A LONG WALK HOME #2

In nineteenth century America the plea to be Christian’s only, rapidly degenerated into debates, dialogues, and discussions about how to accomplish this goal. These interactions tended to focus upon forms and functions that would ultimately determine fellowship between humans. The mechanics and mechanisms of doing church right overshadowed being church (the incarnate body of Christ in the world today). They were heavily influenced by at least one spirit of the age (western philosophy and age of rationalism of which they were a part). They could no more escape their philosophical moorings (worldview) than we can ours.

One must also admit that the heirs of this “movement” (this writer included) are connected to and influenced by these same philosophical shackles. There influence is felt in both the adherence to their ideals and reaction to the conclusions drawn by this philosophy. This influence can also be seen in much of the self-help literature and religious literature of modern American culture. Success in both secular and religious circles means following the right pattern. The “Better you” or the Good Life is a result of the steps you take or to be more accurate the things you do. It is all about formulas and formats to achieve the American Dream.

Success is to be found in following the proper formulas. Happy marriages or raising “good” children is simply a result of following the correct procedures. One wonders about the damage done and the guilt that people continue to carry around when they follow the steps and fail to achieve the promised results? What happens if your children do not become Christians or even model citizens? What happens when marriages fail among good church going people and divorce results? It would be worse than naive to assert that these things never happen among us. Statistics show that the divorce rate among professing Christians is almost identical to that of the population in general.

In this environment then it is a short jump, a simple journey, to an Americanized form of Christianity. This type of Christianity looks and sounds the same as the self-help and success message that dominates so much of the literature of our culture. This form of Christianity is all about doing the right things, saying the right things all in the right way. This is indicative of the Christianity that is practiced by many if not most Americans.

In this “Brave new World” of our own creation we give little more than lip service grace and mercy. While we cry out in mournful tones to God for an extra measure of his mercy and grace, we so often deny the crumbs of grace and mercy to our fellow man. This writer pleads guilty as charged on this account. As a lost and tortured soul he desire, like a man dying of thirst longs for a sip of water to wet his parched lips, a second or even third chance. Yet, he demands a demonstration from others, evidence and proof that they have truly repented before granting even a teaspoon of the grace and mercy they need the most.

There is the presumption of some special, unique blessing upon America by God. In this culture, Americanism and Western Philosophy has become synonymous with Christianity. American Christianity seems to believe that it truly has a “Manifest Destiny.” It is doubtful that the disciples of Jesus would recognize much of what is presented as Christianity. In a society where happiness seems to have become the greatest virtue of all, it is only natural the preaching of a prosperity and feel good gospel is on the menu, and is the food for far too many lost sheep.

For a civilization where obesity has reached epidemic proportions (because we have sated our hunger on sweets, fast food, fats and a generaly unhealthy diet) is it any wonder that the menu in our churches would become filled with “junk food” rather than the “bread of life.” Dare I be so bold as to propose that the church in America’s twenty-first century is not unlike the church in Laodicea of the first century, who claimed to be rich but were really "poor, wretched, blind and naked?”

To be continued.....
Bob