The Failures of Modern Christianity
I decided to write an entry with a more serious tone, so no movies here. Just my thoughts of the failures of Christianity in America in the 21st century.
Lets start with what the church is doing well. The church as a whole has adapted well to changing social ideas and has made its message more relevant to modern audiences. This has been accomplished chiefly through the use of newer music and a more casual atmosphere throughout the entire worship experience. I don't mean to say that all Christian churches have adapted, nor should they. - there is still a portion of the population who prefers traditional services. This adaptation has largely taken place in new churches which have sprung up to meet the demand for spiritual guidance without the stuffiness that accompanies many older denominations. Through this transformation, the church has reinvigorated itself with many younger members who are interested both in learning and serving. This young generation is involving their whole families in the church life, leading to many more young believers as children grow in a church that speaks in a language they can understand.
But there exists a dark underside to this transformation: the weakening of traditional moral values. In order to appeal to unbelievers, the church has correctly backed away from fire and brimstone presentations of sin. But in too many cases the church has backed away from the condemnation of sin entirely. Certainly, it is no surprise that Christians are also sinners (all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God), but what I find most surprising is that Christians are in many ways morallly identical to nonbelievers. This problem exists at the highest levels of leadership in certain denominations (ordainment of openly homosexual pastors) and at all levels through out the church. From Jim and Tammy Baker to Ted Haggert and many others, church leadership has continually brought embarasment to the church. Even within my own circle of friends at a modern evangelical church, we have experienced out of wedlock pregnancies, adultery, and many other problems. The great tragedy here is the impact that these moral failings have on those outside the church. When Christian leaders get high while porking male prostitutes, steal money from their church, or abuse innocent children, the church loses its influence with nonbelievers. After all, if Christians don't follow the teachings of the Bible, why should anoyone else?
Lets start with what the church is doing well. The church as a whole has adapted well to changing social ideas and has made its message more relevant to modern audiences. This has been accomplished chiefly through the use of newer music and a more casual atmosphere throughout the entire worship experience. I don't mean to say that all Christian churches have adapted, nor should they. - there is still a portion of the population who prefers traditional services. This adaptation has largely taken place in new churches which have sprung up to meet the demand for spiritual guidance without the stuffiness that accompanies many older denominations. Through this transformation, the church has reinvigorated itself with many younger members who are interested both in learning and serving. This young generation is involving their whole families in the church life, leading to many more young believers as children grow in a church that speaks in a language they can understand.
But there exists a dark underside to this transformation: the weakening of traditional moral values. In order to appeal to unbelievers, the church has correctly backed away from fire and brimstone presentations of sin. But in too many cases the church has backed away from the condemnation of sin entirely. Certainly, it is no surprise that Christians are also sinners (all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God), but what I find most surprising is that Christians are in many ways morallly identical to nonbelievers. This problem exists at the highest levels of leadership in certain denominations (ordainment of openly homosexual pastors) and at all levels through out the church. From Jim and Tammy Baker to Ted Haggert and many others, church leadership has continually brought embarasment to the church. Even within my own circle of friends at a modern evangelical church, we have experienced out of wedlock pregnancies, adultery, and many other problems. The great tragedy here is the impact that these moral failings have on those outside the church. When Christian leaders get high while porking male prostitutes, steal money from their church, or abuse innocent children, the church loses its influence with nonbelievers. After all, if Christians don't follow the teachings of the Bible, why should anoyone else?
posted by Erik at 8:18 PM
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