Freedom
and liberty are very American (specifically US) values enshrined in Thomas
Jefferson’s words in the Declaration of Independence. "We hold these
truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are
Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Though not having the
force of law that the US Constitution does, for nearly two and a half centuries
(2026 will be that celebration), what they mean and how they are lived has been
explored and played out in many different ways through US history.
The
current coronavirus pandemic is putting that exploration to new tests. What
happens when one person’s liberty may jeopardize another person’s life or
happiness? What is the balance between individual freedom and the common good? What
happens when some are allowed freedoms that are defacto denied to others?
In
the New Testament the Apostle Paul affirms a spiritual freedom for those who
trust and follow Jesus. He is primarily addressing freedom from “The Law” as
understood in the Jewish context of the first century. In every generation,
humans are prone to use external codes rather than intrinsic character to
distinguish not only acceptable from unacceptable behavior, but also to define
who is welcome and who is unwelcome. Paul’s understanding of freedom from “The
Law” is worthy of considerable theological exploration, but it is clearly
different than Jeffersonian liberty. Paul did not address the tyranny of the
Roman Empire of that time. Those who followed Jesus were outside of the corridors
of power but were seeking to be light in that darkness. The freedom of which
Paul wrote is not equivalent to the American ideals of liberty.
·
2
Corinthians 3.17: Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord
is, there is freedom.
·
Galatians
5.1: For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and
do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Paul
(and Peter) even put some limits on the exercise of this freedom. Thus,
asserting individual freedom is at odds with Jeffersonian freedom. Freedom in
Christ is not to be used for ourselves but as a way of expressing love for others,
even surrendering to becoming slaves to each other.
·
1
Corinthians 8.9: But take care that this liberty of yours does not
somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.
·
Galatians
5.13: For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not
use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through
love become slaves to one another.
·
1
Peter 2.16: As servants of God, live as free people, yet do not use your freedom as
a pretext for evil.
As
the tensions over American freedom play out in the coming weeks and months, I
suggest that we who follow Jesus have an opportunity to offer an alternative
understanding of freedom. For me, that means opting out of the debates on
individual freedom from government or social interference in our personal
preferences. Instead, we have the opportunity to proclaim a freedom to love,
even at cost to ourselves.
To
be sure, biblical allusions to freedom and liberty have been invoked on behalf
of American freedom through US history. Perhaps most notable is the inscription
on The Liberty Bell from Leviticus 25:10 (echoed powerfully in Jeremiah 34). “You
shall proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants.” That is
the liberty of the Year of Jubilee (every 50 years) when debts were cancelled,
property returned to heirs of the original owners, slaves (those who sold
themselves to pay debts) were set free, farm land laid fallow. Again, how that
actually worked and how its principles might be applied in our time are worthy
pursuits, but clearly the liberty proclaimed in Leviticus 25:10 is not personal
freedom but liberty in the community so none are permanently excluded. As
People of the Book (both Jews and Christians) I suggest that the current crisis
is our opportunity to proclaim and practice a better, more powerful liberty and
freedom.
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