Overcoming the Culture’s Aversion to Our Christian Witness
Why do so many people openly disparage Christianity?
I spent a few hours recently reading social media posts from people who aren’t just disinterested in Christianity; they are openly hostile. All things “church,” “Christian,” “Bible,” and similar topics are regularly criticized, ridiculed, and satirized on their platforms.
At first, I felt sad that many people would spend so much time bashing something they dislike instead of taking a more positive approach to what they do like. But that’s a personal choice, and I can’t change their decision about what they do online.
However, on closer inspection, I noticed how focused and intentional they were about ridiculing Christians’ certainty about the gospel. After all, we firmly believe what the Bible says, and we’ve read the last chapter and know what’s coming. There’s also a large group of believers who can testify to God’s miraculous work in their lives.
All that’s great, but at a particular point, “certainty” can bleed into “arrogance,” and to a non-believer, that’s naturally repulsive.
We see a similar arrogance from people who allow their politics to blind them to reality.
Our allegiance to sports teams, our alma mater, or professional groups derail us from the truth.
In our passionate career pursuit, we can easily step on people in our way.
Those are just a few examples, but we’re all put off when it happens. Even with well-intentioned efforts to share our faith, when the culture hears such a level of certainty about the gospel that it tilts toward arrogance, it naturally wants nothing to do with it.
Maybe it’s time we back off the certainty and start sharing the questions, doubts, and complexity of our faith. I believe God has all the answers, but I certainly don’t – so maybe I should be more open to engaging people on that basis. Even when outsiders disagree with us, it’s hard to criticize, ridicule, and make fun of people who are honest about what they believe.
Jesus certainly knew all the answers, but interestingly, He spent most of his time asking questions.
Maybe that’s something we could learn…
Phil Cooke, PhD. has been called “one of the most innovative communicators of our generation.” As a media producer, writer, speaker, and consultant, his client list includes major film studios and TV networks as well as major Christian organizations like Voice of the Martyrs, The Museum of the Bible, The Salvation Army, and others. He’s also coached and consulted with many of the most influential churches and nonprofit organizations in the world, helping them use media to tell their story. You can hear his podcast here.
