But the more I think about it, this sort of situation is not uncommon. How often in the past have prominent figures of Christianity (whether we love them or hate them) been co-opted by movements that bear little resemblance to Christ? The example that comes most readily to mind is, for me, Luther, whose theology became a convenient tool for German National Socialism, and I know there are other less insidious examples we could think of. It's too simple to excuse those figures whom we like as merely misunderstood while we heap coals of condemnation on those whom we don't like. To what extent, and under what circumstances, is the proverbial fruit of a work actually a reflection of its deeper theology?
At the end of the day, I guess I just don't like who I want to not-like, and I don't like that about myself.
3 comments:
Good thoughts Furst. I think your call to not throw everything out right away is a good one.
This reminds me of a paper David and I heard in our Church History class a few years back. The young man was speaking about Luther's anti-semitism, and he closed his presentation with the line,
"I know many of you have heard that Luther hated Jews, but really, he hated everyone except Christians."
Well put.
If you see whoever wrote that about Luther, tell them I like their style.
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