For many non-Christians, just the thought of encountering a Christian "evangelist" is likely to incite discomfort, if not anger. One reason for this is that the church’s attempts to "preach the gospel" have all too often come across as arrogant, overly intrusive, condescending, high pressured, and, well, just plain irrelevant. Indeed, too often our ecclesiastical traditions work against even our best motives, and we end up hindering the progress of the gospel, unnecessarily offending those who most need help.
It seems that in our desire to share the truth, we have somehow forgotten that, among other things, we are to share it "in love," that is, in a way that is personal, easy to hear, and applicable to the particular situation we are addressing. Likewise, we have become overly content with our own brands of ministry, even to the point of being critical of anything that disrupts "the way we’ve always done things around here."
Unfortunately, much of the church has failed to come to grips with the many societal shifts that have taken place over the past few decades. In short, we’ve been unable (and, often, unwilling) to approach postmodernism in an evenhanded fashion. Concomitantly, we have simpy assumed that our beliefs, strategies, and expressions of faith are unquestionably best and right.
Among the worst features of "modern" Christianity, that is, a Christianity that is intertwined with the rules and assumptions of the modern era, is the tendency to engage in manipulative techniques, to force-feed Bible verses, and to offer simplistic solutions to life’s dilemmas. Many postmoderns have rightly rejected such practices, which is a good thing. Unfortunately, however, many of these same people have come to equate Christianity with its worst adherents and its most unbiblical routines. As a result, many turn a deaf ear to the Christian gospel, or at least to the modernistic formulation of it. To be honest, I have often found myself agreeing with this assessment.
How, then, should we respond to this situation? In what way can we reach today’s world with the good news of Jesus? While many have opted for "the old time (but seemingly worn out) religion," and though others only pay attention to the worst elements of recent cultural change, surely there must be a better way.
What we need, I think, is a serious (yet careful) rethinking of the biblical data, an honest appraisal of the best (and not just the worst elements) of postmodernism, and a fresh application of ancient truths to today’s situation. Rather than defending the status quo, we are in desperate need of believers who are willing to be trailblazers, people who take seriously both God's word and his world.
Contrary to overly negative critics, not all contemporary tendencies are harmful–though some are–and certain trends might even be God-given opportunities to engage in a type of ministry that is refreshing and new. If this is so, we surely need to trust God to enable us to see what he is doing around us each day.
It seems that in our desire to share the truth, we have somehow forgotten that, among other things, we are to share it "in love," that is, in a way that is personal, easy to hear, and applicable to the particular situation we are addressing. Likewise, we have become overly content with our own brands of ministry, even to the point of being critical of anything that disrupts "the way we’ve always done things around here."
Unfortunately, much of the church has failed to come to grips with the many societal shifts that have taken place over the past few decades. In short, we’ve been unable (and, often, unwilling) to approach postmodernism in an evenhanded fashion. Concomitantly, we have simpy assumed that our beliefs, strategies, and expressions of faith are unquestionably best and right.
Among the worst features of "modern" Christianity, that is, a Christianity that is intertwined with the rules and assumptions of the modern era, is the tendency to engage in manipulative techniques, to force-feed Bible verses, and to offer simplistic solutions to life’s dilemmas. Many postmoderns have rightly rejected such practices, which is a good thing. Unfortunately, however, many of these same people have come to equate Christianity with its worst adherents and its most unbiblical routines. As a result, many turn a deaf ear to the Christian gospel, or at least to the modernistic formulation of it. To be honest, I have often found myself agreeing with this assessment.
How, then, should we respond to this situation? In what way can we reach today’s world with the good news of Jesus? While many have opted for "the old time (but seemingly worn out) religion," and though others only pay attention to the worst elements of recent cultural change, surely there must be a better way.
What we need, I think, is a serious (yet careful) rethinking of the biblical data, an honest appraisal of the best (and not just the worst elements) of postmodernism, and a fresh application of ancient truths to today’s situation. Rather than defending the status quo, we are in desperate need of believers who are willing to be trailblazers, people who take seriously both God's word and his world.
Contrary to overly negative critics, not all contemporary tendencies are harmful–though some are–and certain trends might even be God-given opportunities to engage in a type of ministry that is refreshing and new. If this is so, we surely need to trust God to enable us to see what he is doing around us each day.
No comments:
Post a Comment