Recently, in what I believe was an attempted appeal to my “Christian values,” someone told me, “I’ve read the Bible cover to cover three times.”
I thought to myself, “Yeah, and I’ve completed Nintendo’s Super Mario World for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, having found all 96 level exits. Now we’ve both listed a personal accomplishment that, in the grand scheme of things, is ultimately meaningless.”
“And in all honesty, my achievement is far more believable because when boot up my copy of Super Mario World there’s a little star next to my save file, while on the flipside, I don’t think any human being has ever read the Book of Numbers then thought to themselves, ‘Wow, I can’t wait to thoroughly read that all again.’”
“If I’m supposed to assume that because you’ve read the Bible three times you must be a good person, let me personally have the honor of telling you– I found all 96 exits in Nintendo’s Classic Super Mario World, but my vertical jump’s still only like 12 inches.”
I fully recognize that the prophets of old and Jesus Christ himself were well acquainted with scripture. I would imagine Christ must’ve read the Law, and probably the Prophets, more than once in order to quote them when confronted by Pharisees and the god of this world.
It is true that Christ caused an uproar when he announced the beginning of his earthly ministry by quoting from Isaiah, but the scriptures were used to teach, not to prove his godliness or goodness.
When the God of the Old Testament was asked, “What is his name? what shall I say unto them,” he responded, “I am that I am.” The Great Jehovah did not need to explain himself or provide his credentials– he simply is. If a Chrsitan were to truly emulate their God, they’d never need say, “because I’m a Christian,” or “I’ve read the Bible three times.”
If they were to truly emulate their God, without ever a word leaving their mouth, those around them would think something along the lines of, “they are kind,” “they envieth not,” “they vaunteth not themself,” “they’re not puffed up and don’t behave unseemly,” “they seeketh not their own,” “they’re not easily provoked and think no evil,” or “they rejoiceth in the truth.” What could be more Christian than that?
Although they are all aspects that can help, and may be arguably necessary to, navigate through the small gate, I would strongly argue that going to church, reading a book, or even saying a prayer will not make one a good person.
If one’s striving to be perfect, even as their Father in heaven is perfect, they must do more. Must I remind that Christ taught, “Not every one that saith unto me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter into the kingdom of heaven”?
I don’t mean to paint the picture that I’m perfect or that all Christians are bad. When it comes down to it, I don’t believe I’ve even painted that picture that I’m separate from the Christians I’m referring to. I believe that as with everyone else, I have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Neither my message, nor the message of the previously alluded to verse, are intended to condemn, but rather to express that we’re all in this together– every single one of us is broken.
From a traditionally Christian perspective, we have all sinned, fall short of the glory of God and must be redeemed. From a traditionally Shinto perspective, we have all been corrupted by bad karma and must be purified. From a traditionally Hindu perspective, we’re but one fragmented part of everything and must learn to understand our greater role in the universe. From a traditionally atheist perspective, there is no God, but we, as humans, although flawed, have inherent value and ought to work towards our own self-actualization.
I couldn’t care less about what books you’ve read– what matters is the core of your character. Personally, it’s quite easy to read the Bible, even cover to cover three times, without it ever touching or changing your soul. One may argue it’s the word of God, but hearing your father’s command to clean your room does not make your room clean.
It’s easy to ignore a book. It’s hard to ignore action. You’ve read the book, but what will you do when you’re unprepared for that test and cheating would be so easy? You’ve read the book, but what will you do when your coworker is on your last nerve? You’ve read the book, but what will you do when a transgender student at your university is being accused of some rather serious offense?
Will you cheat? Will you act in anger? Will you join in the voices of accusation without an intimate understanding of the situation?
I recognize that you’re human, and therefore have cheated, acted in anger, and judged. I recognize and admit my own humanity, and that I have cheated, acted in anger, and judged. Again, my goal is not to condemn, but rather somewhat absurdly highlight that fact that we are all so fundamentally flawed.
Rather than being bitter, conceited, or passive aggressive, we need to be compassionate. Rather than losing our faith in humanity, we need to understand we’re all broken and just need a break.
I believe in a Redeemer, and what’s wrong with me having that hope? Others may find peace in the absence of a God, and what’s wrong with that? Some yet may find some degree of rest through the transition to a gender beyond their biological, but how does that affect your salvation?
Personally, I believe that upon completion of my own mortal ministry, I will meet my God and that nothing will surprise me more than to realize how familiar their face is to me, but regardless of whether their name is Allah, Jehovah, or Ahura Mazda, I hope that the Great Judge judges with a perfect empathy and compassion. I hope none are lost.
If I end up reincarnated, I hope I can do better next time. If I achieve Nirvana, I’ll be pleased to understand and comprehend the great oneness of the Universe.
If I end up being dead wrong, and there’s nothing after this life on Earth, I guess nothing will really bother me anymore given my existence will have ceased to, well, exist. If that is the case though, I better make this life last. I hope that when I return to dust, I’ve at the very least, made this existence better and more meaningful for those around me.
No matter what, I can rest comfortably knowing it’s within my power to be compassionate and that I have a little star on my save file of Super Mario World for the SNES.
