A Christ-Follower Who ’Hates’ Christianity?

It’s likely most Christians have things happen to them in their faith walk or during church they don’t like from time to time.

Perhaps it was a sermon they disagree with, a prayer that seemed unanswered or a fellow congregant they don’t get along with.

But if you don’t like what you see around you, is it OK to say you hate Christianity and still call yourself a Christ-follower?

Apparently so for Jason Berggren, a former Christian punk band singer and pastor profiled this week on the ABC News blog “The Quick Fix.”

Berggren is pushing his book “10 Things I Hate About Christianity” and creating plenty of dissent as evidenced by the commentary stream on the blog.

Among his claims are that the Bible is boring and Christians after often too hypocritical. These are certainly not groundbreaking critiques although they wouldn’t be naturally associated with people still professing to be a Christian.

Berggren’s most striking comment comes on the nature of prayer. My impression of what prayer isn’t is a laundry list of wishes akin to a child’s Santa Claus letter. Berggren’s response to prayer may open him up most to criticism:

“It came to a point where prayer wouldn’t work out the way I thought it should. … He (God) has not given me what I want him to give me.”

 

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  1. JasonKarpf said:

    The Bible requires informed study to tap its richness and relevance. It can be impenetrable without the proper tools and guidance. As for hypocrisy, Christians have not cornered the market. And about prayer, good church leadership—clergy and parishioners alike—will help explain and energize prayer life. Berggren needs to get outside himself. Maybe he will once he’s done promoting his book.

    May 1, 2009
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