The Modern Era Church and I
I picked up a new book last week, Vintage Church by Mark Driscoll, after I polished off Jesus Wants To Save Christians by Rob Bell. It was a bit of a slow start, but I really started digging it tonight as Mark started outlining the development of The Church throughout history. The following section on the Modern Era Church and the individual really hit home with me:
Building on the modern devotion to the individual, modern Christianity in practice defined the entire purpose of the church in terms of the individual over and above the glory of God and benefit of the community of people. As a result, the modern church in its various forms defined the church as a place where individual spiritual needs are met. What developed was a view of individual Christians as consumers with felt needs and the church as the dispenser of religious good and services.
Consequently, the gospel came to be seen as – and in many churches still is – a product to be marketed in an attractive manner so as to draw as many customers to the church as possible to consume religious goods and services. Because in this business model the customer is always right, the church tends to sand off any theological edges that consumers find too rough (e.g., sin, God’s wrath, hell). While not denying them, the church hides them so as not to deter or offend the individual customer who is shopping for pop psychology, self-help, and general spirituality.
That is a pretty serious indictment, and the worst part is I have witnessed exactly what he is talking about. In fact there are times I think I have even contributed to such warped theology and church practices. I have to often contributed to the watering down of the gospel and the cultural assimilation of the church either by omission or commission. I am sick and tired of consuming my Jesus like my Krispy Kreme donuts and newest CD. I am tired of letting my pride rule everything in my life including my faith. Aren’t you?
We need a new paradigm, a new spiritual culture, a new commitment to serving our Lord and His Gospel. We need to re-learn what it means to be a new creation devoted to the Kingdom of God. We need to retake work of Christ in our world and make of our lives, lives of service and community rather than self-indulgence and isolation. We need God to restore to us the joy of our salvation, His Glory.
–Wholly Surrender!