Adulterated Christianity

A recent read, a life story, “My Encounter with Truth” (D P Sharma with B K Verghese), has moved me.

Among many other insights, what stood out is the recall of author Earl Stanley Jones of his visit with Mahatma Gandhi when the latter just returned from South Africa to lay down the foundation of his work with his beloved country, India.

Without going through the niceties of preliminary cordialities, Jones asked the leader, “How can we make Christianity naturalized in India, not a foreign thing, identified with a foreign government and a foreign people, but a part of the national life in India and contributing its power to India’s uplift? What would you, as one of the Hindu leaders of India, tell me, a Christian, to do to make this possible?”

The reply of Gandhi shook me to the very core. He was clear and void of any ambiguity.

He declared, “First, I would suggest that all of you Christians, missionaries, and all, must begin to live more like Jesus Christ.

Second, practice your religion without adulterating it or toning it down.

Third, emphasize love and make it your working force, for love is central in Christianity.

Fourth, study the non-Christian religions more sympathetically to find the good that is within them, to have a more sympathetic approach to the people.”

The preceding statements of Gandhi would have been enough to keep me thinking.

But no! The ensuing reflection of Jones was even more convicting. Here is the gist of what the author said.

First of all, we were worshiping Christ more than following him. Isn’t this what he said, “Whoever serves me must follow me.”

Is it possible to serve Christ and not follow him? Is it possible to be considered a minister – servant of Christ and yet not living the life of Christ?

Secondly, regarding the practice of religion that Gandhi spelled out, Jones declared that we don’t reject it; we reduce it – to a creed to be believed, an emotion to be felt, an institution to belong, or a ceremony to be undergone – anything but a life to be lived!

And thus, we have inoculated the world with a mild form of Christianity so that it is now proof against the real thing!

How about love as a working force? Gandhi’s statement reminds us that love is not a romantic sentiment or a theory to be discussed.

It is a potent energy that must be demonstrated for individual growth and to impact the greater community.

And last, the imperative of studying other religions with sympathetic understanding hits home. How often have we looked at other religions not with a sympathetic insight to see the good but with a critical attitude to find the bad?

So how do I measure up, my friend?

I confess that I desire to follow Christ, but I must declare I am a poor imitator of the Man!

I stand guilty as charged, for I have expended my life in serving him many times at the expense of truly following him.

I am also guilty as charged many a time in adulterating the Person of Christ to a belief system, a rite to be participated in even with enthusiasm. And my loyalty to my pledged institutions has often superseded my loyalty to him alone.

The verdict concerning love, as I must, is also guilty. There are so many areas in my life that need to be pruned to be considered genuinely loving. The best of me, more often than not, remains self-focused and self-pleasing.

As to the last item – I often find myself wanting to prove correctness at the expense of establishing and nurturing relationships.

My need to see people change overshadows the imperative to simply allow them to see my example more than listen to what I say.

O Lord, only by Your grace am I remotely able to live this Christian life. Without such grace, I am no different from the man who walks back and forth in the psychiatric ward reciting aloud wisdom formulas on how to be well!

Only by your strength will I have the courage to walk the talk. Without this strength coming only from you, I am like a balloon full of hot air that could drop anytime the tempest squall passes by, or strong gust strikes.

I do am thankful that both grace and strength are available for the asking – daily. May it ever be!