The New Trend in Christianity

        There is a movement afoot that I've been observing over the last 5 or so years in Christianity. I've seen it in Christian books and magazines and heard it from pulpits and Christian teachers. I call it the Let's Get The World To Like Us trend or LGTWTLU if you want to put it on a bracelet. I believe the impetus of this movement may be surveys, such as those done by Barna which reveal 49% of unbelievers have a negative view of Evangelicals and only 3% like us. Or perhaps it stems from Ghandi's quote - "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." Let's look at what can be done about that to fix our bad rap.
        Michael Craven from the Center for Christ and Culture in Dallas states we are preaching a faulty Gospel. If we would emphasize justice, mercy, love, peace, righteousness which are characteristics of The Kingdom of God which is already upon us and is the gospel we should be preaching,  the world would have a more favorable view of us. (http://www.btbfmedia.org/sermons/podcast.xml   July 5,2009) It's interesting that he has come under fire for speaking against Islam and also gay adoption. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Craven)
        Ronald Sider in The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience says on page 119, "Think of the impact if evangelical giving to empower the poor here and abroad became so substantial that the first thought that came to secular peoples' minds when they heard the word 'evangelical' was, 'Oh yes, they are the people who are dramatically reducing poverty around the world.'"
        Richard Stearns in The Hole in Our Gospel Chapter 21 goes through the perceptions from polls taken that the world has of Christians. They are as follows - antihomosexual 91%, judgmental 87%, hypocritical 85%, old-fashioned 78%, too involved in politics 75%, out of touch with reality 72%, insensitive to others 70%, boring 68%, and not accepting other faiths 64%. He says "we have been defined by the things we are against rather than the things we are for." Stearns states that rather than being the way the above poll shows we should be like Christ who was loving to all, forgiving, genuine, revolutionary, involved with people, truthful and aware, loving, radical, and inviting to people of all faiths. He states, "The do's of our faith are so much more powerful than the don'ts. If we are truly to let our lights shine before the world, it must be through the do's that the world finds so attractive."
          And then there is Rob Bell. In his intro to Love Wins http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODUvw2McL8g Rob Bell states - "Will only a select few people make it to Heaven and billions and billions burn in Hell forever?... What gets subtley taught is Jesus rescues you from God. What kind of God is He that we would need to be rescued from? How could that God ever be good? How could that God ever be trusted? How could that ever be Good News? This is why lots of people want nothing to do with the Christian faith - they see it as an endless list of absurdities and inconsistancies and say, 'Why would I ever want to be part of that?'"
          I hate to admit it but Rob Bell got it right. No, not in his theology but in his assessment that what keeps the world from embracing us is our beliefs. It isn't the fact that we are judgmental, unforgiving, hypocritical, homophobes although that doesn't help, but even if we weren't perceived as the above Paul says in 2Cor 2:14-16
 " Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. ¹⁵ Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. ¹⁶ To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume."

      Our lives and our Gospel remind people that they are perishing. The fact is they know that we believe they are going to an eternal punishment called Hell and it is hard to like a person who is saying the only way to get to Heaven is to admit you are wrong and believe what I believe. At least Rob Bell is being honest. He is saying if we want the world to like us and embrace our gospel then we need to change it. Jesus said in John 7:7, Luke 21:17, John 15:19, John 17:14, Matt. 10:24,25

 (The world) hates me because I testify that its works are evil. Everyone will hate you because of me. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. ²⁵ It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!

        In Acts 24:24,25 we see Felix and his wife came and listened to Paul speak. They liked the stuff about faith in Christ, eternal life, etc. but when Paul spoke of judgement they became uncomfortable and left.

Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁵ As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”

        Of course Ghandi said if Christians would just be more like Christ then we would be liked. First of all, Jesus was the most unselfish "person" that ever lived and He was hated without cause and put to death in the most inhumanely way possible. So much for Jesus being loved by the world. Secondly, because of what we believe, our good deeds will never be enough; it's not just what we do it's what we don't do we will be judged for. I enjoy this passage in Matthew 11:16-19 where Jesus and John the Baptist are being compared and Jesus says,
¹⁶ “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
   ¹⁷ “‘We played the pipe for you,
   and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
   and you did not mourn.’
   ¹⁸ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ ¹⁹ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’

  In other words - you criticize John for avoiding evil people and parties - you think he is "nuts". But then when Jesus does the things John avoids you call Him wicked. It's a lose lose situation when you are a true believer.

             In conclusion, in no way am I saying we shouldn't work on our negative image and be less judgemental, more giving to all causes, loving to all people no matter race, religion, or sexual preference. Absolutely we need to change! But what I'm saying is don't do it so the world will love you. They won't. They will just find a new reason not to like you. Do it as imitators of Christ through the Holy Spirit's power expecting nothing in return.
    

2011 Christian Music Reviews (ongoing)

If you want the whole list go to January's post. I thought I would just list my top 7 thru May with their rating and continue on the rest of the year on this post. Here is how I rate them (generally)

1 - worst album of the year

2 - regretted listening to it once

3 - worth one listen

4 - one good song

5 - two to three good songs

6 - four good songs

7 - five good songs

    ( 8-10 are worth buying)

8 - six good songs

9 - seven good songs

10 - instant classic

I still feel nothing yet released has been "buy-worthy". It still is cost effective to purchase individual songs. I would recommend which songs to buy, but that is all personal taste - as are these reviews.

Top 7 so far

7.3

7.2

7.1

7

6.9

6.8

6.7

OK, now it's back to reviewing new music

1.3

Screamo Christian rock, easily could be the worst album of the year except it is short (22 minutes) . Kudos for that foresight.

2.9

The cover says it all

4.1

Second best rap album of the year - which isn't saying much

4.3

Did Superchick break up? A boring trite attempt at a worship album yet with 1 maybe 2 good songs.

6

Good rock album. Like Emery they are graduating from screamo but have a ways to go.

7.6

Yes! Another boy band and better than Anthem Lights. Great vocals and harmony with good song writing and an R&B edge. Best album of the year until...

7.5

A very good sounding live recording. I'd never heard Manafest before so this "best of" live album has 6-7 songs I really liked that start out rap but move into catchy choruses. Too much talking,shallow spiritually, and cover art keeps it from scoring higher.

4.5

A cross between Relient K and Anberlin but lacks the good songs. The band has potential though.

6.4

Once again, well produced live album, just nothing new.

4.9

Not much to add to the Newsboys catalog here.

1.2

Screamo yuchhh! Don't let "Little Drummer Boy and "Carol of the Bells" fool you from Christmas samplers. This is unlistenable.

3

Plankeye's singer goes solo. You can see why they disbanded.

4.4

Northpoint church from Atlanta spawns another worship leader and album which reminds you of how much we miss Steve Fee. And what is with the angry look?

4.2

Good words, good messages, boring songs

7.4

Never heard of this guy but very good worship album. My favorite worship of the year so far. 1st 5 songs (live) are very good.

5.5

Some good songs from rapper/singer Shonlock who is in TobyMac's band

1.1

You probably can't tell from the cover but this is about the 10th screamo album of the year this one by a group called "The Hands". It is terrible. ( it must be noted I dont like this style so this is not a very objective opinion)

3.8

Image isn't everything. Sounds like Sarah Kelly but not as good

3.9

Decent rap, just not melodic enough for my tastes.

1.4

Another screamo band. How many more of these must I endure?

5

More of the same from Matt Redman. Good but not great, nothing new, no future worship classics

7.7

Christian reggae! And well done. Love it

5

Quality-wise very good. Christian-wise not so good. Because of that I have to give it a mixed bag review

4.1

Disappointing worship from Hillsong Live

3

Could be used in a class on song writing on how not to do it.

4.1

Unique sound but I was hoping for something much better after a 10 year break. Plus, marginally "Christian"

3.5

White girl trying to do R&B. Doesn't do it for me. At least her lyrics are boldly Christian

4.0

Not much different than the above, only slightly better. No rap. Actually probably would have been better if she added some.

5.2

I'm always excited to hear the new Downhere albums because I know one of these is going to be a breakout album. Still haven't succeeded.

2.5

Wow is this weak! It must really be hard to write a good worship album

7

If you like Kutless, Red, TFK, this album is for you. Like a re-energized Kutless

3.8

Lookout Superchick, someone is moving in. (And Trinitee 5:7 - competition for worst cover art)

3.8

Uninspired bland generic Jesus music

6.4

Radio friendly, adult contemporary (which I usually rebel against) but there are some good songs here including good worship.

6.5

A lot like Worth Dying For. Very good debut

4.5

Well done if you like these kind of artsy solo guitar ballad singers. I don't

3.7

Rap album that doesn't do it for me. And another cheesy album cover

 

Kids Devotion - Bragging

1. Watch the video
2. Doug trivia - What is Skeeter's full name and address?
3. Read Genesis 37:1-11 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=gen%2037:1-11&version=NLT
   Give 3 reasons why Joseph's brothers got mad at him.
   Give some ways Joseph could have prevented them from hating him, even though he was special.
4. Why did Doug get mad at Skeeter?
5. How did Skeeter being so smart make Doug feel?
6. What did Skeeter apologize to Doug for?
7. How should you respond in these 3 cases
    a. A friend comes to you all excited because they scored a 99 on a test. They don't know but you got a 100. What should you do?
    b. Someone at field day comes up to you and shows you their blue ribbon they won at field day. They don't know you won 3 blue ribbons. What should you say?
   c. You just won Principals award for the best 4th grade student. You go up front to accept the award. How should you act the rest of the day? What should you do with the award?

Note to parents: Read Prov. 27:2 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=prov%2027:2&version=NLT to your kids. Joseph was elevated above his brothers and he flaunted it. It made them feel inferior just as Doug did when Skeeter was praised (he felt like a monkey in one scene). Whenever your kids receive honor they should realize that unfortunately all their friends will feel dishonored. Encourage them not to brag or show off but to consider others feelings and use that opportunity to build up their friends and tell them how worthy they are.

Kid's Devotion - Loving Your Neighbor

1. Watch the video
2. Read the following passage http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%2010:25-37&version=NIV1984 (Luke 10:25-37)
3. Who did the little girl in the wagon represent?
4. Who did Davey's friends represent in the parable? Why didn't they stop?
5. Who did Davey represent?
6. What did he miss out on by helping? What did he gain?
7. What did the balloon popping at the end symbolize?
8. What can you do this week to love your neighbor?

Kid's Devotion - Learning Compassion

1. Watch the video
2. Doug trivia - What school did Doug go to?
3. Why was Patty so bothered that Doug knocked down the house?
4. Read the following passages http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Cor%201:3-7&version=NIV1984 and http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Heb%204:14%20-%205:3&version=NIV1984
5. What is the best way to understand the trial or trouble someone else is going thru?
6. How does Jesus understand what we are going thru?
7. How did Doug finally understand what Patty was going thru?
8. What did Doug do to make Patty feel better?

note to parents; Kids are self centered and concerned about their own lives only. That's why they frequently say or do things that hurt other's feelings. In this episode Doug learns the importance of putting himself in other people's shoes and when he does he learns compassion. Point out that this is what Jesus did to become an effective High Priest for us, so that He can identify with everything we are going thru.