The last paragraph is a bit cynical, but otherwise, he has a valid point.

Where does he have it RIGHT? Those things did happen, and that generally is how people of faith respond.

His “responses” are interesting. And the comment, “irreligious people do neither.” What do irreligious people do? Judge/condemn/ignore the Church? Is that what people of faith are supposed to do too?

If that second option isn’t good enough, how are we supposed to respond?

TwitterID: DrLust

As a christian and sociologist this is more or less on
the money.

This is a more or less dispassionate analysis of how we as “Evangelicals” and as “Christians” came to this point.

For approximately the last three decades there has been an over-conflation of politics and conservative theology. The problem is not that there has been any conflation but rather in efforts to maintain “Christianity” we have abandoned efforts to Love.

Rather we react like Peter in Gethsemane who when faced with losing Christ chose to use violence. Yet Christ answered “So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?”

Peter apparently learned this lesson as he would later write ” 12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.”

I would argue that because so many American Christians in 20th became complacent with what they perceived as the “Christian Culture” of America they became extremely fearful when that perception was rendered implausible during the 1960′s and ’70s. However, this had more to do with the rise of Mass Media than than any political actions taken by minority groups.

Yet rather than to ask why they were fearful in the first place and seek to address their fear, they became angry.

Angry Christians coalesced around well crafted but very self centered political strategy that advocated for “personal responsibility” and the need to ensure the “free market” works.

However during this same 35 years Christians have been talking about “Grace” which under most Christian Theological definitions is expressed as the unwarranted and unearned, eternal and sovereign power extend to humanity by the Father through His Son, Christ Jesus.

So what the World sees is that Christians advocate a salvation we did not earn yet demand that people earn their place on this earth.

Yet if we also preach that we are all to become more Christ-like to literally be “enlightened” (John 1:9 NASB) by the presence of the Light in our lives then we are also called to advocate and advance not just the “news” of his coming but the Gospel which includes not just the call to repentance (though depraved creatures we be) but also the call to rely on and to [b]convey[b] his Grace to all people.

“The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today
Is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips
Then walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle.
That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”

Opening Lines of DC Talks “What if I stumble”

I went to read the whole article. I should have stopped with the last line. Reading the comments gets me all messed up. I’m not a battler.

As for what the article itself is saying, my take is, you’re right. We believers have behaved badly. We’re told that what one in the Church feels, all in the Church feel. That would extrapolate easily to then, what one does is done by all. We’ve all been hurt by the actions of believers who sinned. And we’re all judged by those on the outside looking in by those same actions.

I have been the Christian in the past who vehemently defended those who messed up. I’ve also with the same passion vilified them. After maturing some, I do neither. I try very hard to love the person who really is no different than I am and I try to help anyone, believer or not, see that behavior is a part of character, not the whole. Mistakes, poor choices belong to all of us, we can’t deny our own and point out another’s.

So, in essence, I think the writer has it right. There’s much to be “fixed” in the Church. As for those outside the Church — I think they act like lost people because they are.

Thanks Tim, for another challenge to my thinking.

Hi Tim,
After doing the math it adds up to a small minority of believers. The author has not done the sums or given the examples of the “selflessness, service, sacrifice, holiness and hope”. Mathamatically it would be simpler to add up the latter and subtract the former (referring to the authors order).
Hospitals, orphanages, aids carers, foster parents, well diggers, shelters, dentists, doctors, nurses,builders, endless lists of what is done through mission enterprises worldwide, mowing lawns, fixing fences, building houses, feeding, educating, clothing, hugging, caring, to save space I have included .0001 % of what believers do around the world selflessly, in service, sacrificially in holiness and hope. Religion, true religion as in James 1:27 is alive and well.
With respect and with love – ‘Americans’ are obsessed with public debate on the fringes of what God is up to through his Spirit empowered people around the world. Religion, true religion, is a beautiful thing, but not exciting enough to make the American debate and hate club.
I love the stuff you do sacrificially and in service through the ministry of Granger. Perhaps you could list some of them.

Seems the opposite should also be true. If we all behaved and acted perfectly…like Jesus. Everyone would love Christians and they would all come to know Christ…

or kill us.

(I don’t think I am able to post without sarcasm…(or elipses) or parens)

I’ve read many of Mr. Pitts’ articles. He is frequently printed in our local paper. He wrote some excellent columns after 9/11, but then slid back into his mediocre pattern which seems to be: state the answer first and then formulate the questions to fit.

Where does he get it right? The paragraph near the end that begins “Including that God…” is correct, but it’s not new or ground breaking. The Good Book and Christ himself warned us of the dangers of religion. -jw

I think it sucks that Christianity got lumped in with the muslim faith but I believe that in the eyes of many, religion has become an ugly thing – even Christianity. It has became that way based on the attitudes and actions of many Christians. First, we need to evaluate ourselves and ask the question “Does the way in which we live our daily life (not just the life at church on Sunday) positively reflect the teachings of Jesus and the great commission and great commandment. Then we need to educate ourselves on what has caused the negative perceptions that the unchurched has of us. Then band together to change how the world views us, our faith and Jesus. I would like to challenge anyone reading this post to read the book UnChristian by David Kinnaman. In this book he provides the results of insightful research on how the world views Christians and Christianity. Tim, thanks for posting this article. – LT

I think the issue is addressed quite well. It is not a call to judge those who are listed but rather a realistic recognition that many do; and accordingly, we need to see ourselves through their glasses if we are to effectively communicate with our culture