Comparative Christianity

I read something my old friend Kristen had posted the other day on facebook which sparked yet another reverie. Her comments were in regards to "cultural Christianity," a topic familiar to most of us who have been Christians for any length of time. The theory is that much of our belief system is based more upon the puritan foundations of our culture, than it is based upon the word of God. Although there is real merit to this idea, I find myself wondering if it is an altogether "new" phenomenon particular to Christian Americans.

Throughout the new testament there are instances of Christ confronting this same human tendency. It is legalism. In many of his discussions with Jewish scholars of his day, Jesus pointed out the errors of their belief system, which had been originally based on the word of God, and then degenerated into "rules taught by men." Even before Christ walked the earth, the Israelites were in a constant pattern of sin, judgement, and repentance. This pattern was repeated endlessly because the rabbis and teachers of the law were concerned with looking more "holy" than the next guy, instead of confronting the sinful tendencies within. Jesus tells us exactly what he thought about legalism when he called these religious leaders "white-washed tombs."

In American Christianity, Kristen mentions that this legalism often takes on the mantra, "Don't drink, smoke or chew, or run with girls that do." Legalism cripples us as Christians because we cannot effectively witness and minister to others when we are inwardly condemning and comparing their behavior to our own. True ministry will not take place; we are so busy feeling superior that we aren't motivated by the love that Jesus says is essential. Within this framework of comparative Christianity, we cannot possibly love the Lord with all our heart, mind, and strength and our neighbor as ourselves. We would rather love the way we look when juxtaposed with other sinners. It stifles spiritual growth to say, "I may have problems, but at least I don't... (fill in the blank)."

What a comforting thinking pattern! There is a convincing hint of humility in the ready admission of our problems, but in reality it is an attempt at justifying our sin. It is an intentional quenching of the Holy Spirit, who is trying to move and work in our lives to make us more like Christ. He is the only One with whom we should compare ourselves, and that comparison will always leave us broken and humbled, ready to be changed by the work of the Spirit. When we recognize our false humility for what it is, then real ministry can begin. We walk hand-in-hand to the feet of Jesus, knowing that we are all in desperate need of his grace. A mentor once summed it up succinctly when he told me, "brokenness is the only place where God can use you."