It seems like everyone and their mother has written a post about Caitlyn Jenner, many of which have been extremely polarizing. It seems there are primarily two camps: those who are hyper-supportive, and those who are very clearly not. From what I've read, those who aren't tend to speak in a tone of mockery, judgement, and condemnation. Many of those who are in support point to Jesus and how he "just loved everyone and told us to do the same." It's the classic compassion/judgement scenario. So which is better? Truth, or Love?
To be honest, I had every intention of not saying anything, but felt I may have a word that is both encouraging and enlightening. As I sought truth amidst the chaos surrounding the Jenner controversy, I was driven to my bible, which I know I can trust not just because it is true, but because it is truth (John 17:17). The word of God is the standard by which truth is measured; it defines and embodies truth. So how does the bible speak into this?
I found myself drawn to John 8, the "woman caught in adultery." We all seem to know this one well, and it's a story that is often pointed to when talking about "sinners" (in this case Jenner). I think there is a very important part of the story that often goes overlooked though. To paint the picture, a woman was caught in the middle of cheating on her husband. The religious leaders drug her (probably naked) into the temple where Jesus happened to be preaching. They flung her in front of him, and said "Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do you say?" (John 8: 4-5).
Just imagine if, while sitting in the middle of Church this Sunday, the doors were suddenly flung open and several of the elders were dragging in some naked woman. Think about just how awkward that would be. Now imagine it was you. Maybe your sin isn't adultery, and maybe you wouldn't be physically naked, yet imagine if all the things that you had done and thought were in an instant put up on the big screen for everyone in the church- your friends, family, community members, people you have known for years- to see, leaving you emotionally exposed. Put yourself in her shoes- the shame, the humiliation, the emotional devastation that you would be feeling. I imagine in some way, this is how Caitlyn Jenner must feel. No matter how bold and defiant Jenner appears in the public square, there must be some part that still feels the ridicule and scorn from those who would identify with Christ. The story goes on though.
Jesus has a way of doing things that go against the grain, and he doesn't disappoint here.
"'Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her'... but when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' She said, 'No one, Lord.' And Jesus said, 'Neither do I condemn you.'" (John 8:7-11).
What is so amazing, and why we are so drawn to this passage, is that the only person who was without sin, the only one who could have thrown the stones and condemned her, didn't. In this passage we see the compassion, the love, and the mercy of Christ. In a world that is quick to pass judgment, it is easy to forget that people are people- that they have emotions, families, life stories, and a soul. I am so guilty of this at times- of forgetting that the story has a face and a name. As Christians, we must never detach the person from the problem. I love this passage, because Jesus knows her situation, and yet is able to look past it into the person and offer mercy that nobody else was willing to offer. "Neither do I condemn you" is His way of saying, "listen, I know what you've done and it isn't great, but I still love you. I still care about you so fiercely, that I would die to make you whole again." The ultimate manifestation of forgiveness and mercy is found in the Cross of Christ, where all of our sin was nailed (Colossians 2:13-14). What many people are quick to overlook about John 8, though, is how the story ends.
"Go now and leave your life of sin." (John 8:11)
Jesus was the embodiment of mercy, love, and compassion, but he was also the personification of truth, justice, and holiness. He offered her kindness in her lowest moment, but didn't leave her there. He invited her into more. "Leave your life of sin" is not his way of kicking her while she is down- it is Jesus saying "you know that the life you have been living is empty. I am offering you something better, something richer, something more life giving than you could ever imagine. Don't settle for McDonalds when you can come to the banquet." While he doesn't condemn her ("neither do I condemn you"), this doesn't mean that he is affirming what she is doing. It's one thing to support someone, but something entirely different to support what someone is doing. As Christians, we cannot support our friends doing something that will ultimately harm them. So while Caitlyn Jenner is fully deserving of love, compassion, and mercy from Christians, this does not mean that Christians must affirm the choice to identify as a female after being biologically born as male.
Truth without love is abrasive. Love without truth is wishy-washy. We must be a people who can compassionately engage in the world while boldly speaking truth. It hurts me that so many people who would claim the name of Christ fail to offer the mercy and compassion that Christ spoke of and demonstrated so often. It saddens me to think that the first thing that comes to many people's minds when you say the word "Christian" is judgment, condemnation, and morality police. It breaks my heart that the Church is associated with right-wing conservative politics more than with being the hands and feet of Jesus. But it also saddens me that people who claim the name of Christ have forgotten that Jesus didn't just forgive us and then leave us be, but commanded us to "be holy, for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16, Leviticus 20:26). It frightens me that "Christians" are so biblically illiterate, and afraid to stand on biblical truth. Romans 12 stands out in my mind as a passage that is of utmost importance to Christians in this day and age:
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves...bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
I would encourage you to seek truth where truth is found: in God's word. He is good, his ways are life-giving, and we can trust Him because he always has our best in mind. As we navigate these treacherous waters of society, let us cling to what is good, exhorting those around us as we pursue Christ, all the while never forgetting the soul that is behind the problems. "Our battle is not against flesh and blood... but against the spiritual forces of evil..." (Ephesians 6:12)
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