The world of Christian tweeting and blogging has been up in arms over of this weekend’s reveal of Rob Bell’s new book “Love Wins.” Now I am not going to weigh in on the theology behind this book. Instead, I want to ask the question, what does this mean for our youth? And is there a teachable moment within all of this conversation?
We all know we live in a postmodern pluralistic world, in which are teens are told daily that they should adopt this type of worldview. Some have argued that the best way to counter act this movement is to teach better and stronger Christian theology. Now don’t get me wrong, I believe that teaching Christian orthodox theology to teens is a must in today’s world, but I also believe that teaching them to ask questions and enter into conversations with those of a different worldview is also essential.
While in college, I was a part of and lead, a yearly mission team to Brigham Young University where we entered into theological conversations with Latter Day Saint college students. During these dialogs, we were a part of many deep theological conversations and many different topics. As equal as important, were the times when we were not talk theology, but played ping-pong or volleyball, because it was in these times that we became more than “Mormon” or “Evangelical Christian.” Believe it or not, it was in both of these types of moments that friendships were formed, faith was developed, and that God moved.
When I was done with my last year of college, my friend and I drove out to Provo, Utah and spend some time with Latter Day Saint friends we had made on the previous spring break. During our four days with them, we ate together, played a lot of volleyball, and talked deep theology. I remember at the end of one of the three-hour theology conversations I had with one of my L.D.S. friends, my friend was very frustrated. Not with me, but at our conversation, so she hugged me and excused herself. The next day we met up for lunch and with a group of people, and believe it or not, we continue our conversation right where we left it that night. Two years later, I got an invitation to her wedding.
As an outsider looking in at all of the conversation that has happened around Rob Bell’s new book I have been discouraged, because all l I see is a lot of condemnation, a lot of apathy, and a lot of defensiveness. As I sat on my computer reading blogs and tweets from “respected Christian leaders,” I could not help but think, it is no wonder our kids are leaving the church, we look like a bunch of angry birds fighting over a piece of bread. Why would teens want to be a part of a community that acts in this way? Where is this community that Jesus prayed for asking, “may they be one as we are one.”
When I talk to teens, the main concern that they have in talking to their friends about Jesus or standing up for what they think is morally wrong, is being viewed as intolerant. Now, we can throw around phrases like, “it’s not intolerant, it’s truth,” but whom are we kidding? Condemning someone to hell, or trying to prove we are “right” is not Christian; it is more Pharisaical.
Yes, today’s teens need good orthodox Christian teaching, but they also need to be taught how to be in conversation with those who might believe different then them without being seen as “intolerant” or “unchristian” (for those who are wondering, yes this is a play on the word and book “unchristian” by David Kinnaman). The reality of it is, is that we are no longer in a modern world were if we prove we are “right” people will flood into our churches. There needs to be a relationship formed first. As cliché as it sounds, “people don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”
If teens were to see what is happening on twitters and blogs around the Christian world, all they would see is arguing, not caring and not Jesus: and guess what, they are turned off by it. Teens need to see a community and church that isn’t arguing with itself as we all seek God. They need to see a diverse community, who in their confession of Christ seek God who is revealing himself to his creation, together. A community that realizes it is not about what we believe, but what God has done and is still doing.
So ask yourself, when teens look at my actions, and me what do they see?
Q: What would teens see when they look at my actions?
ReplyDeleteA: The same thing I see when I look at their actions.
The fact that you're lifting "teens" up as a group that's offended by others is suprising. All people are offended by others AND THEY SHOULD BE OFFENDED BY THEMSELVES!
This is called sin. And, it's important to look at Christ and what he's done for me rather than my own lack of perfection, which, BTW, IS IMPOSSIBLE.
Let's take the focus off us and put it back on Christ.
There has been much trepidation in regards to Rob Bell's new book because of the history and influence he has on the pop-Christian culture (specifically, postmodern - emergent church era). The key here is the history. Therefore, this is not a single instance of banter, but rather an ongoing dialogue that has been continually a spiral for Bell in the mainline and fundamentalist opposition. This is a single instance of many previous disagreements. So, people that pop in to see the banter are passer-bys of ongoing tension.
ReplyDeleteI think teens can understand that and see why the dialogue has gone sour. But, not from just one single instance.
I think characterizing an entire people group's reaction to a witnessing of a single event is not helpful. Rather, inviting them into the dialogue by defining what has happened in the past and explaining why there are disagreements can help people of all ages to see why some of the opponents are angry. Potentially within that teens may be able to "ask questions."
I also agree with the previous comment. I'm not sure it's about us at all...but instead about Jesus.
Great comments guys,
ReplyDeleteIf the church is the body of Christ, when people look at us, I think the hopes is that they see Christ and his grace. Both that the church is full of "sinners" and also full of those who are being sanctified. This has nothing to do with what we "do," but what God is doing within us. At the same time, we have to be control our own actions and how we choose to respond and deal with the situations life brings our way. This is where our free will comes into play.
While the law convicts us of our sins, it also informs us how we are to live, as those redeemed by Christ. Sadly, the church has failed to live as it as been called to many times and will continue too. Yet, that does not change the fact that we have been called to be God's image.
Therefore, while this might only be a single instance in the history of the church, it is a good example of what has and continues to happen in the church when we allow our own pride to get in the way of God's movement.
I agree that we should be inviting youth into conversation with events like these. I totally agree!
Yet, I think we are called to a higher standard then what is being shown here. In Revelation 3:19-20 states, "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me."
We are to hear God's calling, but we open the door and act. In this instance, has the church ignored or denied God's voice and acted out of their own pride?
If so, or if not. The world and youth are watching and asking, is God's grace real? Does it transform sinners, change communities and redeem lives?