WWJD By Dr. Richard Youngblood
Question: I’m bothered by the cruelties committed by
Christians throughout history in events like the Crusades, the Inquisition,
anti-Semitism, the Salem witch trials, and the use of the Bible to defend
racism. What would Jesus say about this?
Anyone
who has seriously studied what Jesus taught cannot help but be disturbed and
saddened by the events you mentioned. We
cannot and should not attempt to deny that these things occurred, but weak and
flawed individuals in a sinful world have sometimes taken the name of Christ to
do things that Jesus did not approve. As
he once said, “Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not
prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out
demons and perform many miracles?' Then
I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me,
you evildoers!” (Matthew
7:21-23). Clearly, Jesus did not have a
relationship with everyone who claimed him.
Those
who enflamed nominal Christians to destroy people with whom they disagreed as
did the Crusaders, the church leaders of the Inquisition and even those who have
bombed abortion clinics in recent years were all taking actions totally
contrary to the teachings of Jesus. Instead
of “eye for eye and tooth for tooth” Jesus taught us to “turn the other cheek”
and “not resist an evil person” (Matthew 5:38-39). He said, “Love your enemies and pray for
those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44;
cf. Romans 12:17-21). Christians deeply
regret the evil that has sometime been committed in the name of Christ, but we
can hardly blame Christianity as a whole for behaviors opposed by Jesus and by many
faithful Christians.
In
contrast to the cruelties of distorted versions of Christianity, consider the
evidence of Christianity’s impact for good throughout history. From the beginning, Christians following the
teachings of Jesus (Matthew 25:31-46) have acted to feed the hungry, clothe the
naked, rescue orphaned children and minister to the sick. There is no measuring the amounts of time,
money and work contributed by compassionate Christians to alleviate suffering
in our world. Many of our hospitals,
orphan homes, homeless shelters and even schools are the result of Christian
endeavors. Christianity’s influence on
the world’s art, music, literature, laws and even scientific and medical
research has greatly blessed us also.
All
such atrocities as those you mention are deplorable and should be strongly
disavowed by all believers in Jesus Christ.
In fact, Christians are taught to acknowledge their sins in unselfish
humility and seek forgiveness so as to help build a better and a more peaceful
world (Philippians 2:1-11). But the
teachings of the Bible acknowledge that all people are sinners. Christians are but people who are in the
process of becoming more like Jesus.
They have not yet arrived at that perfect goal. Real Christianity is embodied in the life and
teachings of Jesus, not in the imperfect people who are still in the process of
becoming like him.
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