Far as the Curse is Found

By: John Stonestreet|Published: December 15, 2011 12:00 AM

Topics: Business & Economics, History, Media, Theology

Silence? This time of year? I’m John Stonestreet, and this is The Point.

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The next two Saturdays on BreakPoint this Week you can listen in on a fascinating conversation I had with Chuck Colson and T. M. Moore about the theology of Christmas embedded in the classic carols. One of the classic Advent songs we discuss is Let All Mortal Flesh Be Silent. The words, taken from Habakkuk 2:20, were used in early church services as far back as the 400’s and encourage us to be still and silent in the reality of God becoming flesh.

But for most of us, this season is anything but silent! It’s noisy and busy -- we shop, travel, party, and blink and then poof it’s all over. For many of us, Christmas just happens.

That’s exactly why you should listen to these two shows I hosted with T. M. Moore and Chuck Colson. After T.M. walked us through these great Christmas hymns, Chuck and I agreed that we can never hear them the same again. And we’re far more ready for Christmas. Catch the first show this weekend either on radio or by visiting thepointradio.org. For the Point, I’m John Stonestreet.

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Yo, JOSH:
I was merely providing examples you asked for (failing to provide your own). I hope you understand I didn't "suggest that the few Jim Wallises out there can make up for the dearth of conscientiousness among evangelicals generally". Can you?

(PS: Jesus and John weren't set on a pedestal by the leaders of their time. Well, unless you consider a cross and a platter "pedestals".)

Posted By: Steve (SBK) on December 20, 2011 5:00 PM

It's rather striking to suggest that the few Jim Wallises out there can make up for the dearth of conscientiousness among evangelicals generally. (I now imagine the religious leaders of Jesus' day defending themselves against the charge of hypocrisy by exhibiting to their critics John the Baptist and Jesus of Nazareth.)

Posted By: JOSH Yo on December 20, 2011 4:36 PM

Yo, JOSH:
Of course I can. There are myriads of examples. Anyone who questions our culture's pull to materialism is on the right path. (In fact, you might be surprised that evangelicals can be introspective and see faults in themselves).
Just recently for example, Jim Wallis (friends, if not political allies, with someone like Colson, c.f. http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011/januaryweb-only/convictioncivility.html), wrote this piece:
http://sojo.net/blogs/2011/12/15/real-war-christmas-fox-news

Many of the posts in the past on The Point (for e.g. Anne Morse) have been about thinking and acting rightly at Christmas.

But you're the one who conveys a belief in the dearth of decent evangelicals, so I wanted to hear what you were comparing them to.

Posted By: Steve (SBK) on December 20, 2011 4:24 PM

Can you?

Posted By: JOSH Yo on December 20, 2011 3:12 PM

Ah, I didn't realize you were talking about evangelicals only. (Though I think that's a rather broad brush stroke). I tend to agree that most groups can use some wrestling with external ideas. At the same time, I think Consumerism is a problem for more than just evangelicals. Can you give me an example of some American Christians who "do it right"?

Posted By: Steve (SBK) on December 20, 2011 12:58 PM

Sure, but evangelicals need to wake up to more of its wrongs. The problem is that evangelicals listen mainly to themselves, and they're far too tempted by an overenthusiastic take on American exceptionalism. Some evangelicals escape this mentality after a few overseas missions, but it is all too rare.

Posted By: JOSH Yo on December 20, 2011 12:24 PM

Yo, JOSH: America must be doing some things right.

Posted By: Steve (SBK) on December 20, 2011 10:48 AM

These are empty challenges. Why not get church leaders to sign a pledge against buying stuff for Christmas? For most Christians it'd be quite radical, but wouldn't it be a healthy corrective? Why doesn't Colson write up something like the Manhattan Declaration to kick off such a movement?

Here's why this won't work: American Christians are too influenced by the requirements of Capitalism. They love their stuff, their comforts, and their shopping.

Posted By: JOSH Yo on December 19, 2011 6:48 PM

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