Working at a church I get a lot of Christian junk mail, and as a youth director I get a lot of junk flyers for expensive beach and ski retreats with “relevant” speakers or junk resource guides for hellfire-centered curriculum. There are quite a few companies who go straight to the recycling bin or trash (e.g. Acquire the Fire, though I will admit I once spent 20 minutes talking to an AtF rep about emerging Presbyterian theology and why I wouldn’t take a group to their events, but that’s a story for another post).
Yesterday, for no reason other than curiosity, I browsed a curriculum guide by InQuest Ministries. Funny finding: NONE of the first 12 “Discipleship” resources referenced a passage from the Gospels or mentioned the life of Jesus in their product descriptions. Jesus references were saved (no pun intended) for mentions of his death. There were, however, at least 7 references to Paul’s writings and/or books that are attributed to Paul. The few descriptions I read focused on battling Satan, “the rules” (totaling 4, which included “don’t date Non-Christians”), Paul calling Christians “super-conquerors”, and lastly a reference to youth “when they sell out for Christ.”
I could lengthily break down each of these topics, but two brief thoughts…
What’s up with a segment of Christianity elevating Paul’s teachings over Christ’s teachings? Shouldn’t Christ’s teachings, life, etc be our greater focus in matters of discipleship? Or is that the more uncomfortable way?
Why would we want young people, or anyone for that matter, to “sell out” for Christ? According to Wikipedia, “Selling out refers to the compromising of one's integrity, morality and principles in exchange for money, 'success' or other personal gain.”
My observation/opinion is that those who "sell out" for Christ adhere to a theology of personal gain. This materialistic, "me" theology seems to define a large and vocal sector of Christianity in the West, which troubles me.
Brian McLaren discusses his concerns with a self-centered theology in A Generous Orthodoxy. I leave you with this thought from the chapter, Jesus: Savior of What?, “Can’t seeking my personal salvation as the ultimate end become the ultimate consumerism or narcissism? In a self-centered and hell-centered salvation, doesn’t Jesus-like every company and political party-appeal to me on the basis of self-interest so that I can have it all eternally and can do so cheaply, conveniently, easily, and quickly? Doesn’t this sound a bit shabby?” (McLaren, 108)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
thanks for your thoughs, chris. keep it coming! we really do need to sit down and pick each others brains about this stuff.
"What’s up with a segment of Christianity elevating Paul’s teachings over Christ’s teachings?"
I'm not a minister, and don't have many theological discussions while eating fajitas in a restaurant, but that's what happened Saturday night, and coincidentally, it boiled down to the precise question you just posed.
I realize religion in general and Christianity in particular are not defined by popular vote, but do you ever worry that the definition of what is Christian has become so skewed as a result of how the "members" themselves define it that it no longer means what we think and hope it means?
Chris,
I work full time with Acquire the Fire - AND - I agree with almost everything you said here. How is that possible? Perhaps a conversation with an adult representing ATF will prove to be more beneficial for both parties. Give me a call if you have the time. 903 324 8737
Chris Lay
Operations Manager
Acquire the Fire
Katie - agreed...
nvb - 'Christian' has so many meanings today that it can give me, and I imagine many others, a headache to try hear so many conflicting definitions. Defining what it means to be Christian (or an adherent of any religion) is a very slippery slope that can create divisions of who's "in" and who's "out" and who's "right" and who's "wrong".
chris - Thanks for the offer for a conversation. I believe we need more dialogue, but in the midst of a busy month of preparation for the fall, I'm going to respectfully decline. Peace be with you.
The word Christian is only used three times in the entire Bible to my knowledge. The first being in Acts 11:26 when it says, "and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came about that for an entire year they met with the church, and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch." So basically we are given a simple and clear answer as to what a Christian is...We are disciples. We have to ask ourselves this huge question "am I living after the example Christ gave us?"
BTW the entire Bible is God Breathed. I believe we can take teachings from any page of Gods Love Letter to us and be blessed by the wisdom it holds.
Post a Comment