Spirituality

A couple of days ago i read an interview with Eugene Peterson (author of The Message) from Christianity Today. Peterson was pretty hard on Christians in America... and rightfully so, i think. Clink on the title above and it will take you to the CT article Spirituality For All The Wrong Reasons.

One of the things i think Peterson really "nailed" is the issue of the church's attempt to be "relevant" to the surrounding or predominant culture. Our consumer culture has so infected us (Christians) that our perception of God and the Church based on new trinity of "fix me, comfort me, please me." Forget the fact that Jesus, our Teacher, said, "If you want to live then you have to die." Forget the fact that Jesus, the lover of our souls, was willing to risk rejection by those he most loved. Forget the fact that Jesus, our Savior, embraced and endured suffering and died. Forget all that, if you can. Just notice how devoted Jesus was to doing the things he had seen the Father do, saying those things he had heard the Father say, living to please his heavenly Father.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me... on us...