Who is a Christian? [Part 1]

A Reuters news story out of Olathe, KS, reports on a hearing to decide whether Frazier Glenn Cross Jr. should be tried for murder. Nearly a year ago, witnesses stated, Cross shot and killed three people outside Jewish centers. Enough evidence has been presented to conclude that Cross is an antisemite who took these actions because he hates Jews.

To all those folks who have criticized President Obama for his comment that Muslims are not the only terrorists -- and that some terrorists claim to be Christians -- I'd just like to point out that this is only one of many cases that prove him right. According to the article, law enforcement already knew that Cross had been a senior member of the Ku Klux Klan, an organization that purports to be Christian. So it's evident that some who call themselves Christian are terrorists.

Of course, that's just one incident. Are there more?

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) monitors hate groups and fights extremism. Their Hate Map depicts the distribution of hate groups in the United States. By their count, at this date, there are 939 distinct, active hate groups operating in this country. The SPLC's legal actions have succeeded in shutting down some hate groups, but hate is a hydra. Shut down one group, and more pop up to replace it.

Not convinced? Check out the SPLC document "Terror From the Right: Plots, Conspiracies and Racist Rampages Since Oklahoma City". It gives a detailed history of dozens of terrorist incidents in the U.S., over a ten-year period. Many of those acts were committed by people who claim to be Christian.

By what stretch of the imagination can any of these perpetrators of violence claim to be Christian? Christians are followers of Christ. Just before he physically left this planet, Jesus instructed his disciples to go into all the world, "teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you" (Matt 28:20, NIV). What did he command? "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" and "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt 22:37-38). He made it clear, in the parable of the good Samaritan, that everybody is our neighbor. Christians follow this path.

In what twisted universe does violent rage against innocents constitute loving God and loving others?

But the important question is not who is a Christian, but rather what we Christians are going to do about hate groups.  Maybe we should hate them?

Uh, that's kind of a contradiction, right?

No, the way to fight hate is to love.  My wife, Kathleen, has recently written a story about one man who did exactly that. You can find the story on the website of "The Faith and Peace Project". She chronicles the life and ministry of an English pastor who gave himself to the establishment of peace in Ireland and Northern Ireland. He is but one of many who put their lives on the line to help that troubled island find healing. The "Troubles" in Ireland are now in remission (though certainly not without the potential for flare-ups). Kathleen has personally witnessed former IRA soldiers worshiping in a protestant church that counts, among its members, a large contingent of former Catholics.

Who is a Christian?  If you're looking for one, start with somebody who knows how to love.