Revisiting "Is Christianity an Idol?"
Reflections on the Western Evangelical Church
Hi friends,
It’s Current Andrea here. I’m sharing a post from last summer — although it’s one I still wrestle with… maybe even more so now.
I also want to share honestly: writing here takes time, prayer, and love. One way I’m able to keep offering this work is through the support of paid subscribers. If this Substack has been meaningful to you (and I hope it has!), would you consider becoming a paid subscriber? Your support makes it possible for me to keep writing and sharing resources for spiritual formation, as well as (hopefully) giving you a place to feel less alone in the “Gracious Tension” of the wilderness. Plus you’ll get access to archive!
Of course, if now isn’t the right time, please know I’m so glad you’re here and reading — your presence matters just as much.
Let’s see what Past Andrea had to say…
I was thinking about how some believe that we’re living in a “Post-Christian” era, and I thought… maybe I don't fully agree with that. Yes, statistics would say that there is a decline in professing believers (Rm. 10:9).1 And statistics would also say it’s across denominations but I wonder if it would be a bit more accurate to say Post-Evangelical Christendom. Walk with me as I tease this out.
Do we revere the concept of Western Evangelical Christianity above the character of Jesus? Or even the character of Paul? Peter? James? And John? (At least our interpretation of them.)
Evangelical Christianity has created many rules and guardrails. It has lifted up a specific demographic at the cost of others, even making Jesus over into their image. I’m lookin’ as you white-Jesus! (Jesus was middle-Eastern, not white.) When people ask questions or speak against the Evangelical church there is an almost unreasonable reaction. In addition, you may be silenced. How? Your intellect is called into question, your character is slandered, you’re cast out, you’re coerced with Scripture. (Wait a second! Did evangelicals create cancel culture!?!)
Click below to see the original post…
None of the Above by Joel Thiessen & Sarah Wilkins-Laflamme