“So what are some specific acts of Christian subversion? They’re common Christian acts. The acts of sacrificial love, justice, and hope. There’s nothing novel in any of this. Our task is that we develop a self-identity as Christians and do these things not incidentally to our lives, but centrally. By encouraging one another, by praying together, by studying Scripture together, we develop a sense that these things are in fact the very center of our lives. And we recognize they are not the center of the world’s life, however much cultural talk there is about Christianity.” Eugene Peterson (from Rodney Clapp’s Introduction to The Contemplative Pastor p.18)
As I see it, biblical Christianity will never be popular. Following Jesus and His Kingdom ministry will never get us on the cover of Time Magazine, nor should it. Becoming men or women who learn the fine art of practicing the Kingdom presence of God will never be invited to speak at big national church conferences, nor should they. Simple acts of subversive Christianity (i.e. sacrificial love, justice, and hope, as Peterson states here) will never be the big stuff that gets the attention of our world. Nor should it.
Subversive is just that. It’s underground. It’s small. It’s quiet. But powerful. It’s consistent but never showy. It’s like a spray of water, which over years, carves out a Grand Canyon. Jesus’ Kingdom ministry, (see Luke 4: 18-19) will never be the ministry of choice by those who subscribe to Church, Inc. The Americanized church refuses to slow down, refuses to be quiet, refuses to do the small things. As we discussed last time, the marching orders for the Americanized church are these:
- Bigger is always better.
- Work for the big splash.
- If it’s worth doing at all, it’s worth doing perfectly well.
- Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.
- What’s the bottom-line? Get-R-done. Now!
But in the world of subversive Christianity that Peterson dreams of, dull things, like encouraging one another, praying together, or studying Scripture together, are cutting-edge tools of our trade. Simple acts of love, mercy and compassion are atomic bombs against the enemy of our soul. Quiet words that whisper for justice and hope are massive weapons of mass destruction in a world where heartened-hearts and lovesick souls currently prevail.
So who will come? Who will be willing to walk away from the human zeal that drives the Americanized church? Who will work quietly, as subversive, contemplative men and women, to re-shape and re-form the church of Jesus Christ, using blueprints found in God’s Word? Who will be willing to stop the noise, noise, noise for a decade or two, quieting ourselves before our Master, so we might once again hear the sound of silence echoing from the heart of the Spirit of God?
More questions next time. But for now, let’s pray.
Jesus, Master of my soul, I hear Your quiet call to be still and know who is God. I confess that, so often, my noise and busyness drowns out Your still small voice. May I submit, once again to Your Spirit, forsaking the spirit of Americanized church, in order to re-align myself with You and Your Kingdom plans, regardless of how quiet and subversive they might seem to be to me. For Your Name’s sake.
Thomas a Kempis said, “Be faithful to your secret place, and it will become your closest friend and bring you much comfort. In silence and stillness a devout person grows spiritually and learns the hidden things of the Bible. Tears shed there bring cleansing. God draws near to the one who withdraws for a while. It is better for you to look after yourself this way in private than to perform wonders in pubic while neglecting your soul.”
Dave…now THAT is a powerful quote! Great reminder!
Forgive me for being a young kid but I have a problem with “No subversive ever does anything big.” Like your analogy to the Grand Canyon, small acts can add up to be something the world is in awe of. “Small acts done with great love change the world.” I can think of a handful of subversives to whom the world took attention – Mother Theresa, MLK, Jr., William Wilberfoce, etc. None of these people did what they did for the notariety or popularity but because they thought it was right and they were called to do it. Yet, that doesn’t neglect the fact that they are household names.
Given, these weren’t all pastors… maybe it’s a little different for pastors.
Perhaps I have a faulty definition of “subversive.”
I’d love to hear more of your thoughts in this regard.
Hey Amanda. The phrase…’no subversive ever does anything big’ isn’t meant to suggest that subversive activity doesn’t accomplish BIG things. I agree with you. There are many subversive folks in history who’ve accomplished huge tasks. Jesus being a prime example. The phrase is geared more toward the wonderful ways by which BIG things are accomplished through small, hidden intentional acts. In other words, if a subversive person did BIG, SHOWY ACTIONS in order to accomplish the goal would they indeed still be a subversive? I’d guess not. Make sense?
Gotta think about it a little more. I agree that big things are often only accomplished through many small sacrificial acts of love, justice and hope. If I set out to do something big, I better be ready to start (and possibly stay) small but that doesn’t stop me from setting out with something big in mind.
I think for me the idea that something big could happen keeps me going with the small stuff. The human in me wants to do something big with my life to make the small things “worth it.” Maybe as I grow older, I’ll see more “worth” in the small things in and of themselves.
as you get older, your eyes get bad as well, and size changes! :0)
So do your ears! You start hearing what is only important??? “First-born” becomes “Neosporin!”
Oh brother!!