Monday Morning Insights

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    I’m Through With Christianity

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    In order to be a faithful Christian I can only vote for politicians who say they hold the party line on the right issues. It does not matter if I agree with their economic views, their foreign relations policies or their theory on education; if they pass the Christian litmus test they are my candidates. The fact that voting for these Christians again and again has produced little change, in fact we see abortion more acceptable and gay marriage legalized at a faster pace, can’t be factored into the equation. As a member of the Christian party I have to toe the line.

    Christianity in America seems to be led by self-appointed spokesmen who attack others without charity, seek places of prominence wherever they go and live outrageously extravagant lifestyles. They are so important that they can’t possibly be expected to fly with commoners on commercial airlines. One leader needs a jet that costs $3000 an hour to operate so they can get from one Christian event to another and be home in time to record their Christian television show. But it is my duty to defend them because they are on my team. Jesus’ commands to serve, to do acts of kindness in private and to prove your discipleship by pure love for others seem to be secondary for Christian leaders in America.

    You can read more of Geoff’s thoughts at his “Inner Revolution” blog. 

    What do you think?  Is the term ‘Christian’ beyond repair?

    Geoff Surratt writes: "Since the election Newsweek has resorted to running more and more sensationalistic headlines each week. A few weeks ago the cover screamed "WE ARE ALL SOCIALISTS NOW" followed by "STRESS COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE"; the editors have obviously decided the only way to survive the digital onslaught is to follow as closely as possible behind The National Enquirer. I'm sure "ANGELINA JOLIE GIVES BIRTH TO 72 YEAR OLD MAN!" is not far behind. So when I got this week's issue I was reluctant to read the cover story, The Decline and Fall of Christian America. Since Christopher Hitchens, author of God is Not Great, How Religion Poisons Everything, has recently become a regular contributor I knew that Newsweek would take great delight in the latest statistics showing that religion in America is sliding into the abyss. What I did not expect was to be heartened by the article.

    You see, I am one of the many Americans who would no longer describe themselves as a professing Christian. I cannot in good faith associate any more with what the label Christian has come to represent in America. Christianity is now a set of political views, a way to distinguish different groups of people (Jews, Muslims, Christians, Hindus), a movement to impose a certain view of morality on others regardless the condition of their hearts..."

    Comments

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    1. Bryan on Mon, April 13, 2009

      Well said.

    2. Peter Hamm on Mon, April 13, 2009

      No, it’s not. If more people like Geoff continued to self-apply the label, perhaps it could be redeemed.


      That said, I avoid it with people I don’t know well, just to make sure they know there’s a difference between my faith in Christ, and being a part of a vast volunteer “Christian” political action committee…


      Am I talking out both sides of my mouth? Perhaps, but I’m more interested in making an impact on people around me who don’t believe (yet) than in trying to redeem a term that was applied to early followers of Jesus in derision.

    3. CS on Mon, April 13, 2009

      I took a read through the blog post, and it simply comes down to another person who doesn’t like the word, “Christian,” because of all of the baggage associated with it.  Usually, the next step is to change the name of the moniker being used to, “Christ-follower,” or, “Jesus-follower.”  But, sooner or later, those names will develop their own stigmas, too.  So, I say that I’ll stick with the name, “Christian,” with all of the perceptions and history.



      CS

    4. Geoff Surratt on Mon, April 13, 2009

      Peter, you’ve stated it better than I did. I don’t have the time or desire to redeem labels or even culture. People seems to be the only entity Jesus desired to redeem.


      CS I agree that whatever label we choose, it will eventually be redefined. I simply feel that at this time “Christian” has become to ill-defined that it has become an unnecessary barrier to connecting with people who need Jesus.

    5. Dave on Mon, April 13, 2009

      Unfortunately, Geoff Surratt takes a handful of people and lumps all of us into their sad, self-centered world.  I am a follower of Jesus Christ and am spending my life encouraging others to accept Him as their Savior and join me on the journey of walking in step with Jesus.  Personally, I don’t have time to engage in political correctness or any other venture where individuals waste their energy on politics.  The world is dying and going to Hell out here.  I guess I will focus on doing what I can do in my world of hurting people.

    6. Dave DeCook on Mon, April 13, 2009

      Dear Friends,


      “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples: If you have love one to another.”  I am trying to remember who said that…


      We don’t get to tell the world what to call us or what to think of us.  Why should we shop around for the most pleasing sounding moniker when Paul accepts the label “scum of the earth”  I Cor. 4:13?  Its almost like we expect some slick marketing department to do our evangelism for us.


      They were called Christians by the world and slandered horribly for two hundred years as immoral atheists and cannibals.  They didn’t go looking for a new name.  They stuck together and let their deeds do the talking like I Peter 2:15 says.


      To say “I am not a Christian” in favor or “Christ follower” or some such, fools no one and leaves a testimony of division and disloyalty.  As soon as you say you believe Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, they will say, “I know what you are.  You are a Christian!”  Then comes the question of why you are trying to differentiate yourself from your brothers and sisters.  Our love and unity is an important part of our witness, according to John 13:35 and 17:23.


      I identify with the feelings behind this post (20 years of pastoral ministry can deliver a boatload of frustration with the bad reputation of Christians),  but it is time to humbly acknowledge that it is a broken church that brought me the Gospel and it will still be a broken church doing the job when Jesus comes back for His precious bride.


      So let’s improve the Church’s witness.  Loving each other in a way that is obvious to the world is a good place to start.  Name changing is not.


      Dave DeCook

    7. CindyK on Mon, April 13, 2009

      I went through the phase of calling my self a ‘Christ Follower’.  The only reason I did that was to make myself feel better - to try and separate myself from some of the other Christians who had failed.  Because - you see - I was oh so certain that I’d NEVER fail.


      Then I came to understand that Christ still loves me even when I fail. And that in my weakness his power is made perfect.   If he still loved David after those debacles, he’ll still love me.  Thank you God!


      So, I’m a CHRISTIAN!!!  http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif  Along with the Baptists, and the Methodists, and those Catholics, and even those ‘Emergent’ folks *wink*


      I love Jesus.  And I very much want to lump myself in with others humans that love Jesus.  All our failures not withstanding!


      Will some people despise me because of the Christian moniker?  Yes.  Members of my own family do.  But maybe I can help people to see that Christians are merely human beings, warts and all, who know that we are far from perfect.


      I can at least pray for that outcome anyway.

    8. Jerry on Mon, April 13, 2009

      The problem with unfavorable views of the Christian comes from two sources. One from people who will hate anything and everything that has to do with the truth of God’s Word and Jesus specifically. And number two, Christians who, in their imperfect discharge of their duties as Christians, fail to act in Godly ways. 


      Christians should always remember that we are stewards of the image of Christ since we have taken on His name and should act accordingly. Loving people into the kingdom. We should remember that our lives should give evidence of our redemption through Christ.


      We should never fear what non-Christians say if we are truly living the Christian life. Jesus said in Matthew 5:11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” As long as we are following Jesus, let them say what ever they want and forget about their labels!

    9. Geoff Surratt on Mon, April 13, 2009

      A couple of clarifications on the blog post. First, I am not leaving the faith. Todd left off the last paragraph of my post:


      “I am flawed in my faith and every day I make mistakes that I am ashamed of. But I love Jesus more and more the older I get, and I love the church with all my heart; I just can’t buy into the Christian thing anymore. So I quit. I am resigning from the Christian party, the Christian club, the Christian religion. I am going to devote the rest of my life to loving God with all my heart and loving my neighbor as myself. I am going to spend all of my energy learning more about Jesus so I can follow him as closely as I can. Every day I am going to pick up my cross and follow Jesus; I am going to try be a light in my community and salt in a desperate world. I’m just not going to be a Christian anymore.”


      Second, I am not worried about marketing or political correctness. My chief concern is that the label Christian is keeping people from connecting with Christ. Paul said he would be all things to all men to reach some; for me that means that I will be “non-Christian” if that will open the door for life changing conversations.

    10. Todd Rhoades on Mon, April 13, 2009

      Geoff,


      Sorry if my effort to send traffic to your blog made people really think you were abandoning the whole Christian thing. 


      http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif


      Todd

    11. Geoff Surratt on Mon, April 13, 2009

      Todd


      Being the most powerful man in the blog world means never having to say your are sorry. The blog has been very active today. Thanks for the mention.

    12. CindyK on Mon, April 13, 2009

      I didn’t think you were abandoning Jesus.  I just figured you were ashamed of the rest of us and booking.  http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/grin.gif


      For what it’s worth - and that’s not much - I’m sticking it out.

    13. Jerry on Mon, April 13, 2009

      Geoff,


      I didn’t mean to imply that I tought you were leaving the faith, but I do think there are those who may be new Christians that might think twice about identifying themselves as Christians because of harsh comments from non-Christians. I was just saying that wearing the label unashamedly is ok.


      I also think that in order to win them to Christ, you need to build relationships with non-Christians. If you perceive the label to hinder a chance at starting that relationship, then you wait until they get to know you a little adn trust that your life and faith are authentic.


      I applaud you on your stance and totally agree with what you’re saying about the Christian “Party”. We need to make sure our Jesus is a personal Savior and not a political one. We don’t want to make the same mistake the pharisees and the Jewish people made 2000 years ago.

    14. Wendi Hammond on Mon, April 13, 2009

      I picked up this magazine yesterday and really appreciated this article.  I’ve often said that our founding fathers intended to insure freedom, not a Christian nation (or one of any particular faith).  The quote by Jefferson affirms that at least some of the founding fathers felt this way. 


      For some reason I can’t see any comments in this thread, but I can see all the other threads today.  Wonder what’s up???


      Wendi

    15. Dave DeCook on Tue, April 14, 2009

      Geoff, sorry for judging your heart with my marketing comment (“It’s almost like WE…).  I do find myself sometimes blaming my brother for my weak witness.  Sorry if some of that got on you.


      My main point is that this approach will fail just as did the change from “Amway distributor” to “Quixtar Independent Business Owner.”  It will only make people wonder why the slight of hand.


      The Word does give us some hints about evangelistic strategy.  Distancing ourselves from brothers doesn’t seem to be one of them.  As you mention Paul:  personal confrontation and arguing for the truth (central truths of the gospel), yes.  But I don’t see Paul saying, “Whatever you guys call yourself, I’m going to call myself something different.”  One of the miracles we have to show the world is the unity of the Body.  To that end he says (Eph. 4) we must “make every effort.”


      That’s all I have, Geoff.  I accept you and trust the Holy Spirit’s work in your life.  We need each other to keep this whole ship balanced.  Thanks for listening.

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