Death Threats
While listening to a great interview with Eugene Peterson, the translator of The Message, I learned that the original translator of The Living Bible (Ken Taylor) received many death threats for his rendering of the language of the Bible. Death threats. Presumably from Christians. Christians who presumably read the Bible. Christians who think the world would be a better place if they committed murder.
I don't get this.
I also remember one time when Bill Hybels brought Bill Clinton in to speak to thousands of church leaders about leadership, while he was the standing president. Granted, a controversial decision. Hybels reported that he got some of the most hate filled emails that he had ever read. From Christians.
I don't get this.
It is absolutely no wonder why this generation has given up on Christianity.
I don't get this.
I also remember one time when Bill Hybels brought Bill Clinton in to speak to thousands of church leaders about leadership, while he was the standing president. Granted, a controversial decision. Hybels reported that he got some of the most hate filled emails that he had ever read. From Christians.
I don't get this.
It is absolutely no wonder why this generation has given up on Christianity.
posted by Steve W. at 4:19 PM
8 Comments:
But what is the root of the problem? Certainly not these hateful few people; they're just people. Granted, their actions were hypocritical, but is the problem the fact that there's folks in the world who need some anger management, or some kind of pervasive spiritual poison?
The Bible translation thing I don't get at all. Certainly, if someone 'translated' the Bible to say that Christ was a thug and that the Twelve were His righteous gangsters, then there's a serious problem that needs to be addressed, but not with hate.
Bill Clinton speaking to thousands of church leaders about leadership? Pardon me while I stifle my laughter, but I certainly wouldn't write Bill Hybels an email filled with anger and hatred.
But I don't think that a few ranting and raving morons are the culprit of the problem, and I'm not so sure that this generation has entirely given up on Christianity. Granted, I have no quantifiable evidence for either.
Yeah, it's not surprising Christianity turns people off. It's been so distorted. Oh church, American church. We're so good at knowing so much and missing the point completely. Sometimes I'm shocked at it. Something has to happen. A Spirit-driven revolution from within or persecution from without seem like the two best options.
Jeremiah, don't lament over the American church solely. We're all people, and we're all prone to saying and doing some of the stupidest things imaginable. Stuff like this could happen anywhere.
It's where I live, it's what I see, what I know about. I can't lament over other situations in other countries because I don't know enough about them. If I'm to be frustrated with the church, it has to be the one in America. I do agree though, it can happen anywhere. Good point and clarification.
I'm going to ask again: has this generation really given up on Christianity? All generations possess those who are looking for the answers. There's one surefire way to know the Truth, and that is by accepting the reality of Christ as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Not merely accepting that reality, but embracing it and having a relationship with Him.
In order to be the signposts pointing towards that Truth, we need to first live out that Truth. Now, no one should expect us to live it out perfectly; we're human, after all. However, we need to be doing a heck of a better job than folks who'd much rather thump their Bibles than read them.
And when the seekers look upon these aforementioned folks and observe their actions, we need to be there to stand up for the real Truth and say that there is a much more excellent way; Christ-like love.
That's pretty good talk, but I need to live it out in my own life.
if a person is speaking out of hatred, can they really be called a Christian?
time for a new post, my friend :)
i echo jimm - time for a new post, my friend. :)
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