The Way

Going back to my last post on names, I think the "name" that resonates with me the most right now is "The Way", or more specifically, "The Way of Jesus."  I recently listened to the audiobook version of "Finding Our Way Again" by Brian McLaren.  One of his focuses of the book was that the church in Acts was often called "The Way."

The phrase "The Way" makes me think of a way of life, a journey.  I have a theological education and have studied much about the church.  So, I know many of the "answers" to questions people have about the Bible and Christianity.  I have spent time figuring out the teachings I "believe" in.  But, often, my life has been empty and the promise of Jesus for an abundant life has sounded hollow.  But, when I have taken the time to "practice" my faith, things are different.

McLaren (and I'm going from memory, so don't quote me) likens spiritual disciplines (like prayer, study, etc.) to practicing for anything else.  Whether it is football, piano, a foreign language, or ballet, anyone who wants to BE a football player, pianist, fluent speaker, or ballet dancer, must put in the time practicing.  The same thing goes for the life of faith.  If we want to be people who live a life of love for God and others, if we want to live with passion, purpose, and integrity, then we need our practice!  And, we practice by carving out the time to do spiritual disciplines.  These disciplines can be fixed hour prayer, fasting, and the other things McLaren talks about in his book, or they could be other forms of prayer, study, fellowship, stewardship, and the like.  But, it is when I am making the effort to PRACTICE the Way of Jesus, the closer I feel to Jesus.  And, the more authenticity I have in talking about what God is doing in my life.

What about you?  Do you have experience with spiritual practices?

A Struggle with Names

I’ve actually found a struggle in writing these posts: What do I call my faith?  It is Christianity?  The Christian religion?  My faith?  My relationship with Jesus?  My spirituality?

“Christianity” connects me to the entire history of professed Christ-followers, both the good and the bad, the right and the wrong.  Oh, and it connects me to Christ, but I feel the linguistic link between “Christianity” and “Christ” has been strained through the misuse and abuse of the Christian banner.

“Religion” connects me to all who follow a faith tradition, no matter what that faith tradition is.  But, a religion can be a system of beliefs, symbols, and rituals.  Those are important to my “faith” but is that a box too small?

“My faith” is personal, it is mine.  But, does that disconnect me from the rest of the church/Body of Christ (another complicated naming).  And, is that trust (faith) connected to the church, the history, the beliefs, to Jesus?

“My spirituality” is also personal, disconnected.  It correctly connects my life to the spiritual, but what does that even mean?  Spirituality is an amorphous term, and not really native to my tongue.

“My relationship with Jesus” is also personal, connected to Jesus (or at least the Jesus I have a relationship with, even if that is not the true Jesus).  But, it is disconnected to history, theology, and the community.

In the end, I will probably use a combination of terms to refer to my life as I connect myself in beliefs, practice, and community to the people seeking to follow the Jesus proclaimed in Scripture (Old and New Testaments) and in the historical Body of Christ struggling with sin throughout our human lives.  This is Christianity, my faith, my relationship with the One who died and rose again for my sake.

God help me!

Others Obstacles

Okay, so I’m getting tired of talking about the negatives.  I wanted to get these out of the way first before I start building up some positive answers.  So, I will finish up the negatives (for the most part) today and start on the positives next time!

So, some other obstacles for people to be Christian:

1. Historical Problems:  The official, institutional church structures have a very good track record of talking for God, but a “spotty” record at best for living out that calling.  The Roman Catholic Church gets criticized often for the Inquisitions, Crusades, Clergy Sex Scandals, etc., but they aren’t the only ones.  Many churches in Germany joined Hitler rather than opposing him and throughout church history (for any church) there are the bad spots.  Again, pride generally makes the problems worse, and humility makes them better.
2. Denominational Infighting:  I am a member of a denomination and am glad I am in my particular tradition, but I must admit that the arguments between denominations often do not serve to spread the gospel (although I must also admit that sometimes they do).
3. Creationism/Anti-Scientism:  The opposition by some Christians to science and specifically the fights over creationism drive some or many away from Christianity.
4. Intrinsic Obstacles:  This is a category of things that are less “problems” and more just obstacles, including the belief in the supernatural, questions about the Bible, and difficult questions (like the problem of evil).  These can be discussed in a loving way, but most cannot be “solved” without damage to essential beliefs.

Are there any other obstacles you have heard people talk about or felt yourself?  

Obstacle #2: “Can’t stand the hypocrisy!”

One thing I’ve heard over and over is, “Christians are a bunch of hypocrites.”  As with any generalization, this is not true.  But, it hits closer to home than is pleasant.  Even if we discount all of the pastors/priests caught in scandals (sexual or otherwise) and the “family values” politicians caught in adultery, your standard Christian doesn’t come off too well. 

There are the well-meaning (I believe) folk who push their moral agenda with so much passion and vitriol that it looks like hatred (and this works for both sides of the aisle).  And, then there are the rest of us.  We attach ourselves to a Lord who commands us to love others as the second greatest commandment, who demonstrated what this looks like by dying on the cross for us, we are told to be people of peace, love, forgiveness, and prayer.  We even point to those who have changed the world through their faith and love (the oft-used example of Mother Theresa comes to mind).  But, often at our best we are “nice” and “good people.”  We claim to be empowered by the Holy Spirit, armed with the faith that can move mountains, and have a direct line to the King of the Universe.  But, is there evidence in our lives or the lives of those around us that this is true?  Are we saying one thing and doing another?

Are you a hypocrite?  I sadly admit that I am.

Obstacles to being a Christian

So, there are not only bad reasons for being a Christian, but there are obstacles to being a Christian.  (this, as well as everything else in this blog, is my opinion, but in obedience to a high school English teacher, I will not continuously state that)

Obstacle #1:  “Christians are mean”

This obstacle is probably one of the most unfortunate.  Jesus said that people will know that we are his disciples by our love.  The summary of the entire Torah (law) is to love God and our neighbors.  We confess that God is love.  But, Christians (or maybe “Christians”) often act in very unloving ways.  Whether this is bullies or fighting in church (which I’ve heard can be some of the nastiest fights of any organization) or fighting over an issue in public (homosexuality, abortion, and “Happy Holidays” come to mind), people who are representing Christ can come off as hateful, angry, and mean.

We are all sinners, this is true, but we are supposed to be fighting our sinful nature, not each other.  According to Scripture, followers of Christ are to live lives marked by love and service of the other, forgiveness, and peace.  And, there are many who are doing this, but unfortunately there are many that are not (and they get the most press).

Have you experienced mean “Christians”?  What happened?  How should we react to mean actions in the name of Christ?