The Commandment (A Rant)

The Commandment (A Rant)

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”--Jesus.

Not just our family, be they included. Not only your friends, but they count. Not simply your nation, it does encompass it. No solely those who worship as you, those who look as you, those who act as you, those who love as you, Everyone; your neighbor is everyone.

If you haven't read the Parable of the Good Samaritan in a while, read it. I'll wait, it's in Luke chapter 10 if you cannot find it, because it's been years since opening the Bible, or longer since studying scripture for more than finding passages to use as bombs attacking the demons you see everywhere. I see you using scripture as your pornography and I weep.

Scripture is a bandage to heal, not a weapon to kill. But your demand for it to be a weapon show why you do not understand the Commandment.

You have become like the Lawyer asking the question of Jesus “Who is my neighbor?” But not wanting an answer for just as the Lawyer you too have already discerned the truth.

The question is asked not for knowledge or wisdom. But as a trap, to catch Jesus in an abuse of Torah. The Lawyer has the answer, knows the Truth with a capital T.

Jesus, in his radical, subversive message of love confronted the lawyer. Without condemning the Lawyer Jesus tells the Parable and teaches who is the neighbor.

Instead of being an Israelite, a Jew. It is everyone, including a Samaritan, a group thought to be heretical Jews for blending Jewish and Cannanite beliefs.

It is radical in its interpretation of law. It is subversive in its dismantling of hatred. It is an all encompassing message of love.

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

It tore the fabric of long held tribal beliefs. It demanded a new inclusive understanding of love. It required action from the ruling Jews for this radical message countered their abuse of Torah to remain in power. It was partially why Jesus was crucified, he threatened the powerful–this is how he did it.

What we see being preached today is a bastardization of the Parable. Spheres of importance are created. The further out the less love offered. Until you find those outside your love, and thus, supposed, outside God's love. It creates Us versus Them. It creates the Others. It creates the marginalized for we do not need to care for them. It is not a sound Biblical teaching. If it is not heretical, it is the next best thing. It was this dogma that Vice President Vance expounded in a recent Television interview. As quickly as he was attacked by Theologians and Scholars, he was defended by his base largely made up of Evangelical Christians. It shows the divide of Christianity. When joined with the heretical teaching of the Sin Of Empathy it supports the premise of Evangelical Theologian Russell Moore, when he said the Evangelical community has lost their way.

The Commandment To love our neighbor is foundational to Christianity. We are not allowed to alter it to justify our hatred and prejudices. And let's be clear, that is exactly why it has been altered. It wasn't altered to add nomenclature to define love more clearly. It was done for the most unChristian reason–hatred of your neighbor.

If I sound angry; good, I am. I angry I even need to spend the time explaining the most basic, most foundational tenet of our faith.

I'm angry that I am standing on the bulwark, screaming in a storm with no one listening.

I am angry that I live in a country that wants to claim a guiding tenet is the Christian faith, but for political reasons butchers the faith.

So yes, I am angry.

I will work through my anger. I will calm down. I will continue to speak up. I will tell the tale of the truly Radical Subversive Gospel Message of Jesus Christ.

Thus ends my rant.

Richard K Reedy PhD Sgt USMC ret. ©