Mariann Budde has faced significant backlash for her recent sermon, and honestly, much of it seems unfair. Her message contained valuable insights and challenges that her audience would do well to reflect on. That said, it’s clear her theology is influenced by politics and social circumstances, which makes it important to address a few points from a Christian perspective.
First, honoring the dignity of every human being, honesty, and humility are important virtues, but they are not the foundation of unity. Unity is rooted in agreement; agreement about a person, idea, or cause. Unfortunately, this makes unity slippery. So people can unite around almost anything, which makes unity a powerful but potentially dangerous force.
Second, when using Jesus’ analogy about a house with a strong foundation, it’s crucial to recognize what He says that foundation is:
His teachings.
At the heart of His teaching is a vision of properly ordered love—loving God above all else, loving others as we ought to love ourselves, and prioritizing others’ well-being above our own. If we truly build on Jesus’ foundation, we will naturally honor human dignity, practice honesty, and walk humbly.
Finally, everyone should be learning how to love from Jesus. Every human being is called to love God above all, preferring His wisdom over human opinions, no matter how sincere they may seem. It is God—not politics or social norms—who should shape our perspective on the world.
So let's be in agreement around Christ, His ideas and His causes.
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