In first-century Palestine, there were left-wing liberals and right-wing conservatives.
And then there was Jesus of Nazareth.
The progressive liberals were the Sadducees. They denied certain supernatural parts of the Bible because it didn’t fit their world view (sound familiar?).
The Lord’s words to them were cutting: “You don’t know the Scriptures though you read them nor do you know God’s power.” (Matthew 22 summarized.)
The Pharisees, on the other hand, were the hard-line conservatives. They were the self-anointed gatekeepers of moral purity. Yet they were arrogant, demanding, demeaning, self-righteous, judgmental and hypocritical (sound familiar?).
The Lord’s words to them were scathing: “You put people in bondage, excusing your own inward sins while condemning the outward sins of others.” (Matthew 23 summarized.)
While Jesus was on earth in the flesh, He made the Pharisees livid and the Sadducees go into a blind rage. Paul of Tarsus did the same (Acts 20:6-10; 23:12-15).
Hey Frank, who cares about the first century? How does all this apply to me?
Simple. We still have conservative “Pharisees” and progressive “Sadducees” with us today (of course, they don’t use those names). And we see them giving each other atomic knee drops every day on social media.
But Jesus Christ still stands on another mountain. And so does His kingdom.
Where are those who cannot abide either the political/theological left or the political/theological right and have the spiritual discernment to recognize that Jesus Christ and His kingdom will not fit the talking points of either camp?
Where are those who haven’t conflated the political left with Jesus and the conservative right with God the Father?
Well, they do exist. I call these rare breeds Insurgents. And they’ve heard and responded to the earth-shaking gospel of the kingdom, which can’t be neatly placed into either tribe – left or right.
The Insurgence has begun … I really hope you don’t miss it.
Here’s a brand new interview where I discuss the matter further.
P.S. Some of you responded to my request for a partner to put on an INSURGENCE conference next year or in 2020. But I’m still looking. I explained the criteria in last week’s article on “5 Ways to Spread the Insurgence.” GO HERE TO READ IT.
The Entire First Part of INSURGENCE Free
Wow, Someone finally figured it out. I am a Christian and have been totally blown away by my Christian family and fellow church goers. They are on the far right and don’t see that there is a middle ground, where people need to show some love and understanding to everyone. Thanks for helping us and pointing out that Jesus is the answer and his wisdom is what we need .
Typically, though not exclusively, Christians who are in their 20s and 30s tend to be part of the Progressive Left while Christians in their 50s, 60s, and up tend to be on the Conservative Right. Those in their 40s swing one way or the other, typically.
But thankfully there is a growing remnant of 20s, 30s, 40s, etc. who understand that the gospel of the kingdom can’t fit into either category. The book (INSURGENCE) is being used as a tool along that line and beyond. For that I am thankful.