Thoughts from the Past

I wrote this article more than 5 years ago.  I came across it again and thought it might deserve another look. 

 

"... in a pluralistic world, a religion is valued based on the benefits it brings to its nonadherents." (Brian McLaren)

We certainly live in a pluralistic world. But, we also have become a pluralistic society as Americans. When I went to school, we studied about the world's religions. Now, our kids sit in class with friends who belong to the world's religions. I learned what it meant to be Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, etc. by reading and lectures. Today, our kids learn by talking to their friends and observing their rituals. They have a much different standard of reference.

If McLaren is correct when he says that a religion is valued based on the benefits it brings to nonadherents or followers of that religion, then it becomes much clearer why people are having such a difficult time with Christianity. Look at what we have communicated to nonadherents:

• When you die you are going to hell.
 
• You are wrong about ... (abortion, homosexuality, politics, etc. you fill in the blank) so you should be punished, now and for eternity.
 
• You are a bad person because you don't ... (go to church, read the Bible, pray, etc., again you fill in the blank).

While it is true that Christians are responsible for the majority of hospitals, orphanages, crisis ministries, and other worthwhile endeavors that have benefited nonadherents, that aspect of Christianity is seldom recognized. Perhaps we are screaming our judgment so loud that people don't notice the good things we do.

 

Perhaps a good way to determine what kind of impression Christians have left on nonadherents is to do an informal survey. Talk to people. When you find a non-Christians, ask him/her about their opinion of Christianity. It will not take long until you hear words like "judgmental," "critical," "unkind," "mean," etc.

The world is to be enriched by the lives of Christians. How many nonadherents have been blessed by my life (and I don't mean converted)? Is the world (not just the church) a better place because of me? Have I contributed to the salvation of the world (and I don't mean putting money in the mission offering)?

I was genuinely blessed by my little brother last week. I call him my little brother, not because he is a kid nor because he is small, but because he is twenty years younger than me. We had lunch together after he returned from a two-week trip to India. As you would imagine, it was a life changing experience for him. He told about meeting people, sharing in the a "strange" culture, distributing resources to Tsunami victims, and talking faith with devout Muslims.

Respecting the culture, they were careful not to pounce on people with the "Four Spiritual Laws" approach to conversion. In his preparations for the trip, he spent a great deal of time learning about the Muslim faith and how to understand the Koran. They talked about Jesus and they talked about Islam. He described the graciousness of the people, and how they ate and drank together as they talked.

Then he made a great statement. He said they did not expect any "conversions" after a short conversation because choosing to follow Jesus is a monumental, life-changing decision in their culture, that often has serious consequences.

I wonder; what difference would it make if we took this approach to sharing our faith, rather than striving to add numbers to our church membership. What if we went to where nonadherents were, shared food and drink with them, openly discussed our faith and their faith, and treated them with respect, regardless if they ever chose to follow Jesus or not. Even if they choose not to follow Jesus, we have made their life better because they have been loved.