Exloring Life Eternal

As one who comes from "redneck" territory, though never really a "redneck," I can honestly say that there is actually quite a lot of similarity between radical-tribal Islam & the culture of Rednecks.

1. A high degree of cultural pride:
"We can laugh at ourselves, but don't you mock me!"
2. A deep confusion between nationalism & faith.
"We all know this is God's Country!"
3. Odd marriage customs & arrangements.
"One year my uncle and my cousin met at a family dinner,
the next year they were married."
4. A joy in life that is often forgotten by the more refined.
"Good ole boys have good times."
5. A simple (even simplistic) faith in God.
"God bless ..."
6. Honor as a value.
"Our family has a good name all over this county & the next!"
7. Anger at the "wealthy" who claim to know God but are unwilling to
"git dirty" to express their faith to those in need. "Hypocrit!"
8. Strong family bonds, friendships, and mutual support reaching
beyond more industrialized societies. "We're family."

That said, I have never met a Redneck who was not friendly to Muslims
they knew. That is, when a redneck meets a muslim, they tend to get along spendidly! [Unless matters of faith are mentioned, then ...] Having moved recently from the South to the North in the USA, my wife &
I have observed these differences on the different sides of the Mason-Dixon line:

South:
More suspicious of Asians.
Less fearful of violence.
The Gospel is often socially more embedded.
Dixie (c) cups are used for spitting out tobacco at social gatherings of men.

North:
More tensions between Whites & Blacks.
More willing to trust government power.
The Law is socially more embedded.
Masonic lodges are more common prominent social institutions.

Both:
Muslims & Mexicans are both suspect, though for different reasons.

It seems that a great deal of the current conflict is a result of "stereotypes." In the Bible, the Lord Jesus Himself was not afraid to use "stereotypes" in public when speaking:

Herod = that fox.
Pharisees & lawyers = hypocrites (those under-judgment).
(example: The lawyer who helps people get divorced at work
& helps people get married at church.
- Featured in the Ann Arbor News this past Saturday.)
Sadducees = hopeless (no resurrection).
Jesus also said “Don’t put your pearls before swine.”

Paul called the Cretans, well, cretans! = lazy, brutes, liars, drunk ... about like a modern frat house! (Titus 1:12)

John regarded Rome as “satan” in Revelation. (Which is why I don’t identify deeply with America – today’s imperial power.)

Stereotypes were also spoken of Jesus:

Nazoreans = “what good can come from there” – The hick / red-neck region of Palestine, known to have some revolutionary tendencies. (John 1:46)

Meanwhile the folks in Nazareth figured Jesus had “gotten a big head after all the nice things other folks was sayin’, we best put him back in his place!” Nazareth’s version of a lynching just about followed (see Luke 4).

... I wonder how Abraham felt when he was 100 & finally had the nerve to admit / confess the lie (or 1/2 truth) he had told & had his wife tell that they were not merely 1/2 brother - 1/2 sister, but also husband & wife?

Being “in the world & yet not of it” is the answer to much of the current debate: get beyond how others stereotype you & enter into the realm which God has ordained for you. Walk with Jesus everywhere you go. Talk with Jesus before you ever talk to others.

I think it is the same “Abrahamic” shame over our own sins in the evangelical camp that hinders God from pouring out even greater blessing upon us. Amazingly, humble honesty renders the accuser’s darts useless as we take refuge in our Lord rather than our land.

We have stayed in the camp too long & neglect to put our lives & reputations at risk in order share the good news of returning to righteousness & resting with those who could do serious harm to our own standing: socially, financially, bodily, etc.

A brother spoke of his own variety of Christianity at a denominational meeting I once attended:
"We are like manure:
We do a lot of good if you spread us out,
But we sure raise a stink if you keep us all in a heap."

Stereotypes can thus, have some use, but they can also be VERY dangerous, if you let them govern you:
Example from the BBC:
An Islamic commentator from Pakistan considered the recent burning & destruction of a local franchise of Kentucky Fried Chicken (A USA based company) to be justifed because one (1) publication in Denmark published some months ago 12 cartoons mocking a deceased Arabian poet. For the Pakistani man being interviewed, the firing of the editor of the Danish newspaper & apology by the newspaper was insufficient. He demanded that all "you" [non-muslims or westerners, it was not clear] apologize because "you" are the cause of this.

Honestly, it sounded much like the rantings of religious leaders in Jerusalem who insisted upon the crucifixion of Jesus (Isa Al-Masih) & sought to persecute Saul of Tarsus (the Apostle Paul).

Because it has become so _clear_ that Islam is hostile to all others, it is evident that it will fall. Islam is trying to save itself & defend itself ... & in the process is exposing its divisive nature.

Jesus said that slandering Him as the Son of Man (Fully Human), was forgivable. It is slandering the Holy Spirit which is not forgiveable. May many more find the grace of our Lord in these last days. May God show His mercy to those who rant & rave & riot.

Please pray for me, as I often work where folks are hostile to the Gospel. May the Lord's Honor not diminish in the eyes of those I serve because of my own foolishness.

Born in the North.
Raised in the South.
Traveled to various nations.
Living in the North.

Following the Lord Who was buried in a borrowed tomb, now empty:
Who Is the God of Abraham, whose only land was a grave-plot when he died.

Peace in Christ,
Mert Hershberger
mertaka@everybody.org
www.pray-ap.info