Today's blog post is by my friend and guest writer, Will Lampkin!
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| Will Lamkin |
How often do you find yourself asking the question, "What's their problem?" Maybe it's been a while, or maybe it's now while I'm presenting this. "What's his problem now?" Right? Well, for me, I've been asking that question fairly often recently. It's especially been when having encountered some of the "spiritual" folk at various Church and Para-church meetings. Having pondered at length (at least in my own mind) the potential causes of these peoples "problem," I've come up with what I think could at least be a partial reason for why they are as they are. Now, I don't know of any empirical, scientific studies that would directly support my conclusion, but having done an extensive 10-minute Internet research I've come up with something that sounds good, at least to me. Although I'm sure that the people that sparked my thinking about the subject would disagree with my conclusion, I'm going to call the problem condition religious autism.
Initially, I thought I would call it spiritual autism, but I can't see where it would be a spiritual condition, at least not for born again Christians. After all, it's in the spirit of the Christian, that Holy Spirit takes up residence, so I can't see that it would be there. It wouldn't be physical, medical grade autism either, at least not obviously so, for the people subject to this discussion, so the only thing left is the soulish realm. As such, I believe that I have discovered an affliction of the mind, the will, and the emotions that occurs in the "religious" world, i.e. religious autism. Because, if you think about it, the soulish realm is where religion actually dwells.
Now, medically speaking, autism is defined as a condition characterized by impairment in social communication and interaction, as well as a need or strong preference for predictability and routine, sensory processing differences, focused interests, or repetitive behaviors. There will be unusual mood or emotional reactions and a person with autism must follow certain routines. They will get upset by minor changes. They are also likely to display obsessive interests.
As stated above, I am not addressing medical autism as such, but having a close relative sitting on the autistic spectrum, I know all of the things listed to be true and recently considered that there is strong evidence of similar characteristics in the common religious environment. This might help to explain why even a minor change in the order of a church service or operation, or a deviation from what one person identifies as proper Christian truth causes so much trouble. You see, for an individual on the autistic spectrum, there are really no minor issues. That's quite possibly why one's view on the end times, even though it won't keep someone from coming to Jesus and getting saved, can get one readily labeled as a heretic. There are no small issues!
From a medical standpoint, there is no cure for autism spectrum disorder, but I think that there is some hope for those suffering with religious autism. At least for those willing to recognize the condition and to deal with it. The thing is that it won't be a passive effort. While God dealt with us spiritually in the new birth and made us new creatures, He left it up to us to deal with our souls (i.e. mentality and mindset) and bodies (i.e. the flesh). We are directed in Romans 12:2 "Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God." And in Ephesians 4:22-24 we are told "that you put away, as concerning your former way of life, the old man, that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit; (23) and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, (24) and put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth."
The Word of God is key here. Hebrews 4:12 says "For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Note that in this scripture there is a clear distinction between soul and spirit and thoughts and intentions of the heart. This is an important concept.
Many believe that as long as they have the right words formed in their heads that they are ok, not realizing that they are still suffering from religious autism. Some that I encountered recently had the right words together, but the wrong mood or emotional state and failed to see the real sense or significance of the momentary circumstances.
One individual upbraided me for wearing a hat whilst praying for someone because, "men don't wear hats when praying." I was wearing it to shield my eyes from some very bright lights and didn't even think of taking it off at the time. That may not have been the best reason for violating a major issue, and, of course, it definitely turned out not to be an acceptable explanation at the time.
Now, did I take offense to this? Yep, I did. Largely because of the abrasiveness of the situation and the fact that the individual felt that they could lay their hand on my shoulder and stop me in order to rebuke me. For someone with my natural feelings and background such an action is an insult, especially when accompanied by a condescending tone of voice. In the old neighborhood the knives could have come out.
But, in a situation like that I have to remember to look at myself and my reactions first and remember what Jesus told me in Luke 6:41, "Why do you see the speck of chaff that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?" I could have spent a lot of time finding plenty of fault with that other person, and yes, I wanted to, and the devil wanted me to as well, but, I realized that it was essential for me to be willing to extend as much grace and understanding to an outside individual as I do for my close relative with medical autism. Namely, one with apparent religious autism.
I will certainly treat my blood relative with a good deal of kindness, so I must also be willing to do so, as much as is doable, with those whom I consider might be on the religious autistic spectrum (RAS). It's not necessarily easy, but it is essential in promoting the Kingdom of God, which has a much higher priority than my personal feelings. I must continue to realize that for many there are no minor issues and that they can't presently act any differently than they do. I've noticed that they can and will easily identify problems, whether real or imaginary, but aren't so capable in identifying solutions. It's the condition they are currently fixed in, and me getting aggravated about it just won't fix it. It could also be that the devil is stirring things up, and I'm confident that he is very adept in manipulating religious autism, but that deserves a whole separate discussion in itself.
So, I must realize first of all that until I have made acceptable progress in transformation by the Word of God and learned better how to hear and respond to the voice of the Holy Spirit, there's not much I'll be able to do about anyone on the RAS except maybe pray for them. I will also have to fight, without a break, the urge to take their actions personally.
Also, God probably doesn't need my help in fixing them, unless of course, for some reason, He provides a specific unction from the Holy Spirit. But that's probably not as common as many might think. I also must be careful to not respond out of any religious autism that I might be afflicted with, that certainly would prove to be unprofitable.
After going through this I have had to think a bit about our Chihuahua. He feels an absolute obligation to attack anyone coming near my wife when she's holding him. Even me, who feeds him. Why does he do this? because he's a Chihuahua. So, knowing this, I still feed him. Thinking more about it, I guess that I will just have to remember to take my hat off next time I'm praying for someone and also hope that I won't be wearing the wrong shoes for the occasion.
