McChurch – “Left Behind”at the Resurrection?

Last updated on: May 9, 2013 at 6:09 am by Faithful Democrats

McChurch – “Left Behind”at the Resurrection? 2013-05-09T06:09:28-06:00 Faithful Democrats

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

By its profound coarsening of both theology and politics, it may already have departed, leaving the rest of us to pick up the pieces.

I am having far too much fun at the expense of the Billy-Bob church in Texas that cancelled the funeral of a gay veteran because of the potential that it would "send the wrong message that we endorse the lifestyle," or some such rationale.

The pastor of that church, you may recall, is the brother-in-law of Joel "My-lips-never-leave-my-mouth" Osteen, a living legend to what we can do for God if we simply think positively enough and take lessons in mime. God, that Great Gargoyle in the Sky, apparently has tired of small accomplishments building toward big things (the weak confounding the strong) and has surrendered the ground of marketing to American genius.

McChurch is a phenomenon known for its collective righteousness. Noted for hundreds (preferably thousands) of active members and white male pastors with capped teeth, it stands as a reminder that there is safety in numbers. God could not possibly reject so many adherents metaphorically joined at the heart and hip.

"You ought to try our church," we are told. "The music is out of this world!" Indeed, that is as it should be. For McChurch is a "Christian" church, anxiously waiting the Resurrection." By its profound coarsening of both theology and politics, it may already have departed, leaving the rest of us to pick up the pieces.

We have morphed from "Christian Church" (as opposed to smaller, less successful churches) to "Christian Nation," "Christian Company" and "Christian Party" (namely Republican sans Rudy). We even have "Christian Lobbyists," reminding us that in such a world as we now live, God may well need lobbyists. Now we discover to our astonishment, "Christian Graveyards."

Christianity being an Abrahamic faith rising out of the person and work of Jesus Christ, I have taken to wondering of late whether Jesus died for countries, companies and graveyards. If so, what kind of a mess will take place at the Resurrection? Taking into consideration that most of us, with the notable exception of the faceless faithful of McChurch, have fallen short of the glory of God, there may be more property rising into the air than there are believers.

After all, if the property is left behind, so also will be some of the keepers of the property. That cannot be permitted to happen in a system of collective righteousness.

Will the corporate records of Christian companies rise with the saints on that Great Day? Will there be any Democrats or Greens; will Dunkin Donuts rise again for the comfort of Republican saints? How about all those gravestones in the "Christian" cemeteries?

I understand that Service Master is a Christian company. Will they be selling franchises in Jerusalem after all the non-believing Jews are slaughtered at Armageddon and where there is neither adequate sanitation nor housing for McChurch?

Did you know that there is "Christian" music and "Christian" books? What a mess that will make at the Resurrection! All those paperbacks and CD's!

These are questions that demand thoughtful answers – perhaps a Council or two. Maybe there is a way to leave behind the trappings of Christianity in preference to the heart of Christianity – humble, repentant sinners. The problem is, of course, that the heart has been buried under layers of entertainment.

As for me, "My hope is built on nothing less than Scofield's notes and ScripturePress!"

Featured Writers

Previous Post

August 26, 2007

Gays in the Graveyard, Part II: Some Observations

Next Post

August 28, 2007 US Senator Fined for Lewd Foot-Tapping

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category About Us About Us Action Center Advertise Ask a Theologian Ask a Theologian Blogs Books Campaign Blog Candidate Spotlights Commentary Donate Facebook Featured Writers Fellows Fellows From the Pulpit General Information Hillary Clinton Interfaith Blog Latest Media Center Media Center Media Center MyBlog MyBlog News Newsflash Newsflashes Our Team Reader Blogs RSS Sermon of the Week Shop Social Networking Static Items Support Talking Points Test blogs The Basics Theology Uncategorized YouTube

Select a Month November 2020 October 2020 February 2020 August 2019 July 2018 July 2017 March 2017 February 2017 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 June 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 January 2006 August 2004

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What day did God rest during creation?

Select your answer to see how you score.

The first day The seventh day The sixth day The third day