Does Christianity have an image problem?
The answer of “UnChristian” by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons is yes!
“UnChristian” explores many current areas where Christianity falls short, but my perception is that while fruitful conversation will come from looking at these issues, there are additional issues our culture has with Christianity not addressed by this book. Our culture has a critical eye and has noticed not only our treatment of homosexuals but women, and not only how we are judgmental but how we use the Bible as a weapon to control and manipulate. But, that is another book study! (smile)
Let’s start where they start…
The core of Christianity is Jesus. Who he is, how he taught us to live, and what living in the light of his resurrection means for how we live as his people. To live as the people of Jesus in the world is to live as the opening act for the Kingdom of God—a way that we live imperfectly, yes, but a way that we have committed our lives to.
The problem is, when the world looks at us it doesn’t see the people of Jesus, it sees a bunch of judgmental, hypocritical, political, homophobes—and that, as we all know, is not compelling to anyone, not even those still in our churches.
The book focuses on those ages 16-29. “UnChristain” seeks to ask the question, why are the majority of 16-to-29-year-olds not interested in Christianity? The desire is to hear their concerns and issues and to make the changes in our local context so that we might be faithful to the call of Jesus “to make disciples of all nations and teach them to obey all I have commanded you.” But be clear, asking why this age group is absent is asked not to move Christianity back to the center of culture. Those days are long gone. Instead “UnChristian” ask, as do many of us, how we can be “effective agents of spiritual transformation in people’s lives, whatever that may cost in time, comfort, or image.” (page 19)
Do you think Christianity has an image problem? How do you think we are doing in living as the people of Jesus in today’s world? What does it even mean to live in ‘the way of Jesus”? Any other thoughts on Chapter 1?
More tomorrow on Chapter 2.
-Rev. Nicole
Strangely enough in my feeder I had this post just before this one
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nakedpastor.com/archives/3680
I dare say your point about UnChristians and those already in our churches hits home with his quick overview.
I think Christianity does have an image problem. The problem from the outside is that we have chosen to find the walls that divide more easily than we have found the keys to unity. From the inside I think our problem stems from an inability to articulate the transformations God has generated within us to others.
One of the areas I wish we had more time to explore is some comment on just what kind of society we now live in.
ReplyDeleteThis may be jumping ahead a little into chap. 2, but I think we are deeply immersed in a culture that appears to me to be largely based on an "entertainment rush" and "what's in it for me."
And to speak about perceptions and understandings about Christianity without acknowledging the skeptical, ironic, consumer-based philosophy that is so prevalent is likely to lead us to some inaccurate conclusions.
So I think that a couple of characteristics of this generation / our age that also need exploring are:
- how does the discrediting of all our historic "institutions" play into this picture of the church? (i.e. schools, government, marriage, law enforcement, courts, family, etc.)
- how do we deal with the "where's the catch?" attitude born out of the 3,000 to 5,000 advertising messages it's estimated that we each are exposed to every day? (is this a "critical thinking issue?")
- is the "American Idol" and/or "entertainment" value that seems so prevalent today really our new cultural "god?" ...or is it business/economics - making money?
- How does the Christian movement deal with all that?
I wanted to join this group and read unChristian because the descriptions of Christians portrayed in the book are EXACTLY what I thought before I joined the church. And, to a large degree, I still feel those perceptions are accurate when used to describe "born agains" and "evangelicals."
ReplyDeleteI am 45 years old, but I am NOT a Boomer - I have nothing in common with them - I never watched Howdy Doody, etc. I was raised mostly in the 70's and was a young adult in the 80's, during the Reagan and "Moral Majority" era - I know exactly where I got my perceptions about "Christians."
I now work for the Methodist church doing Family Ministries and Children's Music 10 hours a week. But I rarely tell people about my work, as I don't want to be seen as some kind of "nutjob" (as my agnostic friend calls them.)
I'm looking forward to discovering through this book and discussion how to connect with those who are "turned off" to Christianity and how to describe myself (and live my life) as one who follows Christ without all the attendant baggage.