Relevance: a gateway drug

I was listening to ESPN radio this morning; it makes me feel more masculine, you know, because men like sports. Honestly, I enjoy the one show where sports seem to be less of a priority. The host was talking about the Oscars, almost lamenting the fact that Americans had not seen the Best Picture Nominees. He spoke of a battle in Hollywood: do we produce smart movies and remain true to our art, or do we make money?



This point was intriguing to me, insightful into American culture at large. Then, a pastor calls up, I think he was from Pennsylvania. He said, "I'm going for my Ph. D. I find that the more educated I become, the harder it is to connect with people. I played a Linkin Park song at church today because that's what people are listening to."



I had to laugh, even though I wanted to cry. In the name of relevance and connection, this pastor was not using his education. He overlooked the integrity of his theology. Was he actually preaching the Gospel? I can't really say, as I didn't hear the sermon. However, it brought to mind a problem that seems to be growing in American churches. Biblical preaching is being replaced by relevant preaching. Relevant preaching is dangerous. It can lead to all kinds of heresy, BUT it will make a church popular.

People go to church looking for something they can use. Most times, the Gospel isn't the first thing on their minds. One need not go as far as prosperity to reach this phenomenon either. Take my home church as an example. When I was growing up, I hardly ever heard of sin. Sin is important, and actually quite easy for most of us to talk about. After all, we are experts in the field. I was saved, I was redeemed, though I never knew from what, exactly. It's funny because sin applies to everyone, making it perhaps the most relevant topic of discussion today (is that why it shows up so often in the Bible?).

Yet, most pastors seem to be promoting and protecting the congregation's self-esteem. They say, "You gotta feel good about yourselves folks. Why? Because God loves you, and He sent His Son to die for you." If they're a prosperity preacher, they'll add, in Osteen-esque fashion, "He died for you so that you can achieve total victory over sickness, poverty, and hardship." That's all well and good, but I don't need him to die to get most of those things.

What would a congregation do if a preacher said: "You're dirty, filthy unclean sinners! You are unfit for God to look upon, and are destined for Hell, unless you repent! Your hearts are darker than even you can fathom!....(congregation mutters: "How dare he say that about ME).... I know....I'm one of you, but Jesus loves me, and He died to save me from His Father's wrath in spite of my sins. "

What an unpopular message. What an irrelevant message! The congregation won't relate to that!

Do they have to relate to make it true? Or can I be countercultural?