looking for a win/win scenario?

In our Western civilization, the main frame for understanding daily life is the competitive frame. Everything is seen in terms of winning and losing, up or down, with me or against me. In my opinion, this is why the West has largely not understood the Gospel. You can’t understand the Gospel if you’re looking for a win/lose scenario.

I believe Jesus was the first clear non-dual teacher in Western civilization, but he has for the most part been interpreted by dualistic thinkers and competitive churches. By eating with sinners and associating with outcasts, Jesus showed what he felt about all exclusionary systems. And yet, that is what our churches have largely been, starting with an early enmity toward our own Jewish roots.

Jesus said, “My Father’s sun shines on the good and the bad. His rain falls on the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5: 45). Try to make systematic theology out of that! Who can you exclude from the table with that kind of thinking? Jesus has always been way too much for us. He is offering civilization a win/win scenario, and frankly for most of us that is not very interesting.

Richard Rohr