399 Why Christianity 12: Inclusiveness (Sean Finnegan)

One of the most enduring problems we have faced throughout human history is tribalism.  From the Nazis to the Rwandan genocide, we’ve repeatedly seen the devastating results of group think and dehumanizing outsiders.  Although some Christian groups have tragically fallen into this sin, we don’t have to.  Christianity provides a better way.  We can draw upon our roots in scripture to live out a faith that recognizes insiders from outsiders while simultaneously inviting outsiders to become insiders.  Rather than excluding and shunning those who are different, we are called to love them and invite them in.

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This is part 12 of the Why Christianity class.

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—— Notes ——

Racial Inclusion
—————–
– glimpses in the Old Testament. Jethro, Rahab, Ruth, Jonah
– Philip in Samaria
– Philip with Ethiopian treasurer
– Peter with Cornelius the Roman soldier
– Antioch (Acts 11.19-26)
– Barnabas and Paul’s missionary journey
– the Jerusalem council
– Paul’s 2nd and 3rd missionary journeys
– see also Eph 2.11-16 and Rev 5.9-10

Gender Inclusion
—————–
– in a.d. 177, Celsus criticized Christianity, “It is only foolish and low individuals, and persons devoid of perception, and slaves, and women, and children, of whom the teachers of the divine word wish to make converts” (Origen, Contra Celsum 49)
– Galatians 3.27-29

How to Treat Outsiders
———————–
– love your neighbor as yourself
– love your enemies
– 1 Peter 2.11-15; 3.14-16; 4.12-16
– listen and be humble (Acts 17.11)
– invite them to follow Christ (Luke 9.23-24)
– if ANYONE will put Jesus first…then she or he is welcome to follow him
– once God and his son begin to live in someone through the spirit, they will change him/her (sanctification)