Posting delinquency
Ok, I know it's been a month since I last posted. Sorry to all 3 of you who still stumble by here every now and then.
I've been thinking about a particular issue a lot lately. While on a long drive, a non-Christian friend of mine and I were talking about religious philosophies. During the discussion, he said something to the effect of, "Yeah, I think there's probably a God, but I don't see how he could hold me responsible for what I've done -- I mean, I'm just who I am, and I'm doing the best I can with what I've got." That is a really compelling argument to a lot of people.
Here's how I think a common response would go to the way the gospel is often presented. A Christian would tell someone that they've committed high treason against a king, and that the punishment is death. One might say (and with good reason), "What? I didn't know about any king, or any rules, or any of that!" How can God hold people responsible for breaking rules they didn't know existed?
I think the answer to this response lies somewhere with the theological issue of depravity. To our ears, the charge made above sounds like, "You messed up where you should have (i.e. could have if you would have tried harder or known or whatever) done this." The charge of treason to the human ears needs to also go towards convincing someone they need to be changed. "You're in a state of treason. You can't do better. You are in a state of wanting to choose yourself over God. You are dead and need life." Christianity then becomes about being transformed. Maybe then we would stop trying just to integrate Jesus into our current self. Maybe eventually we could stop underselling the gospel. Of course, what it means to believe then takes on an entirely new depth. It is no longer only about wanting forgiveness. It transforms into seeing the person and character of Jesus as perfect and lovable, and wanting to be transformed into that person. Forgiveness is also important, but I think it is too small to capture the enormity of the process (at least the way we've sold it for so long).
Anyway, please leave comments or questions. I haven't really thought this out entirely, but I think it is of enormous importance. Perhaps more posts to come on this issue.
I've been thinking about a particular issue a lot lately. While on a long drive, a non-Christian friend of mine and I were talking about religious philosophies. During the discussion, he said something to the effect of, "Yeah, I think there's probably a God, but I don't see how he could hold me responsible for what I've done -- I mean, I'm just who I am, and I'm doing the best I can with what I've got." That is a really compelling argument to a lot of people.
Here's how I think a common response would go to the way the gospel is often presented. A Christian would tell someone that they've committed high treason against a king, and that the punishment is death. One might say (and with good reason), "What? I didn't know about any king, or any rules, or any of that!" How can God hold people responsible for breaking rules they didn't know existed?
I think the answer to this response lies somewhere with the theological issue of depravity. To our ears, the charge made above sounds like, "You messed up where you should have (i.e. could have if you would have tried harder or known or whatever) done this." The charge of treason to the human ears needs to also go towards convincing someone they need to be changed. "You're in a state of treason. You can't do better. You are in a state of wanting to choose yourself over God. You are dead and need life." Christianity then becomes about being transformed. Maybe then we would stop trying just to integrate Jesus into our current self. Maybe eventually we could stop underselling the gospel. Of course, what it means to believe then takes on an entirely new depth. It is no longer only about wanting forgiveness. It transforms into seeing the person and character of Jesus as perfect and lovable, and wanting to be transformed into that person. Forgiveness is also important, but I think it is too small to capture the enormity of the process (at least the way we've sold it for so long).
Anyway, please leave comments or questions. I haven't really thought this out entirely, but I think it is of enormous importance. Perhaps more posts to come on this issue.
posted by Abe at 11:50 AM
6 Comments:
I think you make a good point. The issue I keep coming back to is that contemporary Western Christianity generally de-emphasizes the gravity of the Gospel. It's not just something you weigh against Zen Buddhism or whatever Oprah is hawking this week, and choose if it works for you.
I've struggled for most of my life with the concept of "evangelism" because I really don't know how to say it to people. The truth is harsh. If not children of God, they are children of Satan. (I John somewhere.)
A lot of people get hung up on the "so you think you're better than me?" thing, when, of course, I don't! Telling someone that God chose you and freed you from bondage can sound like bragging, I guess. I get so defeated, esp. after years of being taught the 4 spiritual laws or the Roman Road or whatever handy method people have come up with. I do okay with building relationships with nonbelievers in my life, but shy away from "offending" them with the Gospel.
Glad you posted again.
Yeah, it's a weird conflict, since the Gospel is so harsh, but at the same time it is so beautiful and so satisfying. The part of me that wrote this post is the part that sees the beauty in the Gospel, and wants to make it beautiful to people. However, that is a dangerous road to start on sometimes, because it often leads to making Jesus seem too glittery and unoffensive at the expense of truth.
Whenever I talk with a nonbeliever about my faith, not matter how non-professing I am, they automatically go on the defensive. I always think that acts are more effective than words, and I also think that amongst non-Christians you should be a quiet Christian, and let you faith come to them as a surprise after they have developed an opinion of you not marred by their bias towards religion.
What do you think?
That tends to be my strategy, Brandon. I just shy away from ever revealing it, because it seems like once people know I'm a Christian (especially when I was Baptist), no matter what they thought of me before, now they will assume I always vote a straight Republican ticket and am a bad driver, and hate gay people, even though none of that is true! [I'm an excellent driver, a Libertarian, and a friend to the gays.]
Scripture if full of examples of preaching and teaching, so I believe we are to be vocal about our faith, although I am not an advocate of the "conversion by concussion" method. We are told to "always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is within you, but do this gentleness and respect." I have a great Salvation and a great Love to share. "Be imitators of God and live a life of love." I think it is a combination of they way we live and love others AND "speaking the truth in love." We are to be "living a life of love" and "speaking the truth in love."
Like Jill, I hate it when people have preconceived ideas about me because I'm Baptist. I'm glad that my church does not have "Baptist" on it for that very reason. People think I don't drink alcohol because I'm Baptist. I wouldn't drink alcohol if I was an atheist. I refrain from drinking alcohol because I think it tastes terrible not because I'm Baptist. I would prefer to eat my calories not drink them. I like to chew!:)
Like Brandon, I try to LIVE out my faith, but I do hope people are not shocked when they discover I am a believer because of the way I live my life.
"Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom" James 2:12
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