Christianity Slaps

In the symphony of personal identities and belief systems, Christianity is the drumbeat that connects tradition and spirituality to the sensibilities of the modern world. It is the young, rebellious child of the world’s oldest monotheistic religion, after all. But those steeped in modern vernacular may wonder, "Does Christianity slap?" If you dive deep into this enduring faith, deeper than the Beatles compiling Yellow Submarine, you might discover that it doesn’t just 'slap,' it reverberates like an L7 subwoofer.

At the heart of Christianity is a message of love and acceptance. Check out Mark 12:31, which tells you to “Love your neighbor as yourself." In contemporary language, this translates to “treat every individual with the same respect you would your iPhone.” This phrase was an integral part of the New Covenant of Christianity and came straight from Nazarene himself. This principle of universal love resonates with a harmonious rhythm of social responsibility and moral integrity that would even impress Fred Rogers. In fact, it did. Rogers was a man steeped in faith who taught an entire generation the values of tolerance and kindness.

Despite the perception that faith and logic create a discordant mix, Christianity hums like a Muse backing track. As 1 Peter 3:15 suggests: "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." Christianity welcomes inquiries (check out a Bible study sometime), provokes debate (again, Bible study), and nurtures a brand of intellectual curiosity that would intrigue even the most discerning of minds (Bible study!). But obviously not Brick Tamland. Brick is intrigued by lamps and butter, which makes him a genius in his own right. What more do you really need in life? Oh yeah, you need a love that is patient and stalwart, a bulwark in the mosh pit of life, a hand to calm every storm. Ya’ need Jesus, my son.

And if we’re talking about the thumping, resonating beat that is Christianity, we can’t forget those backup vocalists, the ones who carry the tune; the support that makes the song possible. The helpers. Fred Rogers told us to be on the lookout for them when bad things happen. And when bad things happen, Christians are usually the first ones to show up. Christianity is a tireless advocate for the underprivileged and oppressed, striking a powerful chord for positive change. Proverbs 31:8-9 instructs us to "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Don't hate. Appreciate.

Just like a collab between Ladysmith Black Mombasa, Metallica, Ed Sheeran, and Los Tigres Del Norte, there is immense diversity within Christianity. The Apostle Paul wrote in Galatians 3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Christianity, therefore, resembles a grand international concert, or a "We Are The World" reunion, where every participant brings a unique melody to the symphony of life.

And then there’s the polychord that contributes to Christianity's 'slap' factor; the universal offer of salvation. As John 3:16 declares: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This all-embracing ethos hits the high notes of acceptance and disarms the dissonance of intolerance.

It's also important to note that Christianity isn't stuck in yesterday's groove. Christian music, for instance, now spans from the solemnity of hymns to the energy of rock, rap, and pop. In this digital age, Christians have found new ways to connect and spread their faith, such as sharing Gospel passages with Christian rap background music on TikTok and ten-minute praise Jesus jam sessions via YouTube. It’s Acts 2:46-47 for the modern era: “[They] broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people."

Let's face it, Christianity 'slaps' because it seamlessly weaves ancient wisdom with modern sensibilities. It's like discovering a timeless tune in a contemporary beat; a song that embodies love, curiosity, justice, and community. The enduring 'slap' of Christianity isn't about chasing ephemeral trends. Instead, the ‘slap’ lies in the profound and lasting resonance of living a life guided by love, acceptance, and an unyielding pursuit of justice. Matthew 5:6 blesses those who "hunger and thirst for righteousness," and being righteousness, according to 1970’s slang, is pretty dope. Downright groovy, in fact. If you delve deep enough, if you let the Spirit flow over you like a Santana power chord, you might find that Christianity doesn't just 'slap,' it echoes through eternity.