Skip to main content

Being a "Safe" Christian

I was listening to CHVN (the Christian radio station in Winnipeg) for a little while the other day and I got really angry. I have always been bothered by their slogan which says, "CHVN, safe and fun for the whole family." That morning the DeeJay was introducing a song and said something like, "now here is Michael W. Smith with Friends on CHVN...SAFE!" and the music kicked in (I don't actually remember the name of the song) He emphasized the word safe as if it was some profound word that stated what the station was all about. I worry about that, since I believe that Christianity is a lot of things, the least of which is safe. We try to make it safe, but...I don't think Jesus intended for following him to be a safe practice...He died for it after all...that doesn't sound safe...Jesus asked us to take up our cross (an ancient capitol punishment tool) and follow him...that doesn't sound safe. I try to make Christianity safe, by shielding myself from the real world, but it was never intended to be that way. Shame on me.

I have been reading Shane Claiborne's book called "the Irresistible Revolution" and he talks about how giving our life to Christ actually ruins it, because the demands on our life and the way we live it become extremely difficult. He asks us to love people as he loved us...does that mean we die for them...even when they don't like us and maybe even hate us? Sounds like what Jesus did.
Labels:

Comments

philter said…
safe and fun for the whole family

I heard that too when I was home and cringed. Yep, what the heck? Anyway, great book bro. He has some good talks on public radio too. Look up american public radio and search for him. Miss ya
11:47 pm
Increasing... said…
exactly
"he's not safe but he's good."
8:03 am
Trevor said…
Ah, the CS Lewis quote always get's in this discussion. thanks guys
11:24 am
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Coffee Drinking Bullies

I feel as though I am about to have a fight with a bully, I fully expect this post to be read as hurtful and condemning to many. That may be the case but here goes anyway. I have long been frustrated by coffee drinkers. I realize that probably 95% of those who are in the blogosphere are those who are regular coffee drinkers, actually *ahem* probably not regular coffee drinkers, they are people who are very particular about the coffee they drink. Most times they take one sip of coffee and declare it to be horrible, or wonderful, or somewhere in between. They do NOT drink any free coffee, especially the coffee served at churches, they do not just go to the corner store for coffee, their coffee must meet very specific requirements and standards. If they make it at home they do not just use a coffeemaker, they must use a various assortment of grinders, presses, and perhaps going as far as to roast their own beans. I know that I am not cool for criticizing coffee drinkers and their habits,...
9 comments
Read more

Jesus was 33 When he Was Crucified

Our Sr. Pastor mentioned in his sermon a while back that Jesus was 33 when he died.  I guess it struck a real cord with me because I am still thinking about it, I guess the fact that I am 34 has something to do with it.  I wonder at the things he accomplished, things that have had some staying power ( 2.1 Billion people claim to be his follower).   This has stirred me to reflect on my life, what have I accomplished in my 34 years? As I think about that I realize that the things that I pursue as "great things" are not very much like what Jesus considered to be great.  Jesus didn't start any programs, he only spoke to crowds that gathered around him naturally (he didn't do any advertising).  Jesus wasn't a dynamic personality, people were drawn to him because of who he was, not because he was a great leader, or a powerful person.  The only group he formed was a group that just kind of wandered around with him seemingly aimlessly.  He avoided crowds, had a quiet per...
4 comments
Read more

What DO you know?

Nicky was asking Owen (our 3 year old) a bunch of questions.  He kept answering, "I don know, I don know, I don know."  Finally Nicky said, "well, what DO you know?" Owen's answer was well rounded and thought out... "I know...nothing is impossible with God, I know...how to talk, I know...how to fart." Apparently he knows three very important things.
2 comments
Read more