When Empathy Becomes the Enemy (#1059)
Why are so many Christians beginning to see empathy as a threat to truth? Wayne and Kyle explore this troubling trend and what it reveals about our understanding of God's kingdom. From surprising election results to Jesus' encounters with broken people, they consider the difference between enforcing morality and inviting people into the transforming power of love. What if empathy isn't the enemy of truth, but the doorway through which truth can be heard? Living in God's kingdom isn't about imposing our values on others, but learning to see and love people as the conduit for God's truth to heal them.
Podcast Notes:
- The video recording of this podcast. (Because of Facebook policies, this link will only stay active for 30 days)
- The Empathy Gap
- Get HE LOVES ME and JUST LOVE together for a special price.
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No empathy?
Yes, it’s true about Christianity today, at least what I’ve been exposed to here in the states, but it’s really not surprising. Obviously, empathy as a liability to the Christian life is not what all who claim to be Christian hold to, but the loudest voices do seem to make it sound as if this were the case. In my eyes, I see the institutional church as being good at making believers, but failing in helping to form followers of Jesus. I tell my wife and friends who are part of the institution that if going helps them to love others better, then by all means, go, but if being a part of that doesn’t help them love others, stay away…
When knowing takes precedence over being, we are not able to see, let alone participate in, the kingdom of god. As a result, we come to believe that the kingdom of god comes through the efforts of the kingdoms of men. Yet, Jesus is building his Church; not us. Jesus is building his kingdom; not us, and the kingdom of God is antithetical to the kingdoms of men not only in its goals but also in the means (love not power) it employs to achieve its ends.
Yes, it’s sad that some believers aren’t followers yet. I too was once in this same boat. But, I am persuaded by the experience of the love of God, and I believe all creation will be restored by this same love. What can separate us from the love of God? NOTHING! Love never fails.