I know that church signs are easy pickings for a good rant, but every once in a while one seems just close enough to biblical, and yet so far away, that it is worth noting.
I pass a sign every day that reads, “The safest place to be is within the will of God.”
I think I understand what the people want to convey with such a sign – that God is ultimately our protector and shepherd who gives us comfort and wards us from evil. But in an American Christianity held captive by sentimentality and safety, I think the church sign sends the wrong message – namely that God is here for your safety and He will protect you from all wrong; that a life in the will of God (whatever that means!) will bring comfort and ease. In other words, it promises “peace, peace, when there is no peace.”
The problem is that this safety is, of course, never promised to us in Scripture.
You never once heard Jesus saying to the disciples, “Hey guys, don’t worry about the Romans. They don’t like me much, but you guys shouldn’t have a problem with them. Once I’m gone, I’m pretty sure they’ll leave you alone.”
No, quite to the contrary, Jesus tells them that before they follow him they are to be fully aware that this can only end in a cross. Death is where this Christianity thing is headed – therefore count the cost!
Jesus didn’t come to give us safe, sentimental religion. Jesus came to call us to revolution – to a life that is not afraid of death or those who can bring death because we believe that Christ has defeated death and our ultimate end is resurrection.
Safe, sentimental religion is not Christianity. Christianity is a religion of self-sacrifice not safety, death not sentimentality.
Therefore, quite contrary to the church sign, the most dangerous place to be in this life might very well be within the will of God. If you want safety, run from Christianity. If you want sentimentality, flee as fast as you can because the way of Jesus is the way of a cross.
July 16th, 2010 at 12:52 am
I have been struggling with the sentiment on that sign as well. Thanks for talking about this.
July 16th, 2010 at 12:58 am
I hate sounding overly critical. Especially of other believers. But I think this is a dangerous misrepresentation of what Christianity is really all about. I think it’s high time the church moved beyond such notions and began engaging the revolutionary message of Jesus once more.
I ran across this quote by NT Wright recently that really captured what I’m saying. He said, “Wherever Jesus went there was a riot. Wherever I go they serve tea.”
July 16th, 2010 at 1:39 am
judgemental criticism is never a good thing. But, constructive criticism that furthers God’s kingdom is always a good thing, I think.
July 16th, 2010 at 3:11 am
In that case, I hope I didn’t sound judgmental. I hope it was passionate, but not derogatory. I tried not to focus on the church itself – after all, it’s not like this particular church is the only one doing this stuff. And it’s not like they have horrible intentions. I just think their intentions may be thwarted by people’s assumption.
But, alas, that’s the whole problem with ‘sound-byte’ theology anyway.
July 16th, 2010 at 5:47 am
No, I didn’t think it sounded judgemental at all. I thought it was more of a constructive criticism. (and not of that church at that. More of the line of thought and the assumptions it causes) It came across the way it was supposed to.
I think that Jesus showed us His revolutionary side many times. I think that when the gospel and the purpose of receiving it are mis-represented, there is a righteous indignation that is defensible.
I think Jesus set the example for this sort of thing with His handling of the money changers in the temple. Maybe not the best example, but certainly not the way He wanted His church represented, I believe.
July 17th, 2010 at 8:39 pm
you are doing good work with your blog Tom. keep it up!
July 18th, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Tom-
I’m also glad you addressed that. I understand the thinking behind these signs but find myself routinely arguing the counter point to most of the Christian “slogans” I read around town. I don’t judge the safety, security, and joy those folks want to share with others about the grace they feel in their lives but wish they wouldn’t falsely advertise the Gospel.
July 19th, 2010 at 1:21 am
Marc,
I find myself doing the exact same thing. But you said it much better than I could! Good word man, and well spoken.