Combine Christianity with Politics and what do you get? A bunch of mixed messages.
This is an excellent video on the Acquire the Fire: Battle Cry movement. It’s very even handed and brings up some good points.
My favorite moment: watch Ron Luce squirm as he’s asked about telling kids not to sell out on culture and ATF cashing in on it with their own merchandising. The funny thing is, I actually like Ron Luce. I just think that things have gotten off track.
Here’s my main beef:
The Battle Cry becomes an agenda to push Christian values and less about following Christ. This is where the danger lies. They are teaching the kids to strike out against the world because it’s immoral. I’m not arguing this fact. The world has always been immoral, that’s what sin is all about. This immorality is nothing new.
Why aren’t we teaching the youth to change the world through the power of Christ. Christ is the one who changes lives, not agendas or protesting. We’re becoming more militant and less loving. As we walk down this road, we become less and less like Christ.
Are we in a battle? Yes, but it isn’t against flesh and blood (Eph 6:12). If this is true, then why fight against flesh and blood? Where is pursuit of the Lord? Where is prayer? Christianity isn’t about morality, it’s about a revolutionary, all-encompassing, life change. Christ came to free, liberate and ransom the hurting and lost – not to condemn them.
In this video, are we any step closer to sharing Christ with the people who are protesting against the Battle Cry kiddos? News flash: we’re all sinners and no better than anyone else. Christ came to save us all, and some of us have stumbled upon His grace and live in it. It’s not about anything we did, it was a free gift for all. Some are in the light and some aren’t. It’s our job to love those who aren’t in the light, to share with them what Christ has done for them. That is it.
Our battle cry? Follow Jesus with every ounce of your being. Fight out the battle within ourselves versus our flesh. Love others. Love God. Share Christ. If we want a movement to change things, this is the only recipe. Otherwise we’re just angry and ranting with sweet Christian rock music playing.
Wow! You are right. The battle is within. So many Christian organizations are fighting the battle of Genesis 2 when they were called to live the life of Genesis 1. In Genesis 1, man was created in the image of God to be a spirit being. In Genesis 2, he was formed from dust to be a physical being. He was supposed to live in the realm of Genesis 1 but he allowed form to rule over spirit. We need to go back to the life of Genesis 1. Thanks for shedding this light.
Thank you so much. I constantly want to teach our kids to look like Christ. Loving, compassionate, radical, etc. I have found that preaching against sin really does little to actually curb sin. Instead teaching them what to DO as Christians, how to be radical Christ followers, does more to dissuade from sin then anything else. A book that really encouraged my thinking in this is “irrisistable revolution” by Shane Clairborne. Thanks for letting me know I’m not the only one feeling this way.
you are so true, even though i’m a christian myself, i think this battlecry movement is misleading. especially with the rallying and protesting. it isn’t just right. God teaches us to respect the authorities (the state), and what they’re doing is not that.
what we need to do is to SHARE THE WORD OF GOD to these people if we really want change. because it is God’s command for us, not rise in protest against the god-instituted authorities.
You are so right. I’m new in my youth ministry position at this church and, although they traditionally attend ATF, this year I asked that we try something else instead, so we’re going to Planet Wisdom. However, many other youth pastors in this town seem to worship Ron Luce second to Christ. Thanks for posting this video.
If you are all interested, Rolling Stone Magazine did a hit piece on them recently. While it is hardly “fair and balanced,” is is eye opening none the less.
It can be found here: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/14021621/teenage_holy_war/1
Thoughts from a youth minister of 22 years experience who swore off Ron Luce 9 years ago, but has been won back this year.
First: None are perfect, but God’s son. Nuff said.
Second: Someone responded that Christianity isn’t about morals. Really? Think about that. God gave His people guidelines, 10 Laws, in fact, because they lived in a culture devoid of morals. AND Jesus came not to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it. Our society is full of RELEVANT TRUTH. Jesus said “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Some would say this to be a pretty intolerant and politically incorrect statement by today’s standards.
Third: Jesus turned over tables in the temple to make a point. Jesus called the Pharisees hypocrites. Jesus said leave everything and follow me. Was he a radical?
You better believe it.
Forth: – yes, forth – not Fourth – we are to go forth and take a stand. We are to love as Jesus loved us. We are to be in the world, not of it. Let me be clear, I am not defending Ron Luce… nor am I even a big Luce fan. Some of his stuff is good, some is lacking. But he has inspired many youth… to follow Christ.
BattleCry is just ONE vehicle for spreading the word. We should pursue many avenues. “Preach the Gospel at all times, use words if necessary.” It is in the actions that our youth find their place. They are a passionate group who can indeed “Do all things through Christ.” We should never limit them to the mere level of OUR faith.
Peace.
Thanks Gina. I’d agree with about everything you said, but it just feels that he’s getting kids to follow a Christlike movement, but not Christ.
I would agree with your statement 100% up until the seminar in Dallas this past March. And then, I saw a shift… maybe even an evolution in his message. I heard him repeatedly counseling the droves of teens to resist the temptation to attend an altar call out of emotional motivation or peer pressure. (A first for Luce.) FINALLY, he didn’t do one of those salvation prayers! The emphasis seemed to be on trying to get the teens to wake up to what the media was feeding them. And that their self-image should come from the Creator, not society. EXACTLY.
I agree, it’s not in the event, its in the everyday living of the message that our teens grow their faith. “Transformation by the renewing of the MIND.”
Battlecry is just one event. But we are definitely at war… there is a real enemy. And namby pamby, feel-good religion won’t win the battle. Who can turn to a teddy-bear god when in a time of real crisis? We’ve gotta show our youth our God – one of justice AND of mercy. Personally, I’ve got my youth in B.A.S.I.C. Training: (Be About Service In Christ).
It’s a process!
I think we are missing the point behind Battlecry/Ron Luce…. This is a fight for the lives of the teens and if we don’t engage in this battle with force we will surely lose the war!!!
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. — Matthew 11:12 (nkjv)
And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force — Matthew 11:12 (amplified)
I think we also need to reevaluate what being a Christian is and how we play our role as co-heirs with Christ Jesus. Most “Christians” don’t have a true idea about what the cross meant and how we are 100% desired/loved by God. Ron Luce is taking this approach in a well-handled manner.
There are other conferences available… such as the Dare2Share conference. wwww.dare2share.org
Corey,
Thanks your comment. I appreciate your taking time to share.
I think when you say ‘we’ you mean me in this comment. And then at that point I’d disagree with you.
There is no fight for kids lives. Were not the savior. That’s Christ’s job. He did the fighting and saving already.
Our job? Invest and have a relationship with young people. Let them see Christ in us.
And the battle? If we’re quoting scripture here’s one: For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Eph 6:12
I think there’s a battle, but if Ron Luce is fighting culture he fighting in the wrong place.
Why should we spend time “fighting culture” to win people back? I’d rather spend time hanging out with kids and showing them that I love them (like Christ did). And for fighting, I fight on my knees in prayer.
Jesus or society whats your influence?
Everything that the world has to offer is a fake replica of what God Truley designed. Self image is one of them.whats on the inside determines whether a person is attractive or not.
There are two scriptures i know of right now off of the top of my head that has to do with that the first on is where Jesus states that ppl dress up the outside to look good but really on the inside its filthy and He used a cup to explain it….The second one He tells us its out of mens hearts that defile a man not what goes in …..
The enemy has twisted things to decieve our generation and our society has prohibited true morals ….they cant stand the ten commandments to be displayed…it presents truth and yet cus its from God they wont allow it….
Jesus states ” I am the way the truth and the life …” He is the way out of ppl circumstances and complications the way to a new future Jesus says ” Behold i come to make ALL THINGS NEW!!!”He is the only truth and the only way to heaven “….noone goes to the father exept through me” – Jesus. Yet PEOPLE VIEW HIM AS A RELIGION AND HES TIRED OF BEING LABLED AS A RELIGION AND GOING UNNOTICED!!!! Hes not a religon Hes a savior 304-580-1354