also virtually guaranteed to see "WWJD" or "FROG" bracelets around their wrists.
If you go to the home of a subcultural Christian you will find walls adorned with Scripture verses superimposed over breathtaking sunset and mountain scenes. If you were to check their email, scores of forwarded messages would appear containing heartwarming stories all ending with: "If this story has touched you, please forward it to everyone in your address book (give and it shall be given)!"
Subversive Christians are a rarer breed-they just look normal. In fact, you may not realize they are even Christians until you begin to speak with them. When you do begin a conversation, however, you quickly realize that there is something different. Outdated traits like honesty (in an age of petty lawsuits), generosity (in an age of personal ambition), and patience (in an age of hurriedness) are exuded in abundance. You will probably get the impression that they see your needs as more important than their own.
Subversive Christians are not ashamed of Christ-though they often shy away from popular Christianity. You may not find them taking up residency at the local Christian bookstore, or speaking flawless Christian jargon; you will find them loving people who do not deserve it for no reason except the divine love that motivates them.
These two pictures are obviously extremes. In daily life, we find ourselves caught up somewhere between subcultural and subversive tendencies. Still, these pictures reveal the heart-the centre of the Christian life. Subcultural Christians love Christianity, while subversive Christians love Christ.
Our Subversive Lord
Even a cursory glance at Scripture shows us that Jesus was not interested in joining a godly subculture-he founded his Father's own revolution! No where is this more evident than in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus sees a crowd of people following him, so he climbs up a hillside with his disciples in order to be better heard. When he opens his mouth, he shocks everyone.
One of our problems living some 1900 to 2000 years after the New Testament was written is our lack of cultural understanding. We tend to view passages like the Sermon on the Mount as nothing more than pleasant moral teaching. Nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus' words were shocking, liberating, and by all earthly accounts, blasphemous! When Jesus spoke, it was offensive to the religious leaders yet liberating to the common folk.
Back to the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus begins by calling everyone whom the world would consider cursed and miserable, blessed! The spiritually destitute, people in mourning, those who are starving, people who work for peace at a time when Israel was seeking political liberation, people who would be hunted down because of their love for Jesus: all these people were blessed.
The spiritually and physically bereft had been told that they were outside of God's care. The Law teaches that if Israel is obedient, they will be overcome by blessings. Never mind that this applied to the nation as a whole-the following application would have been made (and is still being made today): if you're not healthy and wealthy, you do not have the favor of God on your life.
If Jesus had a subcultural mindset, he would probably have joined the Pharisee's movement. From there he would follow their interpretations of the Law without considering whether they were right or not-after all, they were the religious elite for a reason. Next he would have used that position to lobby government to help change the situation.
Jesus did none of the above. He never coddled the religious leaders. In fact, he reserved his harshest words for them. You will never find Jesus taking the political reins of Israel. Instead he brought a new kingdom, and his plan was for it to be instituted from the ground up. Individual people, transformed by the overwhelming love of Jesus, the power of his death, and the empowerment of his Spirit were to spread the news of the Father's Kingdom throughout the world.
Jesus did not say, "work to influence government to enact laws that will enable your country to be a positive influence on the world." He did said: "you are salt, and you are light." Essentially: start acting like the preserving and guiding force you already are.
The Mixed Up Church - PAGE 2 --->
All articles in MDM4M are © the author or, if no author given, © the publisher.
Opinions and views are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the opinions of MDM4M.
Opinions and views are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the opinions of MDM4M.