P.C. Christianity

We are in a very interesting time in the history of the church. Our culture has continued to pressure us to be "politically correct", "culturally sensitive" and be sure you don't impose your beliefs on others. The world is trying to press the church and it's people into its mold. If we don't stand out we won't bother them and we won't make a difference. In many ways the world has won the day.

Jesus would have none of it. He railed against the establishment of his day, both religious and political, and called them to a higher law. Here's a "cut" from one of his encounters with the "establishment"-

Mat 23:13 "I've had it with you! You're hopeless, you religion scholars, you Pharisees! Frauds! Your lives are roadblocks to God's kingdom. You refuse to enter, and won't let anyone else in either.
Mat 23:15 "You're hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You go halfway around the world to make a convert, but once you get him you make him into a replica of yourselves, double-damned.
Mat 23:16 "You're hopeless! What arrogant stupidity! You say, 'If someone makes a promise with his fingers crossed, that's nothing; but if he swears with his hand on the Bible, that's serious.'
Mat 23:17 What ignorance! Does the leather on the Bible carry more weight than the skin on your hands?
Mat 23:18 And what about this piece of trivia: 'If you shake hands on a promise, that's nothing; but if you raise your hand that God is your witness, that's serious'?
Mat 23:19 What ridiculous hairsplitting! What difference does it make whether you shake hands or raise hands?
Mat 23:20 A promise is a promise. What difference does it make if you make your promise inside or outside a house of worship? A promise is a promise. God is present, watching and holding you to account regardless. (THE MESSAGE)

Well, you get the idea.....those aren't soft words. They leave no question behind, "what did he mean by that?" Jesus made it very clear what he wanted to communicate. In many ways we fail at that today. We have softened the message of the cross to the point that it irritates no one. We have stopped talking about sin, death and hell so that we won't offend. If we comply with the cultural demands to tone down our message, the message of the cross, we neither obey God nor serve those who need it most.

I found a call back to these topics on Mark Driscoll's blog, and thought it would be great challenge-

Anthony Bradley's Blog
This Year Don't Forget To Warn About Hell
Jesus, in an act of compassion, warns about eternal punishment and calls all to repentance. Jesus did not shirk from preaching the truth about the disastrous future awaiting those who do not confess Jesus as Lord. Many of today's preachers, out of cowardice, are not warning people about the impending justice of a holy and righteous God. In fact, it is entirely possible that people are confused about the necessity of the atonement because they are confused about the reality of hell. Preaching the gospel includes both dimensions of God's grace and his justice.