Today’s very popular expression of Americanized Christianity got way off script when it became a one-act play rather than an ongoing adventure series.
The main plot was lost when the Christian faith was reduced to a simple, single affirmation of “accepting Jesus” — that replaced the ongoing commitment to follow Jesus. The stage was set for poor performances.
As a result, Americanized Christianity has stumbled and fallen while producing many high-profile bad actors. When demeaning vulnerable people and elevating abusive ones to power becomes acceptable, even expected, the script has certainly been lost.
This long-running show of claiming Jesus while ignoring his life and teachings is a misdirected spinoff of an intended one with a two-word storyline, “Follow me.”
A good bit of applause can be heard but not likely from the hands that matter most. Since what the director deemed the greatest and encompassing stage command — to love God fully and neighbor broadly — has been cut from the scene.
In its place is merely an instantaneous religious exercise that presumably offers a front row seat for eternity — while allowing for a quick exit for something flashier and more gratifying.
Jesus warned strongly against performative religion that positions oneself on center stage while not playing the right part. Dominance, cruelty, exclusion, coercion and self-absorption are not in his script.
For those who might be interested, however, the ongoing adventure — with calls for kindness, goodness, mercy, grace, justice and other meaningful though less-popular roles — is never sold out.
Just look beyond the barkers and bright lights when leaving the theater. See which way the crowd is going. Head in the other direction toward a truer light.
It’s past time for the curtains to fall on one-act Christianity and to bring back the original show. With one director and full audience participation.
The casting call remains the same: “Follow me.”
John D. Pierce is director of the Jesus Worldview Initiative (jesusworldview.org), part of Belmont University’s Rev. Charlie Curb Center for Faith Leadership.