It seems to me that many Americans tend to think that only “other religions” (read: Islam) have adherents who are a bit extreme about their beliefs. But it has been my observation that this is an entirely false presumption. I’ve encountered plenty of “Christians” who are more than just zealots for their faith; they’re out and out extremists. While these Christian extremists may not be hijacking planes and flying them into tall buildings, they are causing equally devastating damage with their attitudes and hatred of all things “other.”
It’s here that we need to differentiate between someone who is a zealot and someone who is an extremist. In my mind, a person can be zealous as well as kind, considerate, friendly and sensitive when talking to someone of a different faith. An extremist, however, is not kind or considerate or friendly or sensitive. They tend to take on an attitude that effectively says, “If you don’t agree with what I have to say then you can go to Hell.” It’s this attitude of conceit that does more damage to the corporate witness of Christianity than anything else.
Let us never forget that while Christ always spoke the Truth to unbelievers He consistently did so in a manner that was saturated with love. Being zealous for your faith is a good thing, being an extremist is not. What Christianity needs today is more people who are zealous in seeking Christ, in sharing His love and about what they believe. What we don’t need are more people thumping their oversized (and overpriced) Bibles as they yell at passersby telling them they are all going to Hell.
Don’t hear me say that I’m a universalist, I most certainly am not; neither was Christ for that matter. I’m actually fairly conservative when it comes to my theology and doctrine. However, I do think that we Christians need to learn that it’s from within the confines of a relationship or friendship that we are best able to communicate God’s truth and love.
