Better Red than Dead

An article by Drew    1 Comment

Every year Mick Duncan ( author, lecturer, prophet/stirrer and all round good guy) with a bunch of his friends holds a Red Letters event. In some Bibles the words of Jesus are printed in red, hence the name. The event – usually held over a Friday night and Saturday – offers an odd line up of speakers. For the most part these aren’t big names from the Christian speaking circuit; they are down to earth people trying to live as close to Jesus’ model as they can.

It quickly becomes obvious during a Red Letter event that being a radical Christian is a demanding road infrequently followed. It takes wayfarers far out of their comfort zone into slums and brothels or maybe into politics and activism, often into danger on the fringes of our society. Red Letters could easily be renamed Postcards from the Edge as this assortment of sincere, inspiring, self sacrificing pilgrims share their experiences.

In past years we’ve heard from Christians who’ve broken into a spy base, marched in a gay Mardi Gras, confronted gangs, counselled addicts and comforted the abused.

This year Red Letters was held earlier than usual to coincide with a visit from Ron Sider. Ron is somewhat famous internationally. Back in 1977 his book “Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger” provoked much discussion and debate. Today Ron’s ideas are less controversial. Most Christians acknowledge that Jesus had a lot to say about the needs of the poor and the responsibilities of the wealthy although sadly some still hide behind the perversion of prosperity doctrine.

Now in his 70s, Ron is a highly intelligent, articulate, wise evangelical scholar. His observations on money and politics were admirably balanced and reasoned but – for me – didn’t break any new ground so I was pleased when a couple of questions from the audience pushed Ron to be a little more extreme. Ron was advocating tithing as a starting position and encouraging us to go further in our giving. One young man asked why he should tithe to a church which was just as materialistic as the society around it. Ron replied that while we should support our church community, if it had conformed to consumerism we should change it or leave it.

Another forceful fellow argued that political legislation was mostly ineffective and positive change could only be brought about by personal interaction. Ron was quick to point out that good legislation from the abolition of slavery to the current health care reforms in the USA was absolutely vital.

Saturday – first batter up was Jim Reiher, a thoroughly entertaining Aussie with a warm heart and a great sense of humor. Jim has been both a respected bible college lecturer and a clown. He’s written several excellent books and has stood several times for the Green Party in Australia. With wit, honesty and insight Jim explained how most Green Party policies lined up with his Christian faith and also talked through a few of the more difficult issues such as drug use, abortion and gay marriage.

Jim jokes about forming his own party – the Birthday Party with the sole policy of a holiday on your birthday. He would run as Nobody the Clown with two slogans – “Nobody Cares” and “Put Another Clown in Parliament”.

Next Dave and Denise Tims shared something of their story. For many years Denise and Dave have been working with people at the bottom of our socio economic ladder, especially Maori in Whanganui and Gisborne. Dave gave us practical advice on how to help those struggling without intruding uninvited into their lives. Denise spoke movingly about embracing her Maori history and the pain of injustice.

Between the speakers Luke Pilkington sang some of his powerfully poignant songs. My favorite – about the noise and toys which distance us from the poor – reminded me how we, in the minority world, use our wealth to buy ourselves isolation.

After lunch Ash Barker, the founder of UNOH (Urban Neighbors of Hope) linked Jesus’ parable of the good samaritan with our responses to neighbors in need. Ash drew a graphic picture of his life in Bangkok’s worst slum, built on a sewer and prone to frequent flooding. Ash is undoubtedly a modern saint although much too modest to describe himself as such. His example and the stories of other Red Letter speakers raise a number of challenging questions. If this is what real Christianity looks like, how do our lives measure up? How far do we have to take this Christian business? Are we really trying to live like Jesus or just practicing a bit of superficial, respectable, comfortable religion?

These questions really bother me. I admit to being a rich, comfortable, compromised Christian trying to get by with as little real cost as possible. My honest prayer would probably be something like “Dear God, please keep me secure and wealthy, guarantee me a place in heaven but don’t demand anything that would seriously cut into my materialistic lifestyle.” I’m clearly in no position to judge others.

Fortunately I believe we are saved by the grace of Jesus, not by our good deeds, or else I’d surely be doomed. On the other hand this same Jesus vowed to reject those who refuse to care for the needy.
“Then he will turn to the ones on his left, and say, ‘Get out, worthless goats! You’re good for nothing but the fires of hell. And why? Because I was hungry and you gave me no meal, thirsty and you gave me no drink,homeless and you gave me no bed, shivering and you gave me no clothes, sick and in prison, and you never visited.’ (Matthew 25:41-43)

I don’t believe we all have to serve God in extreme slums – there’s urgent need almost everywhere – but we do have to serve. It’s not enough to sit back complacently claiming to be “saved by the blood of the lamb” but living a life just as selfish and materialistic as anyone else. If we are not being different we are being indifferent to the Gospel.

Part of me wants to go deeper into God, another part is scared of losing my luxurious life in the deep water.  What will it involve? Living a simpler, greener more communal life? I’m well aware that if everyone in the world shared my standard of living we’d need several planets to consume. Leaving a cosy job with my friends at TEAR Fund to work closer to the front line? Maybe. At this stage I’m uncertain which way to go but I am sure that I’d rather travel like these crazy Red Letter followers of Jesus than be spiritually dying in the shallows. I’d rather be further out on the edge than middle class, moribund and mediocre.

If you are wrestling with similar questions I’d love to hear your thoughts and learn from your story.