It is time that modern Christians asked ourselves
some hard questions. Why is it that the American media fears and protects
Islam, but knocks itself out throwing mud at Christianity? What has happened
in America that the media no longer fears the reaction of the Christian
Church? Why does the media view us the way they do? -A question for today's
Laodicean Church (Rev3)
Coach Dave Daubenmire
May 4, 2006
NewsWithViews.com
Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his
savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing,
but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Better warn you up-front. This is not for the easily offended. If you are
looking to feel good youd be better off reading something from Rick Warren
or Joel OSteen. And please dont send me any emails telling me how
mean-spirited I am, that I need more love, or that I need to meet Jesus.
If that is your inclination, do us both a favor. Stop reading right now.
There. Youve been warned.
To steal a phrase from a popular radio-host, I need some duct tape. I really
dont know how much more of this I can take.
Waah! Waah! Waah! Make them stop saying such bad things about Christianity.
That is what I am hearing from the big-time Christian pundits. "Boycott the
advertisers. Write the networks. Call your congressman. Waaaah!
First it was the hub-bub a few years ago about Andres Serannos P!ss Christ.
You remember that, dont you? The picture of a crucifix of Christ submerged
in a bottle of urine, funded by your tax-dollars through the National
Endowment for the Arts.
Next was the great piece of work by Nikos Kazantkazis, The Last Temptation
of Christ, which Martin Scorsese turned into a movie, which depicted a
married Jesus getting it on with his wife Mary Magdalene.
Recently, we have weathered The Book of Daniel, an NBC mini-series depicting
Christians as hypocritical and unbalanced.
And now, The DaVinci Code, which many Christian pundits claim questions the
deity of Christ. Millions of the books have been sold and a feature movie
has just been released.
Waaaaah! Make them stop being mean!
A few months ago, the world almost erupted into war over the unflattering
depiction of Mohammed in a series of cartoons.
The Muslims took to the streets. They defended their god. They threatened
violence, even death to those who published the pictures. I dont approve of
their tactics, but I respect their indignation. Major media blinked,
newspapers and magazines refused to show the pictures and they wrote about
the need to be sensitive to the Muslims concerns.
The reaction of the leaders of the two religions has been stark. While
Christians retreated into their churches and sucked on their thumbs, the
Islam leaders spoke out boldly and clearly in defense of their god. The
Muslims took to the streets. The Christians depended on the Republicans.
It is time that modern Christians asked ourselves some hard questions. Why
is it that the American media fears and protects Islam, but knocks itself
out throwing mud at Christianity? What has happened in America that the
media no longer fears the reaction of the Christian Church? Why does the
media view us the way they do?
What has happened to the salt? Have we lost our savor? Have we become, as
Jesus warned, good for nothing?
Good for nothing Christianity?thats what the media sees. They see a Church
that no longer fears God, so they no longer fear the Church. Can you imagine
the reaction if someone had dared submerge the Muslim prophet in a jar of
urine? Cities would still be burning. Which commands more respect, a
snarling bulldog or a lazy old basset hound?
Lets face it. Most of the unsaved-world sees us as weak, in-effective,
money-grubbing hypocrites. Might as well face facts, were void of savor, and
trodden under by man.
Perception is reality. A wise man once said, Your actions speak so loud I
cant hear what your mouth is saying. Instead of being mad at the Christian
bashers, perhaps we should start with the man in the mirror. Why is
Christianity so mocked?
May I offer a few snapshots, a series of pictures stuck in the minds of
those who dont understand us?
We fight amongst ourselves. Pastors dont work together, denominations think
they have a corner on Truth, and we cant agree on what the Bible says. A
house divided against itself cannot stand.
We strive for the things of this world. While we watch millions of the poor
languish in the depravity, weve turned their care over to the government,
while our churches and church leaders build opulent ministries, including
turning basketball arenas into sanctuaries, oblivious to the condition of
those around us. While the Islamofacists willingly lose their lives for
their god, Christians arent willing to lose their stuff for theirs.
We ignore the speck in our own eye. Fighting to defend marriage from the
gays, we look the other way at the mess Christian heterosexuals have made of
one man-one woman for life. We declare the sanctity of life, yet warehouse
our parents in nursing homes. We uncompromisingly-defend our denomination's
theological purity, while we send our children to government schools where
they grow in the Devils theology. We declare we are one nation under God but
act like He is one god under the nation.
We defend the ungodly fruit of Republicanism. More has been done to destroy
America under this Republican administration than any president since FDR,
all with a wink and nod from our Christian leaders. The defenders of
Republicanism chortle the Democrats are worse, as if being the lesser of two
evils is somehow honorable.
We accept sin in the Church. We idolize sports, possessions, and our
children. We seek all of these things more than we seek first the Kingdom.
We covet the same things our un-saved neighbors covet. We lie and cheat on
the job. We dishonor our Lord, the Sabbath, our wedding vows, and our
parents. We tithe to the Cable TV company but hoard money from those who do
the Lords work. We have a form of Godliness, but deny the power thereof. We
take the name of the Lord in vain by accepting Him as Savior, but not as
Lord. The god of self sits on the throne.
I could go on and on, but you get the point.
So, what is the image that the Church is projecting to our enemies? Do they
see a Church sold out to the cause of Christ, or a Church sold out for the
material blessings of Christ? What image do the Sunday-morning preachers on
your local TV project? A best-life-now, Jesus-wants-to-bless-you,
turn-the-other-cheek, Christian-psychology kind of Gospel? Or a
fall-on-your-knees, repent-of-your-wicked-ways, be-ye-holy,
judgment-begins-in-the-house-of-God kind of Christianity?
Who do the media think is more committed to their faith? Muslims who pray
five times a day as they fall prostrate before Allah, or Christians who pray
on the way to their Sunday morning Little League baseball game? Those who
will strap a bomb to their body to die for their god or those who retreat
into the safety of the church to be hidden by theirs?
I am always struck by something that David said before he dropped Goliath in
his tracks. I Samuel 17:26b For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that
he should defy the armies of the living God? David wasnt upset that they
were defying God; he knew God could take care of Himself. David was
concerned with the armies of God, that they would allow their God to be
spoken of in such a way.
To put Davids statement into modern language, Aint anybody gonna stick up
for Him?
If the Church wont call evil what it is, if the Church wont rebuke the
wicked, if the Church wont stand up for Christ, how can we expect the world
to fear our God? If the Church wont clean up its own mess, how can we demand
others clean up theirs? If the armies of God wont stand up to the giants of
the day, why should they respect us?
Psalm 94:16 Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand
up for me against the workers of iniquity?
One final question. If you werent already a Christian, what is it about
modern Christianity that would make you want to join?
Good for nothing Christianity, thats what the world sees. Salt without savor,
easily trod upon.
Oh, Christ is so much greater than we have allowed Him to be!
Waaaaah!
Patrick
© 2006 Dave Daubenmire - All Rights Reserved
Abrahamic-Faith