God vs "god"

I have long held that the God I know, is not the God I see worshiped, nor referenced on the internet, and strangely not in print anymore.  I recently have read several authors whom claim Christianity has gone through a metamorphosis across the past 30 years.  What “worked” in the 1980’s no longer does and we as Christian leaders must be a part of the change to catch up with this culture or we will lose them and become irrelevant.

Irrelevant?  Just the fact that this statement was made by the top grossing Christian writer ever, I think shows just how irrelevant we have become as Christians.  It is not that we are in a post-Christian culture, or age, so much as we now find ourselves the victims of two or three generations of complacent Christians whom have handed over to us a broken religion.  Note I did not say Christianity.

For decades I have blamed this on Hollywood, TV, a culture gone mad with decadence (sex, drugs, rock-n-roll, and almost limitless money!).  I then switched to the idea that it must be the fault of the American theological system – the rot had to have started in the schools and mind you, there is plenty of evidence that there has been poison pushed into the Christian ministry from decades of un-Godly teachers in our seminaries.  But, still there has to be more.  Could it be the difference between a Reformation viewpoint and one based upon the Renaissance Movement had a difference we are just beginning to see?  The Renaissance, for all its incredible feats – produced religion based solely upon man’s reaching out to God.  Conversely, the Reformation believed that God reached out to man.  Many believe there is no difference, what do you think?

Well, I believe there is a huge difference.  If man can initiate any form of Godly activity, then salvation becomes something you are responsible for, not God.  The Holy Spirit is not something given when God decides, it is something you demand.  Etc.  The effect on your faith and your witness can be devastating spiritually.

Now what if you were to create the ultimate perfect spiritual storm?  A Renaissance faith, led by men not schooled in the true faith, a multi-media driven culture, intent upon self-service and caring little about what happens outside their closed doors?  Ultimately, we are discussing paganism, by those believing themselves to be Christian.

Hmmmmm.

So, what does this contrast look like?

(The following is not approved by anyone, is not a reflection upon this Church or its staff or leadership.  It is not intended to have you draw value based judgments in any manner.  It is to show the sharp contrasts which exist within our Church culture, which still claims to be Christian.  Don’t you just love weasel words?)

	God of Western Culture			God of the Bible
	Asceticism		Epicureanism	Asceticism	Epicureanism
Nature of God		God is limited by man’s rules	God works by our desire/command	Bound by His “rules”	Limitless
Primal Sin		A choice	Everybody does it	Born into it	What separates you from God
Salvation		Grown into	Many ways	New life, grow/learning	New life, new person
Faith		Belief in something	An expression of belief	Personal basis for belief	A walk
Works		Proves salvation	None required, a choice	Limited by willingness	Evidence of salvation
Worship		Form, no freedom	Freedom, no form	God’s form	God’s freedom
Holy Spirit		Does not exist in this age	No constraints	Within constraints	Used as God desires
Sacraments		Done on a schedule	As convenient	As commanded	Part of worship, love
Witness		“the church”	Paid professionals	Scheduled, practiced, managed	Your life
Tithing		Percentage required	Blessing by % given	Limited by willingness	Expects all you have
Missions		Church uses left over funds	High visibility projects	% based on budget	Give as needs are identified
Post-Sin		Self-denial	Caused by lack of faith	Blocks God’s blessings	Covered by sanctification