What is a Christian? Where do you fit in?
I caught CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 this morning. I think its a very interesting programme (I will place a link above once its available).
It said that 2/3 of America is allegedly Christian. However, of this number, there are so many denominations (new ones forming all the time), different beliefs, different political affiliations.
Because of the time contraints of the programme, it is understandable that they only featured a few groups. The 4 groups featured were the: (1) Political Christian; (2) Community Christian; (3) Zionist Christian; and (4) Wealthy Christian.
Here's a brief summary...
Political Christianity
I guess I’ve blogged about this before (consider the issue of homosexuality). They’re the type of Christian who believes that we must affect political policy in the country of your citizenship or perhaps even the world. This can range from championing a particular political party (e.g. Democrat or Republicant – in America) to trying to affect change in law.
They are a very strong influence especially in America. Elections are won, Presidents put in office on account of whether they are able to align themselves with such groups. They argue for law reform pointing to the American Constitution’s ‘alleged’ Christian roots – something which is completely wrong. Pulpits are platforms for such preachers to advance personal political views, rally up support during election time. I’m sure we have our equivalents in Singapore, but just not so pronounced and certainly not as influential (I guess if there’s one good reason to have anti-sedition and internal security laws in place it is this. Interestingly local churches have gone the other way, largely supportive of the government – some like Life BP have a ‘patriotic hymn’ included in their church hymnals which they apparently sing every National Day).
I shall not go into on detail my views and concerns about this group as I’ve blogged about it before. The main problem I have with this group of people is that they tend to attract and breed a particular type of person – the argumentative and morally superior type. They also tend to be of a particular theological heritage – Calvinist/Reformed. I suppose the emphasis on law and law reform is because, somehow, they believe that by changing the law to reflect God’s law, they might somehow ‘covert’ and ‘conform’ the pre-believers into Christians (getting them to live by the law of God and perhaps by winning arguments convert their thinking too). Thousands of books have been written and many organisations built all to this end. As far as I’m aware, this is not the God-appointed way to conduct outreach.
Community Christianity
Then there are the Community-minded Christians, kind of like the hippies in Christian garb. They believe that the environment is God-given and therefore their focus is in spreading the gospel of environmentalism and their ‘missionary outreaches’ are towards conservation efforts. To them the choice of a regular petrol, diesel car or hybrid is a moral one.
Well, what can I say about this group of people? Afterall, they sound so noble that something inside almost feels uncomfortable to say anything that might be against them.
However, as I mentioned in a previous blog, it would seem that the ‘science’ that has coloured their views and environmental efforts and ‘convictions’ may actually be false. Many of the world’s top scientists agree that the evidence shows human activity does not adversely affect the environment or cause global warning.
Its caused by sun-spot activity – out of our control and not even having anything to do with the Earth itself! (global warming has nothing to do with the ozone layer, and absolutely nothing to do with carbon dioxide emissions). So, in at least one sense, we should really be worrying so much about the environment. Not that we shouldn’t care about it at all, we should. But we shouldn’t be focusing all our efforts on it, human beings, especially the pre-believers, are who we need to be concentrating our efforts and resources in.
Zionist Christianity
As the name suggests, their focus has something to do with Zion or Israel. But not that they are all Jews, quite the contrary. They are Christians more focused on the End Times. Now I’m sure most of us have been there. Soon after getting saved, we get excited about what is to come – the future always tends to have the uncanny ability to excite people.
Again, thousands of books over the years, many organisations reaching out. But some people take it way too far. The programme featured churches which run ‘Israel remembrance services’ where everyone (mostly non-Jews) come in Jewish garb and sing Jewish songs etc (I guess this is one step beyond the Calvinist/Reformed camp who just merely believe that the church is the new Israel – a spiritual Israel). One preacher interviewed even went as far as to suggest that every Christian must go to Jerusalem at least once in his lifetime – sounds very Muslim to me though.
Wealthy Christianity
This is normally known as the ‘prosperity gospel’ or ‘name it and claim it materialism’. Anderson Cooper rather cleverly showed the difference in his short introduction by saying the that Green Christian would look at the environment and ask what kind of car should you drive? And the Wealthy Christian would reply, “A Bentley!”
I’ve always found this group rather intriguing. All of us know that they believe that God wants all of us to be happy and healthy and of course wealthy. We also know that apparently of we have to do is to ask and claim it. There’s never any mention of working for it (as far as I can remember) so its kind of like being on a spiritual dole, a bottomless trust fund, or unlimited ‘sugar daddy’.
I think that they may be 2 problems which might arise here. First of all, rich kids with huge trust funds tend to become snobs and reckless and indifferent. I’m not aware of any social or community outreaches by such groups (after all, what will they say to the poor? All you need to do it claim it?!).
Second, what happens to those people within the church who don’t actually get rich? (I’m sure there are some of those right?) How long can they continue to believe that its because they don’t have the requisite faith? This must really screw up a lot of people’s lives.
Remarks
I suppose when you stop and think about it, the church actually mirrors life outside the church. There are numerous non-governmental agencies and political activists or pressure groups who champion causes and challenge policy, there are those equivalent groups who do the same for social and environmental causes, there are those groups who believe are on the side of Israel, and there are numerous self-help and inspirational speakers like Tony Robbins etc.
The sad fact though, which I think sets them apart from corresponding groups in the secular sphere is that they feel the need to attack each other – showing the world the division and divisiveness of Christians. Even if there are attacks between such groups in the secular arena, they pretty much keep to their area of focus. Not with Christians, everyone must have a go at everyone else.
So what is there to do about this?
Well, of course there are no simple or complete solutions. And of course it’s a little unfair as these are extreme examples (but as I always say, humans have this natural tendency to swing to extremes). I myself do not fit within any of these groups. But sometimes I just wonder why, since these issues really do not concern or affect the core values of Christianity, we cannot all agree to disagree, love each other, and do what it necessary to further the cause of Christ?
Wishful thinking? perhaps.
Naïve and blind idealism? totally!
(well, only if we expect a complete solution)
Workable to some degree? For all our sakes I hope so!
(only if enough people see the need and importance)
I caught CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 this morning. I think its a very interesting programme (I will place a link above once its available).
It said that 2/3 of America is allegedly Christian. However, of this number, there are so many denominations (new ones forming all the time), different beliefs, different political affiliations.
Because of the time contraints of the programme, it is understandable that they only featured a few groups. The 4 groups featured were the: (1) Political Christian; (2) Community Christian; (3) Zionist Christian; and (4) Wealthy Christian.
Here's a brief summary...
Political Christianity
I guess I’ve blogged about this before (consider the issue of homosexuality). They’re the type of Christian who believes that we must affect political policy in the country of your citizenship or perhaps even the world. This can range from championing a particular political party (e.g. Democrat or Republicant – in America) to trying to affect change in law.
They are a very strong influence especially in America. Elections are won, Presidents put in office on account of whether they are able to align themselves with such groups. They argue for law reform pointing to the American Constitution’s ‘alleged’ Christian roots – something which is completely wrong. Pulpits are platforms for such preachers to advance personal political views, rally up support during election time. I’m sure we have our equivalents in Singapore, but just not so pronounced and certainly not as influential (I guess if there’s one good reason to have anti-sedition and internal security laws in place it is this. Interestingly local churches have gone the other way, largely supportive of the government – some like Life BP have a ‘patriotic hymn’ included in their church hymnals which they apparently sing every National Day).
I shall not go into on detail my views and concerns about this group as I’ve blogged about it before. The main problem I have with this group of people is that they tend to attract and breed a particular type of person – the argumentative and morally superior type. They also tend to be of a particular theological heritage – Calvinist/Reformed. I suppose the emphasis on law and law reform is because, somehow, they believe that by changing the law to reflect God’s law, they might somehow ‘covert’ and ‘conform’ the pre-believers into Christians (getting them to live by the law of God and perhaps by winning arguments convert their thinking too). Thousands of books have been written and many organisations built all to this end. As far as I’m aware, this is not the God-appointed way to conduct outreach.
Community Christianity
Then there are the Community-minded Christians, kind of like the hippies in Christian garb. They believe that the environment is God-given and therefore their focus is in spreading the gospel of environmentalism and their ‘missionary outreaches’ are towards conservation efforts. To them the choice of a regular petrol, diesel car or hybrid is a moral one.
Well, what can I say about this group of people? Afterall, they sound so noble that something inside almost feels uncomfortable to say anything that might be against them.
However, as I mentioned in a previous blog, it would seem that the ‘science’ that has coloured their views and environmental efforts and ‘convictions’ may actually be false. Many of the world’s top scientists agree that the evidence shows human activity does not adversely affect the environment or cause global warning.
Its caused by sun-spot activity – out of our control and not even having anything to do with the Earth itself! (global warming has nothing to do with the ozone layer, and absolutely nothing to do with carbon dioxide emissions). So, in at least one sense, we should really be worrying so much about the environment. Not that we shouldn’t care about it at all, we should. But we shouldn’t be focusing all our efforts on it, human beings, especially the pre-believers, are who we need to be concentrating our efforts and resources in.
Zionist Christianity
As the name suggests, their focus has something to do with Zion or Israel. But not that they are all Jews, quite the contrary. They are Christians more focused on the End Times. Now I’m sure most of us have been there. Soon after getting saved, we get excited about what is to come – the future always tends to have the uncanny ability to excite people.
Again, thousands of books over the years, many organisations reaching out. But some people take it way too far. The programme featured churches which run ‘Israel remembrance services’ where everyone (mostly non-Jews) come in Jewish garb and sing Jewish songs etc (I guess this is one step beyond the Calvinist/Reformed camp who just merely believe that the church is the new Israel – a spiritual Israel). One preacher interviewed even went as far as to suggest that every Christian must go to Jerusalem at least once in his lifetime – sounds very Muslim to me though.
Wealthy Christianity
This is normally known as the ‘prosperity gospel’ or ‘name it and claim it materialism’. Anderson Cooper rather cleverly showed the difference in his short introduction by saying the that Green Christian would look at the environment and ask what kind of car should you drive? And the Wealthy Christian would reply, “A Bentley!”
I’ve always found this group rather intriguing. All of us know that they believe that God wants all of us to be happy and healthy and of course wealthy. We also know that apparently of we have to do is to ask and claim it. There’s never any mention of working for it (as far as I can remember) so its kind of like being on a spiritual dole, a bottomless trust fund, or unlimited ‘sugar daddy’.
I think that they may be 2 problems which might arise here. First of all, rich kids with huge trust funds tend to become snobs and reckless and indifferent. I’m not aware of any social or community outreaches by such groups (after all, what will they say to the poor? All you need to do it claim it?!).
Second, what happens to those people within the church who don’t actually get rich? (I’m sure there are some of those right?) How long can they continue to believe that its because they don’t have the requisite faith? This must really screw up a lot of people’s lives.
Remarks
I suppose when you stop and think about it, the church actually mirrors life outside the church. There are numerous non-governmental agencies and political activists or pressure groups who champion causes and challenge policy, there are those equivalent groups who do the same for social and environmental causes, there are those groups who believe are on the side of Israel, and there are numerous self-help and inspirational speakers like Tony Robbins etc.
The sad fact though, which I think sets them apart from corresponding groups in the secular sphere is that they feel the need to attack each other – showing the world the division and divisiveness of Christians. Even if there are attacks between such groups in the secular arena, they pretty much keep to their area of focus. Not with Christians, everyone must have a go at everyone else.
So what is there to do about this?
Well, of course there are no simple or complete solutions. And of course it’s a little unfair as these are extreme examples (but as I always say, humans have this natural tendency to swing to extremes). I myself do not fit within any of these groups. But sometimes I just wonder why, since these issues really do not concern or affect the core values of Christianity, we cannot all agree to disagree, love each other, and do what it necessary to further the cause of Christ?
Wishful thinking? perhaps.
Naïve and blind idealism? totally!
(well, only if we expect a complete solution)
Workable to some degree? For all our sakes I hope so!
(only if enough people see the need and importance)
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