unChristian . . . the book

I've started reading the book unchristian by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons. Buy the book.

Here's a quote from page 26.

"One outsider put it this way: 'Most people I meet assume that Christian means very conservative, entrenched in their thinking, antigay, antichoice, angry, violent, illogical, empire builders; they want to convert everyone, and they generally cannot live peacefully with anyone who doesn't believe what they believe.'" Emphasis added.

Didn't Paul (Romans 12:18) tell us to live at peace with everyone? Yet, our reputation is that we can't get along with anyone! How did the followers of the "friend of sinners", become the "haters of sinners"? Contrast the above quote with what James had to say in his letter. "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." (James 3:17-18) I guess we aren't very wise.

Back on the 23rd of July I wrote a post about the need for congregations to create and adopt Fundamental Principles of Behavior and Service. Basically, I'm getting fed up with unChrist like behavior from Christians. Our churches take it for granted that once someone becomes a Christian, they will start to behave in a Christ like manner. That just isn't the case, especially from those of us that were raised in the church. It's time we start working on our behavior. Let's stop "empire building" and start serving in love.

"You are what you are, not what you tell people you are."