Category: Books

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unChristian: 2. Discovering unChristian Faith

Generation Gap Widening

This chapter provides more background into the rest of the book and provides an introduction to the next six chapters.

One of the interesting dichotomies is the strong desire for Mosaics and Busters to be part of a tribe while maintaining fierce individualism–perhaps disturbing is a better term.

Fewer than one out of ten young adults mention faith as their top priority, despite the fact that the vast majority of Busters and Mosaics attended a Christian church during their high school years. Most young people who were involved in a church as a teenager disengage from church life and often from Christianity at some point during early adulthood, creating a deficit of young talent, energy, and leadership in many congregations.1

It’s imperative that we take time to understand the gap and to figure out how to make connections. But we need to be careful not to simply repackage Christianity to be appealing to a particular target audience. I fully believe Jesus is as relevant today as He was when talking to people on earth 2,000 years ago. We need to deal with the tension this causes, not ignore it, while at the same time being consistent. Difficult to say the least.

The leadership at Elevation Church has apparently figured this out. We have friends in Charlotte (and other Elevation locations) that are excited to be part of their vision. My prayer is that the cake is as good on the inside as the icing on the outside appears. I earnestly pray for their leadership and hope with all my heart that they are listening to God in every decision they make. Too many people’s lives are at stake!

Hostile Takeover

The data presented shows a drastic shift toward Christianity’s role in society. In 1996, 85% were favorable to Christianity. By 2006, that number is down to 38%, even to the point that one-third say Christianity represents a negative image, one they don’t want to be associated with. Compare this with:

Their impressions of the Bible are mixed: most think it has good values, but only three out of ten believe that it is accurate in all the principles it teaches.2

This just fuels my desire to see the Bible taught in churches, not for memorization, but for understanding. I pray that God will open the way for the Biblical Literacy Assessment to become a reality that wakes people up to the reality that we all need to comprehend the Bible.

Most Outsiders know the story of Jesus, most have heard, “It’s simple, just accept Jesus, believe in Christ, confess your sins and you will be saved.” (The A-B-Cs of coming to Christ.) I cringe every time I hear a pastor say, “it’s simple” or “all you have to do is…” This quickly becomes a faith that’s centered around something “I do.” Jesus did not teach this sort of cheap grace. Yes, we must come to grips with our sinful nature, confess our sins and accept Christ, but it is not simple. I’m not suggesting we embrace 613 laws that must be followed (or else), just that we get real about our own sinful nature, let transparency become the rule and not the exception. Jesus came to give life to a broken world and we’ve made it a “join the club” atmosphere.

Why So Negative?

Perhaps this is why people react negatively when we boast about the security of our eternal reward compared to their destiny. We are not so important–Jesus is. I strongly agree with Kinnaman’s assertion: “We have become famous for what we oppose, rather than who we are for.”

Six Broad Themes

The next 6 chapters will dive into these topics:

  1. Hypocritical.
  2. Too focused on getting converts.
  3. Antihomosexual.
  4. Sheltered.
  5. Too political.
  6. Judgmental.

Complex Background

  • Perceptions are not formed in a vacuum or based on limited exposure
  • Impressions are forged through many inputs: churches, relationships, other religions — conversations with other
  • The “secular” media is not as effective as we might expect
  • Bad experiences in church have a strongly negative influence on many — not a surprise — something like 30%.

Hijacking Jesus

This is where caution must rule. We must not edit the Bible to make it more palpable for outsiders, nor try to look more appealing to satisfy their appetites. Kinnaman refers to this as hijacking Jesus, “softening or reshaping the gospel” to somehow make it more interesting. He believes outsiders want to have conversations and not persuasion sessions.

Do Perceptions Matter?

  1. What people think about Christians influences how they respond to us. People’s attitudes drive their actions.
  2. What people think about Christians should help us be objective.
  3. What people think of Christians can change.
  4. What people think about Christians reflects personal stories.

Years ago I put a simple reminder on my desk, one that I could see when speaking with anyone: “Perception = Reality.” What someone perceives is in fact their personal reality and that matters to me. That doesn’t give me license to become a chameleon, but it does mean that I take Paul’s words seriously:

19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

A Wake-up Call

One of the things Kinnaman does in this book is to translate the percentages into numbers, e.g., “Millions of young outsiders are mentally and emotionally disengaging from Christianity.” Millions. People that Christ died for. Not a percentage or statistic, rather a list of names we could create if we were so motivated. That is profoundly sad. What am I doing today to remove one name from that list? Lord, I pray that you will show me some way to more someone off of that list each day and that I would teach others to do the same!

Responding to unChristian Faith

Jesus’ answer is recorded in John 17 as our Savior prays for his disciples:

17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

I found a post by David Mathis interesting, “So let’s revise the popular phrase “in, but not of.” Christians are not of this world, but sent into it. Not of, but sent into.” I hope and pray that we become unhappy with churches that are so inwardly focused that they miss the command to be sent into the world by Jesus himself. We have a mission to complete. Lord help us!

 

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Chapter 3 »

 

1 Kinnaman, David; Lyons, Gabe (2007-10-01). unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity…and Why It Matters (p. 23). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

2 ibid, p. 24

 

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unChristian: 1. The Backstory

Seeing Christianity from the Outside

Our research shows that many of those outside of Christianity, especially younger adults, have little trust in the Christian faith, and esteem for the lifestyle of Christ followers is quickly fading among outsiders. They admit their emotional and intellectual barriers go up when they are around Christians, and they reject Jesus because they feel rejected by Christians.1

It’s not a surprise that many have little trust in the Christian faith, but digging into the details Kinnaman and Lyons explore this concern through many lenses. The Backstory explains how Gabe Lyons confided in David Kinnaman about his calling to explore these issues and to reveal them to other Christ followers who certainly have a sense that this is the case, but really don’t understand the nature of the problem.

Why unChristian?

Outsiders, those who are not part of the Christian faith, see Christ through our actions, our words and deeds, especially the negative press, and find little to compel them to be a part of the Christian community. Quoting Bible verses isn’t helpful in bridging this gap. Building relationships based on love and trust matters–not viewing people as projects. We have a lot to learn from the data presented in this book. So here we have evidence of outsiders’ reactions to Christianity. This is an opportunity to listen and learn. We must be willing to engage, not just throw our hands up and quit. Christ called us to make disciples and He promised it was not going to be easy.

New Directions

Terms and definitions are required to discuss perspectives used throughout this book. It’s always risky to apply a label, so the authors have chosen terms that are meant to avoid derogatory connotations.

  • Outsiders. This group includes atheists, agnostics, those affiliated with a faith other than Christianity (such as Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Mormonism, and so on), and other unchurched adults who are not born-again Christians.
  • Mosaics. Those born between 1984 and 2002.
  • Busters. Those born between 1965 and 1983.

The primary focus of this book is on those between 16 and 29 years old, the Mosaics and Busters because they comprise a huge portion of our population and they are the generation that will be running the country when we’re old and retired!!

While the focus seems to be on outsiders, it appears that many Mosaics and Busters that are Christ-followers are skeptical of present-day Christianity–they are feeling the heat of negative perceptions. In my mind this is a huge call for discipleship that we (as the elder population) need to take seriously.

And so the journey begins. My prayer is that God will open my eyes to the great opportunities that are revealed in this book, that the size and scope of the problem keep me up at night as I wrestle with understanding what one person can do to affect change that is so desperately needed.

 

« Intro

Chapter 2 »

 

1 Kinnaman, David; Lyons, Gabe (2007-10-01). unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity…and Why It Matters (p. 11). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

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unChristian: Intro

unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity…and Why It Matters

David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons  

Hope Fellowship is using this book for it’s Connection Groups to discuss scriptural truths that provide a stronger foundation in Christ and His Word. It’s an interesting study that provides insight into what our society really thinks about Christians.

Table of Contents

  1. The Backstory
  2. Discovering unChristian Faith
  3. Hypocritical
  4. Get Saved!
  5. Anti-Homosexual
  6. Sheltered
  7. Too Political
  8. Judgmental
  9. From unChristian to Christian

Afterword

Introduction

The Barna Group is a visionary research and resource company located in Ventura, California. Started in 1984, the firm is widely considered to be a leading research organization focused on the intersection of faith and culture.

Based on extensive research, Kinnaman and Lyons provide objective insights into our culture to gain an understanding of how we, as Christians, are perceived by the world, or at least the United States. Published in 2007, the book is nearly 10 years old and is thus based on data a bit older than that. Though I’ve only read the description, comments, etc., I believe You Lost Me is a follow-up title published in 2011 that affirms the findings in this book. The conclusion remains the same: we need to pay attention to what our society thinks about Christians and hear what they are saying if we want to be relevant.

The book essentially provides statistical data in a narrative form along with insights from church leaders around the country. Compelling stories and quotes from respondents are presented to make us look in the mirror and give us an opportunity to break down barriers we hold onto dearly.

The timing of reading this book (on the heels of Mittelberg’s, Ten Questions) is interesting. Why am I intrigued by this subject? I hope I’m responding to the Holy Spirit to climb out from behind the walls of church and get into the real world where real people are lost and don’t even know. I hope I’m hearing Christ’s call to show people He has the real answers to their questions.

 

Chapter 1 »

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Ten Questions: Conclusion – The questions our friends need us to ask them

Introduction

  • Mark Mittelberg begins this chapter with a great story of Ronald Reagan’s debate with Walter Mondale, the turning of the tide in Reagan’s campaign was the seminal response to the question about his age (73 at the time). His response:

Not at all, and I want you to know that also I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent’s youth and inexperience!

  • Reagan turned a perceived weakness into a strength. Incredible.

From Defense to Offense

  • Be prepared to give a good answer 1 Peter 3:15.
  • We don’t have to defend ourselves, offense scores as well 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, our battle is well beyond this world.
  • Nobody is neutral: everybody is making a claim to something
    • The atheist claims there is no God
    • Other religions support their version
    • Christians defend their position
  • All of us should be willing to give a defense for what we believe, but learn to turn defense into offense without being offensive–therein lies the challenge.
    • Stop merely answering our friends’ questions and start asking them a few key questions of our own.

The Questions Revisited

  1. What makes you so sure that God exists at all–especially when you can’t see, hear, or touch him?
    • How do they account the the existence of the universe? Is it eternal?
    • How did it become so precisely fine-tuned?
    • What is the basis to say anything is ultimately right or wrong?
  2. Didn’t evolution put God out of a job? Why rely on religion in an age of science and knowledge?
    • How do you explain where the primordial goop originated?
    • If they maintain that evolution and God are compatible, what have they done to discover who God is?
  3. Why trust the Bible, a book based on myths and full of contradictions and mistakes?
    • What specific myths are you referring to? Which contradictions bother you the most?
    • Would you be willing to explore that in detail with me?
  4. Everyone know that Jesus was a good man and a wise teacher–but why try to make him into the Son of God, too?
    • Have you ever read the Gospels for yourself? Why don’t we both read and discuss them?
    • Demonstrate that we are genuine lovers of truth, unafraid to look at the real evidence and to follow the facts where they lead.
  5. How could a good God allow so much evil, pain, and suffering–or does he simply not care?
    • Remember there is an appropriate time to dive into this discussion–not in the midst of tragedy
    • What is your alternative? No God? If no God, what meaning do pain and suffering have?
    • Hopefully our friends will understand that it’s better to grapple with the problem of evil than to deny it through atheism or Eastern pantheistic philosophies.
    • No one suffered more than Jesus Philippians 2:5-11
  6. Why is abortion such a line in the sand for Christians? Why can’t I be left alone to make my own choices for my own body?
    • Are you 100% certain that it’s not a living human child inside the womb? If not, what is it?
    • The least of these Matthew 25:45
  7. Why do you condemn homosexuality when it’s clear that God made gays and that he loves all people the same?
    • Jesus was full of grace and truth John 1:14, we should lean toward grace without relinquishing truth
    • Recall the Samaritan woman and how Jesus handled the conversation
    • Given Jesus’ strong and positive explanation of God’s plan for marriage, what do you think he would say about gay sexual relationships?
    • Do you see anywhere in Jesus’ words or teachings of the Bible where homosexual behavior is condoned?
      • Don’t wield biblical truth as a weapon or as a way to put up a wall — that’s the opposite of our desire here
  8. & 9. How can I trust in Christianity when so many Christians are hypocrites? And why are they so judgmental toward everyone who doesn’t agree with them?
    • Hypocrisy and judgmentalism are problems for some Christians. Jesus agrees with you on this point. Since you’re on Jesus’ side, why not learn more about him and show us how to be a better example for others?
    • How about you: do you ever struggle living up to your own ideals–or God’s?
    • If they are aggressively taking their position, perhaps you can ask, “how is that different from what you are doing right now?
    • Everyone thinks their opinion is right, the question quickly becomes, “how do you know you’re right?”
  9. Why should I think that heaven really exists–and that God sends people to hell?
    • We can’t directly access heaven right now, but we can listen to the One who died on the cross and rose from the dead: John 8:23, 11:25
    • In light of Jesus’ divine credentials, why wouldn’t you believe what Jesus taught about heaven and hell?
    • If you’re not going to believe Jesus, who are you going to believe–and why?

Back to Where We Started

We need three things in order to appropriately put the information into action: preparation, prayer and proximity.

  1. Preparation. Reading this book and taking notes, discussing it with brothers and sisters in Christ, is all part of preparation.
  2. Prayer.  Keep praying for your friends, family members, co-workers, etc., and keep praying for yourself, that your knowledge and understanding would increase–even that God would open doors to opportunities to use this knowledge.
  3. Proximity. I hope you will no longer shy away from opportunities to get close to people who are far from God.

Remember the purpose of this study is not just to answer question, rather, it’s to lead people to Jesus! We want to help them find not only answers and truth but also the One who said,

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.John 14:6

Go with confidence and a sense of urgency, knowing that the time is short and the information you have to share is life giving.

I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes.Romans 1:16

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Ragamuffin Gospel: 19 Mercies: A Spiritual Retreat

Time to Reflect

In this chapter, Brennan Manning provides an opportunity for a guided retreat through 19 mercies, opportunities to hear from our loving Father. Perhaps this is a chance to slow down a moment, to pray, to ready, to listen.

I’ll list them here. Perhaps we should all consider taking one a day for the next few weeks.

Come

  1. Be here, now.
  2. Don’t wait.
  3. Jesus wants to enter into deep friendship with you.
  4. Cry out for the Spirit.

Encounter

  1. The Person of Jesus.
  2. The call from the cross.
  3. Through Jesus we know Abba.
  4. The God who is love.
  5. God loves you unconditionally.
  6. We cry, “Abba!”
  7. The prayer of simple regard.

Serve

  1. The freedom of serving.
  2. Healing through meal sharing.
  3. Washing feet.
  4. Freedom from your own contempt.
  5. Christ in the person next to you.

Trust

  1. Trust in your Father’s delight.
  2. Worry is an insult to your Father.
  3. The grace of reckless love.

Go in peace and find freedom in the God who loves you more than you can ever express…but express it anyway through song, poetry, work, creativity, loving and serving others.

Amen.

« The Scandal of Grace

Intro »

 

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Ten Questions: #10 – Are Heaven and Hell real?

Full Question: Why should I think that heaven really exists–and that God sends people to hell?

Summary

  • The question of whether or not there is an afterlife is extremely important; Christians need to be able to articulate their confidence to questioning unbelievers.
  • There is nearly universal belief in the afterlife.
  • Jesus made it clear that heaven is a real place of eternal joy and that hell is also a real place, but one of punishment and regret.
  • God doesn’t send people to hell, they choose to go there themselves.
  • God offers heaven to everyone and has made provision for all to be there.
  • Heaven is reserved for those who have received Jesus Christ as their Savior and sought to honor him with their lives.
  • Hell is for those who refused to allow God any say in their lives.
  • We can be certain that no one is left without the opportunity to choose. People will be held accountable for what they did with the amount of information they had.

Introduction

  • Mittelberg begins this chapter by reflecting on the amazing life of Marie Little, one who sought to be in the middle of the action throughout her long life.
    • Her memorial service truly felt more like a celebration than a time of grieving.
    • Our confident belief that she truly was in heaven at that very moment.
  • This question of heaven’s existence tied for first place (next to the topic of God’s existence) as one of the questions we as Christians feel least ready to answer.
  • The afterlife involves a discussion whether or not that invisible entity is transported at death, unseen, to an invisible place of which there are not photographs, etc.

Making the Case

What is your own compelling reason for believing that there is an afterlife? Or perhaps, what is your compelling reason for not accepting it?

  1. Eternity in our hearts. Ecclesiastes 3:11. There is something strange about us humans, a sense of having been made for something more.
  2. Near-death Experiences. Eyewitness accounts do seem to add to the evidence for an afterlife, even though they vary widely.
  3. Ultimate Justice. Our irrepressible moral sense that all is not right in this world; a longing for a better place.
  4. Home Beyond the Horizon. “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” (C.S. Lewis). See: 1 Peter 2:11, Hebrews 11:13-16). However, most of these reflections will probably not connect very well with the younger people you talk to.
  5. Eternal perspective with earthly benefits. Dinesh D’Souza argues that having belief in an afterlife can actually improve the overall quality of this life. “…the prospect of an afterlife provides a motive for morality and generosity because it is linked to cosmic justice.”

God As Our Witness

The most compelling argument is Jesus’ direct and clear teaching on the topic.

  1. Jesus’ unique credentials.
    • Jesus established his credibility by rising from the dead three days after his public crucifixion, just as he predicted.
    • He alone was in a position to know about what is true and real about the life beyond the grave. John 1:1-5, 14; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:8-12.
    • There is simply no better support for our beliefs than Jesus’ clear conviction that these places are real.
    • For our friends that say they can’t trust the Bible, we need to patiently back up to establish those compelling points, starting with the historical nature of the New Testament record and, perhaps, presenting more of the information we discussed in chapter 3.
  2. Jesus’ clear teaching. Look at the consistent, repeated ways he spoke about this topic so that no single text is taken as an isolated “proof” by itself.
    • John 14:2-3. More than enough room.
    • Matthew 22:29-32. “…when the dead rise…”
    • Matthew 10:28. “…they cannot touch the soul…”
    • John 3:13, 6:38. “…the Son of Man has come down from heaven.”
    • Matthew 5:29-30. “…better to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell…”
    • Matthew 23:33. “…how will you escape the judgment of hell?”
    • Luke 6:22-23. “…a great reward awaits you in heaven.”
    • Luke 10:15. “…you will go down to the place of the dead.”
    • Luke 10:20. “…rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”
    • John 17:3-5,24. “…Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am…”
    • Matthew 13:41-43. “…the angels will throw them into the fiery furnace…”
    • Matthew 25:31-46. “…Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom…Away with you, you cursed ones…”
    • Luke 16:19-31. The parable of heaven and hell, the rich man and Lazarus.
  3. Jesus, who was the Son of God and therefore in a unique position to know what he was talking about, taught it–clearly and literally.

Questions About The Afterlife

Don’t be surprised when your friends respond with, “Oh yeah?” issues; rather, be encouraged that they reveal a certain measure of curiosity, if not downright interest.

  1. A vacant hell? Some speculate that since God is love, no one actually goes to hell.
  2. But if God is love…how can you believe that God sends people to hell?
    • Short answer: “we don’t.”
    • John 3:16-17. “…to save the world through him.”
    • 1 Timothy 2:3-6. “…He gave his life to purchase freedom fro everyone.”
    • 2 Peter 3:9. “…He does not want anyone to be destroyed…”
    • Romans 6:23. “…The wages of sin is death…”
    • C.S. Lewis provides this insightful distinction: “There are only two kinds of people in the end:
      • those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and
      • those to whom God says, ‘Thy will be done’
    • We need to stress that people are not subject to mere fate…they are the objects of God’s love and targets of his grace, but also the product of the choices they themselves make.
  3. People who haven’t heard
    1. Most have actually heard some form of the Gospel presented
    2. Jesus opens his arms widely, no limits (Matthew 7:7-8).
    3. Not everyone has equal amounts of access or information, but they are responsible to follow whatever measure of light God has afforded them.
    4. God will judge people who reject him according to the amount of light they were given. Luke 12:47-48, Matthew 10:15, Matthew 11:21-24, Matthew 12:41-42.
    5. People who ask this question have heard the message.
  4. Who goes to heaven? Surveys suggest that two-thirds of the people think they are heaven-bound, but ask them how they plan to get there and you’ll quickly discover that confusion reigns.

Divine Encounter

Mittelberg presents a enlightening story about a businessman and pastor who meet on an airplane and their discussion of heaven and hell. Read this and let it sink in. Powerful stuff.

Tips for Talking About This Issue

  • Our main argument for the reality of the afterlife is that Jesus told us clearly that these things were true. People do have a built-in respect for Jesus; unfortunately, they often don’t know what he said or taught.
  • Jesus was a good teacher (common statement among most people), so we should take seriously what he tells us, including what he said about the afterlife, heaven, and hell.
  • The question in this chapter rarely comes at us as a mere intellectual curiosity so be sensitive to what they’re really asking, and don’t be afraid to ask them why that issue is a concern for them.
  • Resist the temptation to offer an opinion about where their departed loved ones are right now–especially if there were spiritual doubts and concerns.
  • It’s often helpful to acknowledge to friends that we are not entirely comfortable with the Bible’s teachings on hell ourselves.
  • Let the realities of heaven and hell be strong motivators in your own efforts to reach out to people with the love and truth of Christ.

Questions for discussion

  1. What does it mean that God has “planted eternity in the human heart” as quoted from Ecclesiastes 3:11? How have you experienced that in your own life or seen it in the lives of others?
  2. Look back at the verses quoted in the chapter that contain Jesus’ teachings about heaven and hell. Which verse means the most to you? Which is most surprising or intriguing?
  3. Have you ever experienced the feeling, as Peter writes in 1 Peter 2:11, that you are a “temporary resident” or even a “foreigner” here in this world? How?
  4. How do you think most people picture heaven? How do they picture hell? Where do you think they get their mental images of these places?
  5. Do you think it is important to talk about both heaven and hell when discussing the afterlife with unbelievers? Why or why not?
  6. How would you explain to an unbeliever God’s fairness and justice in judging?
  7. React to this statement made by the apostle Paul: “If Christ has not been eased, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. In that case all who have died believing in Christ are lost! And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world” (1 Corinthians 15:17-19). Why is it so important for Christians to be certain of a resurrection and eternity with Christ in heaven?
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Ragamuffin Gospel: The Scandal of Grace: Fifteen Years Later

Call to Action

Apparently, Brennan Manning was scolded harshly by some in the Christian community for this book. Perhaps he speaks as a prophet for our current Christian culture, calling out those who would reduce Christianity to a Sunday morning activity–which happens to include most of us. I suggest “us” in this sense because, like it or not, those who are not assimilated into our culture view Christians as all one people lumped together. They don’t know the difference between a nun and evangelical. We (collectively) have built institutions–not Jesus. We are the ones that make rock stars out of gifted musicians, celebrities out of gifted preachers, untouchables out of those who publish books.

Manning implores us to destroy these titles and simply share the gospel of grace through living lives of loving our neighbors.

  • Ragamuffins don’t sit down to be served; they kneel down to serve.
  • Ragamuffins give thanks for the smallest gift
  • They don’t complain about the feeble preaching of their local church, but are grateful for the smallest crumb that tumbles from the preacher’s mouth
  • No long prayers or big words (just small words that force you to look up the definitions!1)
  • There is no pretense about self-sufficiency
  • Raw honest becomes part of the character of a ragamuffin
  • Radical dependence and trusting surrender are the heartbeat of a ragamuffin
  • They have found the hidden treasure in the field–nothing compares to the kingdom of God

Our churches are not country clubs, decked out to impress our communities. We must not endorse nominal Christianity, but at the same time we need to figure out how to graciously move to defrost the frozen chosen. Belief in Christ is not the end of the story–it’s the beginning of a new life.

Perhaps the supreme achievement of the Holy Spirit in the life of ragamuffins is the miraculous movement from self-rejection to self-acceptance. It is not based on therapy or the power of positive thinking; it is anchored in their personal experience of the acceptance of Jesus Christ.

Though I prefer to meet someone who is lost in the self-help section of a bookstore over one who is addicted to some mind altering drug or drink, all are in need of the accepting grace of Jesus Christ. It would not be authentic for me to wander into bars to meet those who are seeking to soothe themselves with alcohol, but it would not be a stretch to put a band together and play in locations that would force me to get to know those who don’t even know they’re lost. Such behavior isn’t taught in Sunday School, let alone from the pulpit, but I wonder, is that what ragamuffins do?

Perhaps that’s a bit provocative and the bi-vocational pastor is the answer. We need to get creative and listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to do whatever works to remove barriers that prevent those who are living without the awesome love of God that we all know is freely available. No more playing it safe.

Reading this chapter is like reading a synopsis of the book, like Manning was agitated just enough to recap the main points of the book–he couldn’t help himself! The preacher preaches. That’s his gift. This sermon is in writing for us to hear over and over again, to underline and highlight the thoughts that speak to us individually.

I can’t help but believe that if our churches were filled with ragamuffins, we would be so attractive to the outside world that we could not contain the people–and they would not mind a bit.

« A Word After

19 Mercies: A Spiritual Retreat »

 

Notes:

1 systole and diastole. Diastole is the part of the cardiac cycle when the heart refills with blood following systole (contraction). Ventricular diastole is the period during which the ventricles are filling and relaxing, while atrial diastole is the period during which the atria are relaxing.systole-diastole

2 mysterium tremendum: overwhelming mystery.

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Ten Questions: #8 and #9 – Christian Hypocrites Are Often Judgmental

Full questions:

#8. How can I trust in Christianity when so many Christians are hypocrites?

#9. Why are Christians to judgmental toward everyone who doesn’t agree with them?

Summary

  • Mittelberg begins by relating how an actor’s job is to portray someone based on a script and story–it’s their job. Our lives should reflect who we really are, not an act!
  • Statistics bear out the sad fact that many who claim to be Christians fail by falling into serious sin.
  • When people express anger at hypocrisy, they are in good company–Jesus directed some of his harshest words at the hypocritical religious leaders of his day.
  • Jesus alone was free from sin. He will never disappoint. The rest of us need to get in line.
  • There is a difference between a struggling but honest believer and a hypocrite who refuses to acknowledge any wrongdoing.
  • Judgmentalism can refer to an arrogant and unacceptable “I’m better than you” attitude. Be aware that
    • spiritual confidence can be misconstrued as arrogance.
    • everyone thinks they are right in their own beliefs
  • Point your friends to the truth found in Christ, not other Christians

Introduction

  • Garry Poole provided an interesting perspective on the profession of acting and how they often portray fictional characters. Sidenote: Garry has a great heart for spiritual seekers. Check out his book, Seeker Small Groups: Engaging Spiritual Seekers in Life-Changing Discussions.
  • Headlines remind us all too often when some evangelical leader falls into some kind of serious sin.
    • It’s always a tragedy when a brother or sister falls
    • Even worse is when it affects someone who is seeking the truth in Christ
  • Hypocrite comes from an ancient Greek word that was a technical term for a stage actor. Hypocrites are mask wearers, acting without ever acknowledging that is what they are doing. They are frauds and imposters living a lie. Ouch!
  • Another book, one that we’re using in our small group, unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity, by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons uses research to show there isn’t much difference between people who claim to be Christians and the rest of the world.

I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians.
Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.

Gandhi

In response: I am not offering you Christians, I am offering you Christ.

Akbar Abdul-Haqq

Halting Hypocrisy

Our friends are not alone in their harsh judgment of hypocrisy: Jesus often dealt with this issue. Matthew 23 records Jesus’ words about hypocrisy and directly points to the Pharisees and teachers of the Law.

  • When our friends condemn hypocrisy, they’re actually on Jesus’ side!
  • Jesus is the only perfect example–and therefore the only one who won’t disappoint us. Hebrews 4:15, John 8:46
  • The primary issue regarding the validity of Christianity is not Jesus’ followers but what he offers to those who follow him–the powerful, proven person of Jesus Christ himself.
  • Many hypocrites are only pretending to be God’s people. Titus 1:16, 2 Timothy 3:5
    • Hard to discern at times, but Jesus warned us about this from the beginning: Matthew 24:24-25
  • Hypocrisy comes in degrees–and each of us struggles with some measure of it. Romans 3:23, Colossians 3:12, Ephesians 4:23-24, Philippians 1:6
    • In reality, there should be no surprise that Christians are unable to live up to standards they strive to attain–no one can! We are not perfect. John 3:21
  • Jesus died on the cross to pay for and to free us from our sin–including that of hypocrisy. Don’t miss the verses after John 3:16: John 3:17-18 as well as Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 1:15-16.

A Personal Response

  • As genuine followers of Jesus, we ought to be able to illustrate the difference that knowing him has made in our lives without glossing over the ups and downs we face in trying to follow him.
  • Keep it real. Be vulnerable.
  • Remember the Lord disciplines those he loves. Hebrews 12:5-6, 12

Judging Judgmentalism

  1. What many people react to is a haughty and arrogant attitude that they sometimes see in others. The “holier than thou” attitude. The truth is we’re just blessed to have found what we have in Christ and are privileged to get to share it with them.
  2. Some think we should never say we’re right and somebody else is wrong. See Matthew 7:1. But Jesus clarifies this position in Matthew 7:24. We need to be discerning and not condescending. Serve one another in humility John 8:32.

Tips for Talking About This Issue

  • Be honest about the reality of Christian hypocrisy. Let the hard truth of failures stand.
  • Listen in order to understand. Listen with empathy.
  • Be transparent.
  • As appropriate for the particular situation, be vulnerable about your own struggles.
  • Redirect. Remember that the basis for evaluating Christ must be Christ, not Christians.
  • Accusations of judgmentalism need to be defined.
  • There is no place for spiritual pride in the church.

Questions for discussion

  1. Why is the hypocrisy of Christians such a hot button for unbelievers? Why do you think it bothers them so much to see Christians acting in unchristian ways?
  2. Why do unbelievers hold Christians to such high standards?
  3. Have you ever encountered a hypocritical Christian? Describe the encounter. How did that person’s hypocrisy make you feel?
  4. Why did Jesus speak so sternly about the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of his day?
  5. Can you share a way you have struggled with hypocrisy? What did you do about it? Can you think of a way to utilize that experience to point people to Christ?
  6. Explain the statement, “Authentic Christ followers understand they are works in progress.” Is that a helpful description or an effort to excuse bad behavior or attitudes? How does this help you talk about the hypocrisy with unbelievers?
  7. Describe the difference between “judgmentalism” and “judging with wisdom and discernment.”
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Ragamuffin Gospel: A Word After

Epilogue

Now it’s time to sit back and ponder what we’ve read and reflected on for eleven chapters. A few scriptures to remind me of the extraordinary power and love God has for me: Ephesians 1:18-19, 3:17-20.

The love of Christ is beyond all knowledge, beyond anything we can intellectualize or imagine. It is not a mild benevolence but a consuming fire.

In reality it seems that religion is much easier than the kind of faith and love that God calls us to accept. Following a strict set of rules, no matter how difficult provides an imperical measurement, a factual perspective. However, it’s impossible to quantify how much I love my wife, though I tell you it’s a lot!

Manning shares two stories in this brief afterword:

  1. Mary Magdalene, a woman who demonstrated amazing discipleship in a time when women were considered second class is a fitting example for us all to emulate. It’s interesting to read recent articles on Mary and her leadership role in the early church. A woman who came to Jesus with seven demons became the model Christ follower. Interesting to say the least.
  2. Peter was already back to his trade of fishing when Jesus cooked breakfast for him after his resurrection. The one who denied Jesus was reinstated beyond his wildest dreams. Peter was able to preach from his brokenness. If he had succeeded in his own power, his story would have likely gone nowhere, but in Christ he found strength.

And now it’s time for our story, what will it be? Stop putting on masks and pretending to be something I’m not. Transparently love others. Lord help me to study the life and words of Christ and those who follow him with passion so I may be an instrument of your peace and a light to the lost. God, I’m so unworthy of such a task! It’s ridiculous for me to even ask for such things, but I trust you have a plan and all I truly want out of this life is to leave knowing I gave it my very best for you.

« Chapter 11

The Scandal of Grace: Fifteen Years Later »

 

Notes:

1 exigency. An urgent need or desire. Love has its own exigencies.

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Ten Questions: #7 – Why do you condemn homosexuality?

Complete question: Why do you condemn homosexuality when it’s clear that God made gays and that he loves all people the same?

Summary

  • The Story of Jesus’ interactions with the Samaritan woman (John 4:1-26) provides a helpful model for our consideration
  • Jesus modeled the need to affirm God’s love toward all people–including men and women ensnared in any kind of sexual immorality.
  • Our primary focus should be on affirming the positive model God gives us for sexual expression within a biblical marriage–one man and one woman, for life.
  • God clearly prohibits homsexual activity in the Bible, but it isn’t listed as being worse than other sins.
  • Human desire might seem natural, but that doesn’t make it right.
  • We need to explain that someone’s orientation toward or temptation by same-sex attractions is not in and of itself sin.
  • Jesus’ treatment of the woman at the well clearly demonstrates that God wants all kinds of sinners to come to him for salvation.

Introduction

  • As we seek to respond to this difficult question, we can find guidance in what Jesus did and said.
  • In the main passage for this chapter (John 4:1-26), Jesus is seen traveling through Samaria, an area the Jewish leaders avoided because they simply would not associate with those people.
  • In interesting insight from Our Daily Bread, with reference to the woman at the well, “He revealed a supernatural understanding of her unquenched thirst for life.” Jesus saw something in this woman that no one else understood because he wasn’t there to judge her, he was there to save her.

Affirming and Showing God’s Love

  • God loves all people. We should affirm God’s love for all people, regardless of their lifestyle or the particular activities or sins they may be engaged in.
  • Our actions here will speak much louder than our words

God our Savior…wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-4

  • Jesus reaches out to homosexual men and women–and indeed all those in the LGBTQ community–with the same kind of love and intentionality that he showed to the Samaritan woman
  • His love was radical and real. He genuinely cared.

Extending God’s Grace

  • Jesus, the quintessential evangelist, expressed a mixture of grace and truth–including truth about her moral failures.
  • Don’t focus on trying to reform people from the outside in, but rather on sharing the life-changing gospel…from the inside out.

Affirming God’s Model for Human Sexuality

  • From the beginning, “This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” Genesis 2:24
  • How many people? Two. Which genders? One man and one woman.
  • If you are married, sexual expression between you and your spouse is encouraged and even celebrated as a gift from God. But outside of that, there are no examples of sex condoned by God. Absolutely none.

Telling the Truth About God’s Will

  • We need to lovingly tell the truth about what God says regarding sexual relations.
  • First, make clear that the Bible’s position is not based on isolated verses
  • Second, those who see this issue differently often try to explain away the texts that do seem to prohibit sex between members of the same gender.

Old Testament

New Testament

  • Since Jesus doesn’t explicitly address the issue of same-sex practices, could someone make the case that he actually endorses it just because of a lack of specific prohibition?
    • He never speaks out agains slavery, child trafficking or the oppressive occupation of his homeland by Roman authorities
    • The consistency of his message provides implicit understanding
  • Paul also provides a clear warning about same-gender sexual sin (among others): 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Timothy 1:8-11.
  • The matter-of-fact way in which Paul includes homosexuality in this list must mean people at that time were familiar with the practice.
  • Paul makes it clear that God expects us to regard these activities as a thing of the past, something we did before accepting Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Addressing a Misguided Assumption

  • Some have said, “it’s clear that God made gays,” that some people have same-sex desires. Since “God made me this way, with these desires, so he must have intended me to have and to fulfill these desires.”
  • There are major problems with this way of thinking.
    • First, all kinds of desires occur in people (food, recreation, fame, fortune, etc.). These can be from God, but taking any of them to the extreme doesn’t automatically make them appropriate.
    • Second, not every desire is from God.

Temptation Does Not Equal Sin

  • Being tempted to steal something is not the same as actually stealing
  • Temptation itself is not sin

God is Looking for True Worshipers

Making the Church a Place of Grace

God Uses Redeemed Sinners of Every Stripe

  • Turning Atheists into Missionaries
  • God seems to delight in turning unlikely candidates into uncanny instruments of his love and truth. The anti-Christian Saul became the apostle Paul.

Tips for Talking About This Issue

  • Prior to talking about this issue, try to gain Jesus’ loving perspective toward all kinds of sinful people.
  • God sent Jesus for all of us…we are all sinners.
  • Eliminate degrading humor and comments about homosexuals and the gay community–the church, small group, within your family–completely. Mittelberg actually says, “to the degree possible;” I have less empathy. Ephesians 5:4
  • This is a charged issue, remember James’ admonition (James 1:19): “you must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”
  • People often expect us to be uncaring. Surprise and intrigue them with your Jesus-like love “in a gentle and respectful way.” 1 Peter 3:16
  • Speak the truth of God’s Word without pronouncing judgment on individual people. We are all challenged by biblical principles. This is God’s revelation, not your personal opinion.
  • Emphasize the life-giving message of the gospel, “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.” Romans 5:6
  • Try to help people understand the biblical perspective, but be prepared to be misunderstood. Persevere, be consistent, know that God is with you and “joy awaits” you (John 4:36).

Questions for discussion

  1. What kinds of examples have you seen from Christians in addressing issues of homosexuality? Did they emphasize truth at the expense of grace–or vice versa?
  2. How do you feel about the balance of grace and truth in your own perspective on this issue? Do you need to shore up one side or the other a bit? How can you go about doing that?
  3. What can we as Christians do if we’ve been too strong on one side of the issue, failing to live out the WWJD principle discussed at the beginning of the chapter?
  4. What are some practical things your group or your church could do to make it a more accessible and friendly place for serious spiritual seekers who are struggling with this issue?
  5. Toward the end of the passage in John 4, after the disciples came back to find Jesus talking to the Samaritan woman, they urged him to eat. Jesus replied, “I have a kind of food you know nothing about…My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work (John 4:32, 36). Have there been times or eras in your life when you related to Jesus’ statement? What could you do to experience that kind of era once again?
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