The Christmas Gong Show...

Okay okay...What is going on with Christmas? Why is it that I've been at several church 'Christmas services' this holiday season and I've heard like 3 different "THe TRUE meaning of Christmas is..." talks. I have also heard 3 different gospel messages, none of which is the Christian gospel:

I've heard the "Jesus gives you joy that never fades" message. That's so idiotic I don't even want to touch it.

I've heard the "Life is all about choices and God gave us the ultimate choice; the choice to have true love" message. That's equally stupid. Is humanity's problem that we don't know how to find "true love"? Maybe a kid in youth group could get away with such abberant theology, but a pastor should get sent to bed with no supper for such garbage.

I've also heard the whole "Jesus will help you find meaning" message. Since when did evangelism get an overhaul by Tony Robbins and Dr. Phil? I don't know if most of Christendom has ever thought about this, but pagans like Tony Robbins and Dr. Phil don't have a CLUE what is going on; at least ultimately speaking. I'll give them some credit, or at least I'll give Dr. Phil some credit...He understands a fair amount about 'relationship dynamics' and 'effective communication' and whatnot, but Dr. Phil doesn't have access to ultimate reality outside of Christ. He doesn't really understand the nature of love nor the divine model for relationships and we don't need to focus on the babbling of the carnal minded with regards to ultimate reality and the gospel. We gotta focus on the truth, not the things that sound intriguing but are off target...

I gotta say, I'm really let down this holiday season. Why are so many pastors so spineless and why is everyone so caught up with making the gospel 'relevant'? What the heck is going on? Everytime people try to make the gospel 'relevant', they only reveal two things:

1. They don't really understand it in the first place (for all their euphamistic 'gospels' have really abberant theology and the message usually changes drastically).

2. They don't have a clue what efficacious means. The Bible is efficacious; it is efective to do it's job. The word of God is what "make(s) you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim 3:15) and the word of God is "useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16). The word is efficacious, it does it's job (through the empowering of the Spirit, of course!)

"The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.
They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.
By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward. " (Ps 19:7-11)

That's what the three 'gospel' messages I heard this Christmas were trying to do; bring revival, bring wisdom, bring joy, bring understanding, and do it all in an appealing package. Why are we SO stupid? ARGH!

The Armchair Theologian