Living Immanuel
I can see a point in saying that Christianity is dying in our post modern world. It is a scarey thought no doubt. However, the truth remains that Christianity as we know is a lot looser in its moral ethics and theology than it was 50 years ago. That said, the process of change was very quick if one considers the parallelism religion has attached to the rest of society. It is the existence of relevant truth that I think takes the cake in the depravity of Christian values.
However it is I say this without pinning myself as guilty may be deceiving. I've noted multiple times when my behaviour just didn't add up to the Christian values that I still hold on to (which, by the way reflect the, still, modern viewpoint I'd say). Sometimes I feel like two people. Values I feel can be 'of the moment,' it seems. That sounds disgusting, noting the fact that I see myself in ministry in the not-to-distant future. I can act more 'Christian' one moment and like a complete *%$@! the next. How is it that one's values can change from one moment to the next? This can't continue in me...or in anybody else.
There is a really modest, true man who has visited our Providence College now for a week. He's seeking out schools across Canada and made his way for a stay at our campus. This man, Barry, is a man of godly integrity, a man I can only hope to reflect in my later years. As a new Christian of two-and-a-half years he has the remarkable gift of discernment. He has notice an amount of questionable behaviour at our campus, specifically the men's residence (where I live). He told me yesterday that he and a pair of other guys from our school have been praying for the veil of folly to be lifted from the eyes of those here at Providence. I thanked and commended him for it. I've noticed the same things he had mentioned. The difference between him and myself is that he took more of a stand. Last year I was a bit more like that, but within two years around the same cavalier feel of spiritual living it's remarkable how little it has seemed to bother me in this place now. His presence and care has reminded me to continue fervently to live like Immanuel, Christ, the son of the Living God.
I know that living the true way of Christ has lost its definition in the broader Western Christian world. But if we can discern, or have other discern for us, where things have changed so much in our lives that we have been acting contrary to the Spirit of God, I think we should hold ourselves accountable.
2 Comments:
Hey Matt, seems like a day to disagree with what you are writing, don’t take it personally.
I wouldn't say that we are necessarily becoming "looser in our moral ethics and theology" Is it wrong to play cards, watch movies, drink a beer? I would have to say no it's not. Perhaps what we are seeing is Christians looking at "laws" that they have been taught their whole life and seeing that there isn't a biblical backing for it. As for theology? Theology will always be changing, it can't stay the same. There were many people who thought that Martin Luther was the devil, but it is his theology that totally reformed our churches. As for our Theology? I would say that we are becoming MORE Biblical, people are more interested in interpreting and studying the word. They are more interested in community hermeneutics than they were before, and they are discovering new meanings to the things Jesus said (which isn't a bad thing, after all a hundred years ago we were using Paul to justify slavery). From my reading I would say that a very post-modern church is actually probably closer to what the early church was than what we are today in our own churches.... well just my 2 cents
Interesting,
You obviously have an idea of postmodern Christianity that I am not aware of. You've also dealt with the elements more I'm sure than I have. I'm still trying to define post-modernity in my head as I go along. I've heard it said that it is a difficult task TO define post-modernity. Well, I'll be sure to take a few breaks on my trek as I do so.
Alot of what I write is based on what I see around me. I obviously have not seen all of the post-modern church, and how people have reacted to it. I just know what I read. Some biases can get the better of you I guess.
Post a Comment
<< Home