This Quote of the Day comes from David Alan Black’s latest, The Jesus Paradigm:
The religion of our age is utopian pragmatism, and with it the whole social structure of America is tumbling down, dethroning its God and undermining all its certainties. I have no doubt that had C.S. Lewis lived long enough he would have devoted another Screwtape Letter to the devilish ways the American church has deceived itself into thinking it is following the blueprint of Scripture. (p. 29)
David Alan Black is professor of New Testament and Greek at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
What powerful words. I can think of no better way to say it. My frustration grows almost daily with my own denomination and their surrender to pragmatism. We have lost our fervor for God.
Dr. Black is a Christian iconoclast of the good sort: he attempts to help us clear away false cultural assumptions mascquerading as piety and theological reflection.
Dan,
Powerful, indeed. We’ve been marching to the wrong drummer far too long, as the American church.
Prof. Black, among others, is calling us back to the “sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (2 Cor. 11:3)that characterized the early Christ-followers.
Scott W said:
Dr. Black is a Christian iconoclast of the good sort: he attempts to help us clear away false cultural assumptions mascquerading as piety and theological reflection.
Indeed.
Good words from the good Dr. Black. Now let’s turn and make positive use of them. It is one thing to recognize and curse the darkness – but we must also turn and embrace ways of living that display the true light. Lord, increase our hunger for you and the truth of your word.
“Let’s hear a laugh for the man of the world
Who thinks he can make things work
Tried to build the New Jerusalem
Ended up with New York”
Bruce Cockburn from the song “Laughter”.
Iris,
Yes, Dr. Black goes on to call us back to simple Christianity.
Duane,
True with a touch of humor. Thanks.
TC,
Black is dialed in. I want to read it when your’re done.
Following Iris’ lead, “living that displays the true light,” is at some level the willing embrace of suffering. I think of Mr. Goodwrench, “You can pay now, or pay me later.” The suffering we’re seeking to avoid through “utopian pragmatism” must be leading to real suffering of another kind. Certainly there are many millions who are there already.
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Kyle said:
The suffering we’re seeking to avoid through “utopian pragmatism” must be leading to real suffering of another kind.
Yes, of radical discipleship, the Jesus way, which is Black point.
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