When Christendom clashes with Christ

"[W]e need to recognize that Christendom is a system which is partly merged with culture while trying to sustain itself separately. But Christendom, like all institutions when endangered, tries to protect itself. And if you doubt that, you expose a case of child abuse by a pastor and watch what happens. Christendom has used scripture to support or conceal slavery, racism, domestic violence, and many other cruelties that our God hates. I fear the Christendom today has become less interested in truth and more interested in power..."

"Christendom is not Jesus Christ. Do not be deceived..."

"Do not follow the siren of culture even if someone baptizes it for you. Its categories are not God's. Do not be seduced by the allure of Christendom nor heed the word of God when it is used to sanction something that is utterly unlike Jesus Christ... Know Christ so well that you can discern what is unlike Him no matter how seductive or the religious garb it wears..."

The above quotes are from the following talk by Dr. Diane Langberg at the 2015 conference of the American Association of Christian Counselors. She is a Christian psychologist who is a counselor and advocate of victims of trauma and abuse. Dr. Langberg is one of my heroes because she consistently calls out the problem of Christian organizations who protect themselves at the expense of people who have been hurt in their midst. She is qualified to make these statements because, in her profession, she and her colleagues are often the ones who pick up the pieces after believers have been betrayed by the institutions and people who were charged to protect them. I don't think this is a rare occurrence but a far more serious problem, which I have seen firsthand.

Many years ago, I was involved with a small Christian organization. A difficult situation came to light involving several minors. The alleged perpetrators said they were only 'teasing' and meant no harm, but it was clearly a case of bullying and properly identified as sexual harassment by one person in leadership. But the face of the organization was more important than disciplining the people involved. So very little was done except perhaps a token slap on the wrist. In fact, many parents refused to believe the account at all. Rather than supporting the victim and acknowledging the very real suffering, it was minimized. After all, "sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me," right? This was the beginning of not one but several situations where sins of a different sort were swept under the rug to save face. Not the scandalous ones that usually come to mind, but sins of personal ambition which are equally deadly. I can't help but wonder if that first compromise led to the others. Once one gives in the first time, it becomes easier and easier the next and then the next.

Dr. Langberg's talk is only 20 minutes. I hope you will watch it. Even though she is addressing counselors, we can all learn from this.