More Conservative, Less Compassionate?
“Isn’t it a fact that the more conservative one becomes, the less compassionate? I know there are some exceptions, but we’re talking about the general rule…I want to know why…I’d also like to when. Not just Why can’t we be theologically conservative and personally compassionate, but when…When did we depart from the biblical model?…When did we opt for placing more emphasis on being proclaimers and defenders and less on becoming repairers and restorers? When did we decide to strengthen our focus on public condemnation and weaken our involvement in private restoration?
Maybe when we realized that one is much easier than the other. It’s also faster, swift as the flash of a sword. When you don’t concern yourself with being your brother’s keeper, you don’t have to get dirty any more or take risks or lose your objectivity or run up against the thorny side of an issue that lacks easy answers.” Chuck Swindoll, Come Before Winter
Is this not the fast which I choose,
To loosen the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the bands of the yoke,
And to let the oppressed go free
And break every yoke?
“Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry
And bring the homeless poor into the house;
When you see the naked, to cover him;
And not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
“Then your light will break out like the dawn,
And your recovery will speedily spring forth;
And your righteousness will go before you;
The glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
“Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
You will cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am ‘
If you remove the yoke from your midst,
The pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness,
And if you give yourself to the hungry
And satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
Then your light will rise in darkness
And your gloom will become like midday.
“And the LORD will continually guide you,
And satisfy your desire in scorched places,
And give strength to your bones;
And you will be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail.
“Those from among you will rebuild the ancient ruins;
You will raise up the age-old foundations;
And you will be called the repairer of the breach,
The restorer of the streets in which to dwell.
Isaiah 58:6-12
I have more thoughts to share about being theologically conservative and also compassionate (especially after yesterday’s Obama post and the discussion that followed), so stick around…I sense a series coming on…
hee hee…you sense a series coming on? Oh yes, you do. :)It'll be a good one.
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Sweeeeeeeeeeeet…I always love your series and the conversations surrounding them…
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I love Swindoll! And cannot wait to hear more of your thoughts on this idea.
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I think it happens when we attempt to lord over God's heritage. We put ourselves in to the God position instead of humbly submitting ourselves to be led by the Spirit. I have made those mistakes myself so I'm speaking from experience.
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Have you read or listened to Tony Campolo? He is very much a compassionate conservative. I recommend him.
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Looking forward to more of your thoughts on this subject. I think a series would be wonderful!
Love Collette xxxx
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With respect, I disagree!
I am very conservative, and compassionate. I do believe basic human rights and assistance should be offered to ALL people. I just don't think the government should decide that for me. How do I know what I believe is really what I beleive if my government is MAKING me act a certain way. The Lord gave us free will and I truly want to use mine to serve him. I am fearful it will be taken away if the government starts controlling every aspect of my life.
I can't wait for your series! This is a very interesting topic and I think as women of faith we need to educate ourselves on what is going on around us – to help us better love and serve each other!
Blessings to you and all your readers!!
Should be interesting and thought provoking. I'll be tuning in. Thanks
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Looking forward to it! This is an issue my husband & I have discussed.
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This will be awesome! There has to be a time when we let God lead our heart and minds. Only then will we truly be doing whats best for our fellow man. Judging is not what He called us to do. Only to love your neighbor like you love yourself.
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Thank you so much for this! God forgive us if we hide inside our "right thinking" and don't practice the compassion to which Jesus calls us. Both our thinking and our actions matter greatly, and I appreciate your being willing to talk about these things.
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Looking forward to hearing more from you on this subject. It is an area that God has really been challenging me in this past year. I also want to thank you for the Obama post. As always, you are honest, gentle, and intelligent. I also know that what you write here on your blog hasn't been brought before the Lord first.
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I think we become less compassionate as conservatives when we let judgemental attitudes creep back in. We forget to be like Jesus. But that's our ultimate struggle isn't it? To die to ourselves and be more like Him. I know I'm struggling every day. Thanks for this post!
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I bet your series will be very good.
I have noticed that many people, but not all (as one of your readers pointed out) who are theologically conservative tend toward being a bit judgmental. I think that is b/c they tend to evaluate things on the basis of adherence to the laws that make up their theological understanding and system. If you don't comply, you are wrong. They tend to have less of an emphasis on relationship. Yes, many of them have good relationships and seek Jesus, but even for some of them their is a heavy emphasis on following laws.
I have practiced the Bible in the past looking for authority, not for relationship. I definitely think there is value in looking for scriptural authority. If we don't, who knows what kind of religious confusion could reign in the name of Christianity. But, the heart of who and what we are is Jesus, so I think we need to study and pray to feed that connection with him. Only then will we really have the compassion Jesus has. That is found in relationship, not rules.
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For me personally, I've discovered that the more lax the laws are, the more I struggle with a good balance. Take capital punishment for instance–It makes me so frustrated that someone who has done something so heinous should have to wait years and years and years before the death penalty is finally enacted. By then you have a huge crowd protesting the sentence. Now which side am I on?? I totally believe in capital punishment, but as the Bible says, punishment should be swift and sure. When it isn't, I end up wanting to make sure the laws are more strict and then when the punishment comes I am so relieved that justice has prevailed, yet I'm sickened that a person just died! I stand in both corners, but what I think is that if the laws were more sure, we could concentrate on the more compassionate aspect of hating the sin/loving the sinner. Just my $2.50 opinion…
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Sounds like a great series coming up Sarah Mae! :)
I agree that we tend to become less compassionate as we become more conservative. I'm not sure exactly why but I suspect it has something to do with developing a "holier than thou" attitude. As we "follow the rules" of the Bible, we start feeling like we're better than everyone else because we're "earning our salvation." Then we start looking down on anyone else who "isn't good enough for heaven." It's a sad state of affairs…
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I think I'll have to respectfully disagree with you on this one. Most of the very conservative people I know are also HIGHLY generous. The notion that we're not is perpetuated by the same liberal media who is insistent that liberals are ultra generous when the facts don't support it. God himself is the supreme example of rules with unlimited love and generosity. I'll put my conservative friends generosity and love and compassion up against any group of liberal thinkers any day… and I'd be willing to bet that they'd win. :)
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This is SO funny because people think I'm talking politics when I'm actually talking theology! Hehe…
The divisiveness between Christians and their stances on truth, grace, and legalism.
First of all, I loove Isaiah 58- it is my life chapter!! Also, this is exactly why I rarely classify myself as a conservative- taking on that label has such a negative connotation for exactly the reasons Mr. Swindoll pointed out.
I personally love Rick Warren's way of creating solutions to the social problems he sees. If more churches and "Christians" did that, there would be less opportunity for the government to step in and take over.
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Kelly,
My In-Laws are liberal and are far more giving, merciful, and forgiving than most 'Christians' I know. I'm a Christian, but sadly I see more selfishness in many Believer's I know than in my liberal In-Laws. SarahMae, I think your series for this topic of grace between Believer's will be interesting.
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Sarah Mae,
Yet again, you're bringing up a topic at the exact same time that I'm processing it in my own life. Love it!
On the topic of legalism, grace, and living by standards while extending grace to others, I highly recommend the series, "Curse of the Standards Bearers" by Norm Wakefield. http://www.spiritofelijah.com/chariot/ (it's an eight part newsletter series from Nov 2007 – June 2008). It's a lot of material but definitely worth taking the time to read. Changed my perspectives on a lot of things!!
Can't wait to hear your thoughts on this topic.
Reborn
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Chuck Swindoll has earned my respect over the years. He is wise and balanced. Good choice for your blog!
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