Will Braun started a class on his Upside down view of Polarization with a reading of Luke 19 9-14 as he felt these verses were deeply relevant to sharing points at which the polarization rubber hits the road of life. I won’t quote it all but just a small part of it as follows:
King James Version Luke:
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
To this Braun replied, “I have said that a million different times in my life. For example, thank you God that I am not like those people who watch Fox News.” I admit, I have also felt that way and spoken that way. I am just as bad as Will and so many others. That is feelings of superiority speaking. Thank you God that I am not like those people who carry rainbow flags. Or, thank you God that I am not like those who fly ‘F*ck You Trudeau signs. As Braun said, “we draw a line and place God on our side of the line and then look down on people on the other side of that line.” We are people who are confident of our own righteousness and look down on others.”
Or as Braun also put, “we wallow in our feelings of self-righteousness.” The feeling of superiority is a powerful elixir, but it is toxic.
This was the attitude of superiority that has reaped havoc with Christian thought and action for centuries. That is the attitude that must be deep-sixed in favour of quiet, but powerful, humility.
Will Braun said he preferred to say, or at least was trying to favor saying, ‘Thank you God that I am like other people.’