“The Peanuts” By Charles Schultz
A friend of mine sent me a review of the movie Don Jon. The critic stretches to find something redemptive, affirming it’s realistic view of the porn industry. Rather than glorifying, the film shows the empty nihilism of its producers and addicts. It’s not complimentary of pornography’s soul-shrinking escapism.
After reading this review, I wondered how people venturing into a church for the first time these days may react. Do they think, “Are these people cut off from the rest of the world? Are their lofty, ideals just a quaint remnant of distant tradition? Is there any real connection between what’s being said here and real life?
We must admit that some church goers do want the pulpit to be a place only of esoteric ideals, with no real connection to daily living. Author/scholar Eugene Peterson said once to a friend of mine something that knocked me back on my heels:
“We cannot afford to harbor any illusions about what people want from their church. What they’re looking for is to be protected from a life-changing experience with the living God.”
That comment reminds me of a poem by Wilbur Reese.
I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please.
Not enough to explode my soul or disturb my sleep,
but just enough to equal a cup of warm milk
or a snooze in the sunshine.
I want ecstasy, not transformation.
I want warmth of the womb, not a new birth.
I want a pound of the Eternal in a paper sack.
I would like to buy $3 worth of God, please.
What are your expectations of a greater knowledge of God?
Though coddling and complacency are not what God wants us to have, I think many Christians who come to church are battle weary and need a place to be fed, embraced, and encouraged. Though the world offers various forms of “help,” the church should be the first to show love to it’s own brokenhearted. The church I am currently attending has been a place where I have felt this love from the first time I came.
Tim,
I pretty sure I don’t have to say this … but you can post this or not .. you won’t hurt my feelings … not that you care … :.
You are absolutely on target. I think many of us come to Church to “be protected” from the world vs. … coming to a Church to “be in a protected place“… where we can deal with the challenges of the world.
I would ask the Church (and myself). Are we prepared to respond to people we meet at the front door.. That when asked “How are you today?” … respond with …. “My marriage is falling apart … my kids won’t communicate with me …. I hate my job … and I am not sure that God loves me”.
If we are not prepared to deal with the challenges of a fallen world that will impact ALL of us (believers and non-believers) from the pulpit and more importantly … in the Church (sometimes we like to put this back on our pastors and leaders …. But we ALL need to be engaged) … then we as the Church are not relevant to the world … and are not following God’s design of His Church.
In Christ,
Mike
It is very sad to see how Christianity today is not about being “transformed” but being “transferred “to the kingdom of God. Life remains as usual even after encounter with Jesus.
May God have mercy on us Tim.
Thank you.
Calvin