To Die to Self

Note: I really didn't intend to write this much, but I got started with something I saw on TV, and I just kind of went with it.

I am currently watching a televangelist on TV, one Pastor Davis. He is trying to give away this stuff called "no evil oil," a substance which supposedly rids the user of "witchcraft spirits" and the "poverty devil" under the power of the blood of Jesus. Apparently, he and his "prayer family" prayed over this oil for 17 days, somehow consecrating it and changing it into this miraculous substance. Rebellious children, unfaithful spouses, and financial troubles can all be attributed to the witchcraft spirits, according to this man. He just promised a police officer at one of his meetings that he would receive two promotions and get a larger salary, all in the name of God.

I am sorry. This is inexcusable. I don't care what brand of Christianity you subscribe to, this is inexcusable. Even supposedly "mainstream" Christian leaders like Pat Robertson participate in this sort of thing, giving unfounded proclamations of healing and favour with no deference whatsoever to God's will. (Of course, Mr. Robertson is not a trinket peddler like this Pastor Davis person, but nevertheless, I do not appreciate some of the things he does.) Another thing this Davis fellow keeps saying is that he "sees" things. He said that to the policeman, he says to viewers who write him that he "sees" them anointing various people/things with his oil and being blessed. He sees them? What does that mean? He is seriously prophesying to these people. He simply says something and states that God will do it. This is akin to a combination of a BAM! commercial and an ad for a phone-in psychic. You can clean your bathtub and get rid of evil spirits at the same time!

How can we expect anyone to take Christianity seriously when our faith is allowed to be hijacked by people like this? Evangelical Christianity seems to be a harbour for distributors of a cheapened version of the faith. Christianity is portrayed as a quick fix for life's little problems. Self-help is the name of the game, and God is the guru who will set you right. Or that's what we're told. Joel Osteen is one such preacher, a man who preaches a theology of prosperity. He tells us that faith and righteousness will bring us favour from God, and in turn, this will manifest itself materially. Our health will improve, we'll be more productive at work, our stress levels will go down, we'll have happier lives, because these are apparently the signs of God's blessing. This is an incredibly reduced gospel. In fact, there's really not much gospel involved, to be perfectly honest. This is merely Christianized self-help, the American dream, with a Jesus-Fish stuck on the bumper. Like so many other things in our culture, we've taken something, stamped it with God's seal of approval, and supposedly claimed it for Christ, in all of it's postmodern, secular glory, ignoring the fact that it remains virtually unchanged. Is this "taking every thought captive?" Is this "renewing your mind?" No, it's just sugarcoating. Extremely popular sugarcoating.

We are challenged by Peter in his first epistle to pursue spiritual growth. So many people are still content to stay within the bounds of "Jesus loves me, this I know," never maturing past that point. (The aforementioned principle is indeed a wonderful one, but our faith has so much more to offer...) The "prosperity gospel" seems to be nothing more than "Jesus loves me and wants me to have an expensive car, perfect health, obedient children, and a carefree life," as if these are the benefits of the Jesus Club. I am always reminded that Christ himself specifically told us that we would be persecuted, reviled, and cursed for his sake. "To die to self and so to live" is the phrase that I think of, one that implies that the life of the Christian is not exactly "7 Keys Towards Improving Your Life." I am a slave to Christ, not a country club member. But my master is Yahweh, the creator of the universe. He has given me something much greater than the "American Dream," and has promised me an inheritance of incalculable worth.

True cultural transformation is more than possible through the gospel, but only if the entire gospel is put into practice. The gospel that is being displayed to the American public is a shoddy reflection of the true power of Christ. The American church is divided, disorganized, and inconsistent in its efforts. How can we expect nonbelievers to take our message seriously if we ourselves do not take it seriously? The incredible beauty of the gospel is being lost on an entire nation.