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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
Don Miller still loves Jesus, his problem is with Christianity and how it’s often identified and practiced. “It (Christianity) is a dangerous term so I try to avoid it.” he says. In fact, he considered turning his back on the church several years ago because he found it difficult to attend without being offended and becoming angry. For him, the word conjures up conservative politics, unbridled consumerism and insensitivity to people who don’t fit in. Of such concerns came, Blue Like Jazz: Non-religious thoughts on Christian spirituality (a decided contradiction of terms, I would think.); a memoir of his experiences with God – stripped of the trappings of religion, which had strong appeal for 20-something Christians longing to connect with a God without ties to the religious right or some of the more flamboyant televangelists – some of whom have dressed rather garishly and made outlandish claims – who hawk their own brand of Christianity as well as books, dvds, keychains, t-shirts, etc. “Those people are absurd. I’ve been a Christian all my life and I don’t even know Christians this weird.” he says. To which I would add this caution: Many people on either side of any number of issues demonize their “opponents” or use extreme examples to caricaturize their beliefs; Christians at times allowing the unbelieving world to define us and then buying into that image ourselves.
I attend a church of 500 predominantly conservative Christians significantly impacting our community, and although it would be foolish to say there are no hypocrites in its ranks, I have likewise rarely seen what Mr. Miller considers typical of most such churches; judgmental, bigoted, hate-filled attitudes that center more on what they are against than what they are for. (Speaking of which, if by “hypocrite” you mean someone who fails to live out his faith 100% of the time, I am one. But if by that you refer to those who intentionally or carelessly say one thing and do another, then by all means they should be called out and corrected. All of us remembering, however, to “Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14)
Mr. Miller’s receptive audience propelled his book to the New York Times bestsellers list; a subsequent appearance at a Young Life Conference inspiring 4000 like-minded young people to attend – claiming his “authentic” approach to Christ gave voice to their “brand” of Christianity. Some of Mr. Miller’s complaints may very well be valid; I personally believe it a beneficial exercise for churches to routinely examine their ministry and relevance to society, periodically scrutinizing their function as light and salt to the world. (Matthew 5:13-16) But as much as he senses underlying hostility for free-thinkers, homosexuals and liberal Democrats, etc. among so-called traditionalist believers, traditionalists can’t help but feel the hostility aimed at them by those advocating an all-embracing, socially progressive religion as well. A major problem being the demeaning terminology used by both sides. Besides which, a socially tolerant gospel has been preached before, usually ending up with an anything goes mantra that is decidedly non-scriptural in its acceptance of ideas and lifestyles that are often self-destructive and damning. (1 Corinthians 6:9,10; Romans 1:29-32)
Part of the church’s function is to genuinely welcome everyone into its fellowship, accepting them as fellow sinners seeking salvation and redemption – not to soothe their conscience and make them comfortable as they are; the starting point of every ministry associated with Christianity being repentance. From John the Baptist (Matthew 3:2) to Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:17), to the Apostle Peter (Acts 2:38) and Paul (Acts 26:20); the gospel’s intent has been to expose sin and its effects on sinners, and through that revelation offer forgiveness, redemption and new life. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
If Mr. Miller’s contention that, “…love is conditional… withheld until you shape up.” is true in your church, then that’s wrong and needs to change. But if by that he is challenging the church to accept and embrace people who see no need and have no intention of changing an ungodly, non-Christian lifestyle; then that is equally wrong. We certainly can’t demand change, but must teach the valid expectations Christ has of a turned-around life. There are legitimate doctrines of right and wrong throughout scripture, salvation being a gift of God (Romans 6:23), righteousness acquired by faith (Romans 4:9); the proper response to both being obedience to his will. (See James 1:22, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”; as well as 1 John 3:7 & James 2:14-26) Anything less and we become a mere shell of what God expects of us as individuals and as an institution of change in the world, “…having a form of godliness but denying its power.” 2 Timothy 3:5 Any legitimate ministry including a response to social needs (Matthew 25:31-46), which must never, however, preclude the gospel message of salvation from sin.
Miller also claims that we should embrace cultural relevance instead of imposing cultural dominance. If by that he means we should relate to the cultural backgrounds and differences of opinion we may legitimately have with others – that’s fine, a civil agreement to disagree on some issues being possible. But if he means there are no absolutes concerning what’s acceptable and unacceptable – then we have no basis on which to build a dialogue at all.
Some believe Mr. Miller is in sync with a generation of young adults who believe in God, Jesus and the basic principles of Christianity, (a recent poll documenting large numbers of “fringe” believers who cling to certain notions about Jesus and the moral teachings he espoused, especially his loving acceptance of all people), but who struggle to balance a more conservative Christian upbringing with a culture that embraces a go-along-to-get-along philosophy. David Kinnaman, a Barna Group researcher saying, “People like Donald Miller are speaking almost like a prophet of a new age and describing the landscape in a way people who feel comfortable in that landscape really couldn’t articulate before.” Which is precisely the problem. As sinful beings, it is our nature to compromise, to excuse sin as something less than it is , to look exclusively to God’s love to validate who we are instead of allowing him to inspire us to become more like Him. Others find Miller’s casual approach to scripture alarming, especially when he strays from biblical precepts of sin and its eternal effects on our lives. After all, if sin isn’t really that big a deal, why did Jesus take our sin upon himself in such a hideous way to remove its consequences from our lives? (See 2 Corinthians 5:21)
Critic Shane Walker claims Miller “forgets” to mention that we can force Jesus to act as a Judge on our lives instead of the Savior of our souls. Jesus assuring us that, “…God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son (as a sacrificial substitute for our guilt and sin), that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17 (Yet John 5:22,27, & 30; Acts 17:30,31; 2 Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 10:26,27 and Revelation 19:11 show clearly that when confronted with obstinate disbelief and rebellion, Jesus can and will serve as our Judge.) Jesus further explaining that, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already… This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil… (they) will not come into the light for fear that (their) deeds will be exposed.” But, “…whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” John 3:18-21John later stressing the importance of obedience to the Lord’s will when he writes, “We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.”1 John 2:3-6 (See also 1 John 1:5-10)
All quotes and resource information obtained from Kelli Kennedy’s Associated Press article titled: Unknown Christian Author Skyrockets To Bestseller List.
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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