Jun
16
Christian Escapism?
I recently attended a banquet for a Christian organization. I had a small speaking part at the event. The organization is very traditional and very “Old School”. Almost all the men in attendance wore suit and ties and many were 60+. The program was very traditional with formal prayers, scripture reading, and several classic hymns with organ music.
Although the style of Christianity being expressed was quite different from what I am accustomed to, I found myself strangely attracted to it. I felt at peace. The feeling was like when I was my late teens and early 20’s and I would go and stay with my Grandparents for a couple of days. They would take me around to meet their friends and involved me in the things they enjoyed doing. It was like entering another world; a simpler world where people loved you and things were not complicated. For me, it was an escape from the realities of early adult life.
Maybe that is what attracted me to this style of Christianity. It was an escape from the realities of life and ministry that I experience on a daily basis. I could participate in an expression of faith that didn’t have to deal with broken marriages, destructive addictions, conflict, poverty, wars, earthquakes, or environmental issues. I could escape into the tradition and ritual of Christianity of a time when life was a lot simpler, where people loved one another, and life was black and white instead of all these different shades of grey.
But would I really be any better than the alcoholics or drug addicts that I met as a chaplain at a treatment center. Sure I would just be choosing to escape the realities of life with something that was legal. But isn’t “escapism” the real problem?
Ultimately, I keep coming back to Jesus as a role model for how I express my faith. Although he took time away to replenish himself through prayer and rest, he didn’t adopt an expression of faith that was an escape from the world around him. Jesus embraced all the problems that the society of his day had to offer. He brought faith to everyday life issues and expressed the love of God in practical ways.
As appealing as that expression of faith that I experienced at the banquet that night was, I am compelled by example of Jesus to find expressions of faith that engage the realities of the world I live in today.
Feel free to post comments or questions to any of my blog entries.
Previous Comments
#1 from on June 29, 2008
That is so true. Faith can be experienced in a lot of different ways including those that you experienced at the banquet but you really have to ask yourself is it helping you grow in your relationship with God and helping you do what God wants you to do. The way Jesus did ministry was a great example because the things he did on a regular basis were tough. Thats really cool the way you look at is.
#2 from on July 15, 2008
I believe that one must be careful when looking at styles of worship and dress (whether it is in ritualistic practice,singing hymms or in attending a progressive or emerging church style)to look at what the body of people are doing, and experiencing for and with God.. If their worship or ritual is gloryfying to God or renews there spirit as individuals or as a body then I would not call it “Christian escapism”. Mother Teresa stated that she would pray for 2 hours every morning because if she did not do this ,she would not be able to do the work that she did with the poor and dying in India. Was her prayer life like mine? Probably not. It was probably far more ritualized and “orthodox”. I believe that it is less a question of Christian escapism which is what most agnostics and atheists accuse Christians of everday. Ever hear “Christianity is just a crutch”? It is more a question of our level of willingness to engage God’s presence each day both within actual service activities and within worship and fellowship. If more traditional people are renewed to do service by fellowshipping in the way described then (even though it may not fit my paradigm) I can’t put a negative label on it.
#3 from mcdba certification on January 18, 2010
Faith obligatorily enact aware magnetism a trust of single ways including those that you cognizant at the affair but you truly swallow to investigate yourself is veritable lump you develop dominion your kinship with God besides component you solve what God wants you to do.
#4 from on June 28, 2010
As a full-time missionary in a Muslim/Buddhist/Animistic area we can’t escape whether we want to or not. But just ten days ago we were blessed to be among other English-speaking missionaries singing hymns, songs and spiritual songs in our native tongue, and not having to deal with all the heavy burdens we have 24/7 every other day of the year. It was truly a refreshing blessing. God gave us a bit of R&R from the front lines, after which we were able to return refreshed in body, mind, and spirit. I hope that’s not called escapism in the Christian sector. Jesus had times of quiet fellowship with His disciples and I believe that there is a time we can rightfully assemble with other believers to be refreshed and renewed, ready to go back out to the front lines.
#5 from pandora bracelet on September 28, 2010
English-speaking missionaries singing hymns, songs and spiritual songs in our native tongue, and not having to deal with all the heavy burdens we have 24/7 every other day of the year.