Good stuff. Read this shiz.
This is a passage from this book I'm reading by Rob Bell called Velvet Elvis. I wanted to post this passage from the book as I find it meaningful and true. In these paragraphs, Bell talks about the word "christian" and how alot of believers and non-believers alike associate the term with "good" or "righteous" or "true". Like "this is a christian book, read it and expand your faith". Just because it's supposed to be "christian" doesn't mean it's good or true. He speaks about how the christian label screws stuff up.
Ahem....
page 84
Something can be labeled "Christian" and not be true or good. I was speaking at a pastors' conference several years ago, and a well-known pastor was going to be speaking after me. I thought I'd stick around when I was done becasue I wanted to hear what he had to say. It was shocking. He essentially told the roomful of pastors that if their churches weren't growing and they weren't happy all the time and they weren't healthy and successful, then they probably weren't "called and chosen by God" to be pastors. I can't imagine the messages his talk put in the hearts and minds of those pastors who were listening. I couldn't begin to understand how he made those verses mean that. And it was a Christian pastor talking in a Christian church to other Christian pastors. But it wasn't true.
This happens in all sorts of areas. It is possible for music to be labeled Christian and be terrible music. It could lack creativity and inspiration. The lyrics could be recycled cliches. That "Christian" band could actually be giving Jesus a bad name because they aren't a great band. It is possible for a movie to be a "Christian movie" and to be a terrible movie. It may actually desecrate the art form in its quality and storytelling and craft. Just because it is a Christian book by a Christian author and it was purchased in a Christian bookstore doesn't mean it is all pure or good or beautiful. A Christian political group puts me in an awkward position: What if I disagree with them? Am I less of a Christian? What if I am convinced the "Christian" thing to do is to vote the exact opposite?
Christian is a great noun and a poor adjective
I was playing in a punk band a few years ago, and we were playing clubs and bars and festivals and parties. People would regularly ask us if we were a Christian band when they found out I was a pastor. I always found the question a bit odd. When you meet a plumber, do you ask her if she is a Christian plumber? I realize now why I chafed against the question.
My understanding is that to be Christian is to do whatever it is that you do with great passion and devotion. We throw ourselves into our work because everything is sacred. I love how Paul put it in Colossians: "Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus." he is teaching people to live as Christians, and then whatever they do will be sacred, holy work. Music is already worship. Music is already praise. Music is sacred. Music is good. ( I like this line alot so I'll capitalize, not to get over zealous)
CREATION DOESN'T NEED A LABEL TO MAKE IT SACRED OR ACCEPTABLE OR BLESSED.
When God made the world, God called it "good". Now obviously anything can be corrupted and desecrated and used for purposes other than those which God intends, but making music is sacred enough. Paul put it like this, "For everything God created is good."
End of passage
I love how when I delve into God, I find that he's bigger than the faith we've created here on earth. I love that he's bigger than our doubt. That he can exist perfectly fine if we don't believe, that he can not be harmed if we don't capitalize "he" when writing about him, that he sees beauty in things that our culture says are unsightly and wrong. I love hearing that it's o.k. to have problems with the bible. That it's o.k. to disagree and to have problems with God and that he's fine with that. I love hearing that he loves us no matter what. The phrase "Jesus love me" seemed really cliche to me before, but I kinda appreciate it more these days when I realize (excuse the paradox) the complexity in it's simplicity.
I recommend this book -- Velvet Elvis by: Rob Bell -- for anyone who is drawn to truth ( "christian" or not). Good stuff.
Much love.
Now Go Forth And Die.
YEAH DETHKLOK!!!!!
Ahem....
page 84
Something can be labeled "Christian" and not be true or good. I was speaking at a pastors' conference several years ago, and a well-known pastor was going to be speaking after me. I thought I'd stick around when I was done becasue I wanted to hear what he had to say. It was shocking. He essentially told the roomful of pastors that if their churches weren't growing and they weren't happy all the time and they weren't healthy and successful, then they probably weren't "called and chosen by God" to be pastors. I can't imagine the messages his talk put in the hearts and minds of those pastors who were listening. I couldn't begin to understand how he made those verses mean that. And it was a Christian pastor talking in a Christian church to other Christian pastors. But it wasn't true.
This happens in all sorts of areas. It is possible for music to be labeled Christian and be terrible music. It could lack creativity and inspiration. The lyrics could be recycled cliches. That "Christian" band could actually be giving Jesus a bad name because they aren't a great band. It is possible for a movie to be a "Christian movie" and to be a terrible movie. It may actually desecrate the art form in its quality and storytelling and craft. Just because it is a Christian book by a Christian author and it was purchased in a Christian bookstore doesn't mean it is all pure or good or beautiful. A Christian political group puts me in an awkward position: What if I disagree with them? Am I less of a Christian? What if I am convinced the "Christian" thing to do is to vote the exact opposite?
Christian is a great noun and a poor adjective
I was playing in a punk band a few years ago, and we were playing clubs and bars and festivals and parties. People would regularly ask us if we were a Christian band when they found out I was a pastor. I always found the question a bit odd. When you meet a plumber, do you ask her if she is a Christian plumber? I realize now why I chafed against the question.
My understanding is that to be Christian is to do whatever it is that you do with great passion and devotion. We throw ourselves into our work because everything is sacred. I love how Paul put it in Colossians: "Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus." he is teaching people to live as Christians, and then whatever they do will be sacred, holy work. Music is already worship. Music is already praise. Music is sacred. Music is good. ( I like this line alot so I'll capitalize, not to get over zealous)
CREATION DOESN'T NEED A LABEL TO MAKE IT SACRED OR ACCEPTABLE OR BLESSED.
When God made the world, God called it "good". Now obviously anything can be corrupted and desecrated and used for purposes other than those which God intends, but making music is sacred enough. Paul put it like this, "For everything God created is good."
End of passage
I love how when I delve into God, I find that he's bigger than the faith we've created here on earth. I love that he's bigger than our doubt. That he can exist perfectly fine if we don't believe, that he can not be harmed if we don't capitalize "he" when writing about him, that he sees beauty in things that our culture says are unsightly and wrong. I love hearing that it's o.k. to have problems with the bible. That it's o.k. to disagree and to have problems with God and that he's fine with that. I love hearing that he loves us no matter what. The phrase "Jesus love me" seemed really cliche to me before, but I kinda appreciate it more these days when I realize (excuse the paradox) the complexity in it's simplicity.
I recommend this book -- Velvet Elvis by: Rob Bell -- for anyone who is drawn to truth ( "christian" or not). Good stuff.
Much love.
Now Go Forth And Die.
YEAH DETHKLOK!!!!!