Author Calvin Miller coined the parable of "Christian Deconstruction" some years ago. Listen to what he says:
Christian Deconstruction
"When Henrietta Marietta was only barely five
Her mother made her sit in church ...
And goodness sakes alive!
The service lasted seven hours!
She fell asleep and took a dive!
Onto the hard wood floor.
"When Henrietta Marietta had reached the age of eight
Her mother made her stay quite late
At a business meeting where the hate
Would not abate, as Brother screamed at
Brother in a very anxious state
That made poor Henrietta quake.
"Henrietta Marietta at ten or so felt grand
A hairy church committee man,
Slapped her chubby little hand
And said "Young Lady this is church!
Drop that smile
And reverence God ... do you quite understand!"
She said she did.
"At twelve they drubbed her in the ground
Because she wore her shorts downtown
Then at fourteen, they called her down
For going to a movie, where they said that sin abounds,
"It was only "Bambi," and how do deer sin?" she frowned.
"Don't be impertinent," they said.
"At eighteen she took a chance, went to a dance
Their criticisms, seemed to spin
And then the church board called her in
"You wicked girl, all dancing's sin!
Is this where you want to be, my friend?
When our sweet Jesus comes again?"
"At 23, Marietta announced to her mother,
"Mama, I'm an atheist!"
"It must have been that state college
we sent you to," her mother said."
But it was not that State College. It was years and years of Christian Deconstruction by none other than the church where Pharisaic, narrow judge mentalism has a tendency to create practical atheism. The church is no place to deconstruct the hopes and dreams of our young people and youth, tearing them down. The church is the place to build them up and assist them in becoming all God created them to be.
Jesus' parable of the two sons offers an indictment we need to hear: "I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom . . . [Matthew 21:43].
I want us to be kingdom fruits people. The kind of church people that build up the body of Christ rather than tear it down. Too much of our Christianity has become icing; too little cake, and we are in danger of contracting spiritual diabetes.
The only diet I know of to make us spiritually strong is the one where...
- We will do more than belong, we will participate.
- We will do more than believe, we will practice.
- We will do more than care, we will help.
- We will do more than be fair, we will be kind.
- We will do more than forgive, we will forget.
- We will do more than dream, we will work.
- We will do more than teach, we will inspire.
- We will do more than earn, we will enrich.
- We will do more than give, we will serve.
- We will do more than live, we will grow.
- We will do more than be friendly, we will be a friend.
Church, let's do our best to be a church that constructs a better world and people, a church that builds up the body of Christ to be a blessing to the world.
Reconstructionly yours,
damaged or destroyed. Together, Disciples can bring hope, healing, and a helping hand to our neighbors in need of assistance.
R
