A “selfie”
is a self-portrait photograph, typically taken with a hand-held digital camera
or camera phone held at arm's length, and then posted to one's social networks. Significantly, it is Oxford Dictionaries' “word of the year,” the word, they believe, that best
reflects the mood of the times.
As a ‘what’s-happening-in-our-culture’ person, I took
note of this otherwise innocuous event. The word selfie powerfully (and unashamedly) expresses our culture's obsession with self-promoting social media. And while “selfie”
is the word of this year, a new popular term (and practice) is close behind—'braggie,' an image posted to
social networks designed purely to show off or make friends jealous.
Being consumed with one's self-image is not new; but it has found a new avenue of expression. Are we not all latent selfies and braggies at heart? Social media is only unveiling the things hidden in the heart of mankind. If selfie reflects the mood of the times, maybe Oxford's choice is a cultural wake-up call.
Evidently, it is. A California pastor was outraged this week when he
found the Bible filed under “Fiction” at a Costco store near his home. Just another paper back? Forty years
ago, in the book, “As One without Authority,”
author Fred Craddock asked the question, “Where have all the absolutes gone?” If then, how much more today!
When Jesus spoke to the crowds, they were astonished that He taught as
“one who had authority” (Matt. 7:28-29). Biblical authority has been
at issue since Paul warned of those who would reject sound doctrine (2 Tim 4:3). Two thousand years later, the spirit of the age is still
trying to undermine the authority of the Word.
I don’t presume to know what is happening in the church around the
world today. But looking at the popular teaching of the largest churches in America, one would conclude that the masses want to hear more sermons on self-improvement and
self-actualization than good exegesis and exposition. Perhaps the paper back Bibles found in the “Fiction” section
at Costco really are a sign of the times!
After I wrote my post yesterday about a silly worship service, I discovered a book, “The Juvenilization of American Christianity.” Author and historian Thomas Bergler claims American churches are full of spiritually immature adults whose faith is self-centered, emotionally driven, theologically ignorant. Bergler says this trend emerged when the ‘fundamentalist’ Christian message of repentance and obedience was morphed into a message of self fulfillment, you might say, a PG-rated version that avoids the ‘mature themes’ of commitment, perseverance, suffering, and sacrifice.
Three decades ago, Oswald Sanders wrote “If I were called on to put my finger on the most pressing need of our age, I would unhesitatingly say—maturity,” his words no less relevant today. In our relaxed, come-as-you-are, do-what-you-want, whatever-works world, we must be careful not to accommodate the culture of ambivalence by giving the impression we don't expect people to grow up.
“You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you... You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food” (Heb. 5:12). I wonder what might happen to our Sunday morning attendance if we put out a sign in the foyer that said, “For mature audiences only.”
Fifty years ago the marketers of Coca Cola cashed in on the American ethos: the pursuit of better. Four years ago, Joel Osteen made a fortune with his book, “Become a Better You.” While studying the book of Hebrews, I was struck by how many times the author uses the word “better”—better country, better covenant, better hope. Had I missed something? Is there a doctrine of “better?”
As I dove into the study of “better,” I found that each reference had something to do with making our relationship with God better. None of the words “better” had to do with self-improvement—none of them was self-oriented. Then it struck me: that’s what Satan told Eve in the Garden—that he could give them something better than what they currently had. Satan was marketing self-improvement long before psychologist Carl Rogers invented 'person-centered' therapy!
Jeremiah said the heart is desperately sick and cannot be cured (17:9; 30:5). “Better” is simply not an option. You won’t be surprised that I love this quote by Professor Dr. Michael Horton: “He doesn’t come to improve us; he comes to kill us, in order to raise us to newness of life.” God doesn’t want to give you a better life—He wants to give you a brand new life. Why settle for "better" when you can have "best!"
If you browse through your Borders or Barnes and Nobles, sometimes you will find they have categorized certain Christian authors, such as Rick Warren and Joel Osteen, under the ‘Self-Help’ section. Isn’t that telling? The ‘world’ sees our Christian teachings as nothing more than self-help.
A large part of the American psyche is the spirit of the ‘self-made man’—the ‘you-can-do-it’ attitude. But it seems to me that in the last 50 years, Bible teaching in America has been replaced by this spirit—of human potential and ‘self-actualization.’
I do understand the intent of many Christian writers is to make the Bible practical—“seven keys to improving your life every day,” “six steps to building a healthy marriage” and so on. But self-improvement is not biblical. (As someone has said it is not self-improvement God wants; it is self-annihilation!) And my real concern is this: "spiritual" is being replaced by "psychological"; and the "transcendent" by "pragmatic."
Building Christian character is the work of the Holy Spirit—not self will and will power. It is only when we give up all self-effort and become dependent on His resident, indwelling power that we can become who God created us to be and accomplish the work He created us to do (Eph. 2:10). And it doesn’t happen in six or seven easy steps.
I just got back from Seattle where I accompanied my son who is transferring to Seattle Pacific University. On the way back, I was stuck in the Seattle airport for 6 hours. While wandering around, I noticed that every book store had books called "You: Being Beautiful" and "You: Being Young, etc." I was struck with the bold emphasis on "YOU" and how much it parallels this 'new' Christian message today that tells "you" that "you" can be all the "you" want to be.
Unfortunately, too many would-be followers of Christ are caught up in this 21st century culture of self-centeredness. The “what’s-in-it-for-me” and “I-want-it-now” thinking is gaining ground in the church. It is not the biblical way; it is not the way of Christ’s disciples. Unfortunately, Joel’s teaching may lead people right into this trap, by telling them God wants their dreams to come true.
Many people followed Jesus and at one point in his ministry, thousands were coming to hear Him. However, these were not true disciples: they only followed Jesus for what He could give them. On two different occasions Jesus fed thousands of people miraculously. But they did not understand when Jesus tried to explain to them: “I have food to eat that you don’t know about.” And later when he said: “Unless you eat My flesh and drink My blood, you have no life in you.” This was a turning point in Jesus’ popularity. Many who had been following Him for what He could do stopped following Him. Self-centered, “cultural” Christians will follow Jesus because of what He can do for them. When He demands their all, many will turn away.
