An Open Letter to Those Offended by Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde

A Contrast Between Christlikeness & Christiamericanity

Dear Christiamerican,

I encourage you to ponder and apply the words of Paul the Apostle from his letter to the Philippians in which he states,

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.¹

Please allow this message and the example of the Christ you claim to worship to be the model for how you view and treat the people in our world, especially those with whom you may not agree or don’t understand. The beauty of his message is found in those he lifted up in what we now call the Beatitudes.² He didn’t glorify the powerful, the angry, the manipulative, or the righteous. Instead, he blessed those people with broken spirits. The ones who mourn. Those who are gentle and humble. The poor and oppressed. He honors the ones who seek rightness and truth, and those who are merciful and pure of thought and intention. It is the peacemakers, not the dividers who he extols. As well as those who have been victimized and abused.

If you want to know how to make the difference in this world that I want to believe you authentically desire, do it with love which your scripture says is long-suffering, kind, patient, humble, not envious, forgiving, truth-seeking and celebrating, protecting, trusting, persevering, and hopeful.³

You have the opportunity in the coming days, weeks, and years to show true power and Christlikeness by rejecting the perverse noise of those who have abdicated their responsibility to guide you to any path that doesn’t embrace these ideals. Remember the stories of when Israel wanted to have an earthly king to save them.⁴ That king, Saul, turned out to be much more harm than good. To be a man of evil, not righteousness. To lead Israel to destruction, not save them.

You have been told to follow a man and an ideology that is the exact opposite of the Christ you claim as your Lord. This modern day “King Saul” is not the path to take, just as the cautionary tales of the books of Samuel teach. I beg you to reject the messages of hate, division, and crudeness. Instead, be the light in the world that you sing and preach about- not with a spirit of fear but through the true power of love and self-discipline.⁵

One of the most often quoted scriptures also comes from Paul’s letter to the Philippians in which he states

I can do all things though Christ who strengthens me.⁶

I challenge you to embrace this in an even deeper way by saying to yourself, “I MUST do all things through Christ because he will strengthen me.” The greatest victory you can have is to show those of us who are cynical the true Christ by how you choose to be like Him.

Sincerely and Hopefully,

The Independent Minded Empath

1. Philippians 4:8

2. Matthew 5

3. I Corinthians 13

4. I Samuel

5. 2 Timothy 1:7

6. Philippians 4:13