It Makes me Sad

Recently a video entitled “Why I hate religion, but love Jesus” has gone viral. It is frequently posted on Facebook with people indicating that they “like” the video. The video is a four minute poetic rap by a 20-something male who highlights all the negative aspects of “religion” and expounds on how and why Jesus would feel the same.

I have noticed that on my Facebook page most of those who post the video and respond to it are also 20-somethings, and it makes me sad.

Not because I think they shouldn’t like the video, or because some of what he says is wrong, but because there is much more to the church than the way this young man defines as “religion.” I am acutely aware that 20-somethings are not filling our churches and are not interested in faith issues because of their negative experiences with the church and religion. As an “insider,” I understand why they may feel the way they do and agree with some of what is being said. However, there is a bigger picture that I wish would be considered and go viral.

I did some research on Jefferson Bethke, the video’s author and performer, to get perspective. “You have to get back to my definition of religion”, Bethke said in an interview, “(Jesus) was coming to abolish self righteousness, justification and hypocrisy.”

That is one definition. Webster defines religion this way: “service and worship of God or the supernatural; commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance.”

I agree that Jesus had a distaste for self righteousness, justification and hypocrisy, but Jesus wasn’t against religion or the church. In fact, God created the church, the body of Christ. The church is to reflect Christ in attitude and action, which is hard to do perfectly because as Jesus noted the church is filled with imperfect people.

Yet, God created the church, the body of Christ, to be His presence in the world. We haven’t done it perfectly, and in fact, there are many things that the church has distorted with our self interest and our bent toward personal preferences. At the same time, the church, the body of Christ, is the hope of the world. History shows that the church is the foundation of many of our hospitals, higher educational institutions and the first responders when there is a crisis in the world. As you look at local communities, it is the church that sponsors most food pantries, homeless shelters and other assistance programs.

The church is not perfect, but the church is the hope of the world. It makes me sad that a generation of people may believe that the church doesn’t represent Jesus. It makes me sad that they may turn their back on the church. Rather than turning their back on the church I would encourage them to get involved in local churches, voice an opinion, make a difference.

One of the great ironies in Jefferson Bethke’s life is that he is a member of a local church in his hometown of Seattle. It is a church that has brought many people who have been far from God to know Him personally. It is a church that is filled with young adults. However, his pastor is thought to by some to be authoritarian and narrow minded. He is very vocal about what he calls the “feminization” of the church, and does not endorse women in leadership positions in the church. I am not sure if Jesus would see things the same way.

          Jesus said His purpose in coming was to

          “...seek and save the lost...”; (Luke 19:10). 

          In his coming out sermon he affirmed the words of Isaiah:

          The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me

          to preach good news to the poor.

          He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners

          and recovery of sight for the blind,

          to release the oppressed,

          to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18,19)

         

Jesus’ purpose was not “...to abolish self righteousness, justification and hypocrisy.” Although in the process of fulfilling His mission he did speak out against those issues.

         

I want the church, the body of Christ, to reflect Jesus in word and deed; to be a place of mercy, grace and acceptance. I want us to pay attention to the attitudes and behaviors that the church reflects that may not be in keeping with those values. I want people of all ages to join us in helping the church fulfill that mission. When that doesn’t happen, it makes me sad. But it doesn’t make me want to quit the church and only “hang out” with Jesus on my own, because Jesus said the two are inseparable. The church is the body of Christ. We just have to keep working at being a better body.