eh?

So I’m a theology student. Have been for the past, oh 8 years. One thing that drives me up the wall is when Jesus(read: gospel) isn’t the focus nor centre of what we “CHRIST”ians seem to busy ourselves with. It’s amazing how side-tracked we get, and how most ppl don’t seem to notice. I fully understand- you can’t win a battle you’re not fighting. Nor can you win a battle you’re fighting for in the wrong front. (Some will whine here over my use of ‘battle’ language in a war-skepic country. Relax.)

But here in America, we have a tendency driven by our selfish natures and played to by capitalism: gimme what I want now. We’re no longer used to patience, sacrifice and dependence. Now the fun part of this blog: what has this trend done to theology?? What happens if I baptize the Bible into selfish living? This is an impressive feat, since the Bible itself is explicitly a call to self-denial(so much more than that, but it’ll work for now). Well, for starters, you have to edit the plotline. I can’t have my way and not have my way. One has to win out, and if we’re being good Americans, we’ll choose “gimme what i want now.” So any word of change and challenge is right-out. And in comes the “comfort food” theology. Here’s a prime list of “pet theologies” that you won’t have any luck finding in the Bible:

1. Don’t think too much. It’s dangerous. You’ll lose your faith.
2. Democrats are the devil.
3. God wants you to be blessed (rich).
4. Terrorism = persecution of Christians.
5. Eastern culture has more ‘evil’ in it(America=promised land).
6. Jesus is coming back in the next 5-10 years.
7. The world is only 7k yrs old(it’s a great idea, but the Bible’s hoenstly agnostic on this one!).
8. Heirarchy of sin (especially homosexuals who are so much more evil than me).
9. The height of spirituality is praying and reading our Bibles all day long.
10. The pastor is more holy than the rest of us.
11. The pastor and missionaries are to do the work.
12. You’re not saved if you’re not “Ba-yab-tist”(or within your own self-selected group)

Rather than these, what you’re going to find in the Bible is a nice warning against this load of crap. We’re told instead to keep(hold dear, cuz your life depends on it!) to His commands, and to teach others to hold on to ‘em too. Now, if anyone has a problem with me questioning ppl and seeking for their best, it’s evidence once again that america is a lover of herself, not of each other.

Credit where credit is due: She helped me with the list and the idea of this entry