Christianity in Crisis

Christianity in Crisis
Copyright by The Rutherford Institute
By John W. Whitehead
11/13/2006

“For what will it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?”—Jesus Christ

“Christianity today often resembles an egg into which someone has poked a hole and sucked out all its contents,” writes author Richard Smoley, “and then taken the shell, encrusted it with gold and jewels, and set it up as an object of veneration. In many ways, it remains a beautiful shell, but more and more people are finding that it no longer offers any nourishment.”

Indeed, there is a growing sense that somewhere between the time that Christ walked the earth and the church of the present day, a vital part of Christianity has been lost. In its place is a brand of religion that bears little resemblance to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Recent high-profile scandals involving Christians who have had their integrity and morality called into question underscore the crisis in modern Christianity. For example, Ted Haggard, the former president of the National Association of Evangelicals, used his position as head of the NAE and as pastor of a 14,000-member church to condemn homosexuality and campaign for amendments banning same-sex marriage. However, the accuser now finds himself accused of sexual immorality by a homosexual.

Yet such scandals are merely the byproduct of a graver problem. Modern Christianity, having lost sight of Christ’s teachings, has been co-opted by legalism, materialism and politics. Simply put, it has lost its spirituality.

Whereas Christianity was once synonymous with charity, compassion and love for one’s neighbor, today it is more often equated with partisan politics, anti-homosexual rhetoric and affluent mega-churches. But unlike many Christians today, Christ did not engage in politics, identify with the government or attempt to push an agenda through governmental channels. Indeed, Christ spoke truth to power and made it abundantly clear that his kingdom was not of this world.

Thus, what do the jet-setting preachers and televangelists of modern Christendom have in common with the itinerant preacher whose followers belonged to the lower classes and the despised trades? To the impartial observer, they would seem to have very little in common with Jesus, whose entire focus was on self-denial and helping the poor.

In fact, Christ himself was homeless during his public life and depended on others for shelter. He said it was the meek and the poor who would be blessed—but not with material possessions. As Christ admonished: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth.” Yet the so-called “prosperity gospel,” a materialistic philosophy being touted by mainstream Christians like television preacher and best-selling author Joel Osteen, stands in stark contrast to Christ’s attitude toward materialism.

The disciples of Christ and those of the early church led lives of humility. Unlike the massive church edifices that dot the landscape today, early Christians worshipped in homes. However, annual revenue for Osteen’s Lakewood Church is estimated at some $77 million, a huge amount for a nonprofit organization. In July 2005, Osteen’s church moved into the Compaq Center, once the home of the Houston Rockets. $95 million was spent by the church on renovations, which include two waterfalls and enough carpeting to cover nine football fields. The church also boasts a café with wireless Internet access, 32 video game kiosks and a vault to store the donations.

Osteen is far from unusual in his embrace of wealth. Trinity Broadcasting Network’s Paul and Jan Crouch epitomize what it means to wallow in materialism. Founded by this husband and wife team, TBN, which claims nearly all the top names in its stable of televangelists, has used the prosperity gospel as its bedrock selling point since its inception in 1973. Over the years, the Crouches, who own numerous homes across the country, have raised millions through telethon fundraising and regular appearances by popular personalities such as Creflo Dollar. Dollar, pastor of World Changers Church International, has several Rolls Royces, private jets, a million-dollar home in Atlanta and a $2.5 million Manhattan apartment.

So what are the lessons in all this?

The most important is that spirituality quickly drowns in materialism. Can we really practice true Christianity when we worship in lavish churches while several blocks away people are starving?

When the rich young ruler came to Jesus and asked what he needed to do to become a disciple, Christ instructed him to give all his possessions to the poor. Christ told his followers that there were certain basic steps in being a disciple—deny oneself and “take up the cross.” This means repudiating a materialistic lifestyle and identifying with the suffering and downtrodden.

People today are starved for spirituality. Failing to find any true “nourishment” in the brand of Christianity offered today, they are seeking spiritual fulfillment in the most unexpected places. The popularity of television talk show host Oprah Winfrey, who peddles her own brand of spiritual advice, is a case in point.

Finally, those who call themselves Christians must be mindful of the proper use of power. Its legitimate use does not include imposing one’s will upon others through the government, or otherwise. From the standpoint of Christ, the proper use of power is to speak truth and seek justice for all, regardless of the consequences.

The real tragedy of the Ted Haggard debacle is not that Haggard has been leading a double life. As the evangelical writer David Kuo, author of Tempting Faith, remarked to the Associated Press: “It’s tragedy enough if a pastor falls, but this is not about a pastor falling. This is about a politician falling, and the politician is bringing Jesus down with him.”