We all want to leave a quiet and peaceful life as much as it depends on us. However, I do know there are times when we need to turn the tables with righteous anger. I often wonder: when do we turn them? When do we keep quiet? Jesus was quiet throughout his trial and crucifixion, with very few words here and there. He was vocal at the temple with the money exchanging tables. In our world: when do we do it? Do we speak out against a coworker who is transgender or do we speak up at the ballots? Do we limit ourselves to refusing to use pronouns, or do we actively teach against it? Oh, Lord, give me wisdom! But I am so thankful I am not a man, the provider for our family. If I lose my job over what is right, oh well. But for the men, the stakes are much higher. I pray the Lord will give you all wisdom and boldness to act at the right time…
There is a range of actions we might take in any given circumstance, and wisdom has to dictate what options are available to us. Sometimes we might act with righteous anger, other times we might not. The point of this essay is that pietism has convinced Christians that they must always be in a defeatist mode of action, when that's not always the case. So, for example, I think going along with transgender pronouns is a violation of the 9th commandment that forbids bearing false witness. Eight of the 10 Commandments are framed negatively ("you shall not") because it's easier to define and forbid bad actions than to prescribe and require good actions.
There’s a point soon after Hitler was rising in power that a German Pastor Martin Nemour had a meeting with Hitler, still hoping that this rising leader wasn’t that bad of a guy.
Upon entering, Nemour is confronted with a transcript of phone calls where he was making light of Hitler.
And Hitler says to him, “listen Mr. Pastor, you shut up… you just worry about your sermons. I’ll worry about the Third Reich. You stay in your religious lane, you preach your little gospel and WE will run the world. You will bow your knee to the Furher!”
That same lie is what pastors in America are believing today. That: “Our sermons are to be only about the Gospel.” In order to keep favor with most people, because we certainly want everyone to like us.
But Jesus said we are to be in the world, but not of it, and for that reason we will be hated(John 15:19).
How do we break out of pietism, by sharing truth in every platform/situation we can.
Jesus truth defeats the devil’s lies.
Transgender lies have been propagating here in America because Christians have been silent, inviting pietism.
Pastors haven’t been encouraging their people to resist evil by speaking out against evil.
Bravo! I just read an article in the Living Church today by a bishop friend of mine that represented everything you talked about here. Most institutional Churches today belong to the Diocese of Laodicea.
Just before surgery last week, I posted an essay that touches upon much of this same problem that has spread like contagion into many churches and our culture. My own thoughts are reflective of what I perceive as the deeply deceptive allure and desire of having a plastic Jesus with a wax nose on hand.
I think this 'Toxic Pietism' you've written about here is the saltless garnish in today's apostatic soup of feel-good Christianity. Never mind the content or nutritional value, it just looks good and sounds good.
Good work, Michael. I'm considering a follow-up piece to the one I just wrote as I am bed-bound until late February. I have a lot of time to write, and I think God's purpose in our ministry is to be challenging, to be honest and precise, to be convincing and not condemning such that through these messages some will repent and through grace, be brought into salvation.
Unfortunately, there's a kind of willful blindness and arrogance at play in our modern church that has many Christians adopting what I term, "Golden Bus Ticket" theology. (Essentially, they've got their tickets home, no need to do any of that 'other' stuff.)
Excellent analysis. I've studied the problems in American evangelicalism for some time. But I've yet to see the link to a sort of pietism exposed this well.
Thank you thank you thank you🙏🙏🙏You put into words exactly what I have been feeling for years. As Christians, we must fight for what is good and holy because so many are powerless against the evil that is all around us. Turn the other cheek is meant to assure us that we can take whatever they dish out. They strike at us; we take the hit and keep moving forward because we know we are on the right track; we are over the target. I have family members who are appalled that public schools in some states are using the Bible, biblical context in American history courses. And when I ask why, they recite the separation of church and state canard while simultaneously extolling the virtue of Islamic principles or other religious practices into the curriculum as tolerant and open-minded
I have even saw this theology enter into my own mind and I heard a sermon that I can’t remember who the preacher was but he said “Jesus Christ was all truth, all love, all of the time!” He spoke the truth in love but did not give sin any place; in the time the Pharisees brought a woman caught in the act of adultery, Jesus said “ he who is without sin cast the first stone”, but when they left He asked her if any had condemned her, to which she replied none Lord and He said neither do I; go and sin no more
This article is way above my pay grade to "totally" understand but I agree wholeheartedly. We as Christians lack the courage to confront wrong when we see it. We figure it's someone else's responsibility to call it out. We just want to stay in our own little bubble where everything remains well. I guess Christians by nature are not confrontational creatures.
I formerly went all in on New Age and occult spirituality because I recognized real spiritual power and ability over there — nothing like what “Christianity” presented in my youth (and even now).
When those who are in the realms of dark spiritual power come to know the Supremecy and availability(!) of God’s power through Christ, it is an easy “yes” to walk with God.
No one wants to say “yes” to a life of hypocrisy, impotency, and the foolish denial of the reality of the supernatural and actual spiritual power — and that is what is presented by the present “face” of evangelical xtianity.
An excellent and thought-provoking article, thank you.
This is also a very narrow ledge. Finding our way through the malestrom of modern chaos and walking that narrow path of God is very difficult. I am accustomed to failing, long before I returned from being a Prodigal for 35 years. Being bold does not come overnight, it has to come with literally "hanging out with Papa and His Son." I have no formal context of "success" and I simply "flop on the couch with Papa" every single day with my notebook and pen, sometimes pouring out my soul as King David did in his rants before the Father...and sometimes just sitting and listening to what God counsels me this day. Just as a little one has to grow by trial and error and many scraped knees and belly flops, one has to put our toe in and see what the result is at that given moment. So many leave the church in despair and discouragement, as they feel they can never measure up and they give up. I am intimately familiar with that. When I, as I say, stumbled back onto Papa's front porch, in utter chaos and despair, it has taken a long time to rebuild my faith. One step, one day, one encounter with God. He fortunately does "rub off " on us and for that I am forever grateful. I write my heart of God here on Substack, of the chaos I lived through and I hope my warnings of "what not to do" will help even one person to avoid the sorrow I have been through. "Don't wander from God, but bring your sorrows directly to Him." Wendy
Where is Scripture to back up these claims? It seems as though the record in the Bible is one of losing in this life and gaining in the next. Didn’t Jesus allow the Romans to kill him? Didn’t every apostle except John die at the hands of the state? Doesn’t the author of Hebrews say this about the faithful men of Scripture: “They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” (Heb. 11: 37-39). Please, someone provide some biblical backing for the perspective in this article. I want to see it.
I understand the frustration with losing the culture war, but gaining power is simply not a biblical ambition. Could someone explain why so many are adopting this view of engagement?
We all want to leave a quiet and peaceful life as much as it depends on us. However, I do know there are times when we need to turn the tables with righteous anger. I often wonder: when do we turn them? When do we keep quiet? Jesus was quiet throughout his trial and crucifixion, with very few words here and there. He was vocal at the temple with the money exchanging tables. In our world: when do we do it? Do we speak out against a coworker who is transgender or do we speak up at the ballots? Do we limit ourselves to refusing to use pronouns, or do we actively teach against it? Oh, Lord, give me wisdom! But I am so thankful I am not a man, the provider for our family. If I lose my job over what is right, oh well. But for the men, the stakes are much higher. I pray the Lord will give you all wisdom and boldness to act at the right time…
There is a range of actions we might take in any given circumstance, and wisdom has to dictate what options are available to us. Sometimes we might act with righteous anger, other times we might not. The point of this essay is that pietism has convinced Christians that they must always be in a defeatist mode of action, when that's not always the case. So, for example, I think going along with transgender pronouns is a violation of the 9th commandment that forbids bearing false witness. Eight of the 10 Commandments are framed negatively ("you shall not") because it's easier to define and forbid bad actions than to prescribe and require good actions.
Right on Pastor Clary…
There’s a point soon after Hitler was rising in power that a German Pastor Martin Nemour had a meeting with Hitler, still hoping that this rising leader wasn’t that bad of a guy.
Upon entering, Nemour is confronted with a transcript of phone calls where he was making light of Hitler.
And Hitler says to him, “listen Mr. Pastor, you shut up… you just worry about your sermons. I’ll worry about the Third Reich. You stay in your religious lane, you preach your little gospel and WE will run the world. You will bow your knee to the Furher!”
That same lie is what pastors in America are believing today. That: “Our sermons are to be only about the Gospel.” In order to keep favor with most people, because we certainly want everyone to like us.
But Jesus said we are to be in the world, but not of it, and for that reason we will be hated(John 15:19).
How do we break out of pietism, by sharing truth in every platform/situation we can.
Jesus truth defeats the devil’s lies.
Transgender lies have been propagating here in America because Christians have been silent, inviting pietism.
Pastors haven’t been encouraging their people to resist evil by speaking out against evil.
This is exactly what Eric Metaxas spoke of in his book ‘Letter to the American Church’.
Bravo! I just read an article in the Living Church today by a bishop friend of mine that represented everything you talked about here. Most institutional Churches today belong to the Diocese of Laodicea.
You nailed it! Sometimes it takes nails.
Just before surgery last week, I posted an essay that touches upon much of this same problem that has spread like contagion into many churches and our culture. My own thoughts are reflective of what I perceive as the deeply deceptive allure and desire of having a plastic Jesus with a wax nose on hand.
( https://pastormike.substack.com/p/triggering-your-plastic-jesus ) '
I think this 'Toxic Pietism' you've written about here is the saltless garnish in today's apostatic soup of feel-good Christianity. Never mind the content or nutritional value, it just looks good and sounds good.
Good work, Michael. I'm considering a follow-up piece to the one I just wrote as I am bed-bound until late February. I have a lot of time to write, and I think God's purpose in our ministry is to be challenging, to be honest and precise, to be convincing and not condemning such that through these messages some will repent and through grace, be brought into salvation.
Unfortunately, there's a kind of willful blindness and arrogance at play in our modern church that has many Christians adopting what I term, "Golden Bus Ticket" theology. (Essentially, they've got their tickets home, no need to do any of that 'other' stuff.)
Blessings from the horizontal pulpit.
Thanks brother! May the Lord grant you a swift recovery as well!
Excellent
Excellent analysis. I've studied the problems in American evangelicalism for some time. But I've yet to see the link to a sort of pietism exposed this well.
Thank you thank you thank you🙏🙏🙏You put into words exactly what I have been feeling for years. As Christians, we must fight for what is good and holy because so many are powerless against the evil that is all around us. Turn the other cheek is meant to assure us that we can take whatever they dish out. They strike at us; we take the hit and keep moving forward because we know we are on the right track; we are over the target. I have family members who are appalled that public schools in some states are using the Bible, biblical context in American history courses. And when I ask why, they recite the separation of church and state canard while simultaneously extolling the virtue of Islamic principles or other religious practices into the curriculum as tolerant and open-minded
Absolutely amazing article!!!! 👍
Thanks Scott! Glad you found it helpful
I have even saw this theology enter into my own mind and I heard a sermon that I can’t remember who the preacher was but he said “Jesus Christ was all truth, all love, all of the time!” He spoke the truth in love but did not give sin any place; in the time the Pharisees brought a woman caught in the act of adultery, Jesus said “ he who is without sin cast the first stone”, but when they left He asked her if any had condemned her, to which she replied none Lord and He said neither do I; go and sin no more
Right, that's a very common pietistic attitude
It's good to see you posting again... well done.
This article is way above my pay grade to "totally" understand but I agree wholeheartedly. We as Christians lack the courage to confront wrong when we see it. We figure it's someone else's responsibility to call it out. We just want to stay in our own little bubble where everything remains well. I guess Christians by nature are not confrontational creatures.
Yes.
I formerly went all in on New Age and occult spirituality because I recognized real spiritual power and ability over there — nothing like what “Christianity” presented in my youth (and even now).
When those who are in the realms of dark spiritual power come to know the Supremecy and availability(!) of God’s power through Christ, it is an easy “yes” to walk with God.
No one wants to say “yes” to a life of hypocrisy, impotency, and the foolish denial of the reality of the supernatural and actual spiritual power — and that is what is presented by the present “face” of evangelical xtianity.
An excellent and thought-provoking article, thank you.
This is also a very narrow ledge. Finding our way through the malestrom of modern chaos and walking that narrow path of God is very difficult. I am accustomed to failing, long before I returned from being a Prodigal for 35 years. Being bold does not come overnight, it has to come with literally "hanging out with Papa and His Son." I have no formal context of "success" and I simply "flop on the couch with Papa" every single day with my notebook and pen, sometimes pouring out my soul as King David did in his rants before the Father...and sometimes just sitting and listening to what God counsels me this day. Just as a little one has to grow by trial and error and many scraped knees and belly flops, one has to put our toe in and see what the result is at that given moment. So many leave the church in despair and discouragement, as they feel they can never measure up and they give up. I am intimately familiar with that. When I, as I say, stumbled back onto Papa's front porch, in utter chaos and despair, it has taken a long time to rebuild my faith. One step, one day, one encounter with God. He fortunately does "rub off " on us and for that I am forever grateful. I write my heart of God here on Substack, of the chaos I lived through and I hope my warnings of "what not to do" will help even one person to avoid the sorrow I have been through. "Don't wander from God, but bring your sorrows directly to Him." Wendy
Where is Scripture to back up these claims? It seems as though the record in the Bible is one of losing in this life and gaining in the next. Didn’t Jesus allow the Romans to kill him? Didn’t every apostle except John die at the hands of the state? Doesn’t the author of Hebrews say this about the faithful men of Scripture: “They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” (Heb. 11: 37-39). Please, someone provide some biblical backing for the perspective in this article. I want to see it.
I understand the frustration with losing the culture war, but gaining power is simply not a biblical ambition. Could someone explain why so many are adopting this view of engagement?