Optimist
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Editorials
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
    • Book Review
  • Multimedia
    • Photo Galleries
    • Videos
  • Police Log
  • Print Edition
  • Projects
  • Classifieds
  • About
    • Advertise
    • Policies
    • Staff Contacts
    • Jobs
You are here: Home / Opinion / Columns / Column Like I See ‘Em: Jesus Christ was the liberal of his day

Column Like I See ‘Em: Jesus Christ was the liberal of his day

January 17, 2003 by Steve Holt

By Steve Holt, Opinion Editor

Liberal. Get the heebie-jeebies just now when you read that? Sometimes I think mentioning of the word is punishable by death in Texas.

That was a joke, of course.

But the sad question that often follows someone revealing that they lean left politically is this: “And you’re a Christian?”

Have you ever considered that our savior and Messiah, Jesus Christ, was, dare I say it, a liberal? He was about as left as they came during his 33 years as a man.

Dictionary.com defines the word liberal this way: Not limited to or by established, traditional, orthodox, or authoritarian attitudes, views, or dogmas; free from bigotry; b. Favoring proposals for reform, open to new ideas for progress, and tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others; broad-minded.

The only characteristics above that didn’t (and don’t) describe Christ are tolerance and broad-mindedness-Christ’s attitude toward lifestyles and actions outside of God’s will has always been, “hate the sin, love the sinner.”

Jesus ministry was not primarily to the religious elite, but to the poor and downtrodden. He not only preached about giving to the needy in the Sermon on the Mount (Mt. 6:1-4), but he lived out his teachings in ways that were counter-cultural for the time period.

He ate with tax collectors (Lk. 19:1-10), loved and restored at least one prostitute (Lk. 7:36-50) and warned sternly against accumulating wealth.

Conservatives pride themselves on being the keepers of the moral code in America. So did the Pharisees during Jesus’ ministry. Jesus preached that unless our righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees, we will not enter the kingdom of heaven (Mt. 5:20). The group was one of Jesus’ favorite targets, because they always seemed to think they were right. In every story Jesus preached to or about the Pharisees, he revealed that God always values meekness and faith more than haughtiness and strict religious code.

What does Jesus think about judging a person to die for their crimes?

Well, Jesus came across a real life capital punishment trial, and asked the Pharisees who were going to stone a woman caught in adultery a convicting question: “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” After being shown grace, the woman is commissioned by Christ to go free and leave her life of sin. We can only assume she did.

Jesus loved the unloveable and often laughed in the face of “fairness” and “justice” in order to extend love or life to those in need.

In every case, Jesus’ interest lay with the person over the religious or legal code.

While Christ would likely laugh (or weep) at what American politics have become today, he would likely support whichever political group is more compassionate.

Shouldn’t we?

Filed Under: Columns

Other Opinion:

  • Skipping class is a drug

  • Athletics have a lack of traditions leading to low engagement from students

  • Directionless but encouraged: My experience on The College Tour’s film set

About Steve Holt

You are here: Home / Opinion / Columns / Column Like I See ‘Em: Jesus Christ was the liberal of his day

Other Opinion:

  • Skipping class is a drug

  • Athletics have a lack of traditions leading to low engagement from students

  • Directionless but encouraged: My experience on The College Tour’s film set

Follow us online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Optimist on Twitter

acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
16 Feb

Black Student Union, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion have joined together to plan events that educate others and provide celebrations during Black History Month. Read more:
https://acuoptimist.com/2023/02/black-history-month-events-educate-celebrate-acu-community/

Reply on Twitter 1626340622872285184 Retweet on Twitter 1626340622872285184 Like on Twitter 1626340622872285184 2 Twitter 1626340622872285184
acuoptimist The Optimist @acuoptimist ·
11 Feb

BREAKING: Robert D. “Bob” Hunter, vice president emeritus, passed away Saturday. Hunter served as a representative of the 71st district of Texas and worked part time with ACU until 2013.

Reply on Twitter 1624540404690436097 Retweet on Twitter 1624540404690436097 4 Like on Twitter 1624540404690436097 23 Twitter 1624540404690436097

Optimist on Facebook

The Optimist

3 weeks ago

The Optimist
Scott Erickson, artist, author and performance speaker, visited campus and spoke at Chapel during the Black History Month speaker series last week. His presentation was entitled, "Say Yes: A Liturgy of Not Giving Up On Yourself." Read more: ... See MoreSee Less

Author, performance speaker visits campus bringing a message on mental health - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Scott Erickson, artist, author and performance speaker, visited campus and spoke at Chapel during the Black History Month speaker series last week. His presentation was entitled, “Say Yes: A Liturgy...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The Optimist

1 month ago

The Optimist
Residence Life is changing its lottery system to make University Park Apartments and sophomore housing decisions more fair and accessible for students. Read more: ... See MoreSee Less

Residence Life to give students more of a say in housing decisions - Optimist

acuoptimist.com

Residence Life is changing its lottery system to make University Park Apartments and sophomore housing decisions more fair and accessible for students. The new system not only gives all students an eq...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Videos

Optimist Newscast Feb. 22, 2023

Our top stories this week include the passing of Dr. Bob Hunter, a new endowment ... [Read More…]

  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 8, 2023
  • Optimist Newscast Feb. 1, 2023
  • Optimist Newscast Jan. 25, 2023

Latest Photos

  • Home
  • Podcasts

© 2023 ACU Optimist · All Rights Reserved