October 24, 2003
From Adam:
What have we created? We have taken Jesus’ words: “I am not of the world” and taken them to the extreme, using them for the basis of our creating a very unbiblical Christian subculture. We have this idea that since Jesus said he wasn’t of the world, therefore, we cannot be of the world, and that means we need to get out of the world – to separate ourselves from the world. We have felt the need to create ‘safe alternatives’ to the world’s evil activities. We have felt the need to simply create Christian versions of that which is "secular."
However, I find it pretty ironic that we, as Christians, have built our own Christian ghetto and moved in and many of us are living happily in our Christian ghetto. We’ve even put barbed wire on the top of the wall to keep anything from getting in. And there we are…in our Christian ghettos…where are the sick? Where are the pagans….? Well, they can’t relate to our Christian subculture. In fact, many non-Christians find it frustrating.
Exactly. My roommate Eva and I were talking about conspiracy theories again, this time to do with how general society is slanted toward the strong 'contributors' to society, whereas the sick, weak and vulnerable have no voice, no access, no hope. I find myself lately in the 'vulnerable' category and realize that if you don't ask for it, the medical community won't offer help. Is this the kind of ghetto that Christians are replicating for themselves? If you or your condition at all challenge the Christian status quo, whether by illness, hardship or differing opinion despite your own Christianity, you don't get in the North American Christian barbed-wire homestead.
Just some ramblings.
What have we created? We have taken Jesus’ words: “I am not of the world” and taken them to the extreme, using them for the basis of our creating a very unbiblical Christian subculture. We have this idea that since Jesus said he wasn’t of the world, therefore, we cannot be of the world, and that means we need to get out of the world – to separate ourselves from the world. We have felt the need to create ‘safe alternatives’ to the world’s evil activities. We have felt the need to simply create Christian versions of that which is "secular."
However, I find it pretty ironic that we, as Christians, have built our own Christian ghetto and moved in and many of us are living happily in our Christian ghetto. We’ve even put barbed wire on the top of the wall to keep anything from getting in. And there we are…in our Christian ghettos…where are the sick? Where are the pagans….? Well, they can’t relate to our Christian subculture. In fact, many non-Christians find it frustrating.
Exactly. My roommate Eva and I were talking about conspiracy theories again, this time to do with how general society is slanted toward the strong 'contributors' to society, whereas the sick, weak and vulnerable have no voice, no access, no hope. I find myself lately in the 'vulnerable' category and realize that if you don't ask for it, the medical community won't offer help. Is this the kind of ghetto that Christians are replicating for themselves? If you or your condition at all challenge the Christian status quo, whether by illness, hardship or differing opinion despite your own Christianity, you don't get in the North American Christian barbed-wire homestead.
Just some ramblings.
Check it out
I came across wikipedia the other day, a multi-lingual, user-friendly web encyclopedia where users get to edit the entries. There are entries on everything from Canadian politicians to minor turns-of-phrase. Updated by the day. Fascinating!
I came across wikipedia the other day, a multi-lingual, user-friendly web encyclopedia where users get to edit the entries. There are entries on everything from Canadian politicians to minor turns-of-phrase. Updated by the day. Fascinating!
