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11
Church
Unchristian: Change the Perception
by
David Kinnaman
and
Gabe Lyons
4. SHELTERED
Boring. Old-fashioned. Unintelligent. Confusing.
Outsiders think Christianity is out of tune with the real-world choices, challenges, and lifestyles they face. Only one-fifth of young outsiders believe that an active faith helps people live a better, more fulfilling life. Three-quarters of Mosaics and Busters outside the church said that present-day Christianity could accurately be described as oldfashioned, and seven out of ten believe the faith is out of touch with reality and confusing.
Many outsiders believe Christianity insulates people from thinking. Often young people (including many insiders) doubt that Christianity boosts intellect. Outsiders describe Christians as living in their own world. Even though outsiders generally have friends who are Christians, one of their complaints is that Christians are not speaking on the same level as everyone else. Nearly one-quarter describe Christians as using special words and phrases no one else can understand. And half of all young outsiders said that Christianity seems like a club only certain people can join.
Being perceived as sheltered makes Christians seem aloof and insulated.
We are responsible to engage the world. Jesus uses many metaphors for this. We are the light of the world (that is, we offer guidance that points people to restoration); we are the salt of the earth (we help preserve people); and we are a city on a hill (we offer protection and hope for people) (see Matt. 5:13–16). Yet calling ourselves Christians does not mean that guiding, preserving, or protecting are easy and automatic. It’s not easy but it is our duty to help remedy a broken world, and this takes effort. Our responsibility is to embrace this task with humility and energy, without expecting the world to come to our doorstep.
The lion’s den made Daniel famous, but it wasn’t just his being in the right place at the right time that determined his place in history. He was prepared. As a young man, Daniel had significant characteristics and readiness that enabled his rise to prominence. He was “showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace” (Dan. 1:4 NIV). He grew up in a Babylonian kingdom that was rebellious to God and self-indulgent (sound like America today?). But Daniel didn’t hole up in his spirituality. He learned what lessons he could from an impure society, and through his abilities and his faithfulness to God, he became influential, eventually administrating much of the Babylonian empire.
When Christians shelter themselves, letting “someone else” answer the world’s doubts and address its problems, they abdicate their biblical role to be spiritual influencers. It is incumbent on us to develop our hearts and minds so that we can fulfill our destiny as agents of spiritual, moral, and cultural transformation. When you see a broken and offensive world, are you provoked to do something to remedy those spiritual and moral fractures? Or do you run and hide?
5. TOO POLITICAL
Another common perception of Christians is that we are overly motivated by a political agenda, that we promote and represent politically conservative interests and issues. Conservative Christians are often thought of as right-wingers.
My goal is not to suggest that Christians should neglect or ignore politics. The political arena is a crucial setting for influencing culture and an important domain for expressing a Christian worldview. On the other hand, we must not be defensive or dismissive about this issue.
Christians need to be aware of their reputation in this arena, not only because it influences their political engagement, but because it affects their ability to connect with new generations who are innately skeptical of people who appear to use political power to protect their interests and viewpoints. This perception may not always be accurate, but it contributes to outsiders’ mistrust of Christians.
You might ask, “Since every group seems to have a political presence and agenda, why should Christians be subject to special criticism?” “Are outsiders asking us to stay out of politics?” According to our research, not exactly. Many outsiders clarified that they believe Christians have a right (even an obligation) to pursue political involvement, but they disagree with our methods and our attitudes. They say we seem to be pursuing an agenda that benefits only ourselves; they assert that we expect too much out of politics; they question whether we are motivated by our economic status rather than faith perspectives when we support conservative politics; they claim we act and say things in an unChristian manner; they wonder whether Jesus would use political power as we do; and they are concerned that we overpower the voices of other groups.
How do we overcome the perception that Christians are too political? We do not simply change our principles to accommodate people who disagree with us, but we should be willing to look at ourselves in the light of Jesus. We must ask if our political engagement is Christlike. If we are perceived to be
unlike Jesus,
in what ways could our politics reflect his life and priorities more clearly?
Possibly you are feeling led to address the rampant access to and use of pornography, issues of justice in the United States or in developing countries, the plight of the poor in our community, educational policy or curricula in our schools, the moral perspectives exhibited in today’s media, the care and nurture of the environment, the need for more Christians to adopt and provide foster care to children in need, exposing more Christians to the international church, increasing awareness of human trafficking around the world. Being involved could range from working for a campaign to serving on the school board. Rather than being known for criticism, let’s learn to step in and work toward a solution for the problems we see.
As the renowned artist Michelangelo said, “Critique by creating.” How could you and your community be creating solutions to deepseated and complex issues?
6. JUDGMENTAL
“You know what really bothered me?” the young woman, Lisa, confessed during a recent interview.
“Well, you’re asking how Christians come across to me. I’ll tell you. A few weeks ago I visited a Christian Bible study at a church. Every once in a while I go because I know a few of the women. You know, I am still trying to figure out this Jesus thing. After the speaker talked for a while, we started a conversation at our table — about eight or nine of us women just chatting away. I was probably the youngest one there, but some of them were about my age. We got along pretty well.”
“So, what happened that bothered you?”
“We were talking about sex, intimacy, and pregnancy, stuff like that. I told them about a friend of mine who was considering an abortion. I told them her entire situation, a twenty-year-old, boyfriend left her. She’s feeling really alone. I made some comment about really empathizing with my friend, that I could understand that abortion might make sense. I guess that shocked them. I know the women there are pro-life and all — I don’t know what I am, pro-life or pro-choice or just myself. But the conversation shifted at that point in a really weird way. Instead of having a dialogue, I was put on the defensive. They were nice enough about it, but the ladies just kept talking at me, trying to fix my attitude about abortion.”
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Comments
daniel
while I choose reason and tangible perceptions and experiences to guide me instead of magical sky Gods, I FULLY support your interpretation of Christianity as opposed to the views of tired, established, hateful, hypocritical goons out there. Currently, we as a nation are lagging behind in every aspect of education, and more and more people (read: christian tea-partiers) want to teach creationism, reject science, and stop funding education. I don't believe things can get more crazy or, I hate to use this hyperbole, but, dangerous. Lead your flock to enlightenment, reason, and betterment of ALL, not just heterosexual, protestant white males.
WE ARE *SICK* OF CHRISTIANS DOMINATING OTHERS' LIVES AND STRANGLING ANY KIND OF PROGRESS WE AS A NATION COULD HAVE.
Portable Pastor
To Daniel,
Your comments are rife with the things that you say you are against. The Bible clearly teaches exnihilo Creation and real science supports this (which is why Creationists win debates almost every time with evolutionists). Second, education is the responsibility of the parents and never should be the function of the government, since the government can only deal in control and power, which it always seeks to extend over anything it funds. Third, ad homonyms are a betrayal of reason and intellegent arguments. If you would have a cogent discussion of these issues you need to engage rather than confront by name calling and untruths.
Marty Elmer
Just found you..was recommended by a sisster whose sstufy group is doing "The Next
Christians"...have a feeling that we will be doing likewise soon. Thank You!
Sen
Portable Pastor,
So it is science or church, is that the only option?
And discount Jesus' words for cherry picked Leviticus rules?
You have actually made the point of this article.
Way to fill the pews.
Dave Butler
Good stuff here.
My only concern is that we often become reactive rather than proactive over these issues.
True. Christianity has gathered this unchristian image you've described above, but also the negativity has been enhanced and promoted by the secular media and some anti-Christian element in e.g. the science community in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. I agree with Daniel's comment above, as I am a convert from Theistic Evolutionism due to the overwhelming scientific and theological evidence (rarely published). Nonetheless, I think these arguments should be presented respectfully but assertively. We've been intimidated by these voices for too long, but neither should we cram it down people's throats and make the image problem worse.
I've seen many sincere and compassionate Christians doing their best to throw out everything that even smells of Fighting Fundamentalism. I can understand it in a way, but then we can so easily throw out the baby with the bath water. I like Jesus' approach where He said to the woman caught in adultery: "Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more." In our culture, I would use different words to say the same thing, however. Don't forget, too, that in spite of Jesus' compassion, He suffered from an (imposed) image problem. We will get it imposed on us whether we like it or not, but there's no point in making it worse.
If anything, Christians should be the most balanced, logical, compassionate, gracious, wholesome and healthily-living people on this planet. Jesus was.
reg cole
I read the piece on abortion. Too bad those women hadn't listened to why the young lady wanted an abortion. She felt totally alone! Why wouldn't they try to befriend and provide the support she needed? We give money to "Pregnancy Reource Centres" and pontificate on "The right to life", but are we willing to invest ourselves in helping people like the young preganant woman? Support and encouragement is what she needed, not a sermon.
Jim Tuininga
Most of our church communities have an abysmal record in dealing lovingly, fairly, graciously with those struggling with homosexuality. Listening to them and HEARING them might help us to minister to, and serve them.
Ann Bezemer
WHAT I GOT OUT OF THIS EXCELLENT ARTICLE.:
You are what you are, not what you tell people you are.” We need to make continual, honest evaluations of ourselves so that we can uncover the ways in which our lives do NOT accurately reflect what we profess.
Our life shows other people what God is like.
The perceptions of outsiders will change only when Christians strive to represent the heart of God in every relationship and situation.
Spiritual formation is about depth rather than simplistic formulas
Worshiping God intimately and passionately
Engaging in spiritual friendships with other believers
We do not simply change our principles to accommodate people who disagree with us, but we should be willing to look at ourselves in the light of Jesus
Rather than being known for criticism, let’s learn to step in and work toward a solution for the problems we see They say Christians are more focused on condemning people than helping people become more like Jesus.
Are we more concerned with the unrighteousness of others than our own self-righteousness?
The opposite of sin is not virtue; it is grace. We need to move beyond expecting people to behave according to our expectations, and instead try to help connect them to God’s purposes.
Jesus was in but not of the world. Christ followers must learn to respond to people in the way Jesus did.
1. Respond with the right perspective. If his inquisitors tried to corner Jesus his response was often to raise another question or to tell a story that changed the parameters of the argument.
His response was oft en to raise another question or to tell a story that changed the parameters of the argument. The message of the cross doesn't make sense to outsiders
.2. Connect with people. The goal of overcoming their negative baggage is to point them to life in Christ. Not “spin” the Christian message; we live it - no need to exaggerate or hype faith - embrace and describe all the potency, depth, complexity, and realism of following Christ.
3. Be Creative. Make difficult concepts vivid and use the language of common people to help point them toward spiritual depth.
4. Serve People. Be compassionate, soft -hearted, and kind to people who are different from us, even hostile toward us. Need to do more than learn about faith;need live it.
Being Christian means being God’s agent of common grace in the world, Being Christian is hard work. The truest knowing comes in the doing.
Take seriously their opportunity to disciple and celebrate people who have a fully orbed view of Christian thinking and its relationship to all things throughout culture.
As Christians of all generations allow Christ to transform their hearts, minds, and actions, their expressions of the Christian faith will change, resulting in an influence on society that we have not experienced in decades.
Ms Marie
Regretably, I often see a lack of distinction between being against homosexuality and being against the homosexual person; the propaganda is so persistent. I have a young homosexual male in my life who rejoices in God "never leaving or forsaking" him despite his willful (his word) activities; this is a reflection of the lack of understanding of God as Holy and I fear for not just his physical safety (bars) but that of his soul. Many young people have a hard time choosing to stand against the institutionalization and imposed normalization and endorsement of sin because they want so badly to be accepted, and let's keep it real: sometimes it's just cowardice.
Playing down the light that God shines on my particular sin at any given moment by saying, "Well you know we all..." would be an entirely inapproriate response to a Holy confrontation--God is not talking to "we all", he's talking to me all. Jesus said he did not come to bring peace but a sword and that we must prioritize our relationship with Him above even the one to our own mother, (you have NO idea how much I can relate to that) so it was easy to know how to respond when my friend wanted me to create a comfotable environment for his willful sin--not emotionally fun, but easy (Matt. 10:34-39). "Life is not about easy answers"--really? What does that mean? God did not leave us clueless about the place of our emotions in relationship to His Word and law, we just tend to create complication when we want to indulge the flesh (Deuteronomy 30:11-14; Romans 1:28).
The thing about UnChristian is that it doesn't qualify the subjective experiences of those with so much negative to say about "Christians", "The Church" & "Christianity" against the objective standard of the Word. It control for those who are just on a bandwagon of offense and or lying. It doesn't give attention to their any ability on their part to overcome undue stereotyping. Also, the terms "Christians", "The Church" & "Christianity" must be defined--biblically. "The biblical response should be..."; well, the biblical response IS to speak the truth in love but that does not guarantee that people will not be offended, and if they are offended it doesn't necessarily mean we're doing something wrong, if a person is in sin they are supposed to feel bad, not like a victim, but aware of the contrast between their life and the holiness of God and desire to close that distance by repenting (Ephesians 4:11-16, 5:1-7, 10-13 & John 16:7-11, 3:17-21).
Friends, Jesus Christ is the head of the church--not the opinions of the "young people"; we can set ourselves up to be emotionally manipulated if we don't subject emotive language to the wisdom of the ages about human nature contained in God's Word. The church is Jesus' idea, and He said the gates of hell will not prevail, those who are cowardly need to stop claiming Christ because He will not claim them if they insist on straddling the fence and failing to clearly speak where God has clearly spoken without equivocation, ambiguation or mitigation. Perception is not reality; REALITY IS REALITY, and reality is ultimately the person of Christ himself.
Of course God loves homosexuals, some are repentant in heart some are not; the question is whether the person love Jesus ON HIS TERMS, which is "as the scripture has said" (John 7:38 & 2 Timothy 3:16). There is a lot of past hurt and a deep root of rejection in the souls of the homosexuals and lesbians I've known, hurt tends to color one's judgment and criticism; I encourage them to get current in their conversations with me and try not to prejudge me as someone who is like whatever stupidity they've seen on TV. One guy I know, I asked him if he'd ever done what Jesus instructed in Matthew 18 when he was offended or didn't get the answers he wanted from someone in church--he hadn't, he just left, hurt. I shared with him that I knew God wasn't upset with me for not being in church because someone I thought was befriending me just abruptly stopped bringing me when I shared my view that, "observing something negative does not make the person observing a negative person; some things by their very nature are just negative--everything is not happy and upbeat" (the conversation wasn't about a negative aspect of my church experience by the way). Eventually, when the time was ripe, I asked him if he thinks that all the things "The Church" & "Christians" have done bad to him will be an acceptable excuse when he stands before the Lord Jesus Christ--he frowned at first and then said, "Okay, I get it".
Anyhu, didn't mean to carry on, but it is very important for Christ followers to understand that our faith is one that refers to us as passers-through in this world, we are destined to feel the same heat that got Jesus crucified, and that we are not fit for the kingdom if we prioritize "making people feel welcome" or the fleeting pleasures of the world around us or behind us over the offense of the cross and being GOD's friend. Outsiders are not qualified biblically to judge spiritually-alive and mature believers. Jesus was not as soft as so many assume He was, the first word out of his mouth when he preached His gospel was "repent", and he said the MAJORITY would be attracted to the way that leads to destruction. The bible says that when people live a lifestyle given over to various lusts, it affects their ability to reason soundly; feelings are not even TELLING us the truth half the time, so you know they certainly can't BE the truth. Please read and listen to the entire book of 1 John MANY TIMES (God lead me to get it in my spirit when I was 17), 2 Corinthians 3, 4, 10:3-5; Matt. 7:12-14, 21-23; Ephesians 4:17-24 & Jude.
PEACE
bobanahalf
I think you're missing the point. When it comes to homosexuality, we're not talking about 'hate the sin, love the sinner.' We're talking about letting people be what God made them to be, either gay or straight. It's not like alcoholism, or stealing, or just being a jerk.
Those five bible passages you always quote about God hating homosexuality are flat out wrong. Yes, two and three thousand years ago, people were just plain wrong about that. And now we know better. A few other things we've grown past as a global culture:
1) killing every man, woman, child, and animal in God's name,
2) propogating slavery because that's just how it's always been, or
3) subjugating women.
Here's to hoping the 19 to 29 year olds do, one day, inherit the earth. Just like the 'lost generation' made strides in ending racism, just like the boomers pushed forward gender equality, let's hope the after-boomers can do away with discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Chris
To Ms. Marie: Jesus made people feel welcome, it was the religious people who were not made to feel welcome because they were the hypocrites. Get it?
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