think hard, think well

For me, the “principles” of Christianity concentrate themselves so intensely on a certain, ineffable relational knowledge of a person—Jesus—that I am quickly disoriented when you try to prise away the moral and ethical teachings that more and more people are finding so splendid. Like, what would be the point of something like self-sacrifice, for example, if one were merely wandering around an elegant town or a pretty garden and not peering through the gloom at the hard wood of the Cross upon which the Lord had stretched out his arms? What would be the point of caring for the widow and the orphan if one, who had been so far off and confused, had not been brought near by the blood of the Savior? For me, none of the principles of Christianity feel particularly compelling compared to knowing Christ and being known by him. All these comfortable benefits have been given to me beyond my ability to ask for or even imagine them.

Anne Kennedy, “They Are Very Good: A Short Thought on Jesus and All those Principles of Christianity”