Is Salvation still the way Forward?
My Christmas Contemplation...
I went to a local Church yesterday for a Christmas service. I like to keep up the tradition of doing something Christmassy every year. Last year I went to a Catholic Church, and the year before that I went to a Pentecostal Church. Both provided different experiences, of course.
I enjoy the traditions of Christmas carols, watching the Nativity acted out by kids and the general spirit of joy, charity and fellowship that such traditions provide. Like Richard Dawkins, one may refer to me as a cultural Christian, since I think such traditions are necessary for our world.
Yesterday, I was reminded that the Church provides a home for all. Everyone is friendly and welcoming and there’s a general spirit of love for your neighbour. One thing which many churches have lacked, though, is the old-school African music and dance which I enjoyed growing up in Gilbert Deya Ministries. I have not yet come across a place that has had the energy that Gilbert Deya Ministries had. We truly had a blast back in the day!
Nonetheless, there is one thing which I have been contemplating recently which I wanted to investigate in Church. That is whether the church still preached a message of salvation.
The story of salvation is that God gave his only begotten son to die for our sins. He was the ultimate sacrifice so that we may have eternal life. He sees each of us because each of us is special.
Now, I agree that each and every human on earth has a calling. They have a reason that they are here on earth, for since they are an effect (having been born) this must mean that they have a cause. This is ‘The Law of Cause and Effect.’
On the other hand, you can argue that the story of Jesus dying on the cross to save everyone else is cruel. But aside from that argument, that is not what the story is saying anyway. The crucifixion is an example of what happens in everyday life when someone stands up for the truth, against a tide of people who have fallen into the inertia of doing things that no longer serve their best interests.
Yes, the story of salvation can be helpful to those suffering from guilt, mental problems, or drug addictions, for example. It may be helpful to anyone who feels as though they need a shoulder to lean on whilst they are going through a tough time. However, the main problem is that its message says, “You cannot do it on your own. You need someone to help you.” It is a story that can easily propagate the victim mentality and make the common man weaker and dependent on God.
At the moment, the church often teaches man to worship Jesus. Is it not possible that it can transform to encourage man to embody Jesus?
What has your experience of the church been? Do you see the salvation message the same way? Do you think the salvation message makes man stronger or weaker? Do you worship Jesus or try to embody his spirit?