I've probably read more history in the last 5 years than in my entire life. It's funny how the things you thought were completely impractical are very relevant.
History is awkward. It's very natural to want to distance ourselves from the injustices that occurred in the past. One reaction I have seen is for someone to talk about all the things he/she did that were the opposite of the situation in question or how his/her community was different. I get that. I'm not blaming you. But just because you or your community would have behaved differently doesn't mean that the event didn't occur. It still stands as a moment in time that we have to deal with.
Sometimes it seems that American "city set on a hill" Christianity has morphed into the bunker in the hillside. It's a also a weird combination of withdrawal, very strong us/them mentality, and yet wanting to regain control via political means. It's also odd that a Christian subculture that is expecting the world to go to Hell in a hand basket and fuels an industry of end-times predictions is also bent on establishing an earthly kingdom. I know that Franklin Graham and Robert Jeffries do NOT speak for many Christians, me included, but I wonder how the attitudes that created their support base have subtly influenced us even as we (rightly) decry their politicization of our faith. Unless you grew up in a confessional environment, I don't know how anyone can come out untouched. This is why I believe it is so necessary to examine how we think. Where did it come from? Is it really biblical?
How has this withdrawal and us/them-ing hurt community? Is the church a haven from those problems and those people out there? Do we expect Jesus to insulate us from those things? Last night before small group, the elder who is teaching a Sunday school class on prayer read me some quotes from a popular Christian parenting book that promotes this premise - Pray this way, and bad things won't happen to you or your family. But what happens when they do? You must have done something wrong. You must not have prayed in the right way. What a horrible weight of condemnation to put on someone. Prosperity Gospel-lite is quite infectious and pernicious. It can heap on shame, or it can tempt you to give up on God because the false gospel didn't deliver its false promises.
Representation and exposure matters. If our view of the past is narrow, then our view of the present will be likewise. I am bothered by the idea that the American Christian experience should be the template for the rest of world. At least this is the vibe I pick up sometimes. Do other countries do this? Do Christians in China think their experience is normative for us? Or is this our particular weakness?
I'm almost finished The Search for Christian America. The authors don't deny the good influence of Christians throughout our history. Neither do they sanctify what was ungodly for the sake of perpetuating a myth. Even though it was published in 1983, nothing is new under the sun. I recommend it.
History is awkward. It's very natural to want to distance ourselves from the injustices that occurred in the past. One reaction I have seen is for someone to talk about all the things he/she did that were the opposite of the situation in question or how his/her community was different. I get that. I'm not blaming you. But just because you or your community would have behaved differently doesn't mean that the event didn't occur. It still stands as a moment in time that we have to deal with.
Sometimes it seems that American "city set on a hill" Christianity has morphed into the bunker in the hillside. It's a also a weird combination of withdrawal, very strong us/them mentality, and yet wanting to regain control via political means. It's also odd that a Christian subculture that is expecting the world to go to Hell in a hand basket and fuels an industry of end-times predictions is also bent on establishing an earthly kingdom. I know that Franklin Graham and Robert Jeffries do NOT speak for many Christians, me included, but I wonder how the attitudes that created their support base have subtly influenced us even as we (rightly) decry their politicization of our faith. Unless you grew up in a confessional environment, I don't know how anyone can come out untouched. This is why I believe it is so necessary to examine how we think. Where did it come from? Is it really biblical?
How has this withdrawal and us/them-ing hurt community? Is the church a haven from those problems and those people out there? Do we expect Jesus to insulate us from those things? Last night before small group, the elder who is teaching a Sunday school class on prayer read me some quotes from a popular Christian parenting book that promotes this premise - Pray this way, and bad things won't happen to you or your family. But what happens when they do? You must have done something wrong. You must not have prayed in the right way. What a horrible weight of condemnation to put on someone. Prosperity Gospel-lite is quite infectious and pernicious. It can heap on shame, or it can tempt you to give up on God because the false gospel didn't deliver its false promises.
Representation and exposure matters. If our view of the past is narrow, then our view of the present will be likewise. I am bothered by the idea that the American Christian experience should be the template for the rest of world. At least this is the vibe I pick up sometimes. Do other countries do this? Do Christians in China think their experience is normative for us? Or is this our particular weakness?
I'm almost finished The Search for Christian America. The authors don't deny the good influence of Christians throughout our history. Neither do they sanctify what was ungodly for the sake of perpetuating a myth. Even though it was published in 1983, nothing is new under the sun. I recommend it.
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