I am barreling through a rather interesting book titled, "unChristian." It was put out by the Barna Group (Cultural Researchers). The book was written to show an outsiders perspective on Christianity. The title says it all. The title unChristain reflects the most common response outsiders have towards the faith. "They think Christians no longer represent what Jesus had in mind, that Christianity is our society is not what it is meant to be. . . They admit they have a hard time actually seeing Jesus because of all the negative baggage that now surrounds him." The authors did research for the last 3 years, interviewing 1,000's of people both non-believers and believers as well as churches, organizations, etc.
The categorized their findings into 6 main sections. The six perceptions of OUTSIDERS than the six things the INSIDERS (the Christians) must do!
(1) HYPOCRITICAL:
Perception: Christians say one thing but live something entirely different.
New Perception: Christians are transparent about their flaws and act first, talk second.
(2) GET SAVED:
Perception: Christians are insincere and concerned only with converting others.
New Perception: Christians cultivate relationships and environments where others can be deeply transformed by God.
(3) ANTIHOMOSEXUAL:
Perception: Christians show contempt for gays and lesbians.
New Perception: Christians show compassion and love to all people, regardless of their lifestyle.
(4) SHELTERED:
Perception: Christians are boring, unintelligent, old-fashioned, and out of touch with reality.
New Perception: Christians are engaged, informed, and off sophisticated responses to the issues people face.
(5) TOO POLITICAL:
Perception: Christians are primarily motivated by a political agenda and promote right-wing politics.
New Perception: Christians are characterized by respecting people, thinking biblicalily, and finding solutions to complex issues.
(6) JUDGEMENTAL:
Perception: Christians are prideful and quick to find faults in others.
New Perception: Christians show grace by finding the good in others and seeing their potential to be Christ followers.
These findings are alarming. Christians are known for what they are against, not what they are for. What we do and say are two different things. I am guilty of these all. The last thing I want to happen is my life deter someone from receiving God's free gift of unconditional love and grace. This is a lot to swallow, I know, I feel the same way, but would if, Christians stopped attacking, and started accepting, what if Christians stopped talking and started acting in love.
Jesus said it best. Christians will be known by their LOVE. LOVE is a great place to start because LOVE never fails, the apostle Paul said.
The categorized their findings into 6 main sections. The six perceptions of OUTSIDERS than the six things the INSIDERS (the Christians) must do!
(1) HYPOCRITICAL:
Perception: Christians say one thing but live something entirely different.
New Perception: Christians are transparent about their flaws and act first, talk second.
(2) GET SAVED:
Perception: Christians are insincere and concerned only with converting others.
New Perception: Christians cultivate relationships and environments where others can be deeply transformed by God.
(3) ANTIHOMOSEXUAL:
Perception: Christians show contempt for gays and lesbians.
New Perception: Christians show compassion and love to all people, regardless of their lifestyle.
(4) SHELTERED:
Perception: Christians are boring, unintelligent, old-fashioned, and out of touch with reality.
New Perception: Christians are engaged, informed, and off sophisticated responses to the issues people face.
(5) TOO POLITICAL:
Perception: Christians are primarily motivated by a political agenda and promote right-wing politics.
New Perception: Christians are characterized by respecting people, thinking biblicalily, and finding solutions to complex issues.
(6) JUDGEMENTAL:
Perception: Christians are prideful and quick to find faults in others.
New Perception: Christians show grace by finding the good in others and seeing their potential to be Christ followers.
These findings are alarming. Christians are known for what they are against, not what they are for. What we do and say are two different things. I am guilty of these all. The last thing I want to happen is my life deter someone from receiving God's free gift of unconditional love and grace. This is a lot to swallow, I know, I feel the same way, but would if, Christians stopped attacking, and started accepting, what if Christians stopped talking and started acting in love.
Jesus said it best. Christians will be known by their LOVE. LOVE is a great place to start because LOVE never fails, the apostle Paul said.
1 comment:
looks like a great read, jess, i will have to check it out. call me soon, we need to talk
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