Can a Conservative Be a Follower of Jesus?

I was listening to a friend preach a powerful sermon in which he told the story of a conservative woman who no longer felt welcome in her UCC church. My friend sympathized with her concerns.

I had another reaction: “Can a conservative person be a follower of Jesus, a first-century radical nonviolent revolutionary who shook the foundation stones of Judaism, and its leadership?”

My answer: “No way!”

I remembered that in the 1970s, the Episcopal Church ordained its first female priest. Immediately, there was an exodus of conservative Episcopalians who felt that women shouldn’t even be allowed in the sanctuary, much less be ordained. The conservatives left and started their own churches, most of which no longer exist.

My reaction: Good riddance! They forgot to listen to Jesus.

In the 1980s, Episcopalians finally allowed the ordination of gays. As a priest, I knew that some of my fellow priests were gay and some were married with children. With the ordination of gays, some of those priests came out of the closet, divorced, and were able to be authentic.

Another exodus occurred of conservatives who felt that people in the LGBTQIA+ community (gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transsexuals) should never be ordained. According to them, all gays are pedophiles.

Another “Good riddance!” from me.

One more exodus followed when the Episcopalians allowed married gay and lesbian clergy.

Bye-bye!

For some reasons (attendance and $$$$$$), I was sorry to see so many go. But I kept wondering: What message had they heard from Jesus? Was it ever about agape, unconditional love for all, no matter where they were on their life’s journey? (See Lev. 19:18 and Luke 10:27.)

After hearing my friend’s sermon (he’s gay), I looked up the definition of conservative. My computer dictionary said “Adverse to change or innovation and holding traditional values.” Someone who is adverse to people openly admitting who they are can’t be involved in a church that advocates loving everyone, no matter where or what they are. It’s that simple.

If the traditions of the church are opposed to the teachings of Jesus (and many are), then those traditions have to go if one wants to be a Follower. (I’ve never liked traditions. They’re barnacles on the keel of progress.)

I think part of the problem stems from the image of Jesus I had as a child. He was a Mr. Milk Toast, a Mr. Nice Guy who was loved by everyone because he was so soft and mushy, just like milk toast. That Jesus always agreed with everyone’s prejudices.

I left that traditional Jesus in the 1950s when in seminary I learned about the hell-raising, in-your-face, I’m-going-to-tell-you-like-it-is preacher man who wasn’t afraid of confrontation and didn’t hesitate to overturn the tables in the Temple (as well as many of the traditions of his Jewish religion) and confront his Jewish leaders with “Woe to you, oh Pharisees and scribes” over and over. (See Matt. 23.)

Beware! The church is full of fabricated Jesuses designed to make sure the church pew is always comfortable. The Jesus of the gospels can make that pew very uncomfortable.

Bottom line: I think it’s impossible for a conservative person to be comfortable in a church that follows the real teachings of the Jewish Jesus found in the New Testament.

FOOD4THOT!

PeaceLoveJoyHopeKindness

Bil

 

 

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P.S. People often ask me provocative questions about current events, both religious and secular. I have found that some of these questions are being asked universally. I’ll be periodically alternating regular articles with one of those questions and my answer. I invite you to send me your question to bilaulenbach@yahoo.com.

 

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