I just read an article by Bryan McLaren and I will say from the onset that I don't agree with much of his theories, however he did share a thought that I found interesting. McLaren's article contrasted the Milgram Experiments of the 1960s with modern American Christianity. Scientist Stanley Milgram wanted to measure peoples willingness to obey authority figures even when it conflicted with their personal conscience. The study was prompted after observing past Nazi war crime trials and noticing that many of the officers claimed to have committed the heinous war crimes because their superiors ordered them to do so, most namely Adolf Eichman.
In one particular experiment, one group of participants were told by authorized scientists to press a button that would send a painful electric shock into another group of participants sitting in another room. The results were shocking. When the lab authorities gave the order, 65% of the "button pushing" participants repeatedly sent an electric shock into the "receiving" participants. As the voltage was increased the results remained the same; participants trusted the scientists admonition that what they were doing was good for scientific advancement. When asked if they had sympathy for the other participants many said yes, but never questioned or resisted, they simply did it because the authority told them to do so.
McLarens position questions how or if Christians think for themselves or if we are like those participants who were willing to inflict consequence against their conscience because their leaders say so. Its a very interesting idea for us to ponder, so I pose this question, who's pulling your strings? Have you given your religious leader, Bishop, Pastor, Counselor etc. unquestioned authority to your life? If we say sow, do you sow? If we say Republicans most demonstrate Christianity, do you believe that and shun the ideals of Democrats? If we say to shun any fellowship with a homosexual, do you shun gays? If we say no contraceptives in your marriage, do you shun contraceptives? If we say reject spiritual gifts, do you reject spiritual gifts? What if we don't approve of who you chose to marry, do you turn your heart in another direction? This is not an endorsement for these concepts but examples of how a host of personal, political and religious ideals have been passed to the Christian community with very little introspection by the average Christian as to why we are being told to accept them. To make matters worse, some of the opinions that we adhere to raise conflicts within our own conscience's.
Dear Believer, it is okay to have a different opinion from your leader as to how your life plays out-just make sure its not different from Gods opinion shared to us in Scripture. We are mere resources to you, not your final authority. Your life journey will bring you all types of turns and twists that others may not readily identify with. Interpreting what this means for your life is the beauty of having an authentic relationship with the Holy Spirit versus with His flawed representatives. We cannot tell you how to vote, who to marry, or who your friends should be etc. Scripture doesn't give us that authority and neither should you! So hear us as advice, not as the comp-controller of your life. Respectfully challenge us to a dialogue versus a one sided monologue. With that said, this is not a license to become argumentative and difficult for arguments sakes, or to disregard advice that is useful and Biblical, and certainly not a license to operate in clear and obvious sin. It is however an admonition for you to think for yourself and not be framed into a "system of religious living" and false accountability that minimizes your intelligence and choice making ability. It's further an invitation for you to enter into the kinds of discourses where people interact and with leaders for community, accountability and knowledge's sake. Its the checks and balancing act that is needed to produce the best Christians, nations, families, businesses and human beings possible. With this you can take control of your own life. Know why you do what you do and don't be afraid to own it! YOU make decisions with the information YOU gather so that you can please God, honor others and make your house a product of your choices not someone elses. Trust the Holy Spirit to guide you!!
In closing, I agree with McLearen in this regard, that many Christians are afraid to publicly express support for ideas that are not in the Christian mainstream. For you that fit that category, I say that your conscience is a powerful piece of who you are and if you are acting against your conscience life will be most miserable for you. There is wisdom to asking questions and getting clarity on what you believe and why instead of taking our words for it only. True faith begins with a surrender of the heart and you aren't doing the Christian faith any favors by signing on to ideas that you haven't surrendered your heart to- whether Biblical or otherwise.
Thats what I think and Im stickin to it!!
