Many believers feel that their belief is a private matter, to be kept to themselves and not to be talked about.
This does not mean that their beliefs are not seriously felt and do not shape their lives. This way tends to be moderate and undogmatic.
Others consider that belief should be public. It should be openly discussed and accompanied by rigidly defin
ed rules of behaviour and forms of worship. This way tends to be passionate and authoritarian.
But there is a third way. I first heard it enunciated by a former Archbishop of York, who described himself as a passionate moderate. I believe that is the right approach, however contradictory it may sound.
Indeed there is a strong case for suggesting that it was the approach that Jesus himself adopted
It is clear that Jesus was a passionate person. You cannot doubt his passionate love for God, and his passionate hatred of evil and hypocrisy. Nor his passionate love for people, particularly children and the poor.
But, see how moderate he was in his treatment of individuals such as the woman caught in adultery or how moderate the Pharisees found his attitude to the Sabbath. And there was always his rebuke ‘Let him without guilt cast the first stone’.
As a Christian, I believe we need to be passionate about the things which Jesus was openly passionate about: the love of God, which includes prayer and worship; love of others and care for them, including children and the needy.
Those things are above argument, and should determine how we live, who we are. Other things may be worthy of our support, even our passion,. but always with moderation , with over-riding concern for the individuals concerned.
The full article contains 294 words and appears in Leamington Courier newspaper.
