Paradigm Shifts and Sea Changes...

Almost everyone who reads this knows that I am a reader. A voracious reader, even. I usually read science fiction/fantasy/horror, with a smattering of classics thrown in for depth. I seldom read self-help or christian culture books, usually they bore me. This has changed as of two weeks ago. (Strangely enough about the time I cut the A/C off. Still doing well. Past few days have been extraordinarily comfortable) I discovered a couple of books that are having an impact in my thinking.

I recently randomly stopped by yea olde Christian booke store and picked up two books. The first was titled "I Sold My Soul On EBay" and the second was "They Like Jesus but Hate the Church". I'm not certain why I picked them, I'm pretty happy with my church.

"I Sold My Soul On EBay" was written by an athiest, Hemant Mehta. Not one of the fundamentalist atheists (such as Michael Newdow) but an athiest who realized that he'd arrived at there without giving any religion, other than his childhood Jainism, a chance. So, this athiest (who serves on or helped form several organizations on his college campus) took a chance and auctioned off the opportunity to take him to church. For every $10 bid he'd go to one hour of church; Any church, Islamic, Jewish, Buddhist, whatever, preferably near Chicago. To discourage bidders who weren't serious all the money was donated to a secular organization.

The winning bid was $504. Hemant agreed to visit many different churches, take notes and offer criticism based upon his view as a total outsider. What worked for him? What turned him off? What could the church do to better reach the unchurched? He published these for a website "off-the-map.org" and also in this book for use by Christians intent on reaching the unchurched more successfully. How many other atheist authors can one find at the local Christian bookstore?

Hemant runs a website called "The Friendly Athiest". It's got some interesting dialog that I'm just beginning to wade through. However, one quote struck me tonight:

I certainly don't believe in God and I do think those who believe in God are wrong in their thinking, but the best way to convince the majority of people that living without religion is even possible is to show them that atheists are kind, happy, and approachable– we're not the bogeymen we've been made out to be for so long. If that happens, the logical reasoning behind atheism will follow.

Hmm... Thought experiment here... Let's take this statement and change it a bit:

I certainly believe in God and I do think those who don't believe in God are wrong in their thinking, but the best way to convince the majority of people that living with religion is even possible is to show them that Christ followers are kind, happy, and approachable– we're not the bogeymen we've been made out to be for so long. If that happens, the logical reasoning behind Jesus will follow.

This statement dovetails nicely into my other book "They Like Jesus but Hate the Church" This book challenges us to step outside of the 'holy huddle' we're in. Go into the world, make friends with people. Show them that Christians aren't holier-than-thou-King-James-1611-hellfire-and-brimstone people. We should reflect the love of Christ, not the condemnation of the judgemental hypocrites. We can still be fundamental Christians while still showing love and sharing friendship with the unchurched.

Show 'em that Jerry Falwell/Fred Phelps/Insert other televangelist aren't how the vast majority of Christians are. The vast majority of Christians don't think Tinky-Winky is homosexual. We don't think that "God Hates Fags". We need to get out there in the world. Be light, be salt. Learn about other religions so that we can more adequately defend our own. I'm sorry but "The Bible Says it, I believe it" is NOT a valid arguement. Let's stop the condemnation.

We can still be fundamental bible believing Christians. We've just got to realize that someone's not going to change simply because we handed them a tract. They're going to change when we get involved with their lives, when we show them that we, too, are sinners who need the grace of God. Let's be real.

Forgive me if I rant a bit... I still need to finish my second more-in-depth reading of this book. My first reading got the ol' thinking started and I felt like saying something...

I love you, everyone of you.

Matt