Losses in Christianity and the Middle Class
A reading for Thursday, November 20, 2014: Luke 17:20-37.
Dave Albertson writes an interesting and provocative article about "Why Christianity and the Middle Class Are Both in Decline." He wonders about the connection between the economics of the middle class in America and the corresponding decline of the mainline church. Make sure you read the comments after the article for an equally challenging discussion.
Jesus warns the leaders of the faith in his day not to be too secure. "The days are coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it." His critique was for those that believed they had all the answers, and were secure in keeping it to themselves as a privilege. "Watch out!" says Jesus. On the last day, one will be taken while the other remains. Truthfully it's hard to find much good news in our lesson today. These are words of judgment and warning.
Perhaps the one line we might point to is... "those who lose their life will keep it." Jesus is reminding us that we do not save ourselves by our own power, or wisdom, or class, or economic status, or even how healthy our churches are. Those are our ideas of security. We are saved only by God, through submitting ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ. The One who is faithful and just promises to be with us until the end. That's the good news that Jesus was pointing his disciples to.
"You have come to your people and set them free." This is the mission of God, and the rest is an equally challenging discussion.
Dave Albertson writes an interesting and provocative article about "Why Christianity and the Middle Class Are Both in Decline." He wonders about the connection between the economics of the middle class in America and the corresponding decline of the mainline church. Make sure you read the comments after the article for an equally challenging discussion.
Jesus warns the leaders of the faith in his day not to be too secure. "The days are coming when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it." His critique was for those that believed they had all the answers, and were secure in keeping it to themselves as a privilege. "Watch out!" says Jesus. On the last day, one will be taken while the other remains. Truthfully it's hard to find much good news in our lesson today. These are words of judgment and warning.
Perhaps the one line we might point to is... "those who lose their life will keep it." Jesus is reminding us that we do not save ourselves by our own power, or wisdom, or class, or economic status, or even how healthy our churches are. Those are our ideas of security. We are saved only by God, through submitting ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ. The One who is faithful and just promises to be with us until the end. That's the good news that Jesus was pointing his disciples to.
"You have come to your people and set them free." This is the mission of God, and the rest is an equally challenging discussion.
Comments
Post a Comment