The Judgmental Christian

In a series of six posts (including this one) are inspired by the book UnChristian by Kinnaman and Lyons.

The book has been an eye-opening read. Very humbling and I wish everyone could read it. The book reveals the perspective of "outsiders" to Christianity and acknowledges how these outsides see Christianity. There is a lot the church can work on! A lot to be gleaned from these outside perspectives. And a lot of problems that even the most distant outsider can see about the church and its image. The book is backed not only with outsider opinion but also hard data from Barna Research Group.

Chapter 8 is about how Christians are perceived as being judgmental. This is the main chapter from which I will be blogging about in the next several posts, along with my own perspective.

The jist of the matter is that Christians are perceived (and understandably so!!!) as prideful about their faith, their moral character, their "spiritual superiority." Christians can come across as arrogant and self-righteous. For we are quick to judge, to point out others wrong, and put others down. Some say we sound like we are better than others. That we are too focused on others faults.

You might be saying, "Okay, okay Alex...we are assertive, we know right from wrong!!"

Well my response is that HOW we communicate is just as important as WHAT we communicate. It is an important fact that we are all fallen and sinners in need of a Savior, but we can communicate this with love, grace, and peace. We do not need to be harsh, rash, and judgmental.


What are some of our errors:
Lost track of our main audience: We are trying to please those inside the church and not reach out to those outside of church...and not GOD!

Errors in judgment:
Wrong verdict - we judge becuase we have a lack of understanding a lack of information... instead we should get to know them

Wrong timing :
Yweah we have the right ideas about God's view but sometime we scare people away becuase we are too wquick to give the proper verdict....at hte wrong time.

Wrong moivation:
Are we motived by love and compassion like Jesus or something else?

Playing Favorites:
Are we loving everyone equally? More importantly are we loving those outside the church equally?


I have a lot more to say on these topics and other relavent information, but you are going to have to stay posted on this blog and my upcoming posts on a continual basis!