As I discovered in Watergate, we humans have an infinite capacity for self-justification—which is why it is pretty good to get a reality check and find out how others see us. After all, only your closest friends tell you if you have bad breath.
That is a service David Kinnaman, president of Barna polling, and Gabe Lyons, one of our Centurions, have performed for us with their new book, unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity . . . And Why It Matters.
Kinnaman and Lyons spent three years polling young, unchurched Americans to find out what they thought about Christianity. Millions of young people, they discovered, see us as judgmental, hypocritical, anti-homosexual, too political, insensitive—and boring. Ouch!
Your immediate reaction—like mine—is that this characterization is grossly unfair. Why don’t these folks recognize all the good things we do, like helping prisoners and Africans with AIDS?
The answer is that, fairly or not, hostile press characterizations of us as judgmental, homophobic bigots have stuck. But this is only half the answer. A shocking 50 percent of respondents said they base their negative views on personal contacts with Christians.
As the authors write, “Many of those outside of Christianity . . . reject Jesus because they feel rejected by Christians.”
Let’s be honest: Sometimes we do come across as judgmental, anti-homosexual, and excessively politicized. And all too often, when others misrepresent Christianity, we do not know enough about our own doctrines to explain the truth. Yes, we draw millions into our churches on Sunday, but let’s face it: We draw them in by offering therapeutic services that make them feel better, but not be better.
This truth was dramatically acknowledged last month by Bill Hybels, founder of the successful Willow Creek Church movement, when he announced the results of a survey conducted of his own members: Heavy involvement in church programs did not translate into spiritual growth and maturity. To his everlasting credit, Hybels had the integrity to announce the findings and repent.
Hybels clearly understands the problem: What the Church needs to do is to make disciples, to grow people in the faith, not be spectators. We must teach them what Christians believe and how to live out these doctrines in all of life. Like Hybels, church leaders need to examine whether they are making disciples and encouraging holy living.
This is exactly why Prison Fellowship recently revised its mission. We recognize that we must not just get prisoners into Bible studies; we’ve got to work with them toward a transformed life and help train them when they get out—a much tougher job, but it is what Jesus demands.
And this is why I have written a new book, The Faith, Given Once, for All, being released next month. It explains what all true Christians believe, why we believe it—and why it matters. We need to know what we believe so we can live changed lives—and defend Christianity against its detractors.
unChristian providentially challenges us at the very moment many are waking up to the need to clean up our own house. Once we do this, we will be able to reach out to those outside the faith and—in a loving, non-judgmental way—offer them the glorious Truth.
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From BreakPoint®, January 4, 2008, Copyright 2008, Prison Fellowship Ministries. Reprinted with the permission of Prison Fellowship Ministries. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without the express written permission of Prison Fellowship Ministries. “BreakPoint®” and “Prison Fellowship Ministries®” are registered trademarks of Prison Fellowship
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From BreakPoint®, January 4, 2008, Copyright 2008, Prison Fellowship Ministries. Reprinted with the permission of Prison Fellowship Ministries. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced or distributed without the express written permission of Prison Fellowship Ministries. “BreakPoint®” and “Prison Fellowship Ministries®” are registered trademarks of Prison Fellowship
The old timers would encourage the reproduction and distribution of the truth. There is room for more repenting in that area for all ministries today.
"unChristian" attitudes towards Christians are such a short term topic. We need the presence of God , poured out as He has throughout history. Our little efforts at evangelism, whether it be great worldwide internet, or media is only touching the fringes of the deep and dark hearts in the nations. Hybels repented, and that is good, but going on to say that what the Church needs is for us to make disciples? And Mr. Colson says we need to "clean up our own house?"
Let us repent of whatever sins are still keeping us in bondage! Throughut ALL Doubt!! Completely surrender to the Spirit of God! Do EVERYTHING he says to do! Confess Christ publicly!
Pray for revival and a great awakening in the hearts of unbelievers. That is truly the only solution to every political, moral, ethical, and evangelical need in the earth. Look up Jonathan Edwards and J. Edwin Orr. Listen to Dr. Orr and have your eyes opened to the truth of God's revivals and Great Awakenings. We strive so hard, when we need to repent and pray. Ask the Lord to open your own eyes as youi study the great revivals of the 1700's and 1800's and the Welsh Revival, among many others, and pray for His Spirit to be poured out on all flesh . . . again.
First off, the moral laws that exist in the Bible are extensive, and cover everything from obscure and infrequent instances of sexuality, to dietary rules, to what fibers can be worn. It seems funny that if Jesus reaffirmed all those laws, then why don't Christians follow then all? They don't. They only find the ones THEY don't like, like a few proscriptions on sexuality, and disregard all the rest. This is one reason why people find Christians hypocrites, as Colson complains.
But the bigger issue that is that they didn't know anything about sexuality back in biblical times. Today we do. And as a gay man, I can tell you that being gay is anything but some sort of 'choice.' My entire life, I have only been attracted, both sexually and romantically, to men. Never to women. The very idea of sex with a woman is as repulsive to me as sex what heteros think is gay sex. And no, sexuality cannot be changed, despite what some people say. Even Exodus, the leading 'reparative therapy' organization, admits that most people can't be changed, and for the rest, the best most can hope for is to remain asexual. The number of people who have actually changed from gay to straight are almost non-existant.
If God is love, as Christians like to profess, then there certainly is no harm in my loving my boyfriend. It doesn't harm you, and my life is going along pretty darn well. I have a great relationship with God, even though I'm not a Christian, and have no desire to be so.
Rand503: "But Jesus never said a word about homosexuality."
This shows a lack of understanding of the world/culture into which Jesus came. Jesus came specifically to the Jews. The Jews knew the moral law of God, knew that homosexuality was deemed an abomination in their scripture. Because Jesus addressed Jewish audiences, He did not NEED to speak against homosexuality. He also did not need to speak against incest, or bestiality, or any other abomination. Note, He did AFFIRM God's original plan for men and women in Matthew 19. He also affirmed that plan in His dealings with people.
The apostles who traveled to Gentile countries shared the Gospel with people who were not Jews, did not have the Jewish scripture, did not know the moral law of God. Those people DID NEED to have God's moral law taught to them.
It is vitally important to read the Word of God in the context in which it was written, in order to avoid such errors which can affect not only one's own, but others' as well, destiny.
Citizen, Jesus commanded His followers to visit those in prison and feed the hungry, among other things. He also commanded His followers to carry the Gospel EVERYWHERE they went. There is no dichotomy between these. This is normal Bible Christianity.
Since you yourself don't believe the Bible to be the Word of God, it's understandable that you do not understand what normal Bible Christianity is.
DRJ: "A Christian is a person who represents his/her Lord Jesus (the Christ of God) in word and deed, regardless of the cost or consequence. "'
Great. I can buy that. But Jesus never said a word about homosexuality.
"A Christian is one who can truthfully say that he/she no longer lives, but Christ lives through him/her. A Christian joyfully submits to the leadership of the Holy Spirit, who comes to live within him/her at the point of rebirth into the kingdom of God. Christians are strangers and aliens in the world system. They recognize that their home is heaven. They know that their purpose on earth is to tell everyone they can about God's love for all people as expressed through the self-sacrificial death of Jesus Christ for the sins of all. Christians, even when persecuted, are filled with the love of God for all people."
Again, great. So if homosexuality isn't for you, then don't engage in it. And you have eloquetnly made a case about how a religious belief should be a person thing. If you want it great, more power to you. But why does everyone else have to follow your particular beliefs?
"e, follow Jesus' example of giving their lives in the process of global evangelism.:"
Oh, now I get it. It's not about your personal beliefs, but now you have to make everyone else conform as well. Let's see, God loves everyone, except he doesn't love those who don't follow your particular brand of religious belief. Isnt' that contradictory? Perhaps you can leave God's work to God, and let him speak to others. We don't need you to tell us what love is or isn't.
Considering the fact that Christians are proudly anti-gay, it seems strange that now Mr. Colson is worried about that. In fact, he is quite anti-gay himself. And as DRJ as shown, most Christian are as well. In fact, they are the leaders against any type of gay rights initiatives, no matter how innocuous. They WANT discrimination against gays, and are proud of it!
Huh?
maranatha: No, because I see no reason to treat the bible any differently than the koran, the mahabharata, the elder and younger eddas, the Iliad, the buddhacarita, the lord of the rings, star wars, star trek...you get the point.
The sin of homosexuality must be understood in the context of all immorality. No one will argue with the Commandment against adultery. Why not? God knows that cheating on one's spouse is akin to cheating on one;s God. It is in the context of the preamble to the Commandments... You shall love the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve. God's levitical laws against fornication (intercourse before marriage) have not changed. Children who are having sex before marriage are sinning against God as well as the other participant. It is all very simple if you consider the context of sexual sin. God only honors sexual intimacy between a man and a woman who have sworn before Him to remain married until death parts them. All other sexual intimacy is considered sinful activity. This idea only has validity if one believes in God and trusts His wisdom and teaching on the subject. God says no because the activity is harmful to the individuals involved in ways that only He can see. It's about obedience, isn't it?
The term "unchristian" must be an adjective that describes behavior uncharacteristic of a Christian. Therefore, before using such a term it is only logical to first define behaviors that ARE characteristic of Christians. This is impossible without giving the definition of the word "CHRISTIAN." SInce anyone who goes to any church that uses the Bible for its instructive purposes feels comfortable callling himself/herself "Christian," it is difficult to nail down an authoritative, reliable definition! It is, however, very simple. A Christian is a person who represents his/her Lord Jesus (the Christ of God) in word and deed, regardless of the cost or consequence. Christians are deeply involved in a life-changing, on-going, personal relationship with the risen Lord Jesus. A Christian is a person who has forfeited all rights and possessions in complete submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. A Christian is one who can truthfully say that he/she no longer lives, but Christ lives through him/her. A Christian joyfully submits to the leadership of the Holy Spirit, who comes to live within him/her at the point of rebirth into the kingdom of God. Christians are strangers and aliens in the world system. They recognize that their home is heaven. They know that their purpose on earth is to tell everyone they can about God's love for all people as expressed through the self-sacrificial death of Jesus Christ for the sins of all. Christians, even when persecuted, are filled with the love of God for all people, and therefore, follow Jesus' example of giving their lives in the process of global evangelism. Are you a Christian? Do you know very many?
Note that Jesus still defines sin as lack of love (Matthew 22:36-40). Fornication and adultery are unloving because each has a victim. What is unloving about a couple in a homosexual love relationships? Neither is victim, neither is unloved. Where is the hurt? Who is the victim being sinned against? No Gospel writer nor prophet covers homosexuality because it is not the issue. The King James Version comes closest to a correct English translation with "sexual immorality" which is not homosexuality. (Remember that "homosexual" was coined about 1865, so any translation using a form of that word is a lie that needs to be amended.) If God didn't want men (or women?) to have sex with other men, He would have said "Man shall not lie with man PERIOD That whole "...as with a woman" thing condemns straight men pretending to make it with a woman.
Citizen, do you believe the Bible is the Word of God?
Maranatha: Saying that its "normal bible christianity" won't change anyone's perception that the good works are only about pushing your dogma. "Biblical" or not, such terms add to that perception. You yourself demonstrate the same attitude when you insinuate that even other christians aren't really christian if they don't agree with you completely on the bible. The bible may justify you to yourself, but it has no authority over the perceptions of others. Until you and your fellows understand that, articles like the one above will keep appearing.
Citizen, Jesus commanded His followers to visit those in prison and feed the hungry, among other things. He also commanded His followers to carry the Gospel EVERYWHERE they went. There is no dichotomy between these. This is normal Bible Christianity.
"The court record showed that non-Christians were frequently referred as “unsaved,” “lost,” “pagan” and “sinful” by InnerChange staff."
Really??? You mean they referred to them with Biblical terms??? Heaven help us!