We wish to make God possible, to make Him comprehensible to the naked intellect, domesticate Him so that He is easy to believe in. Every century the church makes a fresh attempt to make Christianity acceptable. But an acceptable Christianity is not Christian, a comprehensible God is no more than an idol. I don’t want that kind of God ~ MADELEINE L. ENGLE.
So the real question is: How true is this statement? Is it true that Christians seek to make Christianity acceptable in every century? What does it even mean to make Christianity acceptable? Isn’t it true that in order for people to be drawn to something it must first be acceptable to them? If by making Christianity acceptable the writer means that Christians water down the message of Christ, then I concur that it’s a completely maudlin thing to do. If however, the writer is suggesting that making Christianity palatable to the century in which it’s being preached is wrong, then I beg to differ. Even the Scriptures teach that you can’t put new wine in old wineskins. The message of the gospel is the “wine” that Christianity offers. The method by which it is preached is the “wineskin.”
I’ve said many times before that it’s incumbent upon us to explore the best possible methods by which we can communicate the truth and passion of the gospel message. What’s your opinion? How do you interpret the writer’s sentiment?
Friday, July 30, 2010
Acceptable Christianity?!
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6 comments:
...i just got done writing about this very idea (in 2 parts), actually. i believe the message of christ stays the same and transcends culture and time. however, to note on your later statement, i agree that the delivery of the message can and even must change- to reach new generations of people who approach the world a little different than the last. this is a good thing. sometimes in order to reach a person, you must reach them where they are, not water down the divine christ, but bring him to that person/people in a way they understand an grasp, just as paul did w/ the "unknown God." bell preaches that each generation must decide how to be the hands of feet of the creator to their generation and i agree. will there be opposition from those who abide in the "old wineskin?" absolutely- but that doesn't make the new one wrong - it makes, just perhaps, a little better. the delivery is just as vital as the message- what the former changes, the later never needs to.
Ashley,
I love your thoughts on this. Who knows, maybe one day you and I'll get to do ministry together. :)
Excellent Pandora's box you are pushing open. Why are the churches statistics equal to the secular world's? Why are homosexuals ordained? Abortions, drugs, pornography, is the church speaking with split tongues? Are we afraid of offending more than saving? We need to fear God more than we fear the world. The church is one of the main causes of abortions in the world by disreguarding their ordained ministry to take on anothers responsibility.
Acceptable Christianity is speaking the truth in love...not always easy. It is not watering down the Word or telling half truths that make it more palatable for the unsaved. You cannot save people with a lie. Acceptable Christianity does not try to reach people through the tainted ways of the world. Acceptable Christianity is pure as Christ is. It raises people up as He has raised us up. Acceptable Christianity meets people where their heart longs to go not where their sins have taken them.
Erick, there's so much to your "Pandora's Box" that I'm afraid to open it myself. I hear you loud and clear.
@ joseph: perhaps my friend. :)
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