The Schizophrenic Church by Brady

Few people who have worked on a seminary degree would argue against the fact that it is one of the hardest things to accomplish. The hardest part of seminary is that it lasts so long (a 93 hour Masters degree) and is grueling physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I would say, without trying to be overdramatic, that I live with a tension within me most days. Maybe I should “let go and let God,” but the truth is that it is hard to wrestle with the tough questions in Christianity while also dealing with the day to day grind of balancing family, school, work, and social life. I do not think it is seminary students alone that live with this tension I am talking about, because I think it is a societal issue present in many people today.

We are in the midst of a dramatic paradigm shift within our civilization today. We are moving from the Enlightenment way of thinking called Modernism to a Post-Enlightenment age called Postmodernism. But anytime a massive shift like this takes place, it is never quick and easy. Within our faith, we have people who are operating fully on the Modern paradigm, those who are attempting to function fully on the Postmodern paradigm, and the rest of us being pulled between the two. This pulling actually creates great stress on individuals as well as institutions. David Bosch says in Transforming Mission, “This (shift) produces a kind of theological schizophrenia, which we just have to put up with while at the same time groping our way toward greater clarity. Scholars in all disciplines are overtaxed, and yet there is no way in which we can evade the demands made on us.” (p. 188)

One place this change in paradigms is particularly stretching is the Christian Church. Bosch goes on to say, “the Christian church in general and the Christian mission in particular are today confronted with issues they have never even dreamt of and which are crying out for responses that are both relevant to the times and in harmony with the essence of the Christian faith.” This is the stress I feel spiritually in my ministry. How can I be relevant to the world while remaining true to Christ? Another way to put it is “What does Jerusalem have to do with Waco?”

Maybe you are unlike me and do not feel this tension or maybe have not even heard of Postmodernism. All I can say to that is you are either operating on the old paradigm, live in a community sheltered from the outside world (which is not always a bad thing), or are ticking a lot of people off and you don’t care or aren’t aware of it. But either way, the shift is happening with or without you, and it is your job to make yourself aware of the culture you are living in. You may be wondering, why in the world would I want to live with this spiritual tension in my life? The answer is simple.

First, you are called to be a follower of Christ in one of the most important times in Christian history. I truly believe that the Christian Church, especially in the West, is on the ropes like it has not been in hundreds, if not thousands, of years. But there is another reason as well. Living with tension can create something beautiful for the world to ultimately be a better place to live. If you like listening to music, how good would a guitar sound if the strings were not full of tension? Maybe you’re an avid tennis player, so how well would your racket serve you if the strings were not wound tight with stress? Girls, you are the biggest fans of stress because diamonds ultimately would not be produced unless they were put under high pressure and heat naturally by the earth. My point is, stress can either kill you or produce something great. This is where we stand as the Church today.

Some sources today say Christianity has over 38,000 denominations and I would say each one believes they have the full revelation from God. This Church must decide what it will be to the next generation. Whatever it decides, there is one fact that remains: A single individual that lived in Israel in the first century has utterly turned this world upside down with the Good News he brought to us. During this time of change and uncertainty, my prayer is that we rest firmly in this reality.