this CNN story about the reaction to Mark Driscoll\u2019s new book on marriage<\/a>. At the end of the post there is this quote from the Seattle pastor, \u201cI will endure as much criticism as necessary to help as many people as I can.\u201d<\/p>\nDespite the overwhelming consensus of the scientific community on the subject of evolution and affirmations of theologians dating back to St. Augustine of Hippo that Genesis 1 and 2 should not be read literally, people like Ken Ham and Albert Mohler position themselves as defenders of a creationist Alamo, the last stand between \u201ctrue Christianity\u201d and the invasion of atheists and secular humanism. Any critique of their position, particularly by people of faith, is portrayed as an attack on the Bible itself.<\/p>\n
In my own tradition we have a group of \u201cconcerned\u201d lay people who have made it their mission to create a list of \u201cheresies\u201d and \u201cheretics\u201d, people and teachings in the church that they have deemed \u201cunorthodox\u201d and therefore damnable. These people may have little or no theological training, \u00a0no position of authority in the church, and not actually attend a church in our denomination, but as members of the \u201croyal priesthood of all believers\u201d they feel entitled to say anything they want about anyone that want\u00a0regardless\u00a0of the consequences. They have been called by God for \u201csuch a time as this\u201d. Any biblical\u00a0exegesis\u00a0or theological argument directed their way, no matter how lovingly it might be presented, is nothing short of an attack on them from Satan himself.<\/p>\n
And, of course, you would be hard pressed to find anything anywhere who has not at least once in their lives been beaten over the head with the Bible by a righteous crusader of the faith convinced their understanding of the faith and interpretation of the Bible has been handed down to the directly from God. Disagree with these \u201cmissionaries\u201d and they\u2019ll \u201cprayer for you\u201d, then share their testimony at church the following Sunday about how they were \u201cpersecuted\u201d for their faith that week.<\/p>\n
In sum, this martyr complex is characterized by an unwillingness to listen to criticism while maintaining the\u00a0unwavering\u00a0conviction that what you are doing or saying, no how\u00a0reprehensible\u00a0it may be to everyone else, is in fact nothing less than your personal mission from God. Any attempt to treat this disease through rational\u00a0critique or compassionate\u00a0dialogue only reinforces the infected person\u2019s sense of persecution and belief that they are a martyr for the true gospel.<\/p>\n
As of yet there is no known cure for this disease.<\/p>\n
There is but one form of radical treatment that offers any hope for this epidemic: humility<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\nHowever, this course of treatment is incredibly difficult, if not impossible, for most patients to complete, particularly if they have amassed a\u00a0significant\u00a0following.<\/p>\n
Nonetheless, here it is:<\/p>\n
Step 1: Admit that no matter how much you may believe something in your heart, there\u2019s still a good chance you could be wrong.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nThe course of treatment often does not proceede beyond this step as most patients are convinced that their gut feeling is the voice of God and therefore trumps all else.<\/p>\n
Step 2: Recognize that your reading of the Bible is not the only way to interpret Scripture and that in fact there could be multiple, equally valid ways to interpret the same passage.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nAgain, this step is all but impossible to complete as most martyr complex patients are convinced that there is such a thing as a \u201cplain reading\u201d of the Bible, free from bias and personal context.<\/p>\n
Step 3: Give up the notion that you are the mouthpiece of God.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nIn order for this step to be completed, one must be willing to believe that God can speak through people they disagree with. Not an easy thing to do.<\/p>\n
Step 4: Realize that \u201ctough love\u201d and \u201cspeaking the truth in love\u201d are almost always lacking in love.<\/strong><\/p>\nIt\u2019s really difficult to love people you really don\u2019t agree with or can\u2019t get along with. Since the patient is only halfway through treatment at this point simply not hating them, protesting them, or telling them they are going to hell is acceptable at this juncture.<\/p>\n
Step 5: Accept the idea that people who look, think, act, smell, and talk differently than you are still capable of loving, worshiping, and following Jesus.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nA lack of exposure to other cultures, both foreign and domestic, coupled with\u00a0propaganda\u00a0from both radio and television make this step particularly challenging.<\/p>\n
Step 6: Listen to what others have to say.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nListening is the first real sign that humility is beginning to take hold. Make it this far and there is hope the treatment will take.<\/p>\n
Step 7: Join hands with Christians from other traditions, affirming the reality that we are one body, but many parts.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nThis is where the\u00a0proverbial\u00a0rubber meets the road. Here is where real \u201cchurch\u201d happens, when people step out of their comfort zone to communally embrace each other and the\u00a0Savior\u00a0they all love. Careful though, complete this step and people\u00a0may begin to like you, but of course not everyone will. So if you have an\u00a0incurable,\u00a0pathological need to be the object of scorn, being a humble Christian will still get plenty of hate directed your way.<\/p>\n
Step 8: Live as if both the Bible and Jesus are far more interested in how you live, than your particular theological tradition\u2026..because they are.<\/strong><\/p>\nWithout a doubt this is the most difficult step of them all because it\u2019s not just a momentary step in the treatment; it\u2019s an ongoing and never ending way of being in the world. But fear not! If you\u2019ve come this far it means you\u2019re part of a community that is standing by ready to support you through every step of your journey to remission. They\u2019re by no means perfect, but if you\u2019re willing to accept the love, support, correction, and grace they have to offer there is hope that one day you will be cured.<\/p>\n
If there is an infection of the martyr complex in your community of faith, then please share this with someone in need. However, make sure you do so with love and humility, otherwise this infectious disease will claim you too!<\/p>\n
Grace and peace,<\/p>\n
Zack Hunt<\/a><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00a0 \u00a0 There is an epidemic in the church. It\u2019s infecting people on every level from the most obscure lay person to the biggest celebrity preacher. And it\u2019s spreading. It\u2019s called \u201cthe martyr complex\u201d and it\u2019s more powerful and more contagious than anything the CDC has a vaccine for. You can see it everywhere. Look […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3437,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4916","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n
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![\"\"](\"https:\/\/theamericanjesus.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/01\/martyr.jpg\" "\\"martyr\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n