The April 9, 2012 cover of Newsweek magazine boldly proclaims, “Forget the Church, Follow Jesus” and features a hip, very white Jesus standing in Times Square. The author of the article, Andrew Sullivan lobbies for Christians to detach themselves from secular, particularly political, pursuits and follow a Jeffersonian Jesus who, without miracles, shows kindness and grace to fellow human beings. Thomas Jefferson created the famous Jefferson Bible by removing the supernatural elements surrounding the story of Jesus and preserving his “ethical” teachings.
When this process was finished both Andrew Sullivan and Thomas Jefferson found a Jesus they could live with. Dr. Sullivan laments the way Christians, and particularly Roman Catholic and evangelical Christians, have aligned themselves with political parties and movements in ways that bring religious passions into the political arena. Of course, any student of history, especially of European and Middle Eastern history, knows how unleashing religious fervor in the service of political and/or nationalistic agendas can unleash horrific nightmares. So, at least part of Dr. Sullivan’s concerns must be received as a cautionary tale.
But does that mean that people of faith cannot be politically passionate about issues raised by the very faith they want to define all of their lives? Like Andrew Sullivan most Christians want to see followers of Jesus loving, serving and changing the world in the grace and spirit of Christ. Does that have to mean that our faith must go in a box, individually or institutionally, when we enter the public arena? How can we ever trust Christians of any stripe, not to confuse the building of the Kingdom of God with the improving of their earthly state or community?
The answer seems to be found in Jesus’ approach to the “parties” of His day? We forget that just like we have Republicans, Democrats and others, the Palestinian Jews of Jesus’ day had Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, Zealots and Essenes. The Pharisees of Jesus’ day even expected Jesus to join them and later became His bitter enemies when he didn’t. So which “party” did Jesus join? The same party/parties He would join today—none of them.
Jesus didn’t join the parties of His day for the same reason He would not join the parties of today—He stood above them as Lord over them—Lord of all in fact. Jesus would judge the flaws and inconsistencies of our parties today just like He judged those of first century Judea and Galilee. Of course this doesn’t mean that His followers can’t join or align with a party today, but it does shape how we should do so.
In all of our earthly alignments, Jesus must stand above them as our first loyalty and priority. Never should we be more passionate about a political cause in our community, state or nation than we are about Our Lord and His Kingdom. That would address the legitimate historical concern that political conflict not become too infused and confused with religious passion.
So what about the church? Why is it that Andrew Sullivan can make such a strong distinction between Jesus and the church? Those of us who love the church will probably not like the answer. The truth is, Jesus probably wouldn’t join any of our churches for the same reason he wouldn’t join any of our parties. It is just as dangerous to confuse loyalty to our church or denomination with loyalty to Jesus as it is to make some political party the cause of Christ. It isn’t that we can’t be loyal to a denomination or congregation. It does mean that, in all things, following Jesus must be a higher priority than anything else, even our churches.
The real test of a church is not whether or not it follows a specific political agenda or avoids political agendas altogether. The real test is whether or not it helps people find and follow Jesus.
So, don’t give up on the church, but, by all means, do follow Jesus.
It’s all about the relationship, not the religion. I want the relationship, not a stuffy, stodgy religion. My first priority is Jesus, not the church. The relationship will sustain, support, and give me life. The “church” gets in the way all to often. While I like the “church” I attend, attending is not the final end, it’s one of the places I can exercise my relationship.
Thank you, Jeff. I am saddest when the church gets in the way of following Jesus. I think you have the right goal–making church a community (I like that word better than “place”) where we can exercise/experience/expand our relationship with jesus! Blessings to you and Judi.
Terry : In thinking about the article the author has hit the mark but has not a clue as to why. All he knows is what he has experienced or what he has seen fron afar. He looks at the church as the brick and mortar buildings he passes every day. The ” ism’s or ist’s or …….” and his understanding of the church is likened to a fractured pane of glass. In a way it is nothing but blame shifting the responsibility to the ” ism’s and ist’s”. What he does not understand is that the church is the people and it starts with the individual. We are resposible for our own behavior and when placed in a position of responsibility within the body we are responsible to hold eachother accountable for their behavior. As are they responsible to do the same for us. Thomas Jefferson was doing nothing more than shoe boxing God. That stumbling block is still around and can be heard with every reason given to not turn their lives over to Christ.
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I totally agree with Len’s article and what says Pr. Robin Dugall. We also, in Brazil, have facing this terrible “Prodigal Church” crisis: a time when the Church has run away from God like Israel did long ago. And maybe the fruits will be the same. We are in a very dramatic and strategic point of the History and just a few people have been seen it, unfortunately
you know; love how this guy says forget the church.. YOU CANT!! The Church is NOT a building or a Corporation filled with politics and all that.. The REAL Church is the Body of Christ itsself!! Hello? Upon this Rock I will build My Church? All of us who are committed to Our Lord & Savior are a part of HIS Church..
Expect attacks family in Christ, Jesus talked about it..
This guy obviously doesn’t know squat; he’s just mad and an angry lil guy who wants to attack Christianity and try to bring Jesus to that level of just being a nice guy.. Well, nope; He is MORE; He just happened to come down to our level as Humans to relate and reach us..
The church he is telling us to forget is probably not the one we celebrate, of course. Thanks for thinking this through with us!
Remember, that the church IS the body of Christ and we are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves. We should follow Jesus first and foremost, but I don’t think we should “forget the church”; if we did, we would be tossing aside the BODY OF CHRIST!!! That does NOT sound good to me. Keep your priorities straight: God first, then spouse (if you have one), then chidren, then job. “Going to church” is part of worshipping God in a corporate setting AND it has great benefits, but it is not the ultimate worship, your individual relationship with God is what it all comes down to. Do you KNOW Him? Do you recognize His voice? Is He used to hearing you talk to Him daily in prayer? Do you listen and follow His directions? ……..
Thanks! Sorry for the confusion about your comment. They do get backlogged sometimes. Thanks for your patience and your thoughts!
I don’t know but most of the posters either seem to not get the gist of Sullivans article or are glossing over it. The Church he refers to is the Mega church where a guys stands up ther and tells you God will make you wealthy. HUH? Then we have the church that covers pedhophiles or the one that seesm to obsess over being gay but killing by the state is okay. Dr Sullivan clearly states he is a follower of Jesus and his teachings. Like Jefferson he realizes men have added not only to the bible but added their onw doctrine to achive theoir means and corrupted much of the message. Who can argue that?
Thanks for interacting. Of course, Jefferson took away from the Bible things that I don’t think were added by men. I still believe miracles did and can happen. That is where Thomas J. and I disagree. But about this American experiment in democracy–Jefferson and I are on the same page. Thanks!