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Monday, March 31, 2008
Irrelevancy
It strikes me that the more evangelical Protestant wing of the Christian Church becomes more irrelevant every day. In a world facing unprecedented challenges of a deteriorating environment, global terrorism, the vast discrepancy between rich and poor, it seems that all the evangelical protestants have to say is “get saved” (we’ll define the preferred method for you) and “don’t do anything ‘bad’ sexually” (we’ll define ‘bad’ for you as well).
When you read their literature, or catch their sermons, it’s as if God doesn’t care about the earth (even though the book the evangelicals insist on calling the “word of God” labels God as the creator and owner of it all!) It is assumed (apparently) that God really isn’t interested in having His Church do or say anything about the grinding poverty, debilitating disease, and crippling ignorance that 6 out of 7 citizens of our world must live with. It is further assumed that as long as you’re acquiescing to the “right” theological proposition, and aren’t sporting an illegal smile of a sexual nature, that you can go to war when and where you choose, get as filthy rich as your talents and conniving will allow and treat the planet like it was your very own, regardless of the consequences.
I’ve been “saved” for over 30 years, read the bible through many times, and the God I know cares deeply about all His children, His creation, and has no intention of blowing it all up “when the Lord comes”. His intention is to have His Church heal the sick, feed the hungry, befriend the outcasts and generally fix what others have broken in this world. He’s probably wondering how long it will take His evangelical children to realize that they have a duty past “praising the Lord”. For the sake of the poor and needy of this world, I hope it’s soon.
