(This was originally typed at about 1:30am, but couldn’t get it posted due to technical difficulties)
I'm typing this late at night, so can’t be held accountable for anything written, that is, unless you agree. :) Don’t worry if you don’t; Christ loves you & I love you. Who knows, maybe you’re right & I’m wrong. It could be that (gasp of astonishment), we’re both right.
I hope this doesn't sound bitter or cynical like an old curmudgeon, because I'm not bitter or cynical; just an old curmudgeon. As Ben said recently, we should first seek to understand, then be understood. I want to understand this post-modern way of thinking so, like Paul, I can be whatever I need to be to bring others to Christ (1 Cor 9:22), but do it so that the gospel of Christ is not watered down or changed (Gal 1:6-10).
There are people of all ages who think this post-modern way, but it seems to manifest itself more in young people, so I’ll focus there (not necessarily the young people at Oakcrest, but in general). My first thought, initially, would seem bitter & cynical. They are young. What do they know? To paraphrase M. Twain, “When I was 14, I thought my father was an idiot. When I turned 21, I was amazed at how much he had learned in 7 years.” (In Ben’s class, he put the age group at 16-29, but I think you get the point.) What of life have they experienced? How many times have they been knocked down & had to get back up? Have they worked for anything or has it all been handed to them? How will the touchy-feely, I-don’t-like-church-but-I-love-God religion hold up under Satan’s pressures?
If it is based in faith in Christ as their Savior & He’s the only way to God, then it will hold up. If not, it will fail. Gamaliel was right (Acts 6:38-39). If you can’t get past the youth factor, you are selling them too short. Being old doesn’t make you right (or wrong, either).
If we are to imprint Christ on them, we first need to know what questions they are asking. I've been 20 & not liked church, but that’s another discussion. We talk about wanting to know Christ. I think they want to feel Christ. We need both. We’ve been pretty good about teaching one (at church), but maybe not the other. That is to our detriment. By & large, they want to feel Him, but through some kind of service, not necessarily through the Word. That is to their detriment. It’s not that service isn’t worthy, but service alone is action with no reason. It’s the same mentality of “How many gold stars does it take to get into heaven?” Faith without deeds is dead (Js 2:14-17). That’s 100% true, but it still starts with faith, not deeds.
Regarding the relevancy of church, I think they want a relational experience with God. What about church is relational? Personally, I feel God when I’m with my brothers/sisters & through the service, especially communion & singing (Sorry Ben. I love your preaching/teaching & appreciate many of your insights. I wouldn’t change you if I could…well… your preaching anyway ;)). I agree that church service is not the only time or place to feel connected to God, but for whatever reason, they don’t get a connected, relational experience from a church service at all.
Could it be that because of their desire for a relational experience with God through deeds, that they feel a hypocrisy coming from some of those sitting in the pews? They don’t see the deeds? That’s not to say that no one is thinking about or doing good deeds. That would be a ludicrous statement. But is that what they perceive? In the mind, perception can be cemented into “truth”. Could it be because of this perception, church service is seen as hypocritical? I don’t know if it’s true & certainly don’t agree with that thought, but if true, what can be done to change that perception?
Well, it’s late & I apologize for the long post and over generalizations. I’m not sure I’ve made any valid points (or any points at all). I may read this later & regret every word or feel the same way. However, I find comfort in the fact that all of this is in God’s hands. I pray for His wisdom & guidance for us all as we share the message of His Son.
(I have re-read this before posting and still don’t know if I regret it or agree with it)
I think what I hear from you, James, is a disconnect within the groups. Each age group seems to have its own relational issues, so it causes a gap in relationships with each other and other groups (there's the disconnect.) I'm thinking of Simon and Garfunkel's lyrics "I am a rock, I am an island." Maybe you're on to something there. Maybe relational approaches are the key. I see a lot of churches moving toward an emotional approach, but they only are attracted to a feeling or rush of worship, not always Christ. But what if they, we, were dedicated to each other, relationally? What if I cared for your well being, or you mine? Maybe that is the relevance we can be?? So. . . how does an Adult Education committee help provide the tools? Can we affect (effect, I can't remember which one) the relationships in church?
ReplyDeletedGuys, I really see this as a "both/and" issue, not an either or. Pentecost, the transfiguration, Saul's Damascus Road experience, Peter's experience at Simon the Tannner's house, tongue speaking at Corinth; all of these things were Holy Spirit (supernatural) happenings. I do not subscribe to the thought that says there can be no emotional experience in our gatherings, whether in the Sunday morning worship assembly, a small group, or a retreat. My history tells me that relationships flourish where there is freedom of the expression of emotion; not at the expense of "decency and order" mind you, but for sure having the freedom to FEEL God's presence, not just acknowledge it.
ReplyDeleteMaybe Adult Ed could step out of the box a bit and teach people how to less inhibited with God and each other...you know, maybe an emphasis on what all really happened when the "curtain was torn into" on Crucifixion Friday.
John, you are correct that it is a "both/and" thing. I certainly didn't mean to claim otherwise. I think what I was trying to say is that as a modernist, I tend to think/know Christ more than I feel Christ. That's definitely my analytical, absolute truth side. My vision of a post-modernist is that they feel/emote Christ more than they know Him. I think it is a detriment to both groups when you can't grasp the other side of the coin.
ReplyDeleteChrist calls us to be a changed person. How can you truly change and not feel the emotion? Christ also calls us to spiritual maturity. How can we work towards maturity without knowing more about Christ?
James, you a few years ago I was asked to talk to a teenager at a church where I was on staff. The 18-year old son of an elder in the church had not yet "given his life to Christ." This boy was gifted intellectually, but never emoted...about anything. He told me that since he had never had any emotion about the saving grace of Jesus, he assumed he was not ready to be a Christian. I asked him if had intellectually made decision about Christ. He said yes. I said, does that mean you believe that Jesus is God's son and that he died for your sin. He said yes. I said, then let's go with that and see if emotion comes later. After waiting an additional year after that, he concluded that intellectual assent was all there was for him, but enough to give his life to Christ.
ReplyDeleteSome people never will emote much, and are so intellectual they will never come to believe...too much logic has to be satisfied to come to a definite conclusion. On the other hand some who emote much, never get deep enough in the word to mature in it. Therefore, as in all things, balance is the best approach.