I HOPE YOU ARE OFFENDED
Posted on March 29th, 2005 by Reformed Pope into the Favorites, Seasonal, Biblical Parody categoryTo those who were offended by my last post I would like to say…
Great. Good for you. You should be offended. It is, after all, completely revolting. It disgusts me.
Yes, my story was irreverent. Yes, the thought of Jesus “Tithing on the cross” is distasteful, and yes to do it all on Easter is sickening. The line has completely been crossed…
and…
that’s why we blog.
You see, we truly believe that this is what many churches and Christians have done. They have taken what Christ sacrificed at the cross and traded it in for “the American Dream”. Instead of preaching on forgiveness, they teach that God will curse you if you don’t tithe. Instead of teaching grace they tell you to “Tithe for protection”.
It’s disturbing really. I believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the most important part of my walk with God. After all, without it I wouldn’t have a walk with God. Once you get past the gospel you have a religion that puts man in control and that’s pretty scary.
So what does the gospel mean to me?
Everything.
I believe that I am a sinful being, completely unworthy of salvation. I deserve to spend eternity in hell. When Jesus died on the cross, he took my sins and paid for them. I didn’t have to earn His love, and I don’t have to work to keep it. He showed me that no matter what I’ve done He still loves me. How comforting is that? To know that the creator of the universe is on my side. To know that He sacrificed His son so we could spend eternity together. That’s extremely comforting.
I used to try to earn God’s love. I wasn’t any good at it, but I would try anyways. I would look around the church and see all these other people that seemed much better at it than me. Look at that person pray, wow, God must really love them. Look at that one worship, God probably loves them more than anyone. If only I could learn some self control, then I would be on track to heaven…but then I learned that there is no track to heaven, no ladder to climb, no buying your way in. I learned that God’s love for me gets me in. It’s all I need. He sacrificed so I don’t have to worry about it anymore. I just accept the fact that God is in control and try my best to live a life that honors Him.
So I’m glad you were offended,
now what are we going to do about it?
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March 29th, 2005 at 12:43 pm
I remember back in the 80’s I went to a Christian concert - Steve Camp? - and in addition to being a great songwriter the guy was upset with how Christians and churches got bent out of shape over the wrong things. I don’t remember exactly what he said, but it went something like this: “Damnit church, people are going to hell!” You could hear a pin drop. “Most of you are more hurt and offended that I said ‘Damnit’ than you are concerned that your neighbor is going to Hell!” He was totally right, and it surprised me to hear people talking afterwards and still be offended - they totally missed his point. Anonymous93, I can’t help but wonder if you and others are missing the point here with the saracasm on this blog. The point is to make fun of the apparrent inconsistency between the church’s religious need for things like money when they seem to care little about preaching the Gospel and loving people. No, not all CBC’ers are bad people and feel this way. But the culture there is so pervasive that it takes an outside objective opinion to point out the nonsense by mocking it with nonsense. Sometimes shock value is the only thing that gets people’s attention. You’re mad? Offended? Examine yourself and make sure you’re not getting offended for the wrong reasons! In all my years of CBC I can only remember hearing the Gospel during the Eternity plays, and it was more about scaring people out of Hell than about God’s grace and love. The rest of the time was about how to be a superspiritual Christian and tithing. I still believe there is hope for the people at CBC to wake up and turn things around. I still love them as brothers & sisters in Christ and wish the best for them. If I really didn’t care, I wouldn’t bother reading or posting here, and without putting words into their mouths, I think the authors of this blog probably feel the same way. That’s why they blog. They “crossed the line” when they decided to publicly question things at CBC, their methods are irrelevant. They offend people just by blogging here and if it took you this long to be offended then I have the most hope for you. It means you care enough to listen and consider what is being said. — former inner circle member
March 29th, 2005 at 12:44 pm
I remember back in the 80’s I went to a Christian concert - Steve Camp? - and in addition to being a great songwriter the guy was upset with how Christians and churches got bent out of shape over the wrong things. I don’t remember exactly what he said, but it went something like this: “Damnit church, people are going to hell!” You could hear a pin drop. “Most of you are more hurt and offended that I said ‘Damnit’ than you are concerned that your neighbor is going to Hell!” He was totally right, and it surprised me to hear people talking afterwards and still be offended - they totally missed his point. Anonymous93, I can’t help but wonder if you and others are missing the point here with the saracasm on this blog. The point is to make fun of the apparrent inconsistency between the church’s religious need for things like money when they seem to care little about preaching the Gospel and loving people. No, not all CBC’ers are bad people and feel this way. But the culture there is so pervasive that it takes an outside objective opinion to point out the nonsense by mocking it with nonsense. Sometimes shock value is the only thing that gets people’s attention. You’re mad? Offended? Examine yourself and make sure you’re not getting offended for the wrong reasons! In all my years of CBC I can only remember hearing the Gospel during the Eternity plays, and it was more about scaring people out of Hell than about God’s grace and love. The rest of the time was about how to be a superspiritual Christian and tithing. I still believe there is hope for the people at CBC to wake up and turn things around. I still love them as brothers & sisters in Christ and wish the best for them. If I really didn’t care, I wouldn’t bother reading or posting here, and without putting words into their mouths, I think the authors of this blog probably feel the same way. That’s why they blog. They “crossed the line” when they decided to publicly question things at CBC, their methods are irrelevant. They offend people just by blogging here and if it took you this long to be offended then I have the most hope for you. It means you care enough to listen and consider what is being said. — former inner circle member
March 29th, 2005 at 12:45 pm
Bah, stupid double post. Sorry.
March 29th, 2005 at 8:55 pm
In response to certain persons criticizing this blog and the methods undertaken by its writers…
You guys blogging is just as important to me as someone feeding the homeless. This blog feeds the megachurchless, as it were. It is very healing for many people including myself to come here and know that they are not alone in thier feelings about - and issues with - CBC. It is good for the soul to write about stuff that you see in the world that just ain’t right…
There are many “undecided Jesus followers” living and dying every day in Portland, but CBC chooses to buy plasma screens to reach the “undecided church attender”. Somebody say that ain’t right. (”That ain’t right!!!”)
While CBC is busy selling everyone lattes so that they have the energy to worship a little harder than before, it seems that you forgot to buy cup o’ joe for “that homeless guy that always looks at me funny”. Somebody say that ain’t right. (”That ain’t right!!!”)
Instead of role-modeling real and honest relationships with their families and thier members, CBC leaders decided to model successful businesses strategies and tithing tactics, leading many to think that churches and families are actually supposed to be run like businesses… Somebody say that ain’t right. (”That ain’t right!!!”)
Anyways, to all you CBCers who are offended, don’t worry about it. Don’t try to wage a holy war on this blog. That’s not righteous zeal you’re feeling, I think you actually just spilled coffee on yourself. I know, I know, of course Jesus didn’t die so we could tithe, it was just meant to get your attention. If it didn’t convince you of anything, then go find a healthy environment to air your own set of grievances with the world, cause it sure feels good. But when the time comes for you to move on from CBC, I’ll be here with open arms.
March 30th, 2005 at 8:46 pm
fairwell comment by anonymous #93
—our lives should model Christs to the best of our ability by the grace of God.reformed pope, in regards to your question about my problem with you guys telling cbc about their problems. i have no issue with addressing a problem our bringing up an offense, it is just the way that you do that, i thought i made myself clear about that in my previous comments.ie speak the truth in love.
how are we to deal with anothers faults. How did Christ deal with ours, did He ridicule you into His arms did He talk to you publicly in front of others about your speach impetiment, your “brown nosing”ect. no He did not. He came to you personally and revealed your faults slowly as to not drive you into depression, and He still does HE never flashes before us our total miserable state, we never Know How bad we really and utterly are, but we see small portions of it.
My point is give forgiveness as freely as you have recieved it , show compassion and patience when it is least deserved. Go to a person in person when you have an issue. How about praying for them, but obviosly this blog is way more effective than than such an outdated and religious form of dealing with hurts and issues.
I don’t go to cbc anymore and I am disturbed by the gospel being discarded for programs that really “produce results”.
the world will know that we are christians by our love for one another, and by our dealing with each other in His redemptive love, especialy with or problems, let us not use the worlds ways to do the Lord’s work. — For the sake of the cross anonymous #93
March 31st, 2005 at 4:13 am
“Fairwell comment by anonymous #93. Let us not use the worlds ways to do the Lord’s work.” — For the sake of the cross anonymous #93
Well, it was nice to hear your comments Mr. 93. And don’t doubt that you disagree with our method of arguing with the church.
That said, I imagine you never said anything when you left. I imagine you just kept it all to yourself, so as not to “rock the boat.”
And I’m not sure thats any better.
“The hottest corners in hell are reserved for those who in a moment of crisis stood by silently and did nothing.”
March 31st, 2005 at 7:19 am
I don’t think #93 understands the analogy. We are the sinners, Christ is still Christ, but the entity that is CBC is the Pharisee. They were the one exception. Yes, Jesus came to save them too, and many were saved, however he had the harshest criticism for them and how they warped the Word of God and corrupted His Father’s House. He did not speak kindly about Pharisees at any point in His ministry and ultimately those same Pharisees and Jewish “leaders” sentenced Christ to death. CBC will not address it’s problems as long as the Pharisee within it is telling them that they are without problems.
June 13th, 2006 at 4:35 pm
What can be said, for an old heart like mine? Soften it up, with oil and wine. The oil is you, your spirit of love. Please wash me anew in wine of your blood.
I keep finding new riches on this blog. Thanks RP and Cat.
Now, what to do with the discouragement and depression?
June 13th, 2006 at 4:37 pm
Shoot!
My favorote evangelist isn’t on my TiVo!
I need to see faith in action
Where are you Dog the Bounty Hunter!