Why I am a Christian? This has always been a very pertinent existential concern for me. First of all, though we may have differences of opinion on who is called a Christian, I can, nevertheless, feel fundamentally positive about a tradition that is significant for me; a tradition in which I live side by side with so many others, past and present. Because I would not dream of confusing the great Christian tradition with the present structures of the Church or leaving a definition of true Christian values to its present administrators.
Christian faith provides answers for the questions of great whys and wherefores of humanity and the world. It is a basic orientation for my individual and social self. And at the same time, I find in these things a spiritual home on which I do not want to turn my back, any more than I want in politics to turn my back on democracy. God is “super-personal”, yet a genuine partner who is kind and absolutely reliable, a partner to whom we can communicate. God is the foundation of the personal nature of human beings, and hence He cannot be ‘a-personal’ either. He is not ‘sub-personal’ too. God does not merely demand but gives; who does not oppress, but liberates; who does not make people ill, but heals them. He is a God who cares for those who fall-and who does not fall? He is God who forgives instead of condemning, liberates instead of punishing, makes grace rule instead of law; who rejoices more over the repentance of one sinner than over 99 just people. He is, therefore, a God who prefers the prodigal son to the one who stayed at home, the tax collector to the Pharisees, the Samaritan heretics to the Jews, the prostitutes and adulterers to the self-righteous judges. Jesus did not preach excommunication, but an inclusive community called Kingdom of God. I love and believe in this God. What about you?
