According to a recent study from The Barna Group, 22% of self-described "Christians" strongly agreed that Jesus sinned when He lived on Earth.
Additionaly, 40% strongly agreed that Satan “is not a living being but is a symbol of evil.” And 38% strongly agreed and 20% agreed somewhat that the Holy Spirit is “a symbol of God’s power or presence but is not a living entity.”
Where is this unorthodox, unbiblical understanding of theology coming from? Why do these people call themselves Christians? Is this a problem?
Apparently the understanding of what it means to be "Christian" has become amazingly dilluted and confused. I sometimes wonder if it would'nt be easier to start over with the same biblical beliefs, but a new brand name, like "Jesusian" or "Loveist."
A little known fact: the Patagonian Toothfish was very unpopular in America until it changed it's name to "Chilean Sea Bass" and consequently is so popular that it's being illegally overfished.
I would like to assert that our understanding of sermon as information sharing is at least part of the issue. Learning for most people happens in ways other than lecture. So when we focus our teaching on lecture only, then those that learn in other ways do learn as much. Also questions are not answers so people can bring up objections to themselves and not worry about the real issues because their is not a challenge to their thinking.
I personally think that learning happens best in informal small groups. That isn’t the only way but I think it is one of the most effective. That and long term mentoring.
Comment by Adam S - Apr 15, 2009 @ 12:18 PM
“Jesusian” or “Loveist”? Aren’t those just gimmicky words for “denominations?” I feel like we do this already by naming ourselves as “different kinds of Christians” than the others.
Comment by UMJeremy - Apr 15, 2009 @ 06:38 PM
The problem with any definition is that it is never completely in control of those that it describes. There is a group of people that want to describe themselves as followers of Christ instead of Christians. I say go for it. But the real issue in my mind is actually doing something to change the definition instead of picking another word. That is what happened with “Queer” and “Gay”. There are still some negative vibes in Christians circles with those words, but not so much in the wider world.
Comment by Adam S - Apr 15, 2009 @ 07:07 PM
I’m not a fan of these Barna studies because they too often inspire huge movements of the church to adopt new “strategies” that in the end don’t change lives. I think we’ve had enough of these surveys which do nothing more than shift our focus from the eternal, infallible Word of God to a marketing schemes and sales tactics. We have gotten very arrogant in our approach to evangelism and ministry and need to get back to basics. Here’s the truth, people don’t like not being able to talk to or connect with their pastors, they don’t like having to walk 15 minutes to get from the edge of the parking lot to the sanctuary to worship. They don’t like hearing “The Devil Went Down to Georgia (true story) played in their churches.” They don’t like sarcastic preachers who attack other traditions and denominations in order to puff themselves up. They just want to know Jesus and want to work with others who are serious about true community and fellowship which is NOT only a bible study but also includes COMMUNITY CHANGING and COMMUNITY SHAPING in the name of Jesus. This trend of church in the spirit of Wal-Mart where everything is big and sacred traditions are strip mined in order to support the ego of the pastor is a dangerous one. With the state of the world as it is, I respectfully ask and plead with Mr. Barna to shut up, get out and introduce someone to the love of Jesus.
Respectfully
Todd
Comment by Todd Bryant - Apr 17, 2009 @ 07:21 PM