1.Selling all and giving to the poor?
Jesus did not advocate worldwide homelessness.
Those who were traveling minister like Jesus, they are the ones who were told to do that.
It is Jesus' teaching that everyone should follow. There is no skin in the game when all you think you have to do is repeat and believe some ancient theological statements made about Jesus after he died.
Jesus never, never EVER advocated for worldwide homelessness.
Where are you getting this ridiculous notion from? I don't accept it and Jesus, I believe, didn't either.
We are not to judge hypocritically.
Where have you been? The Bible says Jesus was not faint of heart about pointing out human hypocrisy. If you somehow believe you are above other human beings in this regard, your life will probably always be an unhappy one. I can easily be accountable for my own hypocrisy, racism, bigotry and sins. What prevents you from doing the same?
And pray tell me how you have managed to not judge anything or anyone--even hypocritically.
You say that God is above all, even money. I am confused. People may claim that as believing they are good Christians but they stand fast for capitalism and believing that anyone can make it successfully and at the same time putting down the destitute.
4.Loving your enemies?
Do you have a problem with that?
I don't see evidence of this at all--particularly among Christians. In fact, the bitter irony is that I see serious nonviolent protest and action among atheists, secularists and humanists. It is
THEY who seem to be helping the Kingdom of God on earth these days.
5.Not praying in public?
Is that a problem for you?
It is a problem for the church, not to me. It is all a part of Jesus' teachings about hypocrisy.
6.Giving to everyone who begs from you?
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
I see a lot of homeless and I try to do something for them, even if it is only a sympathetic ear. I know where the shelters are and I ask them if they feel safe when they are sleeping. My daughter gave me the idea of carrying protein bars in the car and giving them out unconditionally to people on the side of the road who are begging. My wife and I carry them with us as well.
I don't want this country to start looking like Calcutta. I want the homeless and the destitute taken care of.
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The church is coming to realize that "action-based" faith is a real moral challenge to "belief-based" faith. It is more important to treat others with an open heart rather than believe something like "Jesus died for our sins" or "I am saved and going to heaven."
Jesus thought Heaven was fine and could take care of itself. It's here on EARTH where the problems are.
We need to beware of finding a Jesus that is congenial to us.
It's not easy picking up one's cross and following him. And it's too damned easy to sit above it all and memorize statements of ancient theology made up by men after he died.
