Whether they are saved or not, particularly religious or not, people's general thoughts of Jesus Christ are those of kindness, love, peace, generosity and unbias.
Ask those same people - guaranteed - what they think of Christians and you will a smattering of polarizing vitriol such as, "frauds," "bigots," "two-faced," "hatemongers," and the most oxymoronic, "evil."
Ezra Pound, a poet lauriate and leader of the Modernist movement, once summarized this diametric opposition when he discussed Jesus:
"A heroic figure... not wholly to blame for the religion that's been foisted upon him."
And he pontificated that in the roaring 20s!
Christ followers have always had a bad rap. Why? We serve the progenitor of love, the ultimate sacrifice and the Prince of Peace, yet people who call him "Lord" are stereotypically cheap, hypocritical and often abusive.
Too harsh?
In his documentary-style film... Merchant marches around the country asking everyone he meets why what he calls the “Gospel of Love” is dividing the nation... In short, does following Jesus mean loving others or being right?
I am so digging this guy. It's about time someone called the Body of Christ into serious accountability in a public setting. If this wasn't necessary, explain to me why so many churches are attempting the "Anti-Church" or going "All seeker-sensitive and fellowship, all the time?"
Most of the people warming a pew these days have been burned... by other church people.
I may be considered a skosh bleak, but I have a theory:
The number one reason for Atheism in this country is Christians.
Don't take my word for it. Acclaimed evangelist and fave author of mine Tony Campolo is quoted in this story. I figure he has a tad more clout than I do, so here goes (and don't say you weren't warned those of you who get offended so easily):
“Are you talking about unfaithfulness? You’re talking about the church,” Campolo says in the film. “Unfaithful bride of Christ. Failing to live up to its marriage vows to the Lord. It’s a whore. But she’s also my mother. I wouldn’t be a Christian today … if it wasn’t for this thing called ‘the church.’ For all of its flaws … it has still been that which is kept alive, the gospel story, down through the ages.”
Oh no, he di'nt! Snap. Snap. In a circle. Holmes!
Merchant's cause for documenting loaded commentary like that is a quest for dialogue. Too many times, he (as have most of us) seen what should be a soul-saving conversation become a shouting match of acrimony and peevishness.
Church, we have got to chill before we are collectively responsible for losing even more people to the snare of the fowler and the ire of the enemy, because believe me, the next time a Christian walks up to them and asks, "Will you accept my Jesus," a question will remain:
If I do accept your Jesus, will I end up acting like you?
That alone may be the dealbreaker, and shame on you if it is. We are far from perfect, but if you aren't shouting in the "Try to be perfected" line in prayer, your witness is about as effective as Hilary Clinton at a Promise Keepers convention.
My prayer? We all support this film and check it out on September 25. And then, perhaps after that, the totality of converted Christians will go through the roof - not because personal evangelism has been working, but rather a personal witness was.
Peace.
Comments
It is true that the world's view of Christians is merited in some cases, but certainly not all, or even most. When Christians do or say something bad people are all over it, but when they do something good do you hear about it? It seems like people like talking about negative things rather than positive, which will lead people to have a negative outlook on life in general.
Indeed the body of Christ does need a measure more maturity and encouragement to do so, but I think there is a fine line between encouraging maturity and fueling prejudice against Christians. The world’s biased opinions of us are only farther encouraged if we are in agreement with them. Their view of us is unjust and incorrect, we should not share it.
Rather than focus on people who obviously do not live like Christ we should follow the example of people who do, which are plenty- despite what anyone thinks.
Nice point, Jason. Regretfully, that's a microcosm of the real world. There's a mantra in news, "If it bleeds, it leads." Much is the same for Christendom. If there is scandal, it's 10-inch headlines. If there is a meal drive for the homeless, you may catch a flyer on the bus. The only way we can combat the negative stigma in the world is not be that stigma and call it out wherever - and whenever - we see it.
Thanks for your visit. Peace.
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