Month: November 2022 (Page 2 of 3)

Have you heard of the Servant Foundation’s “He Gets Us” campaign? Because Christianity has received a lot of negative press lately, the campaign is “designed to create cultural change in the way people think about Jesus and his relevance in our lives,” seeking to start conversations about the authentic Jesus.

A booklet I received through Christianity Today states, “American culture is at a tipping point as younger generations are finding Jesus less relevant.”  The hope is to “help people meet the radical Jesus of the Bible who loves the unlovable and understands human frailties because he experienced them.  Simply put, He gets us.” 

What I find refreshing is the willingness to face squarely current skepticism regarding Jesus. “He Gets Us wants people to understand that Jesus experienced real human challenges during his time of earth.”  The church has not always been a safe place for people with doubts to ask questions about Jesus. Research by He Gets Us found “an overwhelming majority believe in God, and two-thirds believe Jesus existed.”  But they also found those with questions had, “no desire to be in conversation with Christians because they see Christianity as a religion of judgment and hypocrisy.”  

“The church has a unique opportunity to address these spiritual needs while people are open to enriching their lives through the gospel message.”  The campaign challenges the church, “to create safe places for people to explore faith and doubts based on mutual respect, vulnerability, and trust.”  Seekers need to be able to explore, ask questions and challenge perceived norms. Many live with fear. “At the root of fear is a belief that the world cannot be trusted.” Therefore, churches need to “create a safe place to explore their most challenging questions and biggest fears.”  

“Instead of viewing skeptics as the ‘other’, the church has the opportunity to embrace them as fully loved children of God…God does not call the church to operate from this spirit of fear, but he has given freely the gifts of power and love.”  The campaign believes, “people who are skeptical about faith can positively influence the work of the church based on Scripture, historical precedence, and evidence in the present moment.  From revising harmful doctrines to advocating for the vulnerable, healthy skepticism both within and outside of the church have catalyzed Christians to live as more faithful disciples.”  

The booklet concludes with this challenge: “In a world where cultural changes seem to take place at the speed of light, affiliation with Christianity is no exception. Seventy-five percent of Americans self-identified as Christians in 2011.  Just ten years later, that number…dropped to 63%.  America is hurling toward a tipping point – that is, if we haven’t already reached it.”

As a follower of Jesus, I am challenged by the He Gets Us campaign. First, in a day of political polarization and loud voices of dissent, I affirm the secure home provided by our Heavenly Father.  Jesus tells us, “My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14:23). 

Second, I have absolute confidence in the truth of Scripture. In II Tim. 3:16, Paul says, “All scripture is inspired by God,” and Jesus himself declared, “My words will never pass away” Matt. 24:35).

Third, I belong to God’s Kingdom. I continue to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10).  This is both revolutionary and counter cultural. 

Fourth, I need to avoid the “god box.” Lord, give me grace to see “outside the box” using Scripture and your Spirit to guide me.