Christian Chaff
Signs, Signs…
by Clay Staggs
I know, I know. Another post about a church sign. But the whole phenomenon both facinates and disgusts me at the same time. What is it about giving a church a signboard that impels them to put something irretreivably stupid on it?
Passing by a church on my way back home from vacation, we saw a sign that read:
“Salvation is a Gift from God - Assembly Required.”
Last week I posted on how often the church uses mass marketing tactics rather than eloquent persuasion. Does this not prove the point? Not only does it seem to contradict its own message, but its lame attempt at humor only reminds me of those toys that I’ve bought for my kids that have to be put together while they cry impatiently. Not exactly the kind of image I’d want to bring to mind.
Worse, though, is the contradiction. It starts out sounding like grace, but finishes up sounding more like something with strings attached. Which is it? Do you get salvation, full and free, or is there a requirement that you show up to church a few times to make God like you better before it’s complete? And if that’s not the type of “assembly” they mean, then that’s even worse.
I don’t want anyone to think that I’m discounting the importance of regular attendance at church for believers. That’s not what the sign I saw talked about, though. It’s expressly referring to salvation.
I guess I’m just glad I don’t get gifts from these guys.
Posted by Clay Staggs at October 16, 2006 05:01 PM
If I were to go into the woods wearing antlers, I should expect to receive pieces of lead in my person sent forth at high velocity.
Having said that, what church signs usually show me is the large disconnect between theology and daily life in most churches. Comparmentalizing theology/beliefs is a key component of modern & postmodern thought which has pervaded the church. It is very dangerous and really shortchanges our lives.
Grace is so hard to deal with. Even, and maybe especially, after salvation. The enemy tells us that out of gratitude or debtor’s mentality, we should try to make it up to Jesus for all He’s done. Sounds logical. Only problem is, we’re not capable. That brings a lot of other issues into play for later discussion.
Thanks for the post.
Someone gave me a “great CD” of a sermon preached recently in a Tuscaloosa church. During a discussion period, someone asked the preacher if Christians would be judged for the sins they had committed. The good news: this pastor said he didn’t think so…that Christ had canceled that debt so it should not appear at the bench. The bad news: he said there was, however, refence in the Bible to “self-judgement”…that, after coming to Christ, we should, each and every day, examine our lives and take note of where we had pleased God and where we hadn’t that day. I’m o.k. with that part, too, but he went on to say that this “self-judgement” was the basis on which we were “kept clean.” Arggggghhhhhh! He also went on to illustrate by saying that his “salvation was settled” the day…back in 19…., when he was…..years old…and asked Jesus into his heart… On another CD by the same pastor, he spoke of the “Keys to the Kingdom” from the passage in Matthew where Jesus says to Peter, “upon this rock I will build my kingdom…” The pastor explained that WE (Christians) hold the keys to the kingdom because when we witness to someone or preach, we open the door for them, so that they can “see what is available to them.” It’s all so ïffy…I know from my own Armenian past that I could never be secure until I realized it all depended on Christ and Christ alone. The person who gave me these CDs really intended to give me some by this same preacher about the “true meaning” of predestination. I think he is genuinely concerned for my soul because of my calvinistic heresies. I can hardly wait.