Christians and Culture part2
January 15th 2007 07:32
Reading the post before this will help. Really. And thanks to Adrian who asked the questions that he did.
Should christianity (I will not speak for any other religion as I am not a part of them) further itself through either simple marketting (or public relations) or by being a trend?
Simple answer, no. Follow up question, why not?
Simple. Christianity as a religion can certainly do these things. It can remind the world of the good it has done (granted, it has done some terribly stupid and just plain terrible things) and can preach to the world about values, morals and the things that happen where it is not. And to be honest, this has been shown not only to not work, but to not work with spectacular results. Christianity as a religion is not good enough to change the world. We are too easily influenced from the outside (look into the effects that other religions, particularly Islam have had) and certainly far too prone to corruption on the inside.
The other terrible result of such an approach, is that it breeds mass converts, but not mass disciples. It infects a society with those that simply attend on one day, but do not practise on every other day. I cannot judge any other man but myself. But I know this. I stuff up alot. Tolstoy put it brilliantly. He likened christianity to being drunk and trying to make your way home. I may stumble from side to side, but I will make my way home. I am just like that. That is me, perfectly. I know that I stumble, I know that I make mistakes, but I also know, like I know nothing else, that I am more serious about following Christ than anything else. With mass converts, there is no way that the seriousness of their conversion can be made readily apparent. This can destroy a church, or at least cripple it. This was done in the middle ages, by the catholic church and the scars of this are still seen today.
So where exactly does that leave a christian to influence culture? SImple. Christians can only truly influence culture on a one to one scale. And not through a religious means, but through a personal means. True christianity is like this. It is not the fulfillment of a set of conditions, for it has been proven far too many times that man is unable to prove himself, but it is a relationship. Bonhoeffer's definition of costly grace (being the kind of grace that not only forgives a man's sins but also justifies him, the grace that a man must seek day after day) outlines not simply a onetime event, but a full and complete daily renewal. It is also the best way of defining how a christian can influence those around him.
But what kind of culure should christians have among themselves??
JZ
Should christianity (I will not speak for any other religion as I am not a part of them) further itself through either simple marketting (or public relations) or by being a trend?
Simple answer, no. Follow up question, why not?
Simple. Christianity as a religion can certainly do these things. It can remind the world of the good it has done (granted, it has done some terribly stupid and just plain terrible things) and can preach to the world about values, morals and the things that happen where it is not. And to be honest, this has been shown not only to not work, but to not work with spectacular results. Christianity as a religion is not good enough to change the world. We are too easily influenced from the outside (look into the effects that other religions, particularly Islam have had) and certainly far too prone to corruption on the inside.
The other terrible result of such an approach, is that it breeds mass converts, but not mass disciples. It infects a society with those that simply attend on one day, but do not practise on every other day. I cannot judge any other man but myself. But I know this. I stuff up alot. Tolstoy put it brilliantly. He likened christianity to being drunk and trying to make your way home. I may stumble from side to side, but I will make my way home. I am just like that. That is me, perfectly. I know that I stumble, I know that I make mistakes, but I also know, like I know nothing else, that I am more serious about following Christ than anything else. With mass converts, there is no way that the seriousness of their conversion can be made readily apparent. This can destroy a church, or at least cripple it. This was done in the middle ages, by the catholic church and the scars of this are still seen today.
So where exactly does that leave a christian to influence culture? SImple. Christians can only truly influence culture on a one to one scale. And not through a religious means, but through a personal means. True christianity is like this. It is not the fulfillment of a set of conditions, for it has been proven far too many times that man is unable to prove himself, but it is a relationship. Bonhoeffer's definition of costly grace (being the kind of grace that not only forgives a man's sins but also justifies him, the grace that a man must seek day after day) outlines not simply a onetime event, but a full and complete daily renewal. It is also the best way of defining how a christian can influence those around him.
But what kind of culure should christians have among themselves??
JZ
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Comment by David my David
I say, lead a hidden life as a Carpenter's Son for 30 years ... then just burst onto the scene as an overnight success for 3 years of public ministry ... then get crucified ... then let your blood spawn generations and generations of saints ....
But that's just my 'personal opinion' ...
Ave Maria ..
David ...
Comment by JoshZ
A Simple Christian
That being said I think there'sonly been one guy that's managed it.
JZ
Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
I don't know what to think of the whole question of PR battles...
Comment by JoshZ
A Simple Christian
Bonhoeffer, Barth and Ellul are brilliant. Their stuff isn't always easy to get, and I have read only a little of each, but I am loving what I have read.
The question of PR battles?
I have a theory (I have a few, but here's one). I cannot defend christianity. So much harm has been done in it's name, with its writ, by people who have been proclaiming it.
But I am going to live like I can. I am not going to use christianity in a way to hurt people, but I am going to use what Christ has given me to bless as and where I can.
PR? Bugger it. I'll just be the best I can be with what I have to do.
JZ
Comment by Joe Blogg
Joe Blogg's Blog
manchesterunited
collingwoodfootballclub
Disregarding all the flowery claptrap that goes with any religion, if I chose to live my life by the BASIC (eg: every sperm isn't sacred etc) fundamentals of Christianity - thou shalt nots - yet don't believe in the concept of Christ, God or organised religion......
.....does that still make me a Christian?
I ask this in all seriousness mate.
In fact, if I may be so bold, I'd like you to address it in your blog as a post.
Do you need to believe in Christ to be a Christian?
For example:
I was very wayward as youth.
Oddly enough taekwondo set me straight.
Where once I would steal I now couldn't even contemplate the thought (admittedly I'm on a very good wicket & whilst not rolling in it I don't go without. Were I starving I prolly wouldn't be so uptight about the notion.)
But it's an interesting concept (well at least I think so).
And frankly, as far as God Botherers go around here you're by far the most open minded.
Comment by JoshZ
A Simple Christian
check back here tomorrow night.
JZ