What do you do with your brain?
Do we leave our brains at the door?
I think there are many Christians who leave their brains at the door when they come to church. Many of us don't think for ourselves. We just agree with the Bible class teacher no matter what they may be teaching or saying. It goes in one ear and out the other.
In some classes, teachers have the tendency to teach their opinion instead of teaching the Word of God. We don't ask: "What does God's word have to say about that point, topic or is it just your opinion because all have differences when it comes to the text?"
There are many Christians who during the time of worship just go through the motions without thinking about the prayers, what the song is really singing, what Jesus Christ has done when we take communion, and even what the preacher is saying to us. It's too easy for us to be manipulated. I believe that when we go to church we shouldn't leave our brains at the door. We should think for ourselves at church. Christians need to use their brain to see what is truth or not.
I think some preachers, ministers and church leaders are afraid of their congregations gaining the ability to think for themselves because things may change. Christians should not be ignorant (1 Cor 12:1; 2 1 Cor. 15: 34; Thess. 4:13; Heb 5:2; 1 Peter 2:15; 2 Peter 3:16). Many choose to keep their congregations under control, mired in legalism, and under the thumb of all the ideology as they do.
The world even thinks and treats Christians like they are ignorant. Many of the television shows and movies make Christians look ignorant. One of those movies just won an Oscar. We are made to look ignorant on television shows such as Dateline, 20/20, Primetime Live, Larry King Live, Nancy Grace, and countless other programs.
Listen carefully, brothers and sisters: God has given you a brain. Use it! When you enter the door of the church don't enter and leave your brain at the door. Think for yourselves!!! Wake up and realize that faith and thought ARE NOT mutually exclusive!
Do some Christians enter church and leave their brain? Why? How can that hurt a church when people don't use the minds that God has given them? Do you think some preachers are scared of people who can think for themselves? Why are there so many ignorant Christians? Do you think some preachers, ministers and other clergy want to keep their people ignorant and believe their opinion is true (such as "Speak where the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible is silent," so we can't add anything that might benefit the Church) What can we do to think for ourselves when it comes to worship? Have you ever felt ignorant at church? How? Have you ever had to jump through hoops because of your own personal convictions against the churches?
Please don't get me wrong at all, I love the Church. It is my prayer that every Christian will not forget to take their brain when they open the door of the church building.
What do you think?
Share your thoughts.
posted by preacherman @ 11:42:00 PM
43 Comments:
Once when I was in Bible class, a man who was teaching Bible class asked me to read a passage. I have an NIV because I like to easily understand what I read. After I read the passage, he insulted me by telling me that the NIV is not reliable and it is written on a 5th grade level(my I.Q. is a handful of points shy of genius). He proceeded to read the passage again in the KJV.
I just seethed throughout the rest of the Bible class and I will NEVER do that again. I would have liked to tell him that as I don't live under the rule of King James and don't even speak the language, I would like to read out of a Bible in my own language and as my Dad can't read above a 5th grade level, my Dad wouldn't be able to understand HIS Bible. Even today it maks me SOOOO angry!!!!
This is a reason why people feel so put down and dejected by people who pretend knowledge. This is one of a couple on incidents that happened when I was a new Christian which tainted my opinion of the Church.
I just wish ignorant people would choose to learn their way out of ignorance rather than insulting their way into a black hole.
I am not sure Kinney that it is an issue of checking our brains at the door as much as being ignorant about what the scriptures say. Ignorance isn't an issue of the brain but of one of the heart. Our ignornace is more reflective of a cold and dull heart rather than a dull brain.
That said I have to say that most of the problems that I have had is with letting my brain trump my heart. It is a dangerous thing spiritually to live your life out of your brain. Trust and faith are heart issues - we really shouldn't lean on our own understanding.
Following Jesus is all about having a passion for Him and His word.. even children can engage at this level.
Yikes, I had all kinds of insightful things to say until I read the previous post and got really angry with that really angry person. People who get treated like that at church have my heart on their side--no one should EVER be made to feel small or stupid at church! AAaargh!
Okay. Ahem. Back to the topic.
I remember a conversation a lot like this way back as I was coming to Christ. It was purely by the hand of God that I didn't have any sort of experiences like this in that fragile first year of my faith. I came with a brain fully engaged and I would have quickly found the fire exit should someone have expected me to leave my brain at the door.
One of the strengths of our tradition is that people are encouraged and even expected to think, to bring their brains, and to engage in the subject by sharing a common ground on the mutual accessibility of the Bible.
But two things happen. You pointed out the first, that people just forget their brains at home, leaving them in the refrigerator for use later on important things like watching more political candidate news updates.
Or, just as bad, they come to church ready to fight, with the critical spirit of the Muppet's grumpy old men, just looking for something to attack because it doesn't line up with a personally preferred orthodoxy.
Both of these are lame. You need to be empathetically engaged, ready for God to speak to you wherever we are: Bible class, listening to a sermon, or ordering our coffee at Starbucks. God no doubt is speaking in each place in different ways, and if we leave our brain at the door and sleep through the conversation, we'll be the worse off for it.
Thanks for the good post!
This is a complex subject. To answer the question “do Christians leave their brains at the church door”, the answer is a resounding yes. Now the question as to why we abandon the thought process or fail to challenge something that is wrong? The answer is culture.
Over the centuries we have created an authoritarian structure in our churches. This happened at the time of Constantine. Since then we have been conditioned to follow and not think. Besides, there are many examples where challenging the church can get you burned at the stake or beheaded.
Now we come to our present time. Many Churches use emotional worship services to manipulate the congregation into a particular state. We have also created an entertainment based church culture which feelings are number one. Add to that a church leadership that will “kick you out” if you raise questions or concerns, then you are left with the present day believer.
I remember reading a very popular book on Church growth, that stated if anyone questions Church direction, programs, worship or teaching, then they have to be removed. I was stunned. As a preacher, I love it when people question me and challenge an idea. It shows they are listening and thinking
Let me give you an example from my own life. I was once in a church that had an African American congregation sharing the same building. The church I was a part of seemed to be neglecting the relationship with our brothers down the hall. So I brought this up at a public meeting. Two days later I was called to private meeting with the pastors. I was told I was a “lighting rod of dissension” and “not to speak of that other church in public meeting”. I wasn’t trying to cause trouble. I thought working with an African American church could bring some racial healing and be a strong witness in the community. Sadly I wasn’t following the program.
I will post a follow up on what we can do later to remedy this situation.
Obama's recent comments about people in small town Pennsylvania reflect a stereotype of religion that is shared by many. We should not fit that stereotype.
It is true that people tend to agree with almost anything the preacher says. Our congregation is fairly responsive with "Amen's" during the sermon -- and sometimes the most outlandish misstatements get an Amen. We do need to ecourage people to think for themselves. Critical thinking skills are a virtue, not a vice. THat might make the leader's job a little harder, but the end result will be a lot better.
Anonymous,
I don't think anyone should be make to feel stupid in Bible class or Church. It should be a place wehre we are encouraged to read despite what version. Engage in conversation and to think for ourselves. It would make me angry too if I were treated in such a way. Many people are turned off to church because of being made to feel ignorant or their opinion doesn't matter. Thanks for your great comment and sharing it with us all.
Alan,
Thank you brohter for sharing your comments. I totally agree that we shouldn't fit the stereotype. We need to think. Not amen to everything that is said that may be just opinion, political and not the Word of God.
I think this is yet again another hot topic Preacherman! Thank you for making us think and wanting us to think when we go to Bible class and church. Wonderful post.
Good topic Preacherman. You are a real trouble maker ;)
Another good topic, preacherman. I'll have to think about this one. =)
Mike great thoughts as always. brother
and by the way you are so funny.
You made me laugh and I needed a good laugh today.
Walk,
Thanks for making me laugh.
I needed it today.
This is a very important and complicated subject brother. I think the blame for ignorance can fall on the preacher or the people. Both must have a desire for the congregation to grow spiritually if it's going to happen. Great thoughts and challenging questions!
I'd comment more often, but I'm usually like the 42nd person to get there, so I don't bother. But I do read your posts! God bless.
Preacherman,
I think it seems safer. If someone tells me we have it all figured out and your salvation depends upon it I might be afraid to think a thought that doesn’t fit. Plus our desire is to be part of something and so if I must do certain things and believe certain things to be accepted in a group why would I want to possibly think differently?
Baptist Man,
Thank you so much for your comments and adding to the discussion. Great points. I am glad you were the 13th person instead of the 42nd because you have great things to share with us. :-) I am humbled the you read my blog and I do the same with your blog and sorry that I don't comment as much as I do. I pray God's blessings on your family and ministry. Thanks again!
Darin,
Wonderful thoughts as always brother. I agree with your points that you share with us. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. :-)
Jason,
I want you to know that your thoughts are always appreciated as well. You make excellent points that I agree with brother. I pray that all is going well with your ministry in Salem, OR. You and brother Hilty Family are always in my prayers.
Preacherman,
Good blogging.
I am going to make sure I don't leave my brain at the door tomorrow. :-)
Preacherman great post!
I love what Jason said.
Jason you are right on track.
Preacherman,
You are on the topics.
I love your blog.
You have challenge me to think about things tomorrow and always.
I am glad that you are addressing this topic. I think it is important that we think about what the Bible class teacher is say if he has an agenda or the preacher has an agenda instead of actually teaching and preaching the Word.
Thanks Preacherman.
we are all pretty clueless...
and not just on sundays.
i do not think most of our attention spans last more than five minutes either.
we have no idea what stress and problems a lot of people are dealing with. it is a wonder some people even make it into the building.
what do we expect? perfection?
just how much do we expect from the teachers, preachers, flock and all the rest of the names we have for everyone that comes into a gathering.
compared to how the world could be and probably will be in the future, no matter what humans do...i think that maybe we should just accept more of eachother's human churchly flaws and spread a little more of the Love of God.
and a little prayer certainly would not hurt.
it is amazing how the Holy Spirit can still work with even misguided agendas and misplaced brains if there is love for oneanother.
well, preacherman...
you did ask.
great post.
keep em comming!
God be with you.
Thanks Nancy!
Wonderful post yet, again Preacherman! Keep the topics up brother. I hope you are feeling better.
Preacherman you have said what needs to be said. I think many Christian are brainless when they come to church. Many just punch their cards at the door and go through the motions and then leave. Nothing that was done or said from the preacher was heard.
How many of you can remember the title and topic of last weeks sermon?
Get the point!
I love your blog Preacherman.
Keep em coming.
Preacherman,
I am going to use my brain tomorrow at church. I am a mom with five young kids that we adopted. So, sometimes it is hard to think about what is going on. I will try better from now on.
I can't remember where I put my brain. Did I leave it here? If you find it, let me know:)
Terry,
I had a good laugh this early morning. I am glad I wasn't drinking my coffee yet. There is nothing worse than hot coffee coming out of your nose. :-)
I think I found your brain here. You always have great points to make on every topic we have to discuss.
Kinney,
Yes. I'm grateful for the Evangelical Covenant denomination of which our church is a part. You can think for yourselves within the commitment we have to Scripture as the word of God.
We are in this together, and that inclusion involves our minds as well as all the rest of us.
It is true, in many churches there is either little or no room for people who want to think. And be creative. We need all that God gives to his Body, the Body is not just a pastor, or the leadership; it's every believer.
Great post and questions!
I know at times in the past I have failed to speak up against something I disagreed with simply because I was afraid to be proven wrong and look stupid. Especially when I was younger.
I know that's not a good reason, but it has been the truth for me at those times, and I wonder if it isn't true for others sometimes as well.
Other times, it may simply be because it is something deemed to be not a big enough deal to make as stink out of - where peace is prefereable. Some folks go too far to the other extreme - wanting to argue about minutia.
However, in general I agree we need to be more nuturing of an enviroment where all are encouraged to share their thoughts, even if they disagree with the status quo. Our gatherings should be a safe place for that. Unfortunately, too many times they are not.
I appreciate your comment about going through the motions of worship without thinking about the words to their songs or prayers. One thing I continually pray for our praise team is that not a single word to a song would pass through our lips idly...that each one would have meaning and life as they are sung.
It is so frustrating as a minister when you want your congregation to open their minds and all they want is the fundamentals and not the meat. I hate it! I wish more Christians would open their minds to letting go of legalism and be set free.
I have heard today from many people you preach to much love and grace. Since God is love does that mean I preach to much God? I think that will be my next post.
I pray that Christian everywhere will think for themselves and not just take a teacher or preacher at their word. Use the brain that God has given you!!!!!
Ted and Shane thanks for your wonderful comments and points. I appreciate both of your wisdom! :-)
Once when trying to get My Adult daughter and son in law to attend a church, we were trying out several churches, and we went to this non- denominal church and they had a large nursery, but my daughter was not comfortable leaving her children there, then 1 and 4 years old, so they went with us and they had a over head running useful information like a nursery is provided for your children. Well music started with drumbs and all, very loud and the baby started singing in her oun little way and a man came over and asked my daughter to take her to the nursery, I didn't realize she had left till the music stopped and when I ask no one knew where she went, so I walked out and found her in the car waiting on the rest of us. Well, that was 2 years ago and I am still struggling today to get her involved in a church.
"I wish more Christians would open their minds to letting go of legalism and be set free."
The problem is that legalism is a brain problem ... when people interpret the bible using their brains they often see it in black/white legalistic terms.. I know that I did.
The only way to be set free is to learn to live from our heart.. our inner being and not from our flesh. I wrote more about this here.
This is a great post and the comments are good to read. I am greived by the couple of folks that talk about difficult situations that soured or halted their connection with a church. I know those stories are more prevalent than has been posted here.
I liked the statement someone made:
I just wish ignorant people would choose to learn their way out of ignorance rather than insulting their way into a black hole.
I also noticed one comment that said folks are afriad of losing a place to belong if they speak up. The fear of being "kicked out" of church is unfortunately a real fear and has been around for centuries. I am reminded of the Pharisees in John 12:42 "Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue."
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