Being spiritually “lost” was a common concern (or accusation) in the conservative faith tradition so familiar to many of us. Tragically now, it this very slice of white Americanized Christianity that has largely wandered off course.
Jesus’ clear calling was and is to “follow me” — not to claim a favored societal position and demean and abuse others who look and live differently. But white Americanized Christians are the primary driving force behind such atrocities in the U.S. today.
While Jesus can be rightly affirmed as “the way, the truth and the life,” there appears to be no political savior now who is too dishonest, too mean or too mindless for so many professing Christians — as long as their societal privilege is seemingly advanced at the expense of others.
Guiding forces behind much of white Americanized Christianity today are worship of power, fear of human equality and justice, and acceptance of exploitation of the most vulnerable — those with whom Jesus most closely identified.
A recalibration or reorientation of what it means to be Christian is perhaps the greatest need in America today — because it has as much potential impact for good as its current misguided ways are producing evil.
Growing up in scouting programs — from a Cub Scout to an Explorer — required learning skills such as knot tying, fire building and first aid (often needed from failed attempts at the other skills).
Orienting a map was among the most helpful skills in the years long before GPS technology was available.
The goal was to align the flat, paper map in the correct direction. A compass would be properly placed alongside one of the map’s north-south lines. Then rotated until the compass needle was accurately facing magnetic north.
A proper map orientation before going into the wilderness could be the difference between getting to and back from one’s intended destination and getting lost.
For those who profess to be Christian, it would seem that Jesus is not just the compass but the needle that guides our orientation.
Yet the life, teachings and calling of Jesus have become subject to contrasting ideologies that are often labeled “biblical” or “Christian” but reflect nothing of what he said marks his disciples.
Getting on course is hard for several reasons — ranging from the fear-driven control of authoritarianism to a resistance to admitting being misled (though confession is central to the faith) to the lack of prophet voices.
The call to follow Jesus is so counter to what many white Americanized Christians embrace today that prophetic words are as stubbornly rejected as when the biblical prophets spoke truth and justice to the powerful and abusive in their times.
Prophetic voices in congregations where they are most needed tend to be tempered if heard at all. And many pulpits — that draw the biggest crowds — are echoing a self-serving, nationalistic ideology over the good news of Jesus.
“Prophets aren’t necessarily fortune tellers; they are moral compasses…” said Episcopal priest Joseph Yoo of Houston in a recent Facebook reel. “They cry out when no one else is.”
Where, oh where, are the moral compasses now? Who is willing to reorient toward Jesus — even while others who claim his name are proudly walking off course?
Jesus is the true north for his followers, not an extended warranty.
When a large swath of professing Christians — as is obvious today — have accepted the idea that truth, justice and compassion are expendable in favor of power and privilege, the good news of Jesus is lost. And the hope for a rightful course seems to hang in the balance.
We must bring out the maps of our lives and reorient them with clear moral compasses — pointing to and guided by the one who still says, “Follow me.”
It is the only faithful path for those who still claim his name.
John D. Pierce is director of the Jesus Worldview Initiative (jesusworldview.org), part of Belmont University’s Rev. Charlie Curb Center for Faith Leadership. Join us for the first Jesus Worldview Conference, October 13-15, in Nashville.