There has been a groundswell across denominations for the past 15 to 20 years, a de-numbing of faculties in the Body of Christ. Between those who left traditional churches when it was perceived as a sign of apostasy (also known as backsliding), and those who haven’t ever considered to, there is a world of misunderstanding. Despite having about 25 years of Internet archives about so many individual stories, and more recently dozens of books and blogs brilliantly addressing this exodus from the perspective of those doing the leaving – the good and the bad – there are no excuses left to stay ignorant.
Those who decide to go all frontal KJV on anyone expressing disgust or profound dissatisfaction with the way the family of Jesus is handling itself in the world today, usually have a very academic and static view of salvation and church, and they find comfort in it. Their first mistake is to expect every other Christian to agree with their particular doctrines and social views, including political, where WWJD usually refers to morality and patriotism.
But it’s too late – we’re not asking permission, we’re not feeling guilty, heck we actually miss church! But the compromise with our inner discovery of intimacy with God, and learning to love beyond expectation of performance or salvation scalps, was not negotiable anymore. And over the past few years, it has become evident that the Christian Hollywood of Evangelicalism, Prophetic Movement, Dominionism and Prosperity Hustlers are being shaken. People are asking too many questions, needing time to think them through in a conversation with God, and away from screaming banshees populating some of our pulpits and airwaves.
I see this shaking as healthy and full of promise of life and light for the world around believers who surrender to the pruning of sacred cows (now there’s a picture…).
But too many people DEMAND evidences of results from a journey not understood completely by its pilgrims, let alone its opponents. The best way to get answers is to do the leg work – read blogs, expose your understanding to ideas published, scour the Internet for blogs, videos, sermons, etc. where questions are considered and answered. Continue reading →