Street Preacher Keeps Yelling At Me...

I don't think I've written anything specifically about faith on my blog here. That isn't/wasn't the purpose of why I started this (and occasionally remember to write in it). I just had an interesting encounter with a street preacher, here in Rochester, MN, of all places.

No, I didn't have a confrontation, or exchanged words at all, but just the presence of a street preacher shouting to no one in particular, and no one paying attention for that matter, depressed me. Shamed me. No, embarrassed me is the right phrase.

I am a Christ-Follower. A Christian. Went to school and got a degree in Youth Ministry and Bible. Don't run away, please! The reason for this "confession" is to illustrate my encounter. Why does it embarrass me to see this street preacher?

It comes back to Matthew 22 for me. This (verse 34-37) is where Jesus was approached by a Pharisee, an expert in the Law of Moses, asked him what the greatest Commandment was, in his opinion. Was it a trick question? Were they testing his verse memory skills? Regardless, he said:

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.^' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

When I first read this verse, I glazed over it. Second time too. It took me years to finally get this. Here is Jesus Christ, Son of God, God Incarnate, Holy Trinity, telling us that the entire Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments!

So I see this street preacher, trying to "spread" the gospel with shouts of condemnation and empty words, and think about the words of Christ. We in the church get really hung up on some really ridiculous issues, like "godly" musical instruments, whatever pop culture fad is happening, and so many more trivial issues.

Should I judge this guy, who in his view, is doing the "good work" of the gospel? I want to. I want to think he's an idiot, and wasting his time. But then I'm not loving him as myself, and I feel bad for this guy. I feel bad that if I even approached him in love, it would be viewed as an attack that would validate his worldview (there's a weird victim mentality of those looking for validation of their faith, John 15:18-25).

Don't get me wrong, I have opinions on a lot of things, through the lens of my faith, and scripture, that guide me on my conduct, lifestyle, and soon, parenting. But I admit that these are my own contrived opinions, and I could be wrong. Is Calvin right? Arminius? Does it matter? Where would be a hill to die on for my faith? Definitely not on which hymns are sung, or whatever.

I would draw the line in the sand with my faith on these two commandment Christ spoke on. That's really where it's at, in my opinion. I won't kid anyone, I am nowhere near mastering these two simple commands. Maybe when I get to that day that I do master them, I can move on to figuring out deeper spiritual quests. Maybe.