Quote of the Week: Hitting the Nail on the Head
Posted by: stuartdelony in Blogroll, Christianity, Jesus, Uncategorized, buddhism, general, life, mclaren, people, quote, religion, spirituality, youth, youth ministry
Talk about hittin’ the flippin’ nail on the head.
Say what you will about Brian McLaren, but I like him. I’ve read several of his books and I don’t agree with everything he says, but he certianly challenges me to think.
In his new book Finding Our Way Again he recounts an interview he conducted at a pastors conference with Dr. Peter Senge. It went something like this:
Dr. Senge was saying that in any given bookstore, the best selling books are first, “how to get rich” and second, books on Buddhism.
“Why are books on Buddhism so popular, and not books on Christianity,” McLaren asked.
Senge replied, “I think it’s because Buddhism presents itself as a way of life, Christianity presents itself as a system of belief. I would want to get Christian ministers thinking about how to rediscover their own faith as a way of life, because that’s what people are searching for today. That’s what they need most.”
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[...] Christianity, a way of life? [...]
“…faith as a way of life, because that’s what people are searching for today. That’s what they need most.” Well, not exactly.
The problem is that either one without the other doesn’t work, and even together they’re both lacking. I agree that Christianity should be something that effects the way you live your life. If it’s just a system of belief then what’s the point. Those things you truly believe will influence the decisions you make on a daily basis. You can say you believe something all you want, but if it’s not reflected in the way you act and how you live your life then I don’t give a crap. (That’s a rough translation of the book of James)
Christianity as a way of life sounds so methodical. Do this and don’t do that and God will be pleased. Christianity separated from a system of beliefs is a religion of appearances. A true Christian will “fill in the blank” (not smoke, eat organic, not watch movies, give to the poor). It gives the illusion that you can judge a person’s heart and motives based on how they live. A way of life based on false beliefs is ritual and superstition.
Christianity as a system of belief or a way of life both sound so impersonal. Christianity needs both a system of belief and a way of life, but at it’s core it is a relationship. Who would describe their marriage as a system of belief or a way of life? That sterilizes what is meant to be personal, intimate, and growing. The relational aspect is why you can’t just look at the outside either. There’s room for individuality in Christianity and not everyone’s relationship with God will look the same and it changes over time. What two marriages look alike? Does that mean it’s just a free for all and any behavior goes, no! But perhaps that’s why it’s easier to pass judgement on a system of belief or way of life than it is someone’s relationship with God.
So what do people need most? They need a relationship with their creator that is big enough to speak into every aspect of life and deep enough to know them as an individual.
“So what do people need most? They need a relationship with their creator that is big enough to speak into every aspect of life and deep enough to know them as an individual.”
I dig that…