August 26

Day 165: Hidden

I have a former church youth group kid who is active in a professional evangelical vocation. He lives on the other side of the continent. Like everyone, he is active on social media.

At one point a year or so ago, he let me know he was tired of my many Twitter posts about our dysfunctional Alaska weather. In response, I made him aware of my fatigue over seeing photos of everything he was grilling outdoors.

In a nicest of ways, we independently and silently agreed to no longer pay attention to each other's posts, utilizing the handy "hide his boring stuff" button. Almost like we determined to be social pluralists. Almost like we intended to be a reflection of our culture.

To broaden the concept, our church, and other like-minded churches in our city are being "hidden." The "particularity" of Christianity (believing Jesus is the "only name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved," Acts 4:12) is perhaps the biggest battle we face going forward. Even here, in our own city.

Increased globalization has resulted in proximity to those who hold other beliefs, even contrary beliefs. What used to be mysterious and far away is now just a click away.

The impact of immigration of peoples from places other than Europe have forced us all to figure out how to be good neighbors to our new neighbors, making Christian beliefs less attractive. Because we are cast as exclusionary.

Certainly, "post-colonialist guilt" informs the current narrative.

Tolerance used to mean, "The deliberate decision to refrain from limiting or interfering with someone else's conduct or beliefs." But in recent years, the definition has changed radically, now to mean "To think or say anything negative about another person's conduct or beliefs is offensive and intolerant."

No one, including you and me wants to be cast as giving offense or being intolerant.

With this, sincerity is now regarded as being more important than truth. That sincerity is enough, even when truth is absent. Commitment is more valuable than being correct.

Finally, our culture has taken on a very pragmatic view of religion; any religion. People are now less concerned with universal truth claims and more with what works, what fulfills, what feels good and facilitates self-actualization and wellbeing.

We are increasingly moving toward being hidden, disregarded, considered antiquated.

Our Christian faith is exclusionary, in that, we agree with the apostle Paul, that "There is salvation in no one else, for there is not other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

We believe all mankind, every individual needs salvation from their rebellious sin against our holy God. And, that Jesus is the (only) way, the truth and the life.

We can be joyful outcasts. We can be enthusiastic heralds of the grace offered by the King. The gospel of Jesus is good news, especially for a culture that wants to think otherwise.

We will be hidden only to the extent we choose to be hidden. To resign ourselves to living silently under cover is way easier these days.

While Jesus said, "Let your light shine!"

- Mike Rydman, Lead Pastor, Radiant Church | Juneau