Here’s a quote from some current reading….
“What isn’t said,” seems to me the most significant measure of a certain kind of pseudo-Christianity, of the sort that uses Christian words for this-worldly life, that preaches, for example, about “transformation” and “the presence of God amond us” and “the empowering spirit” and the like without ever mentioning sin, judgement, redemption, and the Cross that transforms us. People who use such words are rarely overtly heretical, but they do not say what a Christian says. (Which is part of the appeal).
This seems to me obvious, but it is a point I’ve had great trouble getting into the heads of conservative Christians I’ve talked to, even those, like pastors and academics, who ought to have some skill in discerning the real from the fake. An astonishing number evaluate a sermon or book solely on the basis of what is said, so the strongest judgement they will make of counterfeit Christianity is “It’s weak” or “It’s thin” or “I would have said . . . ” or “I wish he had said . . . “
They wouldn’t call a sugar pill prescribed by a doctor for someone suffering from cancer “weak,” not say without anger, “I wish he had given him real medicine.” They demand reality in medicine, though apprently not in religion.
—David Mills, quoted in Touchstone March 2007, p. 6.
I’ve said elsewhere that there are many examples in our culture of “churches” or “congregations” who exist under the banner of “Christian”–and may even have that name still on their sign—but which are primarily expressions of a cultural pseudo-Christian religious system than they are authentically Christian. They adopt the form of classic or traditional Christian churches, but what remains at the heart of their community (or organization) is an ideology, a set of values, or a particular philosophy.
Some are willing to allow for an expansive definition as to what constitutes being a “Christian church.” I’m willing to allow for expansive expressions and forms for how a Christian church may look like and organize itself. I don’t think there is anything sacrosanct about the WAY to do church. But I maintain that regardless of form, context, or organization, what needs to be at the center of an authentic Church is the kerygma.
<%image(20070217-IGMatrix100.jpg|100|131|Make a good Lent.)%>
“Jesus loves you, but I’m his favorite.”
