Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Common Perceptions about Christians & the Church

Christians are not intellectually honest – they’re close minded and rigid.

Christians are legalistic – they make up rules and impose them on others.

Christians are not authentic – they are flashy, slick and showy but not real.

Christians are mean spirited – they lack love and are angry.

Christians feel the need to try to “fix” everyone else and are preachy, judgmental and negative.

The Church is an “organized religion” with a political agenda.

The Church is male dominated and female oppressive.

The Church is homophobic.

Christians think they know the truth and know the exclusive way to God and that everyone else is wrong.

Christians take the Bible too literally and are fundamentalists.

5 comments:

tp6795 said...

So what do YOU think are the predominant sources of these perceptions? Print & audio/visual media? Rumors & reports from friends and/or family. Or is it personal interaction with Christians and the Church? While I agree that we as Christians need to do all that we can to effectively communicate our faith to others, I do not necessarily agree that these "perceptions" rest solely on our plate. Did it ever occur to anyone that in all the talk about God, Jesus Christ, salvation, etc., there is a spiritual enemy that wants to distort what is heard and, subsequently, perceived by the world. According to what I understand about Scripture, that is exactly what the enemy did in the Garden of Eden.

C'mon folks, let's think outside the spiritual box.

texelct said...

Yeah Baldpiggy1 your probably right. But even as I read this list I see myself in more than I care to admit. So I still want to keep an eye on myself and do my best to minimize my help of these perceptions.

Ken Shuman said...

I don't doubt the spiritual enemy is trying to distort the message. Jesus said that people would stumble over the gospel. My fear is that people are stumbling over the messengers rather than the message. I'm determined to own what ever responsibility is mine. It would be a real trajedy if people couldn't hear the message because I was too arrogant or stubborn to realize my own mistakes.

Ken Shuman said...

It would also be a "trajedy" if I couldn't spell tragedy.

tp6795 said...

I'm having some problems with the implications of the "perceptions" that were posted:

1) Christians are "...close-minded and rigid" and "Christians think they know the truth and know the exclusive way to God and that everyone else is wrong." It was Jesus Himself who said that He was the way, the truth, and the life, and that no one (man, woman, or child) comes to the Father but through Him. It was Jesus who said that He was the narrow gate into the kingdom of God. Now, if believing to be true what Jesus proclaimed about Himself makes me close-minded and rigid then I must wear that label. But I sense a subtle implication from your post that Christians may need to apologize for this "close-minded and rigid" stance. I cannot and will not apologize or feel guilt for believing the words of the One who paid for my eternal soul. I will certainly apologize and repent for my bad conduct when it happens, but do not expect me to be sorry for the Messiah's claim to be the "exclusive" path to relationship with God the Father.

2) "The Church is homophobic." If instructing people on moral living and distinguishing between behaviors that are pleasing and displeasing to God is homophobic, then not only is the Church homophobic, but it is also adulteryphobic, theftphobic, lyingphobic, gossip-phobic (not nearly enough), addictionphobic, etc. I could turn it around and say that many (in and out of the Church) are "Truth-phobic". Too often today Christians and the Church are given an ultimatum...you will show me you love me if you accept what I do (as contrary to Godliness as it may be). And the moment that anyone says, "Hey, this is not a good way to act" the obligatory response is, "You're being intollerant." Oh, and I guess God's regard for homosexuality makes Him a homophobe as well.

Friends, we can communicate with the greatest of love our faith and our understanding of God's instructions regarding right and wrong, as well as how to enter into relationship with Him...and we will still be villified by a segment of society. BUT, we must not back down from sharing the Truth (as painful as it may be) with love to the world. This was how the Apostles turned the world upside down and what gave the 1st century Church its good reputation. And, yes, apologize and repent for your bad behavior when it happens :)

By the way, I attempted to address some of your "Questions I'd Like to Have Answered".

Peace and Grace