I believe that a significant problem within the Western Protestant
tradition is the remaking of God into our image. That is, due to multiple generations of
Protestants not knowing what God’s Word reveals, they have begun to shape God
into their lives; into their image.
Eighty-two percent of Americans (and a majority of evangelicals) believe that Benjamin Franklin’s aphorism, “God helps those who help themselves,” is a biblical quotation. A majority believe that “all people pray to the same god or spirit, no matter what name they use for that spiritual being” and that “if a person is generally good or does enough good things for others during their life, they will earn a place in heaven.” It should not surprise us then, when President Bush says, “I believe that all of the world, whether they be Muslim, Christian, or any other religion, prays to the same God. That’s what I believe.”[2]
Dr. Horton references George Barna’s
work frequently to help establish belief patterns regarding the intersection of
Christian belief and culture. He quotes
Barna, “To increasing millions of Americans, God—if we even believe in a
supernatural deity—exists for the pleasure of humankind. He resides in the heavenly realm solely for
our utility and benefit. Although we are
too clever to voice it, we live by the notion that true power is accessed not
by looking upward but by turning inward.”[3]
Barna goes on convincingly, if not troublingly,
Barna goes on convincingly, if not troublingly,
Unless something changes, it will be every man for himself, with no second thoughts or regrets about the personal or societal implications of this incredibly selfish, nihilistic, narcissistic way of life…
Most Americans have at least an intellectual assent when it comes to God, Jesus Christ, and angels. They believe that the Bible is a good book filled with important stories and lessons. And they believe that religion is very important in their lives. But this same group of people, including many professing Christians, also believe that people are inherently good; that our primary purpose is to enjoy life as much as possible.
…In short, the spirituality of America is Christian in name only…We desire experience more than knowledge. We prefer choices to absolutes. We embrace preferences rather than truths. We seek comfort rather than growth. Faith must come on our terms or we reject it. We have enthroned ourselves as the final arbiters of righteousness, the ultimate rulers of our own experience and destiny. We are the Pharisees of the new millennium.[4]The picture painted by Horton and Barna isn't very encouraging, particularly for my own Reformed tradition. Presbyterians have long lifted up the Westminster Standards (The Confession of Faith along with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms] as a means of interpreting Scripture and maintaining orthodoxy within the tradition. The Westminster Shorter Catechism begins with the question, "What is the chief end of man [humanity]?" The answer is very simple, "Man's [humanity's] chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever." Because we are in the habit of making God into our own image, we in fact, have been glorifying and enjoying ourselves.
How are we as Christians ever going to get back on track and reorient our understanding of the Holy Trinity in a Biblical manner? The answer is surprisingly simple yet the work will not be easy. More thoughts on this in coming posts.
[1] Horton, Michael S. Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2008).
[2] Ibid., 31. This
citation was supported by Dr. Horton with references to a conversation he had
with Dr. John Stott as well as the quote by President Bush.
[3] Ibid., 31.
[4] Ibid., 31. Dr.
Horton culled this information from George Barna’s book The Second Coming of the Church (Nashville: Word, 1998).
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