“Christianity has an image problem.”
“Christianity has an image problem.” This is a quote from the website of a new book titled “UnChristian” (www.unchristian.com). The main premise of the book is a look at why Americans aged 16-29 have an overall negative impression of Christianity. The website goes on: “Christians are supposed to represent Christ to the world. But according to the latest report card, something has gone terribly wrong. Using descriptions like “hypocritical,” “insensitive,” and “judgmental,” young Americans share an impression of Christians that’s nothing short of . . . unChristian”
I have not read this book but I find its underlying premise a bit troubling. It seems to assume that if non-Christians have a negative impression of Christianity, there must be something wrong! But I don’t personally see the logic in that.
To be fair, like the contributors to this book, I too am offended by some of the expressions of Christianity I hear about in the USA. There have always been and always will be wolves in sheep clothing and false Christians who call Jesus "Lord" but don't actually do what he says (Matthew 7:21-28). Unfortunately, this will always taint some people's perceptions of Christianity for those who choose to judge an entire movement by their worst encounters with it.
However, when it comes to society's perception of Christianity as a whole, we really should never expect anything other than a negative perception. I would actually be far more disturbed if non-Christians in general saw Christians as overall loving, generous and good people. Remember Jesus' own words, "Woe to you when all people speak well of you" (Luke 6:26). Christians are children of the light living in enemy occupied territory where most people are under the power of Satan and hate the light because their deeds are evil (John 3:19-20). The more light-like Christians are, the more non-Christians in general (except those who are “being saved”) will hate us, marginalize us, misunderstand us, stereo-type us and persecute us. Jesus told his disciples to expect this: "You will be hated by all nations for my name's sake” (Matthew 24:9).
Furthermore, if most people in a secular society thought Christians were great people, this would mean we had abandoned the Gospel. The Good News of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection is inherently foolish (1 Cor. 1:23) and scandalous (Gal. 5:11) to most people. This of course is not to give any justification for Christians to be rude, offensive or insensitive. We are always to speak the truth, but gently and lovingly, working hard not to offend people. However, when we stand up and speak the straight truth (e.g. “God loves you but is greatly angered by your sin”, "Jesus is the only way", "unborn children are people too!" ) even if we do it tactfully and lovingly, it will offend many people. There is simply no way around this short of unfaithfulness to Christ.
So I am saddened by my generations perceptions of Christianity on the one hand, but on the other hand I am encouraged. Christians in the USA must be doing something right to be so widely hated and misunderstood. Perhaps we would experience more of that in Canada if we dared to speak the inconvenient truth of hell-bound people desperately in need of God’s Grace and forgiveness only available for those who repent and put their complete trust in Jesus Christ.
UnChristian?
Friday, April 18, 2008
