Within the Christian landscape, there is a remnant - a minority of believers who refuse to compromise their core convictions for the sake of cultural or political expediency. This remnant is not defined by demographics or party affiliation, but by a radical commitment to the teachings of Jesus Christ. They are the ones who take the Sermon on the Mount to heart, embracing its counter-cultural tenets of service and justice for the poor and marginalized. They take Jesus Christ at His word.
The concept of the remnant is a deeply biblical one, appearing throughout Scripture as a small, faithful minority bravely enduring during times of widespread apostasy and judgment. In the New Testament, Paul references the remnant, noting that "at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace" (Romans 11:5) who did not reject God, even when the majority of Israel did. The theme of the remnant is one of scriptures most prevalent and important, but it may be one of the least understood as well!
The remnant can not be labeled conservative nor liberal. It isn't defined by purity codes, overly onerous rules and judgements. But neither can it be defined by permissiveness, without impulse control or accountability. They believe neither is healthy nor in alignment with our Creator.
There is a third-way, a remnant, and the defining characteristic of this group is their Christocentric focus. They see it as a unified story centered on Jesus - His life, teachings, death, and resurrection. This approach leads to a different understanding of faith than those who prioritize tribal loyalty or earthly power. For this remnant, Jesus is not just a figurehead but both savior and ultimate moral / ethical example. This is an important distinction! They strive to emulate His character and actions, even when it's difficult or unpopular.
This pursuit involves conscious removal of an overemphasis on material and earthly desires like power, status, material possession and control. It can do this while also seeing the damages caused by a total lack of structure or limitations. They reject the worldly comforts and power offered by political tribalism and instead embrace a life of moral and spiritual rigor. They believe that true freedom comes from detaching themselves from the material and social desires that bind others and attaching themselves to the will of their Creator.
Among other things, this means:
Practicing Humility: They reject the idea of a Jesus who dominates and coerces others. Instead, they follow the humble Messiah who washed His disciples' feet (even Judas!) and suffered rejection and crucifixion rather than wielding power over His oppressors.
Embracing Compassion: They prioritize love and compassion for the marginalized and oppressed, just as Jesus did. This leads them to advocate for the poor, the marginalized, the immigrant, the widow, and the orphan, rather than seeing them as a threat.
Rejecting Violence and Vengeance: This remnant believes that killing is always wrong and is in direct conflict with the sanctity of life. They understand that all violence, including political violence, is always wrong. They take seriously Jesus' words in Matthew 5:21-22, where He equates hatred in one's heart with murder. This means that hate and bigotry are not simply different positions or opinions, but a profound moral failing, a rejection of the core tenets of Christian love.
This understanding of faith is shaped by the Bible’s larger trajectory. They see the entirety of the Bible, and its trajectory, and not just snippets that just support flawed positions. This remnant recognizes this progression, viewing Jesus, his teachings and actions as the ultimate expression of God's heart, which moved beyond retributive justice to redemptive justice.
Living as part of this remnant is not easy. It means living in a liminal space that is often seen with suspicion by both extremes of the left and right (which apparently is becoming more and more extreme). Their challenge is the struggle of living a balanced existence in a polarized world that emphasizes and rewards extremism.
This constant struggle to maintain their spiritual integrity in the face of worldly pressures, leads to a painful reality: their circle of friends will likely be much smaller because their beliefs don't align easily with a political group (and certainly never to either of the extremes). They are criticized by the Left (especially the secular Left) for their relatively ascetic life and beliefs in the value of moral rigor and by the Right for their perceived "wokeness" and lack of political/nationalistic zeal. I suppose both sides are critical of what they perceived as the remnant’s indifference, naivety or capitulation.
However, their commitment is not born of indifference or naivety - and is certainly not a capitulation of values. Instead, it is a profound and active resistance to worldly forces and preference for a balanced perspective that includes the other-worldy. They understand that their primary allegiance is not to a group, but to Christ alone - which then further defines all other relationships and allegiances. By holding to these convictions, they offer a different path—a third way. This remnant is a testament to the enduring power of a Christ-centered faith, proving that even in the midst of societal chaos, there are those who will continue to follow the narrow, difficult, and ultimately hopeful path of Jesus.
