Something occurred to me on Sunday night while I was watching the 400th Simpson’s episode. For those of you who missed it, anchorman Kent Brockman uttered “the worst possible profanity” on live television after Homer spilled hot coffee on Brockman’s lap.
It occurred to me that this is the way many people perceive Christians (there goes my incredible perceptivity again). I’m not sure I can blame them for it, either. Many of the more vocal Christians have become little more than professional protesters. They are against same-sex marriage, abortion and any other politicized moral issue—but their protests are hollow. They offer no “better plan,” no hope. They say they believe in Jesus, but they act more like Pharisees. One might sum up their position with three words: Thou Shalt Not.
How these people would implement Thou Shalt Not is also worthy of comment. For them, politics has supplanted Jesus as Messiah. How do we change lives? By voting the right people in office. Politics will fix everything. I mean, Jesus will fix everything…through Congress.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with Christians being involved politically or arguing against certain issues. I myself “protest” things on the Tiger. I think there is everything wrong, however, with making an idol out of politics and fighting the wrong battles. I, for one, am concerned about living a godly life and influencing the people in my circle. Does that mean I don’t care about politics? No. I care, and I try to be a responsible and educated voter and citizen. But I don’t think politics can save us. I don’t think mandating our secular society to be accountable to Christian standards will work anymore. What I do think will work is a Church that pursues God and desires to be the vessel through which God acts. What I do think will work is changing one life at a time. What I do think will work is loving gays and teenage mothers with the love of Christ.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
9 comments:
good post, and thanks for the gracious comments!! i think the church has settled on an identity in God that is exclusively rooted in a moral following. allowing the idea of God as a the supreme being to be excahnged for a God of supreme moral authority. i think the realization of God as a being will bring the spirit, your personal self, true freedom. that is one of the directions i do believe God is leading me in my walk. take care and please don't hesitate to give me an opinion if you see fit.
Pat,
Good comment. I attend Denver Seminary, and they emphasize three aspects of the Christian life: Knowing, doing and being. As you say, the "being" aspect (of God and us) is sorely neglected in many churches--at least the ones I grew up in. Ultimately that can lead to a glorified rulebook.
Do you think there are any simularities between the Christians of which you speak and those of Germany's Confessing Church?
I am not familiar with said church. Can you elaborate?
Great article Jon. I am still on vacation in Germany and at a dinner party last night a German couple brought up how the “American” church is so wealthy and is all about money and politics, not God or helping people. I have found this is quite a typical understanding. I used it as an opportunity to talk about the great things the Church I am a part of does for the poor, homeless, single mothers, people with AIDS (that is any people with AIDS), etc. They were surprised to find out we helped such people (perhaps the Church in Germany needs to get working).
As I have said in the past it is very frustrating that the church has an image of “Thou shalt not” instead of a reputation for being like Jesus (I believe that it is often not an inaccurate assessment of how we work). We often give salt but not light, churchianity and not Christianity (being little Christs) or we slop out “gospel lite”. What do we expect “sinners” to do, or think?
One of the biggest challenges is differentiating between Americanism and Jesus following. People here in Germany learn I am a Christian and they have a knee jerk reaction that I am an American evangelical fundamentalist hate filled right wing religious person, and I am not even American (this is quite disconcerting to us Canadians :)
Seriously we love American people but this is baggage I don’t like to carry. This is what happens when the church becomes so closely identified with politics. We are not about “family values” that is not our mission. Standing up for certain political principals can be good if done the proper way but this should not be our primary “focus” (word chosen purposely, read what you like into it) or fulcrum, it should not be “the thing” we are known for.
The passage you quote from Galatians if perfect to this point. What would happen if the Church was known for being havens of hope and help? Not judgementalism, money and politics.
Hi Jon
Sorry it took me so long, I've been out. The confessing church, if I understand correctly, was accused of being political in Germany because they were against the mistreatment of Jews. They were the church that Schaeffer wrote about in "The Mark of a Christian" that had to reconcile after WWII. Deitrich Bonhoeffer I think was one of the founders.
I have to say that on one level I disagree with this post because the media does not desire nor intend to portray Christians in a positive light; rather, it would seem, they would prefer to make caricatures of them. Sadly, many Christians I believe are hesitant to either witness, or by other means be salt and light in every area of service, including influencing politics, because they begin to see themselves as those caricatures. Worse than that however are the lost that are inoculated from hearing the word of God for the same reason. The media is never going to be happy when the Church acts like the Church and for that reason we as Christians shouldn't let these people, define us. I didn't see this episode, but I've never known or even heard of a Christian that would act the way this character did. I think this characterization would more aptly fit some ACLU lawyer, but when they act this way; for some reason Holly Wood doesn't seem to see it as having any entertainment value.
Jon, I am gentle in my heart and speech in what I've said here. I write this in fear that it will be taken wrong, I hope it isn't. I expect to be in DEN this summer, I don't know when, and would like to meet for coffee if you are willing and able.
Danny,
I appreciate your comments. I do not mean to imply that Christians should take a back seat in politics or that they should let the media tell them what to do. My point was that some of our more vocal leaders have gotten off track, in my opinion. Dare I say it, but I think Dr. Dobson, whom I used to like, thinks the answer to homosexuality in America is to legislate against it. In fact, I get the impression from him that the answer to all our problems is the government, and Jesus becomes a political spokesman. Unfortunately, he and others are well-known, which then propagates the Ned Flanders stereotype.
Ultimately, I don't care if Christians are maligned--if it is for doing the right thing. In fact, a little persecution might do our churches some good. It just seems to me that some of our "spokesmen" want to die on the hill of politics, not Calvary.
I would love to meet with you if possible when you come to Denver. And I love coffee. Keep me posted.
Jon,
First may I say I truly enjoy reading your blog because I am challenged to do some critical thinking of my own. I did hesitate to join in but ask my daughter how well I am at staying quiet. I don't profess to be a deep thinker but value well delivered thoughts and ideas. I do believe that the American church, and some of our more dominant representatives in the media have focused too heavy on politics improving our society and life rather than our daily walk with Jesus making the real difference. It is easy to be caught up in a cause that may show a more immediate result in steming the tide of things offensive to God's best for us. I give the examples of trying to stop partial birth abortions or defining in law what a marriage is. I know we Christians have protrayed to the world too many thou shalt nots but I also believe it can be a tricky balance of being salt and light in the world. I am not implying we can't be but that we must be light in the dark areas yet carry hope and the compassion Jesus asks of us. Balance is my key word I guess. I feel there are times we need to be in the political arena trying to influence outcomes that reflect God's standards. There is a time to say enough is enough, we don't want to go down that path as a nation. I also feel there is more accomplished when one soul repents and turns to the Heavenly Father for guidance. Wouldn't it be grand if the whole world was following God's degrees and living in His love. Oh I guess that IS Heaven. Till then.
Mom,
I really appreciate your comments. Keep them coming! You actually said what I was trying to say, but you did a much better job. Maybe you should start a blog...
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