Understanding "Christian Autism"

Welcome to this episode of Christianity Today. I am Sean McCraney, and in this session, I’d like to share some reflections from my personal experiences with social media, despite not being well-versed in the latest platforms like Instagram. As an older user, I stick to Facebook, where I have been trying to engage in meaningful interactions. However, I often find myself making mistakes, leading to misunderstandings or even disputes. Through these interactions, I have noticed a phenomenon that I term as "Christian autism."

Social Media Observations

In the world of social media, people often share personal anecdotes. For instance, someone might reveal, "I'm a homosexual and I used to be a Christian, but I don't believe anymore, and I've left the faith." In response, many Christians view such declarations solely through the lens of their beliefs. They might suggest, "Oh brother, you just need to repent, pray more, and seek God." However, this approach can be quite alienating, particularly for individuals who have never been part of the faith. It assumes that everyone shares the same worldview and fails to consider the diversity of perspectives.

Engaging in Meaningful Dialogue

I believe that Christianity could be inadvertently harmed by this approach. Instead, when engaging with someone about Christianity, it's crucial to focus on understanding their personal experiences and worldview. By discussing their lives and interests, they might eventually ask for your opinion, creating an opportunity for sincere dialogue. I used to be a zealot myself, constantly suggesting that people just needed Jesus. But to someone unfamiliar with the faith, it’s akin to telling an iceberg it needs a flame. It's all about patience, private prayers, friendship, and acceptance.

A Better Model

Jesus Himself provides a profound model for such engagement. Consider His interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well. He broke societal norms by speaking with her and discussing her life, which reflected a genuine engagement with her as an individual. This approach exemplifies meeting people where they are and working from there, as Jesus did according to Christian beliefs.

Avoiding "Christian Autism"

I urge believers to avoid becoming "autistic" in their approach—autistic, in this context, derived from the Greek 'auto' meaning self, implies being so engrossed in your own beliefs that you fail to connect with the outside world. An "autistic Christian" is one who is trapped in Christian culture and catchphrases, unable to relate to others. This might have been effective in the past, but today's culture is well-exposed to these messages and perhaps ready for a different approach.

In conclusion, let’s strive for a style of engagement that respects where others are in their lives and invites genuine, open dialogues about faith.

Approaching Conversations with Openness

Let's discuss a more thoughtful approach to engaging with people about their lives while they inquire about ours. It's important to introduce new ideas gently for individuals to consider, rather than being prescriptive.

Allow Space for Understanding

I recently read about a woman who told someone, "You need to read the Bible." This approach can be ineffective because, as the Bible itself states, if someone doesn't have spiritual insight, they won't understand it. Handing a Bible to someone without spiritual eyes might lead them to dismiss Christianity altogether.

Engaging Without Bias

Let's attempt to remove our preconceived notions and look at people as they truly are. By doing so, we can start from a place of understanding rather than dictating what they should be or do. Let's focus on building connections based on genuine appreciation and acceptance of each other's perspectives.