Can you be both gentle and forceful? Sounds like a paradox. Nineteenth Century European philosophers picked up on two things from contemporary Christian churches. First an attitude–Jesus was meek and Christians should emulate him as sheep. Second was politics–European Christian churches sided with wealth (to keep the donations coming) while telling the poor to be satisfied in the afterlife. These attitudes influenced both Marx and Nietzsche with awful consequences.
There is no way to read the Gospels without coming to the conclusion that Jesus had a forceful personality. He had “backbone” as they’d say in the country. Mark’s description of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem does not paint a picture of a quiet, gentle, feminine man. Jesus clears the temple of commerce (his only physical act of violence recorded). He stands up to the leaders of his faith and his country with deft verbal sparring–including telling a story that is a thinly veiled condemnation of them (the vineyard owner and the tenants). He leads his followers into unknown territory. And he faces death with grace and courage. Obviously philosophers and theologians of the time were mistaken.
Jesus also could deal gently and tenderly with people who were afflicted with demons and disabilities. His typical personality was gentle, but his forceful personality kept him focused on his mission.
Actually, emulating Jesus as the pioneer of our faith (as the writer of Hebrews puts it) guides us through life. A person living with-God bears the spiritual fruit of gentleness. But when adversity or adversaries arise, the strength and force of Jesus helps us stay on course.
Tags: Christianity, lifestyle
Faith Venture 
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