My favorite line (except the one about the women showing off their boobies--that one is hilarious) is this taken from Ed Young Jr.'s sermon:
* God's Authority is like an umbrella. Men/Husbands should hold it and everyone else in the family should huddle around him.
* A family should tithe 10% (fine), save 10% (cool), and the other 80% is "your money to go shop for the glory of God." I. SHIT. YOU. NOT.
Shop for the glory of God. WWJD? Shop his ass off, evidently.
8 comments:
Of course Jesus would shop.
You don't think he'd let the terrorists win, do you?
I knew there was a reason to keep buying shoes.
So, does Jesus take American Express?
I mean, it IS American and all. Besides, I think Visa is French or something.
LOL zalm, LOL
I really like reading your blog. Churches are made up of people and they bring to it the culture that dominates their lives. We live in a consumer society and some churches reflect that aspect of society.
Okay, I've gotten the snark out of my system. Maybe.
I think that your comment, greek shadow, is quite an accurate depiction of many churches today. But I wonder if it's only descriptive.
I guess I'd put two questions to you (or anyone else, for that matter):
How much do you think culture should shape the church and how much should the church shape culture?
And is there a point at which the church becomes so shaped by the culture that it ceases to be recognizable as the church?
Zalm and the Badger are on fire. CG, of course, Jesus wants you to have more shoes. Actually, me too. SOF has noticed that I have a bit of a liking for well-made and comfortable shoes. But Eccos and Rockports are expensive. And I love Starbucks--just not in church. What is wrong with forming a coffee club and buying Starbucks coffee?
So, for those who wonder, I am a capitalist consumer. I think the only difference between me and the conservative evangelicals like Ed Young JR., is that I feel bad about it.
Greek Shadow, thanks for your contributions. I agree completely. Christians and churches operate in a cultural context. The problem is when they assume that that cultural context is Christianity, and that is what bugs me here. I completely understand them being more consumerist. What I don't understand is them talking about how different they are from the "world."
Let's face it. If you can market the crucifixion with a straight face, then you are a candidate for Madison avenue--not some counter-culture hero.
"Oh Lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz? My friends all drive Porsches; I must make amends!"
See? Even Janice says that God not only wants us to shop, but can put the purchase on his tab as well!
OK seriously...Zalm, you pose some interesting questions. I only hav this answer to offer right now. I think the point that the Church ceases being the church is the point where culture shapes it so much that it no longer follows the bible on which it is based. I believe to a significant degree the church has reached that point. That is part of why I am no longer a part of it.
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