Recently, Christianity Today’s editor-in-chief Russell Moore released a book that discusses the radical ways in which American Christianity has strayed from its biblical foundation, becoming more of a politically based organization than a movement dedicated to the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. A long-time critic of the zealousness of the religious right, Moore offers this sad antidote on why he felt the need to write his book – Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call For Evangelical America… 

“[My book] was the result of having multiple pastors tell me, essentially, the same story about quoting the Sermon on the Mount, parenthetically, in their preaching — ‘turn the other cheek’ — [and] to have someone come up after to say, ‘Where did you get those liberal talking points?’ And what was alarming to me is that in most of these scenarios, when the pastor would say, ‘I’m literally quoting Jesus Christ,’ the response would not be, ‘I apologize.’ The response would be, ‘Yes, but that doesn’t work anymore. That’s weak.’ And when we get to the point where the teachings of Jesus himself are seen as subversive to us, then we’re in a crisis.”

Indeed, Mr. Moore – we, in the Americanized Church are in a crisis. While much of our westernized society is quickly distancing itself from organized religion, too many church leaders in our midst are responding by displaying leadership styles found in today’s political system instead of returning to our roots and using Jesus of Nazareth as our primary role model.

Just imagine, my friends, if you and I could stop the madness, step out of the traffic, and re-define what it truly means to be a Christ-follower in the 21st century. Recently, as I pondered on such a thought, I came up with this intriguing list of what it might look like if you and I rejected the current trends in American Christianity and restored our basic beliefs to a list such as this… 

Hmm. Imagine with me for a moment. What if a Christian could be a person who lives their life, with the help of God, acting on the following Twelve Basic Beliefs? One who believes… 

1.     That God – the Creator of Everything Seen & Unseen – is ultimately Good.

2.     That this Good God is pure Love and is pro-actively committed to ushering Goodness into every aspect of the Universe.

3.     That we are all made in the Image of our Good Creator, and that everything and everyone around us is here to bear witness to that Goodness.

4.     That none of us can earn God’s Goodness through our own strength and power, but only by humbly receiving that Goodness from above – by grace alone.

5.     That this Good God – who is much too inclusive, expansive, and wonderful to be reduced into any earthly religion – sent his truest representation of Goodness in the form of Jesus of Nazareth, and in and through His words & deeds, we can experience, in human terms, the depths, the heights, the fullness of God’s love.

6.     That as we reflect upon the life & ministry of Jesus of Nazareth, we see, before us, the perfect model of what it looks like when a human being invites this Good God to lead, guide, direct, and empower our lives.

7.     That as Jesus-followers, we are called to an upward pursuit of God’s Goodness, which frees us from fleshly endeavors that focus on self-centeredness, grasping for power and control which ultimately reduces our own worth just as it devalues the worth of others.

8.     That with the empowerment and enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, we are set free to love ourselves as God made us, love others as God made them, and to love & honor God’s Creation – knowing that our world is slowly, but surely, being transformed from its fallen condition into all it was originally intended to be – a reflection – an icon – that reflects (points to) the Goodness of God.

9.     That we are not here to judge or condemn others – but simply to be encouragers of God’s Goodness and Truth, bearing witness to the Good we have personally experienced as we have been following Jesus of Nazareth and His way of faith, hope and love.

10.  That the Scriptures themselves were not written to be read as a harsh rule book, but to be used as a guidebook pointing toward Jesus, and when read and interpreted through the loving lense of the Gospel message, its words are not meant to be a sword used against others, but a voice of wisdom whispering God’s Truth to our own wayward soul.

11.  That all Creation is enroute to a closer walk with God our Creator, and that in and through Jesus the Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, we are part of God’s Master Plan of re-birthing a redeemed Creation that reflects God’s image – not ours.

12.  That we all can become co-encouragers of one another in this Gospel journey, and despite the pain of transition – from dark to light – we can find creative and enlightened ways to love and care for each other as we push on toward the Light of God’s Goodness. 

Well, that’s enough for now. Maybe these words can stir you to some of your own ideas of what it might look like for you to follow Jesus of Nazareth – seeing Him more clearly – loving Him more dearly – and following Him more nearly – day by day.