Christianity is a paradox. The minute we think we have it all figured out, we are knocked to the ground.

for instance, death in Christ Jesus means everlasting life, the last will be first, the foolish shame the wise, the weak shame the strong (1 Cor 1:27), obedience brings peace, and the cross brings joy.

St. Paul alluded to this when he wrote to the early Church in Corinth:

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies” (2 Cor 4:8-10).

No wonder some people don’t understand Christianity (even some Christians!); it goes against our selfish natures.

So what does it all mean? Well, Christianity is about humility; we are merely weak vessels of God’s incomprehensible love and grace. God is the power and, we, His imperfect instruments.

Therefore, the Christian remains a walking paradox.

Founders

So how can Christianity, the religion of love, generate so much division?

First let’s look at the founders of various religions in the world today. Even extending to various cults and philosophies, no one in human history still generates as much animosity as Jesus Christ: not Muhammad (Islam), Siddhartha Gautama (Buddhism), Confucius (Confucianism), Mahatma Gandhi (a Hindu human-rights activist), Martin Luther (Protestantism), Joseph Smith (Mormonism), Charles Russell (Jehovah’s Witnesses) nor any other cultic figures like Mary Baker Eddy (Christian Science), or even occultists like Anton Lavey (the American founder of the Church of Satan).

Hammers, rapiers and longswords

So what makes Jesus so different?

Well, it’s simple really: Jesus Christ is the one and only Truth-with-a-capital-“T”. And truth is divisive, producing strong reactions one way or the other–not in a “crushing hammer” sort of way; more like in a “rapier” sort of way, splitting people into two categories, leaving no room for middle ground.

Jesus alluded to this when He said:

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father,
and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household” (Mt 10:34-36).

St. Paul dubbed the word of God (Scripture) the “sword of the Spirit” (Eph 6:17), and St. John called Jesus, the “word”, in the very first sentence of his Gospel. So it only makes sense that the “word” and the “sword” are one in the same.

Divided as by a double-edged sword, we fall either left or right. We’re either for, or against Him (Mt 12:30).

Most importantly, the entire mission of Jesus Christ’s coming into the world was to separate us from our sins.

With surgical precision, in the Sacrament of Confession, Jesus divides sin from sinner as a surgeon separates sinew from bone. Or, as G.K. Chesterton wrote in his book, Orthodoxy:

[Christianity] came in startlingly with a sword, and clove one thing from another. It divided the crime from the criminal. The criminal we must forgive unto seventy times seven. The crime we must not forgive at all.” 

Pork or beef?

Not everything matters enough to be divisive. For instance, if you took a survey on whether people preferred pork or beef, there would likely be those who check the “neither” box or not take the survey at all. Since it’s just an opinion poll, no one would take offense at others’ preferences.

For something to be divisive it has to be legitimate; it forces people to take a stand one way or the other–even those who claim they value no specific set of principles. Neutrality is no longer an option.

Hated by the world

Last month, two-time Superbowl kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs, Harrison Butker, created quite a stir in the American media simply by proclaiming Catholic teaching in his graduation speech at a small Catholic college in Atchison, Kansas.

Some said he was being “hateful” and described him as “misogynistic”, using the word, “divisive”. People took sides: Some agreed with the secular media, others came to his defense. Nobody stayed neutral.

The word, “divisive”, seems to come up often in labeling Christians these days– particularly towards those who speak the truth.

Yet St. Ignatius of Antioch said something almost shocking to today’s ears in his letter to the Roman Christians while marching to his martyrdom in chains:

“Our task is not one of producing persuasive propaganda; Christianity shows its greatness when it is hated by the world.”

Trees

But didn’t Jesus tell His followers to prepare for this hatred–no, to expect it? Yes, in fact, His very first sermon (The Beatitudes) specifically addresses this (Mt 5:1-12).

But why all the hostility? Isn’t Christianity the only religion in the world based on the authentic love of God?

Those who refuse to recognize the truth, animosity quickly turns to hatred because, by it’s very nature, the truth displaces and expels fallacy and deception.

Where the truth is spoken, lies cannot survive.

Let’s take an analogy: Imagine a pine tree in a grove next to the tallest tree in the world, “Hyperion”, the giant redwood tree.

If the other trees could think and talk, they would have two choices: look up with awe and wonder at the majesty of their neighbor, or resent the giant with bitterness and jealousy.

Like the majestic redwood, Jesus elicits both reactions (though on a much larger scale).

Living paradox

Though Christians are taking a lashing by the world (whether verbally or physically) Christ unites them and makes them whole.

The Christian knows that since Jesus is the fullness of the truth, He must be a contradiction–a living paradox. That’s because our minds can’t fully comprehend Him; He’s God and too vast for us.

God knows division is necessary for personal and spiritual growth. It forces us to see the truth, and stand up for what’s right.

Our job as Christians is to join Him in His work of redeeming the world. And very often, this blazes a much-needed line in the sand–one that offers clarity that helps some find their way to God.

And the Christian knows he would rather be whole with Christ and die than be divided from Christ and united to the world.

G.K. Chesterton

I would be remise if I talked about paradox and left out the late British Catholic author, G.K. Chesterton, who was known as the “Prince of Paradox”. Almost all of his ingenious writings are replete with them.

Though my favorite work of his is Lepanto (considered one of the finest poems in the English language), here is an example of one of his paradoxes from Orthodoxy that sums up the rallying cry by which every Christian should aspire to live:

[Courage] means a strong desire to live taking the form of a readiness to die…. He must seek his life in a furious indifference to it; he must desire life like water and yet drink death like wine.”

Viva Cristo Rey!