7 Thoughts on the Reputation of the Church

I love the church for many reasons, not the least of which is that Jesus loves the church – but I often wrestle with her sins.

The reputation of the church can be a touchy subject for all involved. Some would like to undermine the seriousness of her offenses, while others would love to over emphasize them to the exclusion of all else good. 

In this blog, I want to humbly offer some thoughts on this topic. 

Nominal Christianity 

The Bible teaches that when someone truly believes in Jesus, they undergo a spiritual transformation. Their spirit is made alive and they have a new capacity – in theological terms this is call regeneration (Titus 3:4-7).  However, many people in the world would probably identify as Christians without ever experiencing this regeneration. This is nominal Christianity – or being a Christian in name only. 

Each person is responsible for their decision of faith regardless of whether or not they were born into a “Christian” home. As the saying goes – God has no grandchildren. So, it’s important to not just assume that someone naming Christ has any actual interest in following his teachings. 

False Prophets and Deepfakes 

Deepfakes are becoming more common in our age. A deepfake is when someone in a photo or video is digitally altered to look like someone else (usually someone famous) while doing something that is not in line with what the person being portrayed would do or say. 

Jesus spoke of this type of thing long ago, but he used the term in relation to the church. 

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits…” Matthew 7:15-16

This is a level beyond “nominal Christianity”, because the false prophet is deliberately trying to pretend to be a Jesus follower while saying and doing things that are completely contrary to Jesus’ teachings. 

Church and State

In my opinion, church and state must be separate. Almost every time they are not separate throughout history, bad things happen. 

Let me clarify – it’s not that Christians cannot participate in politics or that the church cannot influence the state. The problem really arises when the church begins to control the state or when the state begins to control the church. 

Even True Christians Fail

Remember that we talked about the regeneration of a person when they truly believe in Jesus Christ. This affords them a new capacity to follow Jesus, however the old capacity to do evil is still there (only in Heaven will this old nature go away fully). 

So, the fact remains that real Christians commit real sins and there is no excuse for that. We must own it. And, while there is no excuse, there is grace and forgiveness from God. 

The Good in the Church

In his book, The Air We Breathe, Glen Scrivener offers a compelling argument for how the teachings of Christ have formed the modern West (in line with many other scholars who are not Christian). He also writes about how the church has been a facilitator of those teachings. 

He has a chapter on each of the following values and how they are rooted in Jesus’ teachings and the church: Equality, Compassion, Consent, Enlightenment, Science, Freedom and Progress.  

I can already hear the opposing cries to this list, and I won’t try to convince you of it all in this blog, but I highly recommend picking up The Air We Breathe and giving it a shot… you will be surprised. 

The Straight Line

Despite the great good the church has and is doing; we need to admit the sins of the church.  What is interesting though is that when we rightly critique the church, we are doing so using Christ’s own teachings. 

“My argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. What was I comparing this universe with when I called it unjust?” C.S. Lewis

Glen Scrivener uses this quote of Lewis’ in his book “The Air We Breathe”. The irony is that even when we criticize the church, we are using the teachings of Christ as the “straight line” to correct the “crooked”. May the church always receive the correction of its Founder and repent accordingly.

Look to Christ

It is certainly true that the church is meant to point us to Jesus. Christians should point us to Christ. The sad reality is that this just doesn’t always happen. 

So, if you have had a really bad experience at church or you oppose the church on a larger level due to her sins (or sometimes perceived sins), I implore you to continue to look at Jesus. Read the four gospels. Consider his teaching, his influence and ultimately and simply – who he is. 

I believe you will fall in love. 

Rembrandt, The Three Crosses