Letter To The Editor

The following is an extract from a letter in the current 'Weekly Telegraph' and to a certain extent sums up all that is wrong with contemporary Christianity and the church:

"SIR - I am a white, British moderate Christian who never goes to church. ..." (The Weekly Telegraph Issue No. 732)

We find it amazing that any true Christian can believe that the church is not for them and has no part in their lives. The church is the 'bride of Christ' and the church is what Christ died for. Paul in his letters continually encourages the church and builds her up because he has fully grasped and understands Christ's relationship with the church.

Maybe the word 'moderate' should have said 'nominal'. Within the 'Emergent Church' it would not be unusual to find such comments as this one in the Telegraph but to read this from someone who demographically is likely to be at least middle aged is quite worrying, no wonder the established church is shrinking! Also, this letter was written in response to the 'YouGov' poll of Muslims living in the UK. Any Muslim worth his salt would read such a comment and fall about laughing at the 'Christian's' lack of any clear theology his appalling spirituality and misunderstanding of his faith. Revelation 3:15-16 is quite clear; :"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth." (NIV).

As Christians we are secure in the knowledge that Jesus is "...the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Some claim this to be an arrogant statement by Christians, we believe it to simply be the word of God and as such worth believing. Christ has won the victory, and as part of his church we can enjoy the pending wedding feast without the need for forcibly advancing the gospel, but rather by living faithful and obedient lives to God's word. As Christians, our goal is not to get into heaven (that's been secured by our confession of sin and acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Lord) but rather it is to glorify God's name! If only the letter writer to the Telegraph would devote his efforts to glorifying God's name the church would surely be a stronger place.

NB. The YouGov poll is worth a read as some of the results are quite shocking.