“… a crowd of mixed-up followers who can’t tell right from wrong. They give the way of truth a bad name.” (2 Pet. 2:2, Msg)
We are currently still examining the theme of perversity in the contemporary church building. Most readers of these teachings will probably find it interesting, but may feel that the pagan roots from which it developed is not still manifested in church tradition. One could thus argue that it is unnecessary to spend so much time on the external aspects of the church, when we should actually be concerned with its internal character – the service, the worship, the community of believers.
This is certainly a valid argument. The irony is that the church’s traditions are often defended at all cost, despite its non-Biblical origins. There is however another important implication. In his book Secular Use of Church Buildings, J.G. Davies makes the following observation: “The question of church building is inseparable from the question of the church and of its function in the modern world.” Indeed.
As we argued earlier – the myth that informs this argument is that the church is considered as a sacred space, and that the construction and decorating thereof thus also garners a certain “holy” quality. Up until now we have convincingly pointed out that what is often considered as holy within the context of the church building, often stems (in semi-altered form) from pagan or idolatrous traditions. It should then rather be considered an unholy space! The terrifying implications of this space is that believers defend it as holy ground. It always connotes a certain sense of exclusivity. An old (very racist) joke from the old South African dispensation illustrates this: A reverend from a traditional church enters the church building one weekday morning, and sees a black man, on his knees, before the pulpit. “What are you doing here!” shouts the Reverend. The black man jumps up and says, “I’m cleaning the floor, Baas.” The reverend responds, “Aah, good, I thought you were praying.” 🙁
Spiritual exclusivity is connoted by this “sacred space” in which there are various unwritten rules: who is considered welcome, what clothing is worn, what behaviour is considered acceptable, who may speak when, when speaking is not allowed, and many others. The younger generation, who have in many instances become churchless, question these traditions in quite an aggressive manner. “To put it bluntly, there are moments when I wonder whether the talking-head-driven, program-centered, building-focused, mission-project-heavy version is the best expression of church that we are capable of producing … Authenticity is the watchword of a generation that is suspicious of squeaky-clean, franchise Christianity.” (Sarah Cunningham: Dear Church: Letters from a Disillusioned Generation, pp. 83 & 88).
Yet this call sounds from wider than just the younger generation. A book such as Wayne Jacobsen & Dave Coleman’s: So You Don’t Want to go to Church Anymore makes it clear from its title alone. We will need to mercilessly examine the myths of the perverted church.
- Selah: What would you consider as “authentic Christianity”?
- Read: 3-5
- Memorise: 5:7 – is this a call you should heed?
For a more in-depth understanding: Read one of the books mentioned above.
