Powerful statements: “I would say the “comfortable Christ” is the one who does not call us to repent or depart from sin. He is looking for admirers, not followers. This comfortable Christ is beloved by theologians of glory.
A comfortable Christ will not criticize your personal sins. He will not demand your dearest treasures. He will never ask you to reconsider an opinion, or deny you earthly glory, or confront you with the darkness within. “
May we hear him say again and again: “whoever would come after me must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow me”. Then, and only then, will the church be the salt and light the world needs.
The time is coming, and in many places already is, when to follow Jesus will cost a true believer everything, except for his or her eternal soul . . . just like what it cost Him.
I didn't get to reading this when you first posted it, but I'm so glad I came back to it. Glorious testimony to the demands of the Christian life, combining two of my favorites: A deeper-than-the-pop-culture reading of Bonhoeffer and Terrence Malick's masterful film about the virtue of courage in the face of the utilitarian temptation to capitulate to evil. Bonhoeffer is so good, but few people get past his biography to the actual writings, like Life Together, Ethics, or his difficult but brilliant Christology. Your application of his analysis of discipleship and cheap grace -- his Christian existentialist development of the Lutheran heritage -- is both accurate and, more importantly, accessible for ordinary folks working day jobs and raising kids. A comfortable Christ may be desirable, but that Christ will not be divine. If we want the fully divine and fully human Christ, we must recognize that the invitation of the crucified One is to die -- and rise! -- with him.
That depends on what you mean. Suffering is an inherent part of our present earthly existence, and more so if we seek to live righteously. For this reason, Christ told his disciples they should expect to suffer. But he does not expect believers to suffer in the sense of requiring it for the purpose of salvation. We do not justify ourselves through suffering. It is Christ’s suffering that justifies.
Christ doesn't want suffering, but I do think Christ expects our suffering, e.g. "But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name." (Luke 21.12)
Likewise in the teaching of St. Paul, e.g., "I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead." (Phil. 3.10-11)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
We were given a small chance to step into the void with the covid pandemic. Could we walk with no support, on water, like St Peter. Billions failed . It was just a test
My only pushback is that there are many strong and faithful churches in America. We must be careful when criticizing Christ's bride. As my pastor often says to me--There is more you don't know than you do know.
I don’t think what I described is a solely American phenomenon, or that all American churches are equally guilty of it. I believe it is a constant temptation for every Christian in ways great and small. But I also believe the grace of God is overflowing and gives hope to us all. He also ensures that even sinners get things right sometimes by the power of His Spirit.
The entire mainline church experience is all about what you describe so well. The comfortable Christ is the affirming Christ of the Elca, UMC, episcopal church and all the other mainlines.
As a mainline Episcopalian, I quite agree. I'm a lay teacher of Bible, theology, and Church history, and it is a constant struggle to get people to realize that Jesus is not a rubber stamp on what folks already believe and do. That said, I grew up an evangelical and my experience there was nearly identical. We all assumed that Jesus would have voted Republican, eschewed dancing and strong drink, and most especially he would have never watched an R rated movie! I can still remember the first time I read the Bible for a purpose other than validating what I already believed, and was shocked to find that the Jesus therein was not the figment of my imagination. Christ has been discomforting me ever since!
Ouch. I didn't expect a butt-kicking on a Monday, but, guilty on many counts. Well done, Ms. Mantravadi. Godspeed.
I assure you, the grace of God is plentiful.
I have to save this and pray over it-----regularly.
Me too.
HOLY SPIRIT FIRE in this post. Amen.
Powerful statements: “I would say the “comfortable Christ” is the one who does not call us to repent or depart from sin. He is looking for admirers, not followers. This comfortable Christ is beloved by theologians of glory.
A comfortable Christ will not criticize your personal sins. He will not demand your dearest treasures. He will never ask you to reconsider an opinion, or deny you earthly glory, or confront you with the darkness within. “
May we hear him say again and again: “whoever would come after me must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow me”. Then, and only then, will the church be the salt and light the world needs.
Very true.
One of my favourite films and one of, if not the, favourite part of the film. Profoundly moving and challenging. Thanks for the reminder.
This was splendid, Amy. Bravo! 👏👏👏
Thanks, brother!
The time is coming, and in many places already is, when to follow Jesus will cost a true believer everything, except for his or her eternal soul . . . just like what it cost Him.
It has always been that time for some. Perhaps some day it will be that day for us in America. We shall see.
No “perhaps” . . . just “when.”
Loved this. You put into eloquent form how I feel about the church in the UK.
I know people in the UK who are true witnesses to the gospel, but yes, the overall situation is as you say.
I didn't get to reading this when you first posted it, but I'm so glad I came back to it. Glorious testimony to the demands of the Christian life, combining two of my favorites: A deeper-than-the-pop-culture reading of Bonhoeffer and Terrence Malick's masterful film about the virtue of courage in the face of the utilitarian temptation to capitulate to evil. Bonhoeffer is so good, but few people get past his biography to the actual writings, like Life Together, Ethics, or his difficult but brilliant Christology. Your application of his analysis of discipleship and cheap grace -- his Christian existentialist development of the Lutheran heritage -- is both accurate and, more importantly, accessible for ordinary folks working day jobs and raising kids. A comfortable Christ may be desirable, but that Christ will not be divine. If we want the fully divine and fully human Christ, we must recognize that the invitation of the crucified One is to die -- and rise! -- with him.
I don't think Christ expects suffering.
That depends on what you mean. Suffering is an inherent part of our present earthly existence, and more so if we seek to live righteously. For this reason, Christ told his disciples they should expect to suffer. But he does not expect believers to suffer in the sense of requiring it for the purpose of salvation. We do not justify ourselves through suffering. It is Christ’s suffering that justifies.
Exactly.
Christ doesn't want suffering, but I do think Christ expects our suffering, e.g. "But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name." (Luke 21.12)
Likewise in the teaching of St. Paul, e.g., "I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead." (Phil. 3.10-11)
Christ is Lord. His burden is light. His hands are strong.
That is enough.
Believe what you want.
Well, my hope is that we would believe what Christ and the Church has taught. What I want matters little; what Christ calls us to is everything.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Read the first passage. Has that happened to you?
I don’t think the passages you reference apply to Christians in the present day. You do. Simple as that.
We were given a small chance to step into the void with the covid pandemic. Could we walk with no support, on water, like St Peter. Billions failed . It was just a test
My only pushback is that there are many strong and faithful churches in America. We must be careful when criticizing Christ's bride. As my pastor often says to me--There is more you don't know than you do know.
I don’t think what I described is a solely American phenomenon, or that all American churches are equally guilty of it. I believe it is a constant temptation for every Christian in ways great and small. But I also believe the grace of God is overflowing and gives hope to us all. He also ensures that even sinners get things right sometimes by the power of His Spirit.
The entire mainline church experience is all about what you describe so well. The comfortable Christ is the affirming Christ of the Elca, UMC, episcopal church and all the other mainlines.
I believe that both the mainline and non-mainline churches have, in their own ways, fallen into the comfortable Christ trap.
As a mainline Episcopalian, I quite agree. I'm a lay teacher of Bible, theology, and Church history, and it is a constant struggle to get people to realize that Jesus is not a rubber stamp on what folks already believe and do. That said, I grew up an evangelical and my experience there was nearly identical. We all assumed that Jesus would have voted Republican, eschewed dancing and strong drink, and most especially he would have never watched an R rated movie! I can still remember the first time I read the Bible for a purpose other than validating what I already believed, and was shocked to find that the Jesus therein was not the figment of my imagination. Christ has been discomforting me ever since!