State of the Church

So, I have been thinking of the state of the North American church lately(today). This being a generalization of the mainstream church. I am not trying to lump everyone together, but I encourage you to consider what I have to say even though it is not nice and contrarian. I know my opinion is not immediately supported by facts and statistics...it's a goddam opinion.

I have been thinking of how much of the Christian subculture bothers me. The christianese, the fakery, the hypocrisy, the discontent, all the lying to ourselves. And while it's not a new or even substantial revelation, it is a huge 'duh' statement that we should let smack us upside the head. WE ARE MATERIALISTIC.

We have let the secular culture infiltrate us to the point we don't even see the problem with it. I'm not talking about health and wealth and all that crap, but rather basic day to day, keeping up with the Jones'. Looking at how we live, it seems to me that Christians by and large are not aware of how different they are meant to be. I don't think we'd know what true Christianity would look like because we have been so inundated with a warped mini-culture that draws more from Andy Warhol than it does Andrew the Apostle. Because America has been on top for so long (we're not anymore btw), we have 'safely' assumed that Christianity in North America must also be on top, and therefore best. News flash for the ignorant. We have not been the main exporter of missionaries in the world for some time now, maybe even as far back as the 60s (not sure when that changed). Today church growth within America is almost predominantly recognized as transfer growth, with conversions suffering like a cancer patient. There's hope, but they look like hell. The concept that 'West is Best' has been more than debunked in mainstream culture - it has been shunned by a large portion of people. Yet, we in the Church love to act as though we have the corner on 'right' Christianity. We'll never say this out loud, but the attitude I pick up is that 'We'll let them have Christianity in their culture's way, but honestly, our way is better.' Why? "Because America kicks ass. No ifs ands or buts" God forbid we should learn from any of those around us. The arrogance that has become a mainstay in cultural America (go freedom fries!) has filtered into the Church and colored how we try to reach those around us.

It's not that this is abnormal. I'm sure every generation and every culture has had their problems bucking the culture they were in and standing apart. Look at Corinth for crying out loud. It is an uphill battle to be sure. But, once we've had the revelation that our country's culture has so clearly infiltrated our ecclesial culture, don't we have an obligation to do something about it? Shouldn't we be desperate to have the Holy Spirit transform us into a family, a community that is counter culture, opposite culture, whatever, that it can't help but love us and hate us at the same time? What if we actually were a light instead of a shadow to the point that people began to persecute us because we were different and they didn't know what to do with us? Honestly, I've never heard of that in America. But I'd like to. It would be nice to see the government scratching their heads because a large group of people are transforming their cities, and the government can't control it for once. It would be nice to see the alienated and alone coming to church because it feels like home instead of flipping them off for the judging looks that cascade at them.

It seems to me that the Nature of God is truly the opposite of the fallen world we live in. We should be ashamed that we, as a large portion of the North American church, have so closely associated our culture and economic prosperity with the correctness and 'better-ness' of our way of doing Church. I think we should make a diligent effort to let the Holy Spirit completely rework how we consider Church and Christ's Body, and beg it to change us. I've seen this in some communities, in some areas, in some people, and I applaud them for it. For those being faithful in their daily walks, great. But if we have any intention of furthering the glory of God, shouldn't we try to stand out just a bit more?

Ethics

So, while ethics is an in-vogue topic that is about as miry as and articulate as a discussion of post-modernity, I have found myself wondering about it lately. It began with a discussion on piracy I was having with a friend. They were not against piracy per se, but more with the justification that some people(i.e. me)use to defend it. I won't defend piracy. I know it's wrong, I know it's stealing. I also laugh at all the ridiculous anti-piracy ads that the self-righteous pricks in LA love to smother us with. The line of thinking with which I have justified what piracy I have committed is this: "Yes I'm stealing, but I'm stealing from thieves, so it's ok."

This thinking didn't even really bother them, as much as that I applied this logic inconsistently. I don't allow for robbery or stealing in other contexts, just this one. I consider myself to be 'moral' and 'ethical' but I make an exception for media piracy. If there is a single exception - can I even be said to hold myself to a moral and ethical standard that does not allow for thievery? Today it may be Meshuggah albums, but down the road it's...marital infidelity? no big deal.

This was again brought up when I got in an accident earlier this week. The other driver was clearly at fault, so I know that I have a check coming from the insurance company. I immediately began to think of ways that I could bilk the insurance company out of money, because, 'hey, they're thieves too. I'll strike back for the common man and profit out of it.' My co-workers encouraged me in this. 'They (insurance) screw everyone, may as well milk it for what it's worth. Get as much as you can. Screw em!'

The more I have thought about it though, the more I'm thinking this is not an acceptable path. Yes, they're thieves. Yes, they steal from people, legally of course. They penalize people for things that are not necessarily their fault. They are the closest things to hell's minions besides RIAA and MPAA lackeys. BUT - just because they do wrong does not mean that I am justified in it too. Yes, they do wrong, but why should I sink to their level to get back at them? It seems that I as a Christian am not held to a comparative level of morality and ethics, but to one defined by perfect Justice, and perfect Truth - the nature of God. Any blemish is a violation of such Justice, no matter how small.

On the other hand. The company is willing to hand out money because that's how they make more. It's just part of the system. It's not perfect, but it's what we've got. So what if I manage to get some more money out of a company legitimately? Not even just legally, but ethically too. They're willing to give it, so why shouldn't I take it?

So, this is what I've been wrestling with lately. I honestly don't have answers. I would like to say that I'm going to take the high ground, and I want to, but given my previous record, I can either do what I've done before, or take the inimitable and painstaking step to turn over a new leaf of re-defining my ethics. Now if you'll excuse me, Limewire is beeping at me.