When Christianity Doesn't Work!

Too Good To Be True: Finding Hope in a World of Hype by Michael Horton (Zondervan, 2006 - $16.95).

“Christianity is not true because it works. In many cases, it does not work. That is to say, it does not solve all the problems we think it should solve. It isn't a technique for our personal therapy, but the truth that God has overcome sin and death in the cross and resurrection of Christ. Those who became Christians because they were told it would fix their marriages, only to find themselves in divorce court, might well give up on Christianity. Those who expected to be free of all their sinful habits, temptations, and desires after a conversion in which sudden victory was promised may find themselves disillusioned with God altogether, when they realized they are still sinners saved by grace.” (Pages 126 and 127)

I spent many years of my adult life in the Christian retail industry and during those years I have seen my share of aggressive marketing of Jesus’ name being sold as a product. Still till this day I see churches aggressively marketing Jesus’ name with slogans like “just give Jesus a chance,” and sermons that seems to be more of a motivational speech of good advice because is more marketable than the proclamation of good news.

Just check out the books on the Christian bestseller list. You will see books like Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential (by Joel Osteen) and Look Great, Feel Great: 12 Keys to Enjoying a Healthy Life Now (by Joyce Meyers). After reading such skubalon theology (which is Christless) one would get the impression if we follow the advices given that God will make us happy, healthy, and wealthy. So who need the church when I can hear the same good advice messages from Ophrah or Doctor Phil?

What happens when we become sick, bankrupt, or depressed? Is it because we didn’t follow the “7 Steps to Living at” our “full potential,” or has God just abandoned us? The answer according to Michael Horton is too good to be true. Mike Horton present the most awesome truth missing from the sermons of likes Joel Osteen and Joyce Meyer and that is the only good news we need in difficult times is the message of the cross!

Through the cross God came down to us. The message we get with so many of the so-called evangelical leaders is that in order to obtain all the blessing of God we must climb up to God. As a child Mike Horton “would run up the down escalator, trying to beat it to the top.” I know many of my dear Christian brothers and sisters who are like a child running up the down escalator believing that they could climb up to God under their own steam. The good news is that it is Jesus descended to us, even in the tough times. This book is a reminder that “all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 – ESV)

Why these theological issues matters? Well, from the very day we are born we are living in bodies that decaying as a result of Adam’s sin. We all are going to face hard times, sickness, and death. I am reminded of this every time I drive or walk by a cemetery. So I recommend this book to every one who is going to die someday and need to be reminded that through the cross Christ conquered death!

Timotheus
<><