Thousand Acre Church

Okay… I admit that the title of this post suggests that I think churches have evil intentions when they address poverty.  That’s not exactly what I intend to say.  But I can’t think of any way to title this post that is shorter (I’m open to suggestions) and still communicates the content of the post.  So, forgive me if you’re offended by the title. 

This list is from Beyond Guilt: Christian Response to Suffering by George Johnson.  He thinks (and I agree, otherwise I wouldn’t post it, duh) that hunger and oppresion are in some ways fostered by poor theology, preaching and teaching in our churches.  He adds, “This might be called the underdevelopment of theology or the captivity of the church to cultural values.”  I think its interesting that he thinks of the pollution of the church by cultural values in different ways than you might expect to hear from the “family values” folks… but that’s a digression.  Here’s the list (straight from the book in bold with any of my comments in italics):

1. NEGLECT OF THE SCRIPTURES - What we see or don’t see in the scriptures is often influenced by our economics of privilege and ties to the empire.  Do I need to say that we rarely if ever hear calls to invest (or give away) our financial privileges from the pulpit.  Yet, the OT prophets and the NT prophet have a lot to say in warnings to the rich on behalf of the poor.
2. NEGLECT OF STEWARDSHIP - Creation and our management of it is overshadowed by our strong human redemption-centered theology.  Yep.  ALLLLL of creation is being redeemed.  Yes… No…?
3. NEGLECT OF COMMUNITY - Strong individualism gives the personal aspects of salvation too much attention and discourages global awareness and responsibility for others.  Do we even talk about the corporate aspects of salvation?  EVER?
4. NEGLECT OF THE PROPHETIC - In many subtle ways we have silenced the prophetic voice while emphasizing grace without responsibility.
5. NEGLECT OF CONVERSION - We have been too timid to call for a change in our lives and sidestepped the radical aspects of the call to follow Jesus.  Ya heard?  I don’t think they would’ve let me be a part of the Christian community back in the first century.  They were hard.  They were calling each other out and lining people up.  I’m guilty.

The next post will have 6-10.  I was challenged by this list.  I’m eager to hear what others think.