I keep getting inquiries and questions about why Christians must label themselves to others in the world. The consensus is that such a label turns people off. Some even argue that it closes the door to helping others find Christ.
I can definitely see that passive Christianity is becoming a more popular position. Though it has some good points, this is really a negative side effect of being too "seeker sensitive". In fact, this mentality has gone as far as too demonize the term Christian.
I was watching a very funny video spoof of the Apple/PC commercial recently. The positions were "Hi, I'm a Christ follower" and "Hi, I'm a Christian". Though the spoof was really funny (I mean witty and all), I think it is bad judgement to segregate those terms. They are in fact synonymous.
I don't find the term Christian to be derogatory. I even embrace the term church, a term derived from "kirika" or "ecclesia" which means "a gathering of called ones". Is that not what we are?
Second Timothy 1:8-10 tells us explicitly:
"Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began"
The Bible goes as far to as to say that those who don't profess Christ before men, He won't profess before the Father. That's HUGE!
I really see that this passive Christianity is an issue of comfort for people, and can you blame them. The church does everything it can to make people comfortable. And I think we should but there comes a point where Christ and the Holy Spirit has to make us uncomfortable...that's how we know we are hearing from God. Call it conscience or call it conviction but it takes discomfort for us to change into the holy person of God he "called" us to be.
Don't be a passive Christian. Don't be ashamed of the term Christian. Embrace it and run with it. Sure, persecution comes at standing for Christ but if you stand for Him, He stand for you. He will help you get through to your friends. He will guide to good decisions and eventually He will embrace you with a great "well done!"
That, I look forward to.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Monday, May 7, 2007
Heritage vs. Social Christianity
I often remind myself of the situation I am in. I am pastoring in the Bible belt in the Southern United States. Now to some that really seems trivial but I think it really begins to put things into perspective.
The core of the matter is this: our Christian heritage is different according to geography. I was raised in the south in an Appalachian mountain church and my experience is heavily molded by that, while others may have been more metropolitan in their faith experience.
In reminding myself of my heritage and the heritage of those I pastor, I can begin to process both good and "not-so-good" elements of our geographic faith.
For instance, this issue of heritage. Immediately the word carries a positive connotation. To speak of your heritage brings an honorable sensation. It is very important in the southern church. However, I have noticed a "not-so-good" aspect of the Bible belt, southern heritage.
In my opinion, the southern heritage is the strongest in the nation. I evidence that by the adamantcy it possesses. Although not entirely positive, the current southern value system has evolved less over the decades. Part of the value system is Christianity. The "not-so-good" appears in this context.
I am discovering more and more Christians that are living a social Christian lifestyle because it is part of the heritage or social setting. The "rock" of their faith is not in an actual relationship with God but with their heritage. It's as if the value is on the heritage and not on one's Creator. That leads to a "preservation" mentality. The Christian quest becomes a mission to preserve morality, fight change, and oppress the unfamiliar. This is NOT the great commission.
Christ calls us, regardless of heritage to know him personally. Our focus should not be in the social history with him. It should be in our evolving future with him. Our comfort should not be in our Christian bubble that is so familiar, but our call to "go into the world".
I love my heritage, but only in the context of what it means to the future of my faith! I don't care to preserve trivial preferences. I don't care to lock my children away from a super-secular culture. I care to expose myself and my family to a life of martyrdom. I life that is so new and fresh. When I speak of my heritage I don't want to say "this is who I am" but rather" this is where I have come from".
Our social Christianity will not save us. Have we become like the pharisees? Are we more religious that spiritual? I hope not. I hope that regardless of heritage, we can all embrace the command in Romans 12 verse 1:
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. "
The core of the matter is this: our Christian heritage is different according to geography. I was raised in the south in an Appalachian mountain church and my experience is heavily molded by that, while others may have been more metropolitan in their faith experience.
In reminding myself of my heritage and the heritage of those I pastor, I can begin to process both good and "not-so-good" elements of our geographic faith.
For instance, this issue of heritage. Immediately the word carries a positive connotation. To speak of your heritage brings an honorable sensation. It is very important in the southern church. However, I have noticed a "not-so-good" aspect of the Bible belt, southern heritage.
In my opinion, the southern heritage is the strongest in the nation. I evidence that by the adamantcy it possesses. Although not entirely positive, the current southern value system has evolved less over the decades. Part of the value system is Christianity. The "not-so-good" appears in this context.
I am discovering more and more Christians that are living a social Christian lifestyle because it is part of the heritage or social setting. The "rock" of their faith is not in an actual relationship with God but with their heritage. It's as if the value is on the heritage and not on one's Creator. That leads to a "preservation" mentality. The Christian quest becomes a mission to preserve morality, fight change, and oppress the unfamiliar. This is NOT the great commission.
Christ calls us, regardless of heritage to know him personally. Our focus should not be in the social history with him. It should be in our evolving future with him. Our comfort should not be in our Christian bubble that is so familiar, but our call to "go into the world".
I love my heritage, but only in the context of what it means to the future of my faith! I don't care to preserve trivial preferences. I don't care to lock my children away from a super-secular culture. I care to expose myself and my family to a life of martyrdom. I life that is so new and fresh. When I speak of my heritage I don't want to say "this is who I am" but rather" this is where I have come from".
Our social Christianity will not save us. Have we become like the pharisees? Are we more religious that spiritual? I hope not. I hope that regardless of heritage, we can all embrace the command in Romans 12 verse 1:
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. "
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)