Chicago Community Organizer Saul Alinsky published his famously controversial Rules for Radicals in 1971. The book is dedicated to Lucifer whose rebellion won him a kingdom. Long before Alinsky there was Christ, whose humility and submission won Him a very different kind of Kingdom. He was thought to be so radical that the people of his day crucified Him.
We’ve come a long way from the time of Jesus Christ, who would not compromise his principles. Now we live in a world where Christian communities are often viewed as little more than false-front movie sets with doorways that lead nowhere.
Swiss-German theologian Karl Barth said of contemporary Christianity that it presents nothing peculiar, nothing new, nothing that exercises compelling power. And so, after standing for a moment in amazement before the comedy of unreal communion with God, the children of the world turn away supported in their belief that after all, this world is all there is.
Trouble and uncertainty that challenges daily living demands much more than pale, conformist Christianity. The spirit of this era was articulated by a young college student who answered my question about his goals for the future with the despondent remark that his goal was to survive.
“Your generation had hope for a brighter tomorrow,” he said, “but I see my world falling apart, and I know that the future is permanently beyond my reach.”
So-called “Millenials” were the first generation in the history of America to doubt the future. It’s an unfortunate fact that entropy is real—we live in a universe where decay sooner or later catches up with us.
But how about living in an alternative universe where each day is always brighter than the day before; where little of this world can touch you, where “normal” is increasing peace and joy. It’s possible. But the price of entry is steep.
Jesus put it bluntly. A paraphrase of His statemen recorded in Matthew 16:24 says this: (If you want to get close to me and experience my transcendent, victorious life—that is), if you want to be my disciple, you’re going to have to pick up a cross and follow me.
Such a radical demand for death to self in exchange for the resurrection life of Christ causes most to turn aside from following Him, choosing instead – whether they know it or not – a spiritually empty existence so plaintively expressed by King Solomon as “vanity of vanities”, or futility piled on top of futility.
What do you choose?