Being Neighborly

The word “tribe” is now used a lot to describe a group of people where your work, beliefs, or art can find a larger home and audience. It’s helpful for the most part. However, tribes are prone to fighting, just like church denominations. The idea of a tribe fails for believers when it overpowers how we treat our neighbors.

The old question, “Who is my neighbor?” can feel both cumbersome and vague in our shrinking digital world. The way I see it, your neighbors are those who physically live close to you as well as those you put in front of yourself, both digitally and physically. Jesus calls us to care for those with whom we come in contact, as well as those with whom we do or do not wish to interact through our work, art, or influence. All of us have a larger group of neighbors than we realize. The entire world might be our neighbor in many respects. I wouldn’t argue with this idea, but for the moment I am going to concentrate on those with whom we come in contact through our work and influence.

Earlier this month, a professor / theologian / author inside a “reformed” tribe published a review of a new book by another theologian / author from a different tribe. The review is posted on a popular website working to build a larger coalition for the Gospel beyond denominational lines. In my opinion, such “gospel work” was put on hold while this reviewer decided to taunt and belittle. In the book review, the reviewer shows off his skills in sarcasm and smarm while using his theological certainty as a weapon. And, I think, the reviewer put his fear and even jealousy on display. The article was clearly written to amuse both the writer and his tribe. But the laughs came at the expense of his neighbor, and it happened for all the watching world to see. It became another example of believers sniping other believers because they don’t use the same tribal language or preferred metaphors to describe God. And, as a fellow believer and writer, I found it sad.

Writers need to remember that fellow writers are our neighbors. The larger our audience, the more visible we make ourselves through our work and the more neighbors we make for ourselves. To whom are we speaking when reviewing a book by authors from different tribes? Are our reviews for our good, or for others? Does our work build up or even attempt to foster conversation and dialogue? If not, we are just pandering to those we wish would follow us more closely. It’s easy to huddle up with like minded people, but it’s difficult to use our platform to begin a meaningful dialogue with those with whom we disagree. There is a way to argue your views without belittling others.

Perhaps all of this is only my fear coming to the surface. My first book is releasing soon, and I know it will be hard not to rise and fall with every review of my work. I am not looking forward to the inevitable harsh review it will receive. But I know this is also coming from another place as well. I am counted among those who use sarcasm and biting criticism to promote my work and “rightness.” But by God’s grace, I am growing to hate this inside me. In the very recent past, I would have cheered the book review I am now fighting to keep from naming. I would have relished and promoted the sarcasm. I still love the belonging that comes from being a part of this tribe. I’m not better or above the actions I am calling into question. I’m just as big of a jerk as anyone else. But that doesn’t mean I have to continue to go along with the short-sided foolishness for the sake of belonging to a certain tribe. There are far too many neighbors for us to shepherd and love without taking shots at their work and character.