Continuing in discussion of Dan Kimball’s book “They Like Jesus but Not the Church”
In chapter 2 Dan states that “Today, Christians are known as scary, angry judgmental, right-wing finger-pointers with political agendas”. Seriously, that’s a section heading. He quickly adds the caveat that “most of us don’t” fit that stereotype, but still the point is made. In our last blog, Lisa posted the comment about how we are perceived to be (I’m paraphrasing here) un-fun, hypocritical, narrow-minded, rule followers who don’t necessarily live any better lives than do many non-Christians. I don’t disagree with either Lisa or Dan in their comments. I think we would all agree that the best answer to this problem is to simultaneously have all Christians everywhere to put down their judgmental machine-guns and their pious platform shoes and begin to share the love of Jesus with the lost.
Problem; with all the different denominations (each with subsets and split-offs) firing plenty of ammo out their own stained-glass windows (carefully aimed at the neighboring churches similarly painted stained-glass windows) how can we possibly hope to change this viewed stereotype? If that is how the world views Christians (especially in non-Bible-Belt communities) how do we go about combating that impression? Do we join the throngs of Kum ba yah singing, tolerance preaching, everything’s okay as long as you want Jesus in your heart, people? If that is the answer, I’ll lead the song, the band, the rap or metal group. Here are the words, everyone get ready for the down beat.
Kum ba yah my lord, Kum ba yah! Kum ba yah my lord, Kum ba yah! Kum ba yah my lord, Kum ba yah! Oh Lord, Kum ba yah. Someone's crying, Lord, Kum ba yah! Someone's cry … Alright, you get my point.
As much as the world wants us to say “Everything is okay”, everything is not okay! There are some things that God warns us against doing and other things that God commands us to do. Can either of these be ignored? How do we strike a balance between sharing the truth and the Spirit of Jesus and not being scary, angry judgmental, right-wing finger-pointers with political agendas?
Three questions:
1. Is this really how the world sees us?
2. Do you find any validity in it?
3. Should we be content simply to be the “Faithful Few” on the “Narrow Road”?
Thanks, Tom
2 comments:
Tom, is that "hot water" you're standing in? :-) Seriously, the stereo-type has been created first by the media. This is the way they see us and they think they are being objective in presenting us this way. The stereo-type has also been helped by tele-evangelists who make really stupid comments (e.g. one predicted that in 2007 we would have a nuclear-like explosion - obviously he was wrong and contributed to the stereo-type). Many who want to have a spiritual life won't come to a church of any kind because they think this stereo-type is true. They think we won't accept them. The only way we are going to overcome this stereo-type is one person at a time. This is why friendship evangelism is so important. When people see that we don't fit the stereo-type then we've progressed.
Well that's my two and a half cents. "Everging Generation?" You can edit your posts once you've posted them. I do.
Or I could just leave it "Everging Generation" and try to coin a new word. Thanks for the thoughts Bob. Yes it is hot water that I'm standing in, and you are absolutely correct (no surprise there) that it is by one on one contact that we will break this stereo-type. The challenge is to move the masses of church members toward that thought.
Thanks for stopping by. Say “Hello” to Pat for me.
Tom
Post a Comment