Most people know that I am a Christian, yet I have had an increasingly difficult time identifying with the evangelical Church at large since my teens. I just feel out of place most of the time (other than at my home church in Victoria--big ups to the Place!) though I don't know if I can exactly pin down why. It might be because I find most of the material at the Christian Book & Music Centre to be drivel, I don't like "Contemporary Christian Music" (in fact, I think most it is complete crap that leads to an 'our music' vs. 'their music' mentality and has little relevance to our culture, not to mention that it tries and fails miserably to compete with vastly superior secular music--and besides, when did 'Christian' become an adjective? The dictionary says it is a noun), and, while we're on the subject of crap, I don't happen to think that Dr. James Dobson and Focus On the Family are too hot either--rather they are little more than a far-too-powerful political lobbying group in bed with the Bush administration! I also tire of the some denominations' (unfounded) belief that they are "more right on" than others because it detracts from the unity of the body of believers and again leads to the 'us vs. them' mentality--never a good thing. I truly believe that the church and Christ are the only hope for this world, but I, personally, do not believe that the above mentioned things/people/behaviours are going to get us anywhere near being effective instruments of God's grace and love like we are called to be.
Anyways, having gotten that mini-rant out of the way, here is a great quote from Brian McLaren that really struck a chord with me:
"When we present Jesus as a pro-war, anti-poor, anti-homosexual, anti-environment, pro-nuclear weapons authority figure draped in an American flag, I think we are making a travesty of the portrait of Jesus we find in the gospels."
I hope that you are listening, James Dobson...
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4 comments:
here here! (hear hear?)
Thoughtfully written and respectfully read. I wish that I was as brave as you- to say what I think and hold onto my convictions despite how others may respond.
To add to your point.
Dobson is a masturbater. I heard him say it on the radio. Couldn't believe it. He says it helps prevent 'worse' sins. Not that I'm coming down on masturbation, but rather on hypocrisy. He swears down some things and says other things are fine. Homosexuality (regardless of practice, but simply orientation) is bad, masturbation is okay. Since when does Dobson make the rules.
Also, isn't it supposed to be 'Focus on God', or love, or Jesus, or the church, but not 'Focus on the Family.' It is not the answer God gave us.
Hey Matt,
I miss you and was glad to hop onto your blog and catch up.
A couple of points.
1. There is always an element of 'us and them' in any society. Differentiation is part of what makes the world sensible, and thus part of what keeps us sane.
Right and wrong, too, must be recognizable.
I think postmodern evangelicals are often afraid to acknowledge this because they fear that this might give us the right to judge our neighbours.
2. It is hard to identify with the evangelical church for the simple reason that the evangelical church has a very fuzzy identity. Evangelicalism encompasses everything from confessional, liturgical Presbyterianism to gay-bashing fundamentalism.
3. This leads to what I call hyphenated-evangelicalism. Guess what that means.
4. Yup. (deep breath) Post-evangelical trans-generational inter-urban-missional quasi-charismatic semi-liturgical bi-confessional pre-modern poly-ecclesial multi-faceted Christians. (pause to catch breath).
5. In other words, people can't just call themselves something any more. Their identifying noun must tell a story.
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I hope you're well, and I hope school is treating you well, and indeed I also hope that marriage is everything you wanted and more.
Blessings,
Matthew
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