Thursday, March 30, 2006
The Irreligious Faith of Bono
I am not a big U2 fan, but like many am impressed with the radical faith of Bono. Obviously, Bono is not warmly embraced by all Christians as he steps outside of the religious box, yet consistently works for the purpose of Jesus.
Last month, at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, Bono delivered a powerful speech focused on national priorities directed by faith. Believing that "religion often gets in the way of God", Bono reminds his listeners of what the practical implications of their faith should be in the world.
Friday, March 10, 2006
Commercialism
One of the more disturbing aspects of Christianity as a religion is the commercialization that has resulted. Just walk into a "Christian" bookstore* and you will be amazed at the kitsch, trinkets, and slick marketing with which you will be confronted. Shrewd companies are recognizing that this is a large demographic that can be tapped, not only within their own subculture, but also in the mainstream. For example, have you noticed the increasing number of movies and TV shows targeted to Christians?
If you enjoy and can handle satire you need to watch The McPassion video available online until April 15th. It's a tremendous depiction of the absurdity of Christian commercialization.
*NOTE: I've always been amazed how a bookstore or any other non-person can be a "Christian". But the use of "Christian" as an adjetive is another post for another day.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Christianity to be the official religion in Missouri?
Scary ...
Missouri legislators are considering a bill that would name Christianity the state's official "majority" religion. (More information at KMOV, St. Louis).
Apart from the obvious legal and political problems with this type of bill, it is completely frustrating (although not unexpected) to see Christians thinking in this manner.
I can't ever begin to imagine Jesus pushing for this type of recognition.
Christianity as a religion has lost its way.
Friday, March 03, 2006
The Barbarian Way
A book that has been getting much attention in recent months is Erwin McManus' The Barbarian Way: Unleash the Untamed Faith Within (Nelson, 2005). Essentially he calls us to escape "civilized" Christianity and to become untamed followers of Jesus. Here are a couple of quotes relevant to the discussion of Christianity as a religion:"Somewhere along the way the movement of Jesus Christ became civilized as Christianity. We created a religion using the name of Jesus Christ and convinced ourselves that God's optimal desire for our lives was to insulate us in a spiritual bubble where we risk nothing, sacrifice nothing, lose nothing, worry about nothing. I wonder how many of us have lost our barbarian way and have become embittered with God, confused in our faith because God doesn't come through the way we think He should."
"Two thousand years ago God started a revolt against the religion He started. So don't ever put it past God to cause a groundswell movement against churches and Christian institutions that bear His name. If He was willing to turn Judaism upside down, don't think for a moment our institutions are safe from a divine revolt. I am convinced that even now there are multitudes of followers of Jesus Christ who are sick and tired of the church playing games and playing down the call of God. My travels only confirm that the murmurings of revolution are everywhere. I am convinced that there is an uprising in the works and that no one less than God is behind it."
