The “Chrisitan World” View
Milton Stanley from Transforming Sermons links to a reposted piece by Dan Eledan from Gratitude and Hoopla regarding how often the Christian life in America resembles more of a carnival then a actual relationship with Christ (which is what it should be). Dan’s bottom line is that at a point the church and the Christian faith, when presented in this hyper experience way - ultra hip, ultra slick, over marketed, mega hit way, becomes a mirror of the world and completely ignores the key to Christianity - Christ on the Cross and His death that redeems. Christianity without Christ is just ianity, and that ain’t much to go on.
I know personally I get tired of just one more must do / have program, one more must attend / must understand session, one more can’t miss event, one more life changing / affirming conference, one more this and that. There is nothing wrong with using modern means and tools to communicate, the fact that this is on the web shows I am completely for modern communication and tools, but if the core of the lesson, the core of the faith, the core of the purpose (that is a tricky word to use today) is not a God focused, Christ redeemed, and Holy Spirit lead relationship then it is not really fulfilling the meaning of Christianity.
For too long Christianity has been driven by the modern emotional, happiness, joy, and prosperity gospel lessons which really completely ignore the truth of the Cross. The Cross is not a place that the Christian should visit once (on the day of repentance) and then walk away from. It is not place to make a annual visit too (Easter) even. The Cross is a place the should define, mold and make the Christian. This work is not a one time thing, it is a ongoing process and it is a process that is painful, lonely, and isolating at times.
Regardless of your place in the spiritual realm this one is worth a read and it should be a gut check for all the Christians out there that are caught up in “the Christian community”. Milton’s Post Here, Dan’s Post Here
