Atoning for the Sins of the Fathers

In a recent blog post, my friend and colleague Maggie Sebastian describes conversation she had with a man who, upon learning that she was a Christian chaplain, defensively and strongly said, "I am not a Christian."  She then recounts an all-too-common occurrence, someone who has been hurt by the church.

As we look to the future of our congregation and of Christ's church, we must admit that many people have felt hurt by a church they found to be judgmental, exclusive, petty, unloving, and inhospitable.  Some have been harmed so greatly that they refuse to have anything to do with churches and Christianity.

Listening to this man's story, Maggie raised important questions for any congregation seeking to bring healing to the nations:

I felt sadness at his obvious pain. I felt angry that people proclaiming Christ could be so . . . so . . . so what? So unaware? So spiteful? So hurt themselves that they have to hurt others to feel good? What is it?

As we look toward our annual journey to the cross this Lenten season, it is important to admit our part in causing such pain.  Sometimes we have been too judgmental, too petty, too unloving.  Sometimes we have tried to keep the love of Christ all to ourselves, thinking others unworthy of it.

Also, though, we must atone for the sins of others.  This is a part of the meaning of 'the sins of the fathers being visited even unto the third and fourth generation': the hurt that sin causes does not quickly go away, but can last for decades and even be passed on to others -- as bigotry, prejudice, and intolerance.  If we do not admit these mistakes, as a church, we will miss the opportunity to reach through Christ's love many who desperately need it.

As we look to share Christ with others, we must recognize that many become defensive when the subject of faith arises.  Perhaps they are anxious because they just don't know what they should think about God.  Often, however, they think they know "how Christians are," and they are just waiting for us to condemn them, to make fun of them, to belittle them, to dishonor them.  Such defensiveness can only be overcome through the sharing of Christ's love many times, through prayer and graciousness.