Last week I spent Friday and most of Saturday at a philosophy of religion conference. I know, such things are for academics, über-intellectuals, scholars and those who use über along with other French and German words. I enjoy the exchange that occurs among scholars as they seek to wrestle with concepts and clarify positions. Hearing these exchanges and the feistiness of some is an encouragement for those who are neck deep in the process of graduate studies. What I enjoy more is seeing fellow students, reconnecting with friends and developing new friendships.
This may seem odd for the context given but despite the oddness, it uncovers something that many overlook, friendship. Friendship in the age of ubiquitous social media can potentially be taken too lightly. (See how many ‘friends’ I have on Facebook.) However, reconnection with old friends and acquaintances is easier than ever. (Thank you, social media.) Even with this greater connectedness, something is often lacking in those interactions. This is usually due to off the cuff remarks typed in haste and the inability to see facial expressions and body language. (Sarcasm is difficult to convey in type) One overcomes that lack by being in the presence of friends.
Friends are not blood like your family. They are not the intimate loves like your significant other. Friends are those people in your life who you enjoy their company. You like them, respect them, and trust them. Friends are the others that you enjoy spending time over lunch or getting a beer or a coffee or smoking a cigar. I think the ‘time spent’ with others that involves mutual respect is telling. That time is an investment; it goes but enriches the friendship. The need to nurture and care for a friendship is vital. Spend the time, waste it even, for friends are worth it.
The next time you think of a friend that you miss, take the time. Something more than a moment will do. Write them a letter, send them an email or message via Facebook, call them or even better, call to set up a time for lunch or coffee. Remember this, no matter the distance, in space, time or memory, Christ stands between you and your friends. He is the mediator and to those with faith, He is also your friend.
A friend from school commented recently via Facebook, “Jeffrey W Roop knows something about building up the church by tearing it down.” This is both encouraging and humbling. Two points to clarify this statement.
First, I love the church in all her expressions. She is an eternal beauty that I long to see expressed in ways that clearly reflect the body of Christ. Two things have contributed to my ‘wider’ view of the church – being on the fringes of the institutional church and being involved in academia.
Being involved in an organic house church for nearly a year has allowed me to meet a wide vatiety of believers from differing traditions. While we may not see eye to eye on things, Christ is the one who stands between us and is the source of our unity. The times when disagreement occurs to the point of disturbing the unity of the Spirit, we agree to disagree yet refocus on Christ.
The academic side has also allowed for interaction with varioous religious traditions beyond Christianity. Those who are Christians have stated that though they respect my ideas they couldn’t go there or labeled me as a radical protestant. Others from other religions or no religion at all have often been surprised by the ways in which I seek to express the Christian faith. In all of this, tolerance and having conversations rather than heated disagreements has allowed for understanding of others regardless of their history.
Second, although I love the church, much of what is done in the name of Christ and his body needs tearing down, deconstruction, elimination. Often what needs such removal is that which seeks to cover the body of Christ with a thin (or thick) veneer of religiosity which obscures that precious body. Some say we need to embrace a religionless Christianity. Others say we need to return to Orthodoxy. Others call for a return to pre-Constantinian Christianity. Each of these paths have positives and negatives which I’ll elaborate on at a later time. No matter the path you find yourself on, seek Christ and in doing so you will seek the Kingdom of God. Much needs to be jettisoned and much needs to be reworked. Ultimately, Jesus is the one who builds the church.
