Is this the question we must answer? The goal of the church is to reach the world, to make disciples. How the church answers this question might well determine what road we travel and if that road leads to a dead end.
It seems like this is the question the church has focused on. The church growth people of the 80's and 90's tell us we must find out what peoples "felt needs" are and meet them. When we do that we will grow. They are undoubtedly right, but is this kind of growth the problem or the solution? I honestly don't know for sure. The emerging church gives us a very similar message focusing on a more social gospel. Again, I don't know if this is all bad as long as we don't lose sight of the gospel story and man's need to be saved. That said, the question "is Christianity Useful?" has at its center a poor premise. The idea that God is either useful to me or He is irrelevant is a very dangerous idea. This concept will lead us to either a name it and claim it theology or perhaps a moralistic view of Christianity (Live Your Best Life Now).
We should expect non-Christians (I am not sure if it is PC to say "non-Christian" perhaps I should say "eternally challenged" or "friends of fire") to have that kind of perspective. The problem is many "Christians" have this very perspective. They want to know what their church can do for them without ever asking what they can do for their church. It is all about God serving my needs without ever asking how I might express love and gratitude to my savior (Obedience John 14).
I wonder if this is the same question Israel asked when they turned their back on Yahweh and toward Baal. Baal was useful, he could be manipulated and contorted to take on the form any individual wanted.
Perhaps the answer to the question is Christianity is not useful. Sometimes it is a burden, but it it true and right. It is much more cumbersome and difficult to approach life with concern for God and others then it is to simply ask what is best for us.
I will be back to the gay theology on my next post. Sorry I haven't posted in a while, I have been out of town.
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1 comment:
Agreed, "is Christianity useful?" is a poor question, almost as bad as "is it relevant?" It seems to me John, that the question should be, "is it true?" and that should be enough. In the International Church (which I lead on the side), we preach straight through books of the bible, and let me tell you, in this method, you come up on all kinds of passages that have no immediate practical value. I have one like that coming up this Sunday. But if it is true, then we can build upon our understanding of that truth, even if it is no touchy feeling message. My two cents for what they are worth. Good post brother. Peace, D
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