“A publican, a tax collector and a Gentile walk into a bar…”
In an odd article in the Wall Street Journal, we read about a group called Veritas Riff, a Christian comedic group.
Veritas Riff comes at a moment of transition for evangelicals, after the retirement or death of the most visible figures of the past generation, including Jerry Falwell and James Dobson. In "To Change the World," the year's most widely discussed Christian book, James Davison Hunter (who first became known as the author of the 1991 book "Culture Wars") suggests that evangelicals should take a deep breath and retreat from the public square for a spell. They should de-emphasize politics and develop a posture of "faithful presence." The organizers of Veritas Riff agree that their would-be Christian thought leaders should take a deep breath. But then, they argue, evangelicals should step forward and start to riff. If these improvisation techniques succeed, the organizers will have in their words "equipped Christian thought leaders with the communication skills and peer support to become recognized and compelling cultural commentators" for a new generation.
I actually haven’t even heard of “To Change the World”, so if it is the most discussed Christian book of the year I should maybe check it out. Has anyone read it?
I understand what is going on and I applaud the idea of trying to reach the lost without demanding that they come and listen to a sermon in a church. I am not as convinced that cultural engagement should be driven with being just like the world without the cursing and sex talk. Trying to emulate the world to reach the world seems a little off and is the driving force behind churches with glamorous A/V presentations, cutesy program names and preachers with graphic t-shirts and groovy glasses. Again, I am with them in part. Too much of Christian thought and discussion has happened in the hallowed halls of academia and frankly that has led to all sorts of mischief. It is past time that Christians outside of the high priests of academia and clergy in the church start getting involved in the mission of the church and driving some of the conversations. I am not sure that Christian improv is the way to go.
Instead of “See we are normal people just like you in spite of being Christians. We can even tell jokes!” perhaps the message should be “We are different and being Christians is the reason why. Come and see why Jesus makes us a peculiar people”. If the way we live our lives doesn’t set us apart from the rest of the world, then going to church on Sunday morning certainly does seem hypocritical to the world.
I am not one to wag my finger at these folks involved in reaching out to the culture in different ways and bark about them needing more preachin’ (i.e. sermons). I also don’t think that trying to tailor our message to be cultural chameleons is the right answer either. I do think we need to witness to the world by our lives in the world being distinct from the world.
3 comments:
Arthur, I totally agree with what you saying about not "being just like the world without the cursing and sex talk" but what about people whoa re good at being stand up comedians? How do they transfer their faith into their vocation? Just like with anyone who works a "secular" job?
-Dan
I think you hit the nail on the head in the next to last paragraph. Our message should not at all be "We're just like you." Nor should it be, "We're better than you, you filthy sinners!" Instead, it should be, "We're different from you, in a positive, life-changing way."
Hey guys, I'm glad you're thinking about this. I think the point of that article, though, is not about how they are changing the message of Christianity, but that there are few Christians who are skilled in cultural commentary, who could speak from the orthodox Christian perspective to the New York Times or (per the example) the Wall Street Journal and be understood positively. The article did not seem to have much to do with whether Christians should be like or not like the world, but just that there should be Christians who are good at communicating smoothly and intelligently (and they should be funny...funny is good). What do you think about that take on it? Thanks for your thinking about this stuff, though!
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