I’ve become very frustrated with several relationships in my life lately. Several friends have “converted” to neo-Reformed theology and, to be honest, it hasn’t been pretty. I’m not sure if it’s as a backlash against the evangelicalism that they’ve grown up in (similar to mine – nondenom, charismatic etc.) but it can seem that way. Not because I have a huge issue with Calvinism itself (although I disagree with it); it was more “how” it was done – pridefully and, bent on convincing others of their intellectual superiority, with a great big stick.
Thwack!
I became so angry by their accusasions, pride and “know-it-all”-ness (yes, I know that’s not a word). I became blind to my own reaction. Certainly I disagreed but I was rising to bait, I was becoming caught up in arguments about things that don’t matter. In short, I jumped in the mud and wallowed right along with everyone else, pointing fingers at the splinters in each others eyes while we ignored the planks in our own.
I was so frustrated by other people missing the whole point that I began to miss the point myself.
I feel like my toes have been stomped on by an excellent article by Ed Stetzer entitled “Converts to What?” Basically, are we, as Christians, more concerned with converting people to our cause than to Christ?
I am concerned that in the name of “fixing the Church” we are not proclaiming the Church’s gospel.…
So, my Reformed friends, let’s not only read 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John (that is, John Calvin, John MacArthur, and John Piper), let’s go plant some more churches. My emerging church friends, let’s take a pause from the theological rethink and head into the neighborhood and to tell someone about Jesus. My missional friends, let’s speak of justice, but always tell others how God can be both “just and justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” My house church friends, let’s have community, but let’s be sure it is one focused on redemption. My Baptist friends, let’s focus more on convincing pagans than Presbyterians. And, my charismatic friends, let’s focus less on getting existing believers to speak in tongues and more on using our tongue to tell others about Jesus
…
If you want to convince me (and the body of Christ) to your cause, you must show me it is a better way. You must tell and show something different. You must not just protest what is, but you must show me what should be [emphasis mine].
I spend a lot of my time trying to make space for God in the world. The way that I live my life is focused on this – bringing a clearer, truer picture of my Father to those around me. I want to see people reconciled to Jesus, living in the wholeness that the Father intends.
I live in a world that does not look like McChristian Land. Even with my white skin, privilege and education, I live in a world where people are hurting and suffering, losing and fighting, begging for redemption with groans of their souls that can’t be articulated. I live in a world that needs to see God’s dream for humanity.
But sometimes I can get so caught up, so frustrated by what I see in the Church, that I lose sight of what it is all for. Whether it’s the narrow-mindedness, the bigotry, the pride or any other myriad of sins – petty and great – it all swirls together for me until I almost despair.
In short, these Christians can make me nuts.
It’s like we’re all on this grand adventure of missing the point (nod to Campolo and McLaren).
Where is Jesus in this bickering, blogging, writing, studying, arguing, apologetic-ing (ack! My verbing is getting out of hand!)? Certainly criticism is important. I’ve always loved that about my faith – we welcome criticism and dissent more than probably any other religion – there is always room for someone to do it differently.
But, for pity’s sake – what’s most important?
Jesus.
I don’t want to talk about how Christianity is changing, and who is happy about it and who is not. I want to sing about how wonderful he is, how grace is the most beautiful thing, how following him is what life is all about. (Angela Harms for Emergent Village)
So now what?
