You are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. -Deuteronomy 7:6
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. -1Peter 2:9
It seems to be important, to some anyways, that they have special status with God. Apart from these verses, that speak of Jews and Christians, other religions also claim this kind of status. A troubling aspect of this idea is how countries seem to align themselves with a religion.
In some sense, these folks feel entitled to lands that do not belong to them and often wage war to take that property. I mean why would we ever believe that God was all about real estate? In reality, he is not. The Lord is not, now or ever, in the real estate business - nationally or privately.
When someone speaks of God in this way, I think that they are humanizing the divine. They are concerned about having property for their family so the think that God is too. And sometimes their lust for property, both national and private, is projected heavenly. And sometimes it becomes, 'God gave this land to me'.
When someone speaks of God in this way, I think that they are humanizing the divine. They are concerned about having property for their family so the think that God is too. And sometimes their lust for property, both national and private, is projected heavenly. And sometimes it becomes, 'God gave this land to me'.
In contrast to uniqueness, I think that it is good to remember that we, at a core level, are all alike in what makes us human. For sure, we are different and we celebrate that diversity. Yet, the tribal nature that we find in the Old Testament is telling. Even, in the New Testament, Jesus speaks to it.
When Christ speaks of loving our neighbor he points directly to a Samaritan. Sadly, all of the hardship that the Jews endured did not open their hearts to love people outside of their tribe - like Samaritans. Jesus accents this point when he tells his followers that they must love those who they see as enemies.
I think that this is a major fault that has been witnessed in history. Being 'chosen' can lead one to lead with love and try to attract others into your ranks. Sadly, that has not been what we have mostly seen in history. Being 'chosen' has created an elite mentality and the idea that 'God likes us best'.
In some sense, one might think that religions, who declare themselves as loving groups, would unite people. Their core message might be the love of people who are different from what they are. Sadly, the doctrine of love is superseded by other dogmas. And people choose to divide rather than compromise.
Speaking of which, I think that it is interesting that compromise is a bad word in certain religious sects. People divide over sacraments like baptism, the Lord's Supper, worship style and other periphery. One major Christian religion caused a whole division called Protestantism.
Recent studies indicate there are tens of thousands of distinct Christian denominations globally, with estimates ranging from over 20,000 to as high as 45,000 to 49,000 in recent years. And this doesn't even address the divisions present in other world religions. So many feel 'chosen'. So many feel special.
Speaking of which, I think that it is interesting that compromise is a bad word in certain religious sects. People divide over sacraments like baptism, the Lord's Supper, worship style and other periphery. One major Christian religion caused a whole division called Protestantism.
Recent studies indicate there are tens of thousands of distinct Christian denominations globally, with estimates ranging from over 20,000 to as high as 45,000 to 49,000 in recent years. And this doesn't even address the divisions present in other world religions. So many feel 'chosen'. So many feel special.
I wonder if this psychology of feeling special might lead to a form of entitlement where one believes that their particular ethnicity, religion or national affiliation gives them an in with God. It reminds me of how Jesus told the Jews that out of stones God could raise up children for Abraham.
In making this assertion, Jesus cut the legs off of the idea that Jewish genealogy was spiritually special or something that carried benefits with it. Yet even today, folks who read and believe this still embrace the chosenness of varied tribes and beliefs. I guess I just don't see, among enlightened peoples, the attraction.
In making this assertion, Jesus cut the legs off of the idea that Jewish genealogy was spiritually special or something that carried benefits with it. Yet even today, folks who read and believe this still embrace the chosenness of varied tribes and beliefs. I guess I just don't see, among enlightened peoples, the attraction.
So where do we go from here? I think that the issue is polarizing and many people have 'chosen' sides. There doesn't seem to be a willingness to think outside the spiritual box. Truthfully, in my younger years I was unwilling as well. I mean, even Jesus could not crack the hard shells of his day.
I wonder though. Is there a remnant of loving people, in every religious group, who see their group as simply part of a global community of faith? Experience tells me that there is. Perhaps such people can persuade others to embrace the larger vision? My prayer is that they will.
I wonder though. Is there a remnant of loving people, in every religious group, who see their group as simply part of a global community of faith? Experience tells me that there is. Perhaps such people can persuade others to embrace the larger vision? My prayer is that they will.
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