Christian means “little Christ.” It was a label to designate people who chose to follow Jesus. True Christians are characterized by love for others, obedience to God's word, and possessing the Holy Spirit, making them children of God. Jesus taught to love your neighbor as yourself, love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you, and do good to those who despitefully use you. There are ZERO examples in Christ’s teachings of rejoicing in the death of enemies, hatred for those who believe differently, mocked of the poor, etc.
Why is it then that so-called believers, post video after video fear-mongering over Muslim residents of the US? Did Jesus criticize the Samaritans for their beliefs and encourage his disciples to hate them or live in fear of them? On the contrary, he made a Samaritan the hero of a parable. He engaged in relationship building with the Samaritan woman at the well.
As far as the Romans, Jesus also looked for connection. He praised the faith of the centurion soldier and healed his servant. He did not demand that this Roman centurion convert before doing good for him.
Then there are those rejoicing in the war crimes against Iran, compiling their hatred of people who are different with their desire to blow up the world because they believe Jesus will come back and rescue them. Jesus’ ministry often focused on the one who was forgotten, rejected, or damaged. He looked with compassion on those who were “othered.” There is nothing in His teachings which suggests He would do anything other than challenge any system that considers human suffering an acceptable consequence.
These false Christians often use an utter misapplication of the epistles of Paul in an attempt to justify this behavior. Paul *must* be read through the lens of Christ. You also need to consider the audience, the historical context, and the literary techniques. (Some of the stuff I see people use to justify their twisted theology is caused by neglecting to understand Paul’s use of sarcasm and hyperbole). Paul followed Jesus. He sat at Mars Hill and looked for common ground. Look at his life and he never engaged in the behavior these false disciples promote and participate in.
Do you know who Jesus did criticize? The Pharisees. The self-righteous uber-religious who had problems with everyone who didn’t do things just like them. What did He call them? Broods of vipers, white-washed tombs, children of hell, snakes, blind guides.
Christians like this (many of whom are Christian nationalists) are *every bit* as dangerous as any Islamic extremists. Look at their fruit! Starting illegal wars & cheering them on, kidnapping, abusing, and even killing immigrants. Cheering on genocide. Starving the poor, denying care for the sick. Protecting pedophiles.
Ultimately, Jesus told us exactly how to spot the difference between a disciple and a wolf: "By their fruit you will know them." Fear-mongering, warmongering, and the mockery of the marginalized are not the fruits of the Spirit. They are the fruits of a heart that has replaced the Gospel with a quest for power. We must decide which we value more—the comfort of our prejudices or the radical, sacrificial love of Christ. One leads to the "whitewashed tomb"; the other leads to the life Jesus actually called us to live.
If we claim the name of Christ, we must also claim His character. We cannot worship a Savior who washed the feet of His betrayer while we post vitriol about our neighbors. It is time to stop hiding behind a distorted theology to justify a lack of empathy. If your "Christianity" requires you to hate, fear, or dominate others, it isn't Christianity—it's just a political identity wrapped in a stolen shroud. Let us return to the actual words of Jesus: love your neighbor, love your enemy, and let your life be a testament to the peace He actually preached.
