“A drop of honey catches more flies than a gallon of gall.”
As a Christian, I must say that the dude on campus who was ranting and raving “offensive” doctrines of Christianity blew it. Here’s the bottom line – the guy’s heart is in the right place. From his perspective, he is just trying to save lost sinners, to guide people towards the straight and narrow. He wants to see you in heaven with him, joyously praising the lord. He believes he is saving you. But he is disastrous at human relations.
The problem here is his methods. First of all the guy is ranting and raving, spitting mad towards everyone. As a Christian, I am embarrassed and sort of want to pull him aside and have a little talk, like taking the screaming toddler in the checkout line at the grocery store to the car. But his kind make me angry as well. I don’t know if there is anything I could say that would make him believe I am a Christian, that I go to church, and that I try to live a life that is pleasing to god. To him I am a heathen, a sinner, and I’m going to hell no matter what.
I’m no expert in human relations, but when you criticize, condemn and accuse people, the natural human reaction is to go on the defensive. When attacked, we curl up our fists and defend ourselves, our pride and personal dignity. No wonder no one fell to their knees in front of Micah Armstrong in tears, begging forgiveness, crying out for mercy. Everyone sort of stared in bewildered, offended horror at him as he ranted and raved neo-conservative Christian politics. If turning people to god is the goal, Armstrong is failing.
Micah Armstrong, like many Christians, picks and chooses which Bible verses he likes to harp on. There are a ton of old verses in there about stoning wives who are not virgins, cutting hair, circumcision, intolerance for homosexuality and the like. There are also tons of verses in there about loving one another, showing humility and helping others along. A favorite of mine, which is very applicable to this situation, is John 8:7: “Let any of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.”
Armstrong is disastrous at human relations. He is a sinner, I can tell you that. He sins every day, and I challenge him to say otherwise. Looking down his nose at people and criticizing everyone isn’t going to get him anywhere. The man really needs to read “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. Armstrong could use a lot of help with his people skills.
Christians have a delicate tightrope to walk these days. While we must stand for what we believe in, our morals, and our heritage, we also must show love and compassion. Some Christians choose other ways to walk, and in doing so, ruffle a lot of feathers, including mine. Christianity is going to be offensive in some ways, but we’re not doing any good condemning others, pointing fingers and hating those who do not believe as we do.
It just seems as if Christianity is a bump in the road, a mere annoyance only slowing the liberal agenda. It makes me wonder what happened; where did the good ole days go? The focus now is always centered around Christianity’s shortcomings, its hinderance of “civil liberties,” its “backwardness.” There is no focus on the good – on the mission work, on the support churches give communities, on the strong family values and morals Christianity promotes, on the hope it gives. Christianity has a big bulls-eye on it these days, and everybody is throwing darts.
As a Christian, all I can do is humble myself and try to live like those who came before me. I can show love, show compassion, practice humility and try to live a life pleasing to god. I know I am not alone, and I hope that I have represented what many Christians feel here at Ole Miss.
Brennan Ward
bsward@go.olemiss.edu
Juris Doctor Candidate, 2016
University of Mississipi School of Law
