One of the biggest and most emotionally-charged attacks against Christianity is that it spreads shame and guilt due to its focus on "sin" and "evil." But is evil real?
One of the biggest complaints against evangelical Christianity is that it preaches about "sin" and "Satan" and "hell" - spreading fear, anxiety, shame and guilt in its wake.
I always have mixed reactions to this complaint. First, I am aware that real pain is often standing behind this grievance. I am sensitive to the emotional hurt, anger, and resentment that so often (and often justifiably) fuels this rage. As such, the issue has to handled carefully.
What's more, there are some evangelical Christians, particularly of the more "Landmark" fundamentalist variety, that don't express themselves very well. And, in some cases, that don't really understand the doctrine of sin itself very well.
In Acts 2, Luke makes it clear that the early church "continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine" as well as in "fellowship," "prayer," and Communion. Most of your more judgmental, negative churches believe they are standing up for doctrine when they denounce those with whom they disagree or disapprove. However, Jesus always seemed to find a gentler and more effective way than the style and methods of many of these pulpit-pounders.
For instance, an Independent Baptist church whose website I recently visited prided itself in being a non-compromising, fundamentalist, "Landmark" (a loaded term I'll deal with in future articles and blogs) congregation. One of the sermons available for download was titled "Why Billy Graham is Going to Hell." When you've got fundamentalist Christians preaching and Amening inflammatory nonsense like that, it's hard to refute accusations against evangelical Christianity from outside the church walls.
And then of course you have the likes of Fred Phelps and Westboro Baptist Church - a fundamendalist congregation that gives new meaning to the concept of hate.
Does this mean that evangelical Christians should jettison the concept of sin and renounce the existence of Satan? Must we turn away from our beliefs because some in our number abuse them?
The Bible tells us to speak the "truth in love." Accordingly, Christians have an obligation to be both loving AND truthful. It's a tough balance - one that some churches haven't even come close to attaining. But that is the balance we are to pursue. And Jesus is our guide and example.
