Whimsical Holiness
Hugh Halter brings up the concept of Whimsical Holiness in his book "The Tangible Kingdom" and I love it!
Jesus told us that there were some things that we should not do and we (most of us) agree that doing these things is sinning. But there were a lot of things that Jesus told us we should do, and by the same logic, isn't not doing these things also sinning? Things like loving your neighbor, loving your enemies, helping the poor and treating your spouse with respect.
Whimsical Holiness is simply being like Jesus. It takes into account both sides of this equation. This radically changes the way that we view the people around us and the way we live our lives.
Whimsey in this case is the ability to laugh, make light of or downplay the words, behavior and worldviews of those around us, but definitely not in a condescending manner. Whimsey allows you to spend time and life with people regardless of thier beliefs without casting judgement. It allows us to all feel comfortable enough to be ourselves, feel loved and feel accepted as human beings. It's not making an issue about anything that is not the main issue. Whimsey is the missing element of Christlike love in today's world.
Whimsey is not being turned off by an off color remark, a bias bourne of upbringing or a tendancy to drink too much beer. Whimsey rejoices in the fact that everyone is different and God loves us all. Whimsey is not turning our back on someone because they swear, but appreciating the rest of what they say, it is not rejecting thier view of what God looks like to them, but allows us to share our view of God and appreciates the similarities and then go on living life together from there.
Halter says, "Jesus came not to judge the world, but to save the world. You can't save the ones you judge." This is so true. So many Christians distance themselves from the "world" and live in thier own seperate "safe" environment turning thier backs on the ones that Jesus told us to love. It is not love if you pity them from a distance and the only contact that you have with them involves a condescending attitude, donating cash to an organization to assuage your guilt or hitting them over the head with the four spiritual laws. Many Christians miss out on the list of things that Jesus told us to do and modeled how to do by spending his time and efforts with those who needed his love and attention the most. He hung out with the tax collectors and the poor, he had conversations with people who were shunned by society and he forgave those who hurt him.
If more of those who profess to follow Christ acted like the example that Christ gave us, the world might not have such a poor view of Christianity as a whole. If we walked in the steps of our teacher, covered in the dust of our Rabbi, doing exactly what he did, Christianity as a whole would be welcomed with open arms by society and the true path that Jesus came to lead would be available to all of the people who feel turned away at the door of the Christian church.
Jesus told us that there were some things that we should not do and we (most of us) agree that doing these things is sinning. But there were a lot of things that Jesus told us we should do, and by the same logic, isn't not doing these things also sinning? Things like loving your neighbor, loving your enemies, helping the poor and treating your spouse with respect.
Whimsical Holiness is simply being like Jesus. It takes into account both sides of this equation. This radically changes the way that we view the people around us and the way we live our lives.
Whimsey in this case is the ability to laugh, make light of or downplay the words, behavior and worldviews of those around us, but definitely not in a condescending manner. Whimsey allows you to spend time and life with people regardless of thier beliefs without casting judgement. It allows us to all feel comfortable enough to be ourselves, feel loved and feel accepted as human beings. It's not making an issue about anything that is not the main issue. Whimsey is the missing element of Christlike love in today's world.
Whimsey is not being turned off by an off color remark, a bias bourne of upbringing or a tendancy to drink too much beer. Whimsey rejoices in the fact that everyone is different and God loves us all. Whimsey is not turning our back on someone because they swear, but appreciating the rest of what they say, it is not rejecting thier view of what God looks like to them, but allows us to share our view of God and appreciates the similarities and then go on living life together from there.
Halter says, "Jesus came not to judge the world, but to save the world. You can't save the ones you judge." This is so true. So many Christians distance themselves from the "world" and live in thier own seperate "safe" environment turning thier backs on the ones that Jesus told us to love. It is not love if you pity them from a distance and the only contact that you have with them involves a condescending attitude, donating cash to an organization to assuage your guilt or hitting them over the head with the four spiritual laws. Many Christians miss out on the list of things that Jesus told us to do and modeled how to do by spending his time and efforts with those who needed his love and attention the most. He hung out with the tax collectors and the poor, he had conversations with people who were shunned by society and he forgave those who hurt him.
If more of those who profess to follow Christ acted like the example that Christ gave us, the world might not have such a poor view of Christianity as a whole. If we walked in the steps of our teacher, covered in the dust of our Rabbi, doing exactly what he did, Christianity as a whole would be welcomed with open arms by society and the true path that Jesus came to lead would be available to all of the people who feel turned away at the door of the Christian church.
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