Jubilee

On Saturday I went with friends from International Christian Fellowship (do not mistake for the "International Church of Christ" cult please) to go to a Christian conference in Pittsburgh, and it was fantastic. I spent about $95 for the whole deal, and to be honest, I am not perfectly sure the conference itself was worth it. But hanging out with these people and getting to know them was worth every penny, if not more, so I am really happy I got the opportunity to go.
It is good to identify with other believers. I came away from the conference with a heavy burden for the american church though. I met a bunch of young Christians who wanted to learn about God, and that was fantastic. But what was alarming was the people they had to turn to, to learn about God. The whole evening wrapping up the conference was emotional manipulation of a sort I have rarely seen. The speaker, Tony Campolo, was a rhetorical genius. He could probably make Elijah feel guilty for not giving 1 year of his life to God in a mission trip, or donating to compassion international. He said many true things, but guys, we need to use our heads for a second. When the dialogue between speaker and crowd looks like the following:

Campolo: "So, I ask you then... Can a Christian own a BMW?"
Everyone" "NOOOOO!!!"

then it is probably time to step back for a second and re-evaluate what this guy is saying. This idea, that a Christian cannot have a BMW, is sort of an alarm bell to me. I am not so much disturbed by the claim itself, (though I would disagree with it) as I am how we are being taught to evaluate what is the right course of action to take. I can imagine 2 disasterous (moderately hyperbolized but you get the idea) scenarious that could result:

Scenario A) little Suzy Parker is 13, and has no job. Her dad is a blue collar mechanic who isn't a Christian but know's his daughter is and really wants to go to this Christian conference with her youthgroup. So, he digs into his wallet and coughs up the $95 for her. While there at the conference, Suzy who loves got and has a very tender conscience, is brought to tears about the starving child in india and promises to sponsor 3 kids for $40 a month because a great man, Tony Campolo, tells her its what God wants us to do. Unfortunately, because she does not have a job, her unbelieving and very poor father now has to shoulder the burden.

Scenario B) Fu Xiao Wang became a Christian 2 months ago, and is currently studying Aerospace Engineering. He is filled with joy, learning about Christ and abiding in his love. He plans on going back to China to be an engineer. But listening to Tony Campolo give a plug for inner city missions projects ("You gave God your LIFE but can't give him 1 year???") he loses all confidence that being an engineer is what God wants him to be and all his Joy vanishes.


People in general (how much more great teachers), should not take advantage of the tender conscience of young highschool or college Christians, in attempt to get them to make committments apart from their parent's knowledge. Neither should they declare that they know the specific will of God for an individual's life, unless it is preceded by a "thus saith the lord" and followed by a chapter and reference.

The fact that these things are being done by the greatest Christian leaders in the US is very disturbing to me. I hope it doesn't rub off onto the international Christians. Many are coming from crazy backgrounds and it is so wonderful to see the joy and change that takes place in there lives. I hope this joy, which is from God, doesn't get replaced by the "joy" we try to produce in ourselves through guilt ridden obedience to a falsly percieved will of God.