[vc_row el_class=”olive-branch-bg-r”][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_video link=”https:\/\/vimeo.com\/ondemand\/jesusa” align=”center”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Kevin Miller’s new documetary, J.E.S.U.S.A., is available for on-demand streaming on Vimeo!<\/h4>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]When I first heard the phrase \u201ctoxic masculinity\u201d I thought it meant the ways in which men of a certain type are toxic to those around them. Though that is undoubtedly true, the phrase means more than that. It refers to the ways in which men are toxic to themselves<\/em>. In other words, masculine norms that prize toughness, dominance and self-reliance and punish vulnerability make it difficult if not impossible for men to find emotional health, meaningful work and satisfying relationships. As the saying goes, hurting men hurt themselves and others.<\/p>\n

When I use the phrase \u201ctoxic Christianity\u201d I intend something similar. While what it means to be a Christian in America today undoubtedly causes harm to others, especially those who are the victims of moral crusades based on sexuality, gender and race, what I\u2019d like to talk about is the way in which American Christianity has become toxic to itself<\/em>. A Christianity that is hurting will inevitably hurt others.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_section el_class=”post-quote”][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1566306295282{background-image: url(https:\/\/ravenfoundation.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/0c0caab3a0b06f49d1f4e4069f7acecc-e1562958862845.jpg?id=19638) !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”none” el_class=”quote”]The new documentary by filmmaker Kevin Miller called J.E.S.U.S.A.<\/em> explores a significant cause of the problem of toxic Christianity in America: conflating God\u2019s will with American interests.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

The Toxin: Violent Christianity<\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”20448″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]The new documentary by filmmaker Kevin Miller called J.E.S.U.S.A.<\/em><\/strong> explores a significant cause of the problem of toxic Christianity in America: conflating God\u2019s will with American interests. When this happens, the difference between the Jesus movement and political power, or to use Jesus\u2019 language, the difference between the Kingdom of Heaven and the kingdoms of this earth is erased.<\/p>\n

Before I go on, full disclosure: I\u2019ve been a fan of Kevin Miller for years and his previous documentary Hellbound!<\/em> received the 2013 Raven Award. When he invited me to be part of his new film I was delighted because his aim was to dismantle the connection between American Christianity and American patriotism, a goal I wholeheartedly endorse.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s my point: Jesus\u2019 use of kingdom imagery was not accidental. He was hoping we\u2019d ask the obvious question: So what\u2019s the difference between God\u2019s kingdom and Caesar\u2019s? The film explains just how straightforward Jesus\u2019 answer was: one kingdom enforces its will through violence, domination, and crushing one\u2019s enemies; the other loves its enemies and welcomes everyone into an open table fellowship.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]Like toxic masculinity, earthly kingdoms like the Roman Empire embrace violence and reward ruthlessly crushing one\u2019s enemies. Jesus seemed utterly aware that being a citizen of Rome meant that you supported and benefited from the brutal success of Roman armies. This was not even remotely the same thing as being a citizen of God\u2019s Kingdom! If they are the same, what need is there of a new<\/em> kingdom? Why would Jesus have even bothered to take on human form and walk among us?<\/p>\n

Jesus bothered because he was inaugurating a new Kingdom, one whose citizens would reject violence and practice a new way of living together that welcomed the least, the last, and the most vulnerable into community. Christianity hurts itself and so becomes toxic to others when it abandons its mission to be a visible sign of this new kingdom erupting into the midst of the old.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_section][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1566393555121{background-color: #f6ebdf !important;}” el_class=”optin”][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=”none”][\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

The Anti-Toxin: Vulnerable Christianity<\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Kevin Miller\u2019s film takes a historical look at how the movement for nonviolence started by Jesus became entangled with political power. It\u2019s a tragic story, one in which Christianity betrays itself and loses its way. But the good news is that the story isn\u2019t over yet. It\u2019s possible that we are just really slow learners! Breaking the habits of violence and toxic ways of relating to one another doesn\u2019t happen overnight \u2013 or over even over two millennia, apparently.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve come to realize that the key to solving the problems of toxic masculinity and toxic Christianity is the same thing: vulnerability.<\/p>\n

The shortest sentence in most translations of the Gospels describes Jesus at his most vulnerable. When Jesus heard that his good friend Lazarus had died, when he saw Lazarus\u2019 family and friends weeping, John 11:35 says, \u201cJesus wept.\u201d What a wonderful antidote to the crippling idea of masculinity that shames men for crying. Jesus was courageous enough to be meek, powerless, and vulnerable to the point of losing his life, offering us a marvelous model for manhood. This type of man does not define himself in opposition to women but in harmony with all men and women who take Jesus as their model for being fully human.<\/p>\n

When men are vulnerable they can cry like Jesus. They can cry for themselves when they lose a good friend and cry in solidarity with the suffering of others. That is how doors are opened to relationships based on honesty and genuine love. When Christianity is vulnerable, the same possibilities open up. Toxic communities can be transformed into ones that see weakness as a strength and being wrong as nothing to be ashamed of.[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”16px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Tears of Joy<\/strong><\/h3>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=”olive-branch-bg-l”][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]The beating heart of vulnerability is uncertainty. It is the humility to know and accept with grace just how wrong we can be, not an unshakeable conviction that we are right. Being absolutely convinced of who the bad guys are is what leads good people to believe that wars and moral crusades are necessary and just. Unquestioning faith in our goodness may be the most toxic conviction of all.<\/p>\n

What can we do now to create anti-toxins for ourselves? Learning from Jesus and from history we can try to do things a bit differently. We can:<\/p>\n

\n
• Weep openly with others.<\/li>\n
• Embrace doubt.<\/li>\n
• Ask for forgiveness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  It may not seem like much, but any act of vulnerability chips away at toxicity. Anytime we as Christians can model admitting mistakes, saying we are sorry, listening earnestly to the ones we\u2019ve hurt so we can do better next time \u2013 anytime any of us does any of these things we make Christianity less toxic to others and to itself. For this is how we will restore the distinction between earthly kingdoms and God\u2019s kingdom and restore Christianity\u2019s reason for being. And every time we do any of these things, I\u2019m guessing Jesus cries tears of joy.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_empty_space height=”60px”][vc_single_image image=”20449″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Can Christianity be toxic? Suzanne Ross reflects on Kevin Miller’s new documentary, J.E.S.U.S.A., and offers an antidote for toxic Christianity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":20447,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4328,14],"tags":[73,341,4368,818],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n