The influence of Christianity on culture and individual lives is largely invisible.
Christianity has arguably added more value to American culture than any other religion, philosophy, ideology or community. Yet, contemporary Americans are hard pressed to identify any specific value added. Partly due to the nature of today’s media, they have no problem identifying the faults of the churches and Christian people.
In a period of history where image is reality, and life-changing decisions are made on the basis of such images, the Christian Church is in desperate need of a more positive and accessible image. The primary obstacle is not the substance of the principles on which Christianity is based, and therefore the solution is not solely providing an increase in preaching or public relations. The most influential aspect of Christianity in America is how believers do--or do not--implement their faith in public and private. American culture is driven by the snap judgments and decisions that people make amidst busy schedules and incomplete information. With little time or energy available for or devoted to research and reflection, it is people’s observations of the integration of a believer’s faith into how he/she responds to life’s opportunities and challenges that most substantially shape people’s impressions of and interest in Christianity. Jesus frequently spoke about the importance of the fruit that emerges from a Christian life; these days the pace of life and avalanche of competing ideas underscores the significance of visible spiritual fruit as a source of cultural influence.
With the likelihood of an accelerating pace of life and increasingly incomplete cues being given to the population, Christian leaders would do well to revisit their criteria for "success" and the measures used to assess it. In a society in which choice is king, there are no absolutes, every individual is a free agent, we are taught to be self-reliant and independent, and Christianity is no longer the automatic, default faith of young adults, new ways of relating to Americans and exposing the heart and soul of the Christian faith are required.
George Barna
2 comments:
I think we're missing the point here. It's not whether or not people can identify any positive changes the church has made to society, but whether or not people believe/see that Christianity can answer the questions of life, and make life better - not worse.
Unfortunately, the experience of a lot of people is that Christianity (as it is understood by the church) does not answer the questions of life, and for many people, makes life worse - not better.
We need to completely rethink the concept of Christianity, and what it means/is. We need a brand new theology - one that is relevant to today.
Just a few thoughts.
Yours in Christ,
Graeme Randall
Former Australian East.
People tend to have problems with hierarchy and erratic leadership.Give me Jesus Christ any day, who never changes and knows our hearts through and through.His promises are true and He will never fail.
There is a danger of looking at Christianity as a religion. The first believers in Yeshua were called followers of the "Way". Being a Christian should not be a follower of Christianity but a follower of Jesus.Mankind moves in and twists many things for the purpose of power and control.Watch out for any church or organization that does just that.
Former USA East
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