Dear Emily,
In my last letter, I talked about how looking for truth leads us to believe in a higher power, suggesting there's a God because of a universal moral code. I said that ignoring this and, instead, following personal beliefs has caused wars and oppression. You might point out that people have also used the Bible to justify wars and oppression, like slavery.
You're right to bring that up, and I want to address it.
It's important when we're figuring out what we believe to see how sometimes people have twisted the Bible to excuse really bad actions, like wars and slavery. This shows how some have bent the message of the Bible to fit their own goals, not the message of love and justice Christianity is all about.
The Bible teaches us about the importance of love, justice, and humility. One of the clearest expressions of what God expects from us is found in Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." This directive emphasizes the need for us to live lives marked by fairness, compassion, and modesty in our relationship with God, starkly contrasting with any form of misuse of faith for oppression.
Jesus in the New Testament made it clear that love is key. In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus reinforces the importance of love as foundational to our actions and interactions. In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus also outlines the greatest commandments: "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." Through these words, Jesus highlights that at the core of Christianity is the command to love — encompassing both our love for God and for each other. This principle of love stands in direct opposition to any historical actions of injustice that have been falsely justified by Christian principles.
When we look at the bad things done by people claiming to follow Christianity, it's crucial to remember these actions don't reflect what Christianity is truly about. Instead, they remind us to always check that our beliefs and actions match the core values of our faith: love and justice.
So, as we think about all this, let's ask how we can live out these values of love and justice today. How can we make sure what we do shows the love and teachings of Christ and helps make the world a better place for everyone?
Emily, as you think about these things, consider the powerful role love and justice play in the true message of Christianity. Think about how you can put these values into action in your own life and our community.
All my love,
Dad
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