The Christian "Lifestyle"...
I've been thinking a lot, lately, about Christianity as a lifestyle. Since the Mid 80s, Christianity has leapt from the pews on Sunday morning, and on to people's shirt sleeves. Literally. So is this good or bad?
It's both. Yep. That's what being a moderate is all about, folks. Seeing both sides clearly.
In the last 20 years, Christians have become more comfortable in their Christian skin. It's like dieting. I'm currently on the Atkins diet, and for those that care - it's working. But I've noticed that their is a huge market for taking something you used to have in in your pre-diet life, and making it diet friendly. But it's always a tasteless, crappier version of that thing. Ever try carb free bread? Ever licked cardboard? The hook is, you can have those things that used to pleasure you, guilt free. The same goes for new Christianity. There isn't anything from your 'old life' that you can't replace with a 'Christian' version. Music, books, movies, even mints. The Christian culture is everywhere. Somewhere in your zipcode, there is probably a Christian Bookstore - though the book part is a bit of a misnomer as most of them sell way more than books.
The problem with Christianity as lifestyle is simply this: Lifestyles are ephemeral. I could quit Atkins tomorrow. As easily as I picked it up. All I would do is swap one set of lifestyle rules and traits, back to the other. When I used to work with a youth group, I saw hundreds of kids surrounding themselves with the Christian lifestyle, but never truly having a relationship with Christ - the scary part is - they thought they did. Now as an adult, I see a huge number of adults doing the same. That's the other problem: Lifestyles can quickly and easily become Idolized. It's a natural progression that when your life is summed up by what you listen to in your car, read wear, where you go to school, etc., your faith becomes centered around those same things. Rather than Jesus. Jesus as a lifestyle sucks. Jesus as a lifestyle would never work. Jesus as a lifestyle... would end up killing you.
As a marketer, I understand the absolute necessity of brand focus. If your brand stands for everything, then it stands for nothing. I also understand the value of owning words in people's minds. Safe Car? Volvo. The Real Thing? Coke. Internet Video? Youtube. Search? Google. The Christian lifestyle ultimately dilutes the Christian message.
So is it all just a lifestyle to you?
posted by Jarrett Green at 12:35 AM
2 Comments:
I don't think I have ever seen this idea presented better. Outstanding. This is exactly why I left my old church and the denomination that I grew up in and in which my dad and grandpa is and were pastors. It is fake. People think that following the rules equals being a Christ follower. I thought that all my life until I woke up to what you have said here. Once I did wake up, I tried to exist in that denominational world and be real, but it was like trying to play in the mud and not get dirty. Everything that was said in that forum was filtered through the denominational rules and regulations. I had to get outside to walls to be able to sort my relationship with Christ out and determine what was fake and what was not. I just had the thought last night at Wheatland about how inspired I am at church now. How much I feel like what goes on at church is drawing me closer to Christ. I am blessed to be in such a place. Thanks for this post. It is encouraging to me.
The Christian lifestyle is just that–a "style". Something that is outward, external, and material.
A relationship with Christ is internal and then affects your "way of life" (not the same as your lifestyle).
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