Not That I’m Trying To Be Critical Or Anything

Posted on 02.22.07 in Faith and there are 12 comments.

I’ve read so much controversy and criticism lately in the blogs I read.

Criticism about Christianity. Criticism within Christianity. Criticism about Christian music. Criticism about those who criticize Christian music.

Controversy and criticism aren’t bad in and of themselves, but they rarely solve anything or change anything.

So here I am criticizing criticism. Here are some thoughts I had today…
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The foundational problem with modern american christianity is that we talk to people instead of God and we seek conformation instead of transformation.

We think that God has a checklist of an ideal christian (political views, clothing choices, drinking habits, music preferences etc.) and that we need to fit into that mold. Once we’ve taken our number, traded in our uniqueness and gotten in line, we actively condemn and criticize those who don’t adapt.

This is as much true of those who call themselves part of the “Emerging” church as it is true of those who call themselves part of the traditional church.

I don’t think God has a formula. I don’t think there are as many absolute right and wrongs as we like to pretend there are. There are guidelines that are safe and that protect the immature, but I think that as we mature those guidelines can change.

I don’t let my daughters cross the street alone. it’s not safe for them. But I can cross the street alone - because I’m mature and I know how to be safe.

It’s not the church’s job to mandate behavior. It’s the church’s job to teach people how to seek God. 

If we spent as much time correcting ourselves as we do others, the church would be infinitely more effective.

That’s what I think, anyway. What do you think?

The Comments:

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Kat, one of the books that I’m reading now is a series of essays titled Stories of Emergence.  James F. Engel makes a great point in his essay about the dangers of creating a new mold for us all to fit in.  He writes: “My plea to the reformers, however, is to recognize that post-modernism, with all its virtues, is as secular as its predecessor.  Don’t make the mistake of so many in my generation who all but neglected the lessons to be learned from Jesus and from the history of Christian witness.  We don’t need another Christian infrastructure that future generations will be forced to dismantle.

Stephen,
Wow. What a great quote. Thanks for sharing that.

Have you heard of the book, “Searching for God Knows What?” It talks about this.

I haven’t actually heard of that book, Stephanie. Who is the author?

I hope this doesn’t sound condescending (I don’t mean for it to), but for such a young lady, you certainly do have a tremendous amount of wisdom and good discernment about things, Kat.

Searching for God Knows What is Donald Miller’s 3rd book, his follow-up to Blue Like Jazz.

Honestly, I started noticing a general negativity in my attitude and had to stop reading for a bit.  I have resisted the urge to post things many, many times.  In the end it doesn’t do much good. 

Good post.  Again, speaking my language sister. 

Btw, hows everything going with the preg.?  How far are you now?

C-Hammer,
Aw. Thanks.

Stephen,
I think it’s a bit funny that you STEPHEN responded for my question to STEPHEN-IE. (Sorry, I guess it’s a slow humor day for me, but for some reason I found that entertaining.)

Anyway...thanks for the info! I’ll have to look into that book.

Seth,
I guess I think the initial discussion is good, but in any controversial blog post there seems to be an inevitable line where the discussion is no longer helping anyone or changing anything. I’ve had to keep a wary eye out for that line.

The pregnancy is going well....only 6 more weeks to go…

Glad I could entertain you, Kat.  I know that question wasn’t addressed to me, but I like to promote Don’s books whenever I can.

such good thoughts here.  quite convicting and humbling for me, so thanks for sharing!

...but making fun of people, makes me feel better about myself.

Erin,
It’s convicting and humbling for me too. I find it so easy to criticize what’s wrong instead of taking action to do what’s right....

Brody,
At first I just laughed about your comment. I love your sense of humor. But the more I thought about it, the more your comment, though in jest, resonated with deeper truth…

Too often when we see something in the Christian community we don’t like, our first reaction is to criticize it.

But I’m not anymore elightened or mature than anyone else until I stop saying I’m more enlightened or mature than anyone else.

Words don’t make us different - actions do.

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