Peddling Christianity
I was watching the news and saw another story about a trendy church promoting their new teaching series about sex. Their marketing campaign included, among other things, provocative mailers, flyers and even a billboard ad. This is perhaps the third time I’ve seen a church market a series like this in our city just in this past year, and it honestly embarrassed me, again.
Why? Don’t get me wrong. I’m not at all ashamed by the subject matter or by the fact that a church is willing to talk about it. I’m embarrassed as a Christian and as a pastor because the gimmicky appeal simply perpetuates the negative stereotype of Christianity that it is a cheap and shallow religion. You see, many people already think that Christianity is an American religion that derived in the last few hundred years, and this kind of ploy only reinforces that perception.
Any student of religion knows that Christianity is certainly not a modern invention of American culture, and it is absolutely not even a Western religion as its origins and foundations are in the ancient Middle East. In fact, its Judaic roots go so far back into history that in its incipient form Christianity can make the claim that it actually predates all the other religions in the world today. But, you wouldn’t know that when you get a mailer or drive by a billboard like that here in the United States, would you?
No, you’d probably think that Christianity is an American invention created by the founders of our country as part of the great American experiment. As Christianity is often presented in our culture today, you might easily get the impression that it is a religion that exists to serve the needs of American citizens and to make their lives better here in this country. But, that is simply not what Christianity is about.
In his book Amusing Ourselves To Death, Neil Postman wrote this: “I believe that I am not mistaken in saying that Christianity is a demanding and serious religion. When it is delivered as easy and amusing, it is another kind of religion altogether.” American Christianity, when it is portrayed as light and entertaining, is not really Christianity at all. It is, as Postman says, “another religion altogether”.
Personally, I’m having a hard time picturing James or Peter back in Jerusalem sticking flyers in the doors of their neighbors inviting them to come hear a series on “How to have great sex” or “How to be successful in your trade”. Had they done so, I’m quite sure more people would have shown up, but those people would probably have gotten the wrong impression about Christianity.
They would likely have drawn the conclusion that Christianity is there to serve their needs and provide them the keys to living a more fulfilling existence. And yet, that isn’t what Jesus offered to his followers during his time on earth. Jesus told his disciples that following him wouldn’t add more friends, it would subtract them. Following him wouldn’t make them more successful, it would likely take it away. And, following him wouldn’t give them a better life, it would probably cost them theirs.
When Jesus preached wherever He went, we see that He deliberately thinned the crowds who had gathered by calling them to count the cost of following after him. People came from all over, perhaps hoping to hear something they liked, but we read in the gospels that many turned away from him when Jesus didn’t tell them what they wanted to hear.
What resulted after this exodus was a gallery of followers who were fewer in number but who also were more sincere and devoted in their faith. This small band of disciples were more than willing to give up their comfort, give away their possessions, and give their very lives for the One who called them. And, it was this band of followers that, as it says in the book of Acts, “turned the world upside down”.
There is a story about the Italian warrior Garibaldi who long ago asked young followers to join his crusade to defend his country. They asked him: “What do you offer us?” His response was: “Offer you? I offer you neither pay nor quarters nor provisions. I offer hunger, thirst, forced marches, battle, and death. Let him know who loves his country in his heart, not with his lips only, follow me.”
This is akin to what Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 10:34-39 when He said: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace (read comfort, pleasure and success) to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Now, admittedly that is not a very likable message, but it is the true message nonetheless. The call of Jesus upon his followers is to a life of sacrifice and devotion, not a life of comfort and pleasure. That message doesn’t sell too well here in America, but we must make a choice between selling success and telling the truth. And, the truth is that real Christianity isn’t cheap and shallow, it’s costly and challenging.
Hundreds of years ago there was a king named Abu Taber, when threatened by invading forces and visited by an ambassador with terms of peace, he summoned one of his soldiers, handed him a dagger and commanded: “Plunge this into your chest.” Immediately the soldier obeyed and fell dead at his feet. Then, calling another, he ordered: “Leap over that precipice and into the Euphrates.” Without a moment’s hesitation that soldier leaped to his death.
Then, turning to the ambassador, the king said: “Go, tell your master that I have 500 men like that, and that within 24 hours I will have him chained with my dogs.” And, the story is that even against overwhelming odds, Abu Taber and his small but devoted band of followers won that war convincingly.
What is the point of this story? Well, the point is simply that having fewer but more devoted followers is actually preferable to having more but less faithful ones. That is what Jesus chose for himself and intended for those who would follow him, but many wouldn’t know that by the caricatured version of Christianity that they experience so often today.
Rarely do people hear the convicting but truthful message about Christianity in our culture, that it is indeed as Neil Postman said “a demanding and serious religion”. The honest truth is that Christianity isn’t shallow and cheap, and it’s high time that pastors and churches stop presenting it that way.
If you are a pastor, elder or ministry leader of any kind, consider this a plea to stop trivializing our faith by peddling an inauthentic form of Christianity. Please stop the mailers, the flyers and the billboards that embarrass the church and make her look like a cheap tramp when she is the holy and unblemished bride of Jesus Christ.
For those of us that care deeply about preserving not just the message of our faith but also the legacy of our faith, we are asking that church leaders rethink how they sell the gospel in America. The truth is that Christianity is supposed to be a hard sell and many people just won’t be up to the task, so we are not doing them or our faith any favors by selling it on the cheap.
What I’m genuinely concerned about is that by peddling gimmicky Christianity we are not only filling our churches with insincere, halfhearted consumers but that we are also jeopardizing the legitimacy of our faith by encouraging it. This kind of selling doesn’t accomplish the mission that Jesus began and it even imperils the reputation of the Church in the world.
I believe, therefore, that the best thing we can do both for people and for our faith is to be up front and honest about the serious demands of Christianity so that we won’t defraud the people who come to our churches looking for genuine Christianity and so that we won’t defile the reputation of our churches in front of those who don’t.
Amen! Well said. If we, who call ourselves Christians, followed our Lord and Saviour with the same faithfulness as the 500 men loyal to King Abu Taber, the world would not have the distorted view of the church it now holds.
How about a marketing campaign seeking those willing to die for Christ?
Maybe it goes like this — Don’t show up at (insert name of your church) this Sunday unless you’re ready to die for Jesus! And the sermon could be how if you’re ready to die for Him, then do what may even be harder — LIVE for Jesus.
Thanks, Miles. That would certainly “thin the crowds”, I think. But, then again, that’s pretty much what Jesus told his disciples and what those who followed him came to expect, isn’t it?! I appreciate the comment.
I love your blogs not just because of the content, but because of the quotes, stories, and references that go along with your opinions. Abu Taber’s men sound like the sequel to 300. I wish the church didn’t feel like it had to sell itself to people. A pet peeve of mine are church marquees with what they think are witty quips to pique your interest in their sermon series. (I think this was exacerbated by John Lynch ranting about it once… I’m not alone!) The draw should be coming from genuine believers in the church living lives that others notice as different and they want it.
Thanks, Scott! I agree with you. And, perhaps we should write the script for 500 and pitch it…would make a great sequel to 300, I think!
Word, Kent.
I’m so fed up with the American church at large. It horrifies me to think of how often we misrepresent God with our words and actions. I’m so glad you’re committed to the study of the intersection of faith and culture–we need more people like you in our pulpits, brother!
Thanks, sis! I know we are simpatico about these things. Appreciate the comment.
Kent – That was absolutely awesome and right on!! I have said those exact same things when I see certain mailers (like “How to have Hot, Sizzling Sex”) and other publicity sent out by churches. I feel like many churches in America are far more interested in being “cool” than committed and Christlike. I feel like, in the name of “evangelism,” (i.e. “I have become all things to all men…”) we are trashing the gospel and denigrating God’s name. I feel like “in the name of evangelism” anything goes and discernment is thrown out the window. I’m all for doing everything we can to reach lost people for Christ (the “Roaring Lambs” concept you spoke of a few months ago is right on). But I feel like we have forgotten that HOW we do WHAT we do communicates a lot about us and our message. Our “methods” are not completely neutral. They speak volumes about our view of God and our view of ourselves.
And by the way (as a side note), you definitely have a profound gift of writing! I read fairly extensively (at least one book a week – besides journals, periodicals, magazines, etc.), and I can honestly say that you communicate with the best I’ve read. You have a way with words that flows smoothly. What you say is genuinely meaningful and thoughtful. And (most importantly) you communicate clearly! When I read what you write I think of men like Philip Yancey! Keep WRITING Kent! Blessings to you and your family!
Thanks, Paul! I really appreciate the feedback, especially the encouragement about my writing. I love to write as much as I love to speak and hope to be able to do more of it in the future. Philip Yancey is one of my favorite authors so sharing a sentence with him is a real honor!
Kent – Let me also add – I also consider you to be an excellent speaker (clear, concise and compelling). I realized my post focused exclusively on your writing, and unintentionally didn’t mention your speaking / preaching / teaching ability – which is superb! I do hope, in the midst of your preaching / teaching / speaking, that you will write a book soon – I will definitely read it!
AMEN!!! Great post about a critically important topic for our day.
May God continue to bless your ministry for Him.
He is coming very soon!
In Him,
Robert Lloyd Russell
Thanks, Robert. I appreciate the comment. Blessings on you!
Hi Kent,
What a well written blog! This is why I listen to you preach from Colorado. You say the stuff that many pastors fail to say. The pulpit has confused the secular and the sanctified. There is a plethora of misguided people filling the pews every Sunday and they become addicted to the church on the billboard. I recommend a book called “Radical” by David Platt. (I recently read “Amusing Ourselves to Death” thus enjoyed your references.)
With that said, I have to ask you. Do you believe that you can still live in America and live a life that is truly dedicated to the Lord while enjoying life? While we must be willing and ready to give up everything; are we to live this life in America void of any enjoyment and pleasure? Or can we live simultaneously for God as a sojourner, enjoying the journey, but continuously thinking about the final destination of the journey.
Lastly, I do not agree with billboarding things like sex to the world outside of the church; although, I strongly believe in teaching it WITHIN the church. Recently, my fiancé and I took a small class (6 couple) through an engagement class at church. We spent ample time speaking of sex within marriage. This was great! It prepared us for a biblical basis for sex and marriage. Therefore, I think it is important to have these tools, accountability resources, training, and mentors available; especially, for young couples that are engaged.
Thanks, Steven! I think it is hard to live the Christian life in such a materialistic and indulgent society but not impossible. I recall hearing a gal from another country say that it must be so hard to be a Christian in America because we have everything. I think she’s right. I think it is possible to have and enjoy material riches and still have a vital Christian walk, but it is difficult because material riches easily steal our trust in and dependence upon God.
As for sex, we absolutely need to talk about it in church. Sex in marriage is a gift that comes with instructions, and we need to study and share those instructions in order to fully enjoy it. I just hate seeing sex used as a gimmick to stir up publicity or church attendance.
I must say, I am perplexed. I agree it is easy to succumb to the materialistic pleasures of the world. Jesus clearly offers plenty of warning through the Gospels, but aside from materialism, surely God intends for His creation to enjoy the pleasures of life—marriage, children, relationships, worship, taste, smell, etc. I say this because I just finished listening to a podcast by Wayne Grudem. In his last recorded systematic theology lesson from SBC, he was eluding to pleasures we enjoy now and how they carry on into Heaven. He recommended a book that I just began tonight “Heaven” by Randy Alcorn.
Do you have any thoughts?
Steven, yes, absolutely God intends for us to enjoy all the good things He provides us in this life including relationships, experiences, food, drink, work, hobbies, etc. The key to enjoyment of those things is having the proper perspective on them. As good as those things are, they have the potential to become idols in our lives if we assign them more importance than they deserve. We just have more potential idols around us living in such a material rich society.
Interesting, clearly God has laid this on my heart for a reason and you just answered the question I have been wrestling with for quite a few weeks—that is, what is the balance of pleasure and holiness. Or how are we live in today’s society with pleasure and still honor God. Thank you for this enlightening blog and clarifying my confusion.