Posted on: Saturday, June 4, 2005

EXPRESSIONS OF FAITH

By Rev. Elizabeth Zivanov

We've heard much recently about how we live in God's city and God's state, and that, in fact, "Hawai'i belongs to Jesus."

Transformation Hawai'i, which aims at bringing a particular brand of Christianity into government, the workplace, schools and a variety of other public venue, claims God is behind this effort.

Christian evangelism finds its foundation in a passage from the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 28, Verses 19-20 — a passage referred to as "The great commission." Jesus says to his disciples, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you." This is the great commission — the primary directive that Christians spread the "good news of Jesus Christ" to the world.

I can't help but wonder what our Jewish governor thinks about Hawai'i belonging to Jesus. I also suspect public reaction might be a little different if we heard government officials telling us they would be going into our halls of government and schools and workplaces proclaiming that "Hawai'i is for Allah" or "Hawai'i is Buddha's state."

The stories of Jesus tell us that he stayed out of the halls of government, that he didn't push his message on those who didn't wish to hear it, that he was gentle yet firm in his preaching, and that his focus was always on loving God and loving one another. He healed the sick, attended the poor and invited those on the edges of society to come into his circle. His ministry was a ministry of modeling and loving and servanthood. Evangelism was focused in preaching and teaching and living a life that reflected the ministry of Jesus.

As Christians, we are indeed called to spread the good news of Jesus and the message he has given us. But let me suggest that we use him as a model for the way in which we go out and make disciples. The way we live our faith in our lives is foundational to how we spread the good news. The message is in how we treat one another, in how we reach out to those who are in need, in the manner in which we let others know that we are Christians and that our Christian identity is central to our lives. We do this in a way that is not judgmental. We do not take it upon ourselves to separate out believers and nonbelievers, nor do we insist that other Christians approach their faith in the way we do. We acknowledge that we still do not possess all of the truth, let alone the only truth about what it means to be in relation with God.

I find it offensive and inappropriate when officials use their public offices to push their brand of Christianity. They demonstrate a lack of respect for people of other faiths and an arrogance that they have a right to mix government and religion in such a blatant way — especially in this state of such ethnic and religious diversity. Shame on them.

Yes, we are called as Christians to follow the great commission, but we are called to follow it in a way that emulates the ministry of Jesus Christ.

The Rev. Elizabeth Zivanov is rector of the Parish of St. Clement Episcopal Church.