Thursday, May 25, 2006
Can Christianity be reformed?
It's been awhile since I've posted here. Having recently moved and taken a vacation has impeded my blogging. Nevertheless, the topic of Jesus and the End of Religion is on my mind now as much as ever.
Over the past few weeks I have been contemplating the question as to whether or not Christianity as a religion can be reformed or restored to the intent and form that Jesus initiated. Throughout Christian history there have been numerous reform movements, including monasticism, the Protesant reformation, and some would even argue the current emerging church movement. But, despite the attempts to correct abuses and errors, most of the changes have been more a matter of form and doctrine, with Christianity still being propped up primarily as a religion, albeit now a fractured one.
At first glance it may appear that I am feeling somewhat negative about the current state of Christianity. I am deeply concerned as to what has happened to Jesus' message and followers. I am disturbed that Christianity, at least in much of Western culture, is now perceived as irrelevant and actually a contributor to much that is wrong in our world. Churches are viewed as cold institutions. Christians are perceived as judgemental, seemingly always "against" things and certain people. And, the increasing political role of certain segments of the Christian church has discredited the spiritual message they hope to proclaim.
So, can Christianity be reformed? Is it possible for an individual or movement to arise that will truly lead Christians back to the Way of Jesus? Or, is Christianity as a religion so well established and entrenched that nothing less than a radical rejection of its current state and acceptance of a fresh start (i..e. think "death and resurrection") will be necessary. I am reminded by Bonhoeffer's "world come of age" concept which suggests that Christianity as a religion may have outlived its usefulness and that our world might soon be ready for a new "religionless Christianity".
I do not believe that returning to the Way of Jesus will happen institutionally or through an orchestrated reformation movement. It will ultimately happen as people allow themselves to be confronted with the message of Jesus and begin to live it out from where they are. It will come from individuals and small communities (i.e. from the bottom-up, instead of from the top-down) and permeate society as "leaven", using Jesus' words. While not wanting to sound like a naive idealist, I am nevertheless hopeful. There are a growing number who are tired of the religious games of modern Christianity and are prepared to step outside of the conventional, religious box.
In a future post I will continue this thought, sharing some ideas on what a reformation might look like.
