Really irrelevant
Really irrelevant
Irrelevant Christian Syndrome (ICS)—a term I’m using—does occur naturally. The apostle Paul told us about it. He reminded Christians that some would consider Christ crucified as just so much foolishness—irrelevant and useless (1 Corinthians 1:18–2:5). John began his gospel reminding Christians that the world did not recognize Christ when he arrived here on earth (John 1:10-11).
Christians and the message of the gos-pel will always be irrelevant to the world because “the man without the Spirit . . . cannot understand” (1 Corinthians 2:14). The world has a terminal case of pICS (perceived Irrelevant Christian Syndrome). The world rejects Christ. Only the Holy Spirit working through the gospel can cure hearts that think Christ is foolishness.
But Christians can acquire a real Irrelevant Christian Syndrome (rICS). It’s an infection that causes them to forget what makes them different and what gives them spiritual strength. The symptoms simply make them look just like everyone else. Here are some of the symptoms I’ve noticed.
The first symptom is to think that the Bible is only an ancient book of wisdom drafted by important people over the centuries. Some—even some Christians—do not treat the Bible as a revelation given to humanity by God himself, inspired by God to assure its reliability. For these people the Bible is not fully irrelevant. It’s just the same as every other great religious book. They contend that the Bible has no special authority to shape our ideas about God and spiritual truth.
Another symptom occurs in some Christian communities when the harsh message of God’s law disappears. They eliminate the negative talk about sin, judgment, and God’s anger. All that is left is the happy talk of love, fellowship, Christian morality, and hope. But when Christians eliminate the concept of sin and God’s punishment, they become irrelevant. They create happy people who continue in their godless behavior but smile with the illusion of their own self-worth and a false self-image.
Christians and the message of the gos-pel will always be irrelevant to the world because “the man without the Spirit . . . cannot understand” (1 Corinthians 2:14). The world has a terminal case of pICS (perceived Irrelevant Christian Syndrome). The world rejects Christ. Only the Holy Spirit working through the gospel can cure hearts that think Christ is foolishness.
But Christians can acquire a real Irrelevant Christian Syndrome (rICS). It’s an infection that causes them to forget what makes them different and what gives them spiritual strength. The symptoms simply make them look just like everyone else. Here are some of the symptoms I’ve noticed.
The first symptom is to think that the Bible is only an ancient book of wisdom drafted by important people over the centuries. Some—even some Christians—do not treat the Bible as a revelation given to humanity by God himself, inspired by God to assure its reliability. For these people the Bible is not fully irrelevant. It’s just the same as every other great religious book. They contend that the Bible has no special authority to shape our ideas about God and spiritual truth.
Another symptom occurs in some Christian communities when the harsh message of God’s law disappears. They eliminate the negative talk about sin, judgment, and God’s anger. All that is left is the happy talk of love, fellowship, Christian morality, and hope. But when Christians eliminate the concept of sin and God’s punishment, they become irrelevant. They create happy people who continue in their godless behavior but smile with the illusion of their own self-worth and a false self-image.
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