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...important insights from author Greg Boyd
regarding what I believe is the major problem that confronts the Christian
community today: the tragic lack of love [and grace] among us. (Critics of Boyd's
Open Theology: I know it is hard for you, but please put that aside for a moment
and hear him on a point that has nothing to do with that debate. Thanks.) He
writes:

"How much harm has been done to the church and to the cause of Jesus Christ
because Christians have placed other considerations alongside or above the command
to love as God loves? In the name of truth, Christians in the past have
sometimes destroyed people, even physically torturing and murdering them. In the name
of holiness, Christians have often pushed away and shamed those who don't meet
their standard, creating their own little holiness club to which struggling
sinners need not apply. And in the name of correct biblical doctrine, Christians
have frequently destroyed the unity of the body of Christ, refusing to minister
or worship together because of doctrinal differences, sometimes viciously
attacking those who disagree with them."

"The unsurpassable worth of the person who doesn't share our truth, doesn't
meet our definition of holiness, or doesn't agree with our "correct biblical
doctrine" has all too often been neglected or denied. Which means that in such cases
the truth, holiness, or correct doctrine we have defended was altogether
worthless: clashing cymbals, resounding gongs, religious noise, nothing more. Such
noise tarnishes the reputation--the glory--of God. It also explains why the
church generally has been known for many things other than love and many things that
contradict love."

...There is something terribly wrong with people who call themselves "born again"
believers in America today. Greg Boyd (above) nails it: we are judgmental,
moralistic and almost completely lacking in the grace and love that mark God's
character. As Christians, we fail to heed the most basic truth that marks the
breaking in of the new age:

For the law was given through Moses;
but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

I have seen it first hand on almost a daily basis for years -- especially since
opening our book ministry five years ago. Judgment. Accusation. Vindictiveness.
"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth." It is most notorious in Reformed
circles -- the people who love "the Law." But it tends to mark all too many of
those who are conservative and evangelical in their beliefs. And it makes me angry.
Sometimes irrationally so. For that I do apologize. Most sincerely. ...