"The difference between extra-marital sex and extra marital sex is not to be sneezed at."
- George Will
Friday, January 4, 2013
On his blog lately, theological historian Roger Olson has been lamenting what he sees as a more secular evangelical church in America.
What I mean by “secular” (and its cognates) is belief that human life can be lived successfully without God or religion.
While I respect Olson's perspective as a historian (I've devoured a number of his books; some, including his big green one, I've read almost twice), I am usually not in step with his opinions on theology. With that said, I too cry for a more passionate evangelical church.
In today’s evangelical Christianity I hear very little talk about God speaking to people, guiding and leading them, healing or providing for them—or doing anything (except giving comfort).
I'm thankful that my church, and a number of my friends' churches, can not be described in such a way. However, in many ways American evangelicalism has been obsessed with truth at the cost of spirit (or vice versa), or perhaps obsessed with being attractive at the cost of both spirit and truth.
Let the church repent, and return to its first love. The more you love Jesus, the less you love the world (1 John 2:15).
"You say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked."
- Revelation 3:17
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Comments on "Olson On A Secular Evangelical Church":
2. Flyaway
- 01/05/2013 10:21 am CST
Only God knows the heart. I think the U.S. is going to be in such trouble that the true Christians will turn to the Lord as there is no place else to go. The false Christians will fall away.
4. Roy
- 01/05/2013 5:53 pm CST
Flyaway makes a prediction that I think will prove accurate. What's in the process of happening to Hobby Lobby, what's working out now with DADT will fairly soon work out to active squelching (persecution) of the church.
5. MzEllen
- 01/06/2013 10:07 am CST
Read "Christless Christianity" by Michael Horton. I visited a church consistently over the summer (in a different state) and I got a lot of "law" (how to live a better life) but no solution (Jesus) if you fail.
As long as you get law without gospel, you'd better think you're able to "live life successfully."
I left a church because all I got was law. Living without gospel doesn't work for me.
6. Karl
- 01/06/2013 9:58 pm CST
I think nhe poses a good question. When I was fresh out of college and attending law school, I met some mormon missionaries and scheduled a meeting w/ them for the following day. I then called a former Wheaton professor of mine to ask his advice re. the upcoming conversation. Along with cautioning me that they know their stuff and are well-trained and then discussing a few key differences b/t mormon teachings and orthodox christianity, he offered the following: "don't make the mistake of thinking that only Christianity can help people put their life on a better track" (or something to that effect). Whether mormons, muslims, or secularists - I know many nonchristian people who seem to have just as "successful" a life as most Christians. And I don't mean just materially/monetarily successful, either.
I had similar thoughts reading the autobiography of Malcolm X. His account of his conversion to Islam ("for every step you take toward Allah, Allah takes two steps toward you") and the way that he credited Islam/Allah with lifting him from a life of crime and ignorance and setting him on a better path, read very much like the evangelical testimonies I grew up hearing - and thinking were unique to Christianity.
So - what is meant here by "successful?"
7. Karl
- 01/11/2013 10:00 am CST
I think the question nhe posed (and on which I wordily elaborated) still stands if the word "fruitful" is substituted for "successful." The discussion might be changed or re-framed a bit, but the question remains re. what is meant by fruitful and how that word must be re-defined in order to limit its applications only to professing, practicing Christians and eliminate in any convincing way all who are not.
Leave a Comment:
I'm a little confused by your first Olson quote here.........does he define "sucessfully"? I know plenty of secular people who fit the moral/hardworking/honest definition of "successfully"