Christians aren't so popular anymore. This is an interesting reality. Is it good? Is it bad? Not sure. Throughout history and even today, when the church is an oppressed, counter-cultural, grassroots movement, it's growth and influence is remarkable. Miraculous even. So maybe it's not too bad to be unpopular. But here's the thing. The reasons Christians aren't popular today in America is because, as Gandhi has said, 'Christians are so unlike... Christ.'
Most people think that Christians are antihomosexual, judgmental, hypocritical, old-fashioned, too involved in politics, out of touch with reality, insensitive to others, boring, not accepting of other faiths, and confusing.
Is this true? Is this true of you? Is this true of your experience with, around, among Christians?
What if Christians were known as loving to all, forgiving, genuine, revolutionary, involved with people, truthful and aware, loving, radical, inviting to members of all faiths, and simple in presenting truth?
What would the world and the Christian faith look like if this were the case? What might Gandhi say then?
So... are you popular for your faith? If so, why? If not, why not? Was Jesus popular for his faith?
Please join this Advent book club by reading The Hole in our Gospel
and this blog every day until Christmas.
wow, I really get this one. I am often afraid to say I am a christian because of the immediate category I will be put in, the one listed above. It is like a wall goes up, and it will take a miracle to move it.
I often wait until I get to know a person before I can share my faith, so that it is personal, and they know that I am not a homo phobic, muslim hating, uninformed, right winger.
This is the call, to live our faith so that others will want to know what makes us live in love.
Good one D!!!!
Posted by: tm | December 21, 2010 at 11:17 AM
Your couple shows up and they are in their 70’s and she has a cane.
Posted by: big island helicopter tours | November 15, 2011 at 10:13 AM