Pastor Lance Pittluck proposed that all the people he knew who got burned or burnt out and left Church all-together (not joined another fellowship of believers) and chose to work out their faith alone, pretty soon found themselves fading out of relationship with Christ Jesus entirely. Have you known people who walked away from the Church? What happened to them? What was their life like 10 years later?
Pastor Ray Hollenbach opened up a discussion about the same issue on his excellent blog, Students of Jesus.
And, truthfully, that kind of talk really bakes my noodle, because here's the thing.
The Bride is kind of a... you know what!
OK, I know I'm not supposed to say that, but it's true.
I've never known meaner, more horrible, more despicably cruel people than the lovely Bride of Christ. Have you? Maybe it's just me and a few friends who've shared their experiences, but those emotional and spiritual scars many of us have from head to toe... They're from the razor-sharp talons and scorching tongues of various members of that resplendent Bride. Devastating relationship explosions, betrayals, back-stabbings, slanderous gossip, intentional injuring, etc... Guess who's usually at the epicenter of such disasters?
You got it! Christians!
I bet you know what I'm talking about. And, it's safe to say that you've likely been through it a time or two as well.
Christians are rotten. Seriously, they're a horrible group of people. They make up their own rules and call it "righteousness", they condescend, lie, manipulate, condemn, form cliques, reject, cheat, steal, seek glory and fame for themselves, are full of pride, and all the while twisting Scripture to justify their actions. They use the Bible as a weapon of mass destruction. Christians shred the whoowee out of others. They're just plain mean.
What a beauty, huh?
Here's what's amazing to me... Jesus loves His Bride. He is deeply passionate about Her.
Think about that. It's crazy love. Not convinced? Read Song of Solomon.
What's more, we Christians, all of us, not just the viler and meaner ones, are still in process of being shaped and molded to better reflect our Lord. The Bride will not be fully radiant and dazzling until She stands before Him.
So, what do we do with the Church until then? What should we do with all Her horrible people, disfunction, abuse, and misrepresentation of God Himself? What should we feel about those wretched, hateful Christians (especially remembering that I am one of them)?
I have a sneaking suspicion that it's the hard answer.
I think it might be about forgiveness. Compassion. Love. I think it might be about not giving up on living in relationship and community with other believers even though we are guaranteed to get burned.
What do you think?
