ACU professor Richard Beck blogs that contemporary Christianity “has essentially become a mechanism for allowing millions of people to replace being a decent human being with some endorsed ‘spiritual substitute.'” Activities like going to church, worship, praying, fasting, Bible study, etc. can fill our lives while never changing who we are, he says. Beck calls this “the bait and switch of contemporary Christianity.”
From an interpersonal standpoint, Beck says the mis-placed emphasis on activities has resulted in many churches becoming “jerk factories.” Ouch! He uses the unfortunate, but often repeated example, of poor behavior by the Sunday morning lunch crowd in restaurants (poor tipping, haughty attitudes, etc).
Food for thought: Being a disciple of Jesus involves a lot more than “going to church.” Discipleship must be characterized by living a transformed lifestyle that gives off the aroma of Jesus Christ.
Live authentically,
Mike
“christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven.”
i wonder what damage has been done to christianity by this phrase? it’s not that i want us to present ourselves as superior or perfect (God and everyone who knows me knows that’s far from the truth). but i think we hide behind this cliche, holding onto our imperfections while trusting that church attendance and mere belief in the existence of Jesus are what God desires for us.
some use the phrase to mean, “we’re all broken like you,” as a means of becoming more approachable to non-christians. but we set these seekers up for disappointment when we don’t give them the whole story — that we are actively practicing obedience to Jesus’ commands in order to train ourselves to live as God desires. and that simply belonging to a group who calls Jesus Lord isn’t what this whole thing’s about.
others use the phrase (a less desirable option) simply to excuse the non-Christlike behavior of those who are called by his name. but these behaviors aren’t to be excused. they are to be called sin, while the individuals who possess them are to be loved and forgiven and encouraged to leave those signs of their former life behind.
Well said, Brett.
I almost hesitated repeating Beck’s indictment that churches can be “jerk factories.” That’s pretty harsh. I think he’s right, though. Religion without relationship inevitably takes us to a place that’s devoid of the love of God. How many times does God have to tell us. He doesn’t need our assemblies, sacrifices, or money. He desires hearts filled with mercy and compassion.
Easy to fall into the rut of religion. I need people around me every day who show me Jesus.