The Debate that Won't Die

Everybody loves a good conspiracy. The U.S.'s moon landing. JFK's assassination. Area 51 in Roswell, New Mexico. Those three have captured the imagination of storytellers for years. But it seems there's a growing trend in our culture to consider the resurrection of Christ as a conspiracy.

And while this conspiracy is churning out best-sellers and blockbuster movies (i.e. The DaVinci Code), it's not a new idea. For centuries, people have tried to purport Christ's resurrection as a theory. But now there's even more attention being brought to this topic through James Cameron (director of the movie The Titanic) and Simcha Jacobavici's documentary claiming to have uncovered Jesus' family tomb, including Jesus' bones. This renewed interest in this particular "conspiracy theory" points to some cultural trends that we must recognize in sharing the truth with others.

Trend No. 1: Most people do not want to be held accountable for their actions. The idea is wonderful for others, but not for ourselves. And if there were some way to disprove Jesus' existence, thereby landing a big blow to the Christian faith, then some people would use it as a way to escape all accountability. We all know accountability only works if there is someone we are accountable to.

Trend No. 2: People believe the Church tries to get them to do things they don't want to do by coercion. A general mistrust of the universal Church exists on many levels in the Western World—and with good reason. Church leaders have stolen, lied, abused, and lived grossly hypocritical lives. Now people are leery of everything the Church does, right down to its belief system.

In our conversations with others, we must abandon a "party-line" approach to the Gospel—"Get in line or get out!" It's clear that the Church's reasons for doing things are held at bay by the growing cynicism in our culture. "Why should I wait to have sex before marriage?" "Why should I tithe?" "Why should I get baptized?" "Why should I get married?" "Why should I tell the truth when no one else does?" These questions have become a chorus of doubt that has drowned out the sweet music of simple surrender.

God doesn't give us a list of do's and don'ts for no good reason; rather, He has a plan for a better way of living that emerges when we live our lives the way that He has called us to live. One of my friends in a recent sermon shared how he convinced his kids to pick up sticks in their yard. He didn't do it by asking them to pick up sticks—he did it by telling them about this great big bonfire they were going to build, and if they wanted to help, they could pick up sticks. The end goal compelled the kids to not only pick up the sticks, but to do it joyfully.

As people passionately in love with Jesus, we must share with the world God's plan for redemption and how He desires to involve them in it. We won't have to give them a list of what to do and what not to do; they will ask for it. And when people catch a glimpse of God's glory and His vision for this world, they will not only do whatever He asks, but they will do it joyfully. IO

Loud and Clear

What was once a whisper has turned into a blaring roar. Start flipping your dial on the radio or tune into what some of the influential lyricists of the next generation are saying about the church and you get the message loud and clear: We want authenticity!

Shaggy, the popular reggae artist, has a song called "Church Heathen" on his latest album that calls out the hypocrisy in church. He tells the story of sitting next to "Sister Pam," who divulges the church gossip—and it's ugly. Deacons are stealing. Congregation members sleeping with one another.

Then there's recent Rolling Stones cover artists Panic! at the Disco, a quasi-punk band that is known for its in-your-face lyrics. Their popularity stems from the fact that they address real life issues without poetry, just raw emotion. In their song, "I Thank God for Esteban," Panic talks about the "gunslinger extraordinaire walking contradictions" and pleads this powerful line—"gentlemen, if you're gonna preach, for God sakes preach with conviction!" Their message can sometimes be dark and devoid of hope, but Panic preaches their message with raw conviction—and their masses of adoring fans resonate with them.

In my conversations with friends who haven't yet made overtures toward following Jesus, I try to be real. I want to paint an accurate picture of my faith, not one I think I'm supposed to have. Trying to be something that I'm not has always frustrated my generation and me, yet many Gen Xers live in the tension comfortably. But the generation behind us has said, "Enough!" They aren't interested in being anything but who they are, which applies to young people who have decided to follow Jesus and those who haven't.

Proverbs 24:26 says, "An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips." Our culture is in love with true honesty. We love reality TV shows no matter how unreal they may seem to us. The idea of people being captured unscripted on television appeals to the masses.

However, the church cannot sell an unattainable Gospel nor should it attempt to do so. The Good News is simply that Jesus came to redeem us from the muck and mire of this world with His life and give us an intimate relationship with God. But far too often we make it about becoming something—and becoming something quickly. However, we all know that just because our sins are forgiven doesn't mean we never sin again. That's what the culture today wants to hear; it's what they need to hear. That makes the Gospel real to me, and it's what makes the Gospel real to others. That's what "Just as I am" implies—God wants me just like I am right now.

The church is at a crossroads with our culture. We can give them lip service or a kiss on the lips. Which will you give? IO