From the editors of Christianity Today, here's the events, people, and ideas of the past year that they feel have or will "significantly shape evangelical life, thought, or mission."
Personally I find the list a little depressing. Here's my take.
1. Martyrs' Brigade: Militant Muslims murder Christians in Pakistan, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Sudan, and Nigeria.
This shouldn't surprise us - the Bible warns us of persecution. This is radical faith in action.
2. Might for the Right: Conservative Christians rally as Republicans gain control of Congress.
This isn't Kingdom work - this is politics. Stop wasting my time.
3. Pronoun Politics: Bible scholars dispute gender translation in Today's New International Version.
Him, Her or it. I don't care. Stop wasting my time.
4. Faith Clash: Missouri Synod Lutherans, Baptists, and other conservatives struggle over participating in interfaith services.
Stop wasting my time.
5. Theology-rattling: With an eye on Iraq, Christians debate just-war doctrine, merits of pre-emptive attack.
Give me a break. Here's a thought: Try "pretending" Jesus is sitting at the table with you the next time you debate the merits of a pre-emptive attack, and see how it goes.
6. Staying the Course: 'Confessing' movement of classic Christians expands inside mainline denominations.
I thought this one had promise, until I read the linked article. It's about denominational in-fighting. Stop wasting my time.
7. Persecution Archive: New documents from China chronicle 22,000 cases of religious persecution.
See #1. Radical faith again. I wonder how I would stand up in the face of persecution? No denominational squabbling or political aspirations here - these people are laying down their lives for their faith.
8. Public School Pullout: More Christian parents, objecting to pro-gay curriculum, remove kids from public education.
I don't know what to say about this one... but this can't be the way to positively influence others for the Kingdom. (Then again, I don't have kids.)
9. Untying the Gay Knot: Conservatives gather support for Federal Marriage Amendment. Canadian Anglicans split over same-sex unions.
Same again. This is NOT what I want my friends to think of when they hear the words Christian, church, etc.
10. Dalit Turnabout: Asia's 'Untouchables' reject Hinduism; more turn to Christianity than ever before.
There is hope here, although it seems some of the movement "to" Christianity is as a protest to the prejudices of Hinduism.
By my count there are only 2 or 3 of these "top ten" that I wouldn't be ashamed to sit down across from Jesus and discuss with Him.
I can't think of any other way to put it. I love Jesus and want to serve Him, but I am developing a very healthy dislike for "Christianity".
Maybe we can come up with a new word.
Posted by mike at December 30, 2002 06:12 PMYeah, perhaps "Christianity Today" is and has always been a bit of a misnomer for that magazine. It might better be called "Right-leaning Evangelical Christianity from an American Perspective Today" but that might be harder to market...
Nicely said. Perhaps if we wasted a little less time on the issues you mentioned, we wouldn't have the theology rattling (#5) problem. Once again, perhaps the overly simplistic WWJD is coming into play. Thanks Mike.
p.s. Good comment on pulling kids from school. I'd love to hear your thoughts when you have a couple of seven year olds. It is a huge challenge having kids "these days".
Posted by: CB on December 31, 2002 08:27 AMI'll answer the pulling kids out of school issue. With my almost thirteen year old looking over my shoulder for this one (no pressure!!); I think if we raise our kids with the proper values, give them the good solid faith background behind them - that we can raise good solid Christ followers that will know the differance between right and wrong. Kids are thrown so much junk at them these days that I don't think there is one issue that sticks out more than any other. Between sexual prosmiscuity, drugs and just the cultural junk that is out there - that we need to teach by example and pray, pray, pray!!!
Heather
(Pulling them out of school is not the answer, teaching them and praying for them is)
I agree whole-heartedly. Running and hiding is not the answer. If we really want to make a difference (and I'm not sure where I stand on the issue of pressuring Christian youth to make a difference in their school) we need to be part of this world, and not escape from it. We'll "meet you at the pole?"
By the way: the pressuring youth comment: I guess it ties in to the t-shirt thing that Mike has blogged about. I want my soon to be teens (yikes, they're only seven) to be solid christians, but how much do we want them to stand out? I guess Jesus pretty much stood out in his culture. Any thoughts?
Posted by: CB on January 8, 2003 09:23 PMThe pressuring them to stand out thing is a good question. With my kids (13 & 9) I don't think they necessarily have to be forced to stand out...that by their behavior, their language (have you waited at the school parking lot for your child and heard the language - unbelievable!), by their values that they display every day that other kids, teachers, etc. will notice the difference in them. My older son is in an awesome youth group, that on a regular basis he brings friends to. Every other week is a fun activity, and the other weeks are small groups. He obviously only brings friends to the fun stuff, but he has kids asking him if they can come because they hear how much fun it is. His regular friend that he brings with him 90% of the time is jewish! What a testimony that is - that his friend feels comfortable enough to go to a Christian youth group. Kids can do so much for Christ without even trying!!!Heather
Frankly there are too man-y words (#10). Not preaching just saying, why give the enemy another container to poor his lies into. Isn't Jesus enough? The Name above every name. What value is there in doing something more than Jesus has done and is doing? Through Jesus is the only way. Please forgive my wordiness.
Grace and peace to you brother
P.S. After reading some of the information on this page I thought you might be interested in an audio series presented by Michael Wells called "Keeping the Focus". I ordered it from the website www.abidinglife.com.
me siento bastante bien, con todo, conmigo mismo, con mi familia, con todos los que me rodean, y eso fue apartir de que empeze a ir a la iglesia, la cual se llama M.I.L.A.N. (minesterios internacionales luz a las naciones), mi prime fue la que me "animo" a que fuera, pero un dia solo por mi voluntad decidi asistir, despues supe que dios fue quien me hablo
Posted by: angel lopez on August 3, 2004 05:38 PM