The following are some thoughts that prepped a series done in the Spring of this year at CRAVE, the college ministry of Metro Community Church. Don’t worry; I too wrestle with this area. Also, I should note that I owe much of these ideas to USC professor of philosophy, Dallas Willard.
We live in an interesting time. Of course, the writer of Ecclesiastes noted that “nothing is new under the sun,” but if nothing is new then we could expound by saying that “things are just as bad as ever.” We live in a world mired by evil where human suffering is the norm. We see pictures and videos and hear stories, and some of us have experienced first-hand the atrocities of dehumanization: starvation, malnutrition, genocide, rape, racism, and other calamities. Throughout history we have witnessed various programs and reforms ultimately fail because the problems still exist “just as bad as ever.” And the rallying call today is still one of revolution—revolution of social and political schemes meant to free humanity of its shackles. Now don’t get me wrong; I am a strong supporter of social justice and liberating humanity from its oppression. In fact, social justice is rather popular these days—not to minimize genuine care for others—but it is even a bit “trendy” if you will. We see social justice issues in the forefront of pop culture with stars such as Angelina Jolie and the nearly god-like status of Bono from U2. And we see social justice as a sort of brand for the “hipster” culture (yes, I’m a bit of a wanna-be). Of course, social reform is often placed on the political left while some in the far right would claim that the answer to human suffering lies with a sort of rigid moralism—”don’t cuss; don’t chew; don’t go around with those who do”—and traditional family values—no elbows on the table; remember “please” and “thank you”. In fact, Christians are notorious for creating a dualism between the sacred and the secular, between good and evil. Our worldview is an “us versus them” mentality in which everything labeled “Christian” is good while everything that doesn’t sport the “Christian” brand name is considered evil. But neither the right nor the left will truly work.
Social reform definitely takes a bite out of humanity’s needs, but on an individual level it leaves people unchanged, directionless, purposeless, and unmotivated. And on the other hand, a strict moralism may fool some people who buy into the Christian brand, but it ultimately falls short because it can never measure up to its own standards of holiness. In fact, Christian novelist Alexander Solzhenitsyn made an absolutely profound statement when he said that
“…the line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either, but right through every human heart, and through all human hearts. This line shifts. Inside us, it oscillates with the years. Even within hearts overwhelmed by evil, one small bridgehead of good is retained; and even in the best of all hearts, there remains a small corner of evil.”
Basically, what he is saying, and what I want everyone to understand is that evil is an issue of the heart. And if we want social revolution or if we want moral revolution, then it begins with a transformation of the individual heart—in your heart and in my heart. Dallas Willard, in his book entitled The Spirit of the Disciplines, notes that “even though the church’s track record for solving social and individual ills may not appear historically outstanding, we believe that it holds the only answer—still.” He then goes on to mention that Christianity can only succeed as a guide for current humanity if it does two things: “first, it must take the need for human transformation as seriously as do modern revolutionary movements.” The problem with modern heart transformation is that we don’t usually take it seriously. This is our current understanding of godly living: try to be holy, but if you’re not, well, thank God that you’ll be better when you get to heaven. We don’t see godly character as very probable or practical. However—and this is equally aimed towards myself—we must pursue heart-change with just as much intensity as the social revolutions of history. And the pursuit is, indeed, a revolution of the heart. The second key to success, according to Willard—and we would do well to agree—states that Christianity must “clarify and exemplify realistic methods of human transformation. It must show how the ordinary individuals who make up the human race today can become, through the grace of Christ, a love-filled, effective, and powerful community.” And here is the most profound thought: I believe that each and every one of us can experience true heart transformation to become Christ-like by doing this simple thing… following Christ. Now, before you condemn me for oversimplification and wearying you by leading you to a rather disappointing climax, let me extrapolate. We must not simply follow Christ, or at least our versions of what follow-ship is; we must instead follow him in his overall lifestyle. The truth of the matter is that Jesus’ life was one of preparation and connection with his Father. He did not enter the public ministry until he was thirty years old and even then he could be seen escaping to solitary places and performing various other methods of training for his rugged lifestyle. So if we want to follow Jesus, we have to do what he did.
like praying, fasting, seeking solitude and silence, listening, reading Scripture.
Genuine follow-ship leads to heart transformation. And only heart transormation can save the world.
Are we ready for a revolution of the heart?
