Dueling Poems: A Satire on the Modern Christian’s Righteous Indignation vs. a Call to Repent

Hi, friends. I sometimes get frustrated by legalistic Christians. Legalistic Christians tend to neglect the most foundational components of the faith–

• understanding we are all sinners saved by grace and, consequently, being humble and constantly repentant
• following Jesus’s example of caring for the least of these including the poor, the outcast, the mentally and physically broken, etc. (a subject for another post, but I’ll add that God in the OT, who some antagonistic Christians embrace more than Jesus, also told His people to care for the least of these, esp. the foreigners, orphans, widows, and poor in their midst)
• building up the body of Christ with love, patience, mercy, joy, peace, discretion in words and actions, etc.

Legalistic Christians tend to point out real or perceived sin in others while ignoring their own, and in their lives, neither the fruit of the Spirit nor discipleship of Jesus is evident. They only whip out their religion to make a mountain out of a molehill or to justify a worldly action or attitude.

Anyways…

I decided to try a new outlet for my thoughts through satire, and I enjoyed the experience, so “Dueling Poems” might become a thing around here. 🙂

Preface: I live in the South and have attended the same church for my whole life, so this is not meant as a condemnation of small, rural churches. I’m just satirizing some things I see and hear.

A Satire on the Modern Christian’s Righteous Indignation

When I grew up

At the church in a country lane

Everyone in the congregation

Looked and acted the same

We were told what to think

The preacher taught us well

I didn’t need to read the Bible

To tell you all about Hell

My mom and dad’s religion

Was the same as my own

Don’t need to read the scripture

Because I already know:

Atheists are Satan’s friends

The gays are condemned

And as for me?

Well, I don’t have any sin

The world today has gone mad

On Christmas, there’s a war!

You may think “Happy Holidays” is fine

But I’m keeping score

These days, I can’t help feeling

Righteous indignation about everything

So I condescend and argue and shout

All in His name

What would Jesus do?

He’d trample on his enemies

I don’t need to read the Bible

To know what I believe

A Call to Repent

Repent, oh arrogant sinner

Get on your knees and beg

“Lord, I shamefully confess

Every hateful word I’ve said”

Invite Jesus’s grace into your heart

Approach Father God with humility

Let the Holy Spirit guide your actions

What truly matters, you’ll begin to see

See the poor and the suffering and the lost in your midst

See how discipleship with Jesus works–

We can make up for time we’ve wasted

Though when we see our own sin, it hurts

Dive into the scripture

And pray–often, every day

Get to know the Lord of love

And let Him lead the way

Thanks for reading! What did you think? Do you have something to say about righteous indignation in modern society? Let me know in the comments.

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NIV)

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