Re: Russell Moore on Anne Rice's Recent Rejection of Christianity

Wyman,
Thanks again for the link to Dr. Moore's article that has helped me to get a better vision of others in light of Christ' redemptive purposes and His amazing love and patience with us all.

John B

Re: Russell Moore on Anne Rice's Recent Rejection of Christianity

It is ever the "way of the world" to take an exception and make it the general rule for all people. Her revulsion to "homophobia" and all the other forms of "anti" or against is not without merit. It would seem to me that being for Christ, for His children, for His bride and for His kingdom is far more important and relevant than being against so many things. We are not to fight the world, the ways of the world or even the god of this world. We should be for a whole lot more good "people" issues than against so many all the time. I have found in my own personal experience (very subjective and extremely limited) that you can discuss "God" in general with almost anyone, anywhere. You can discuss the church with most people for a while and even debate the pros and cons of the visible church. You can even discuss Jesus with almost everyone for a while. What divides and separates people is when we convey that we believe Jesus Christ to be both alive and God of all things. So,
in summary, I understand Anne's revulsion of "Christianity" in general as it is in a real mess in America. Almost all non observing "spiritual" people object the current state of the local church and it is not without merit. Jesus declared to Peter that "upon this rock, I will build the church.........". Jesus is the builder of the church and it's sustainer and it's very life. The rest of the complaints of the world about the church should at least be carefully weighed and addressed. Sad Anne has left the rank and file church members but also equally sad are the presence of so many "anti" issues and "anti" people attitudes within the ranks. It's all Sad. Pray, pray for her and
manybe, just maybe, pray for self in light of the Lord Jesus Christ who is building and sustaining the church. Russell's article is stellar and spot on!!!!!! Yeah, the voice of reason in a wilderness of confusing issues.

Re: Russell Moore on Anne Rice's Recent Rejection of Christianity

When I saw the headline "Anne Rice Leaves Christianity" on CNN.com my heart sank a little. But then I read the article: "I remain committed to Christ as always, but not to being 'Christian' or to being part of Christianity. It's simply impossible for me to 'belong' to this quarrelsome, hostile, disputatious, and deservedly infamous group. ... My faith in Christ is central to my life. My conversion from a pessimistic atheist lost in a world I didn't understand, to an optimistic believer in a universe created and sustained by a loving God is crucial to me. But following Christ does not mean following His followers. Christ is infinitely more important than Christianity and always will be, no matter what Christianity is, has been or might become." So it seems the headline really should have read: "Ann Rice Stops Going to Church"... but I guess that doesn't sell newspapers.

Re: Russell Moore on Anne Rice's Recent Rejection of Christianity

W,

Welcome back from Mfuge!

After reading Dr. Moore's blog and others, I'm not sure if Dr. Moore understands the issue as I do. My impression is that Ms. Rice is rejecting 'Christianity,' not Christ. Like me, some might question if that is possible, but from what I've read I believe that Ms. Rice sees a real difference. She would say, I think, that she believes and loves the Christ that died for her on the cross. But she does not accept the institutional expression sustained by those who claim to be His followers. These followers are too much known for what they oppose rather than for what they promote. For the last two Sundays I have expressed similar sentiments in my sermons: Jesus did not die to establish a new set of 'thou shalt nots' by which we are to live - He died set us free to follow Him.

Trust me, I am not attempting to be an Anne Rice apologist, but if I understand her distinction I see her point. I believe it is a point that the recently deceased iMonk attempted to make on numerous occasions on his blog, except he would make the distinction between evangelism (the gospel) and evangelicalism (the philosophies and dogmas that evangelicals have created that sometimes actually work to negate the gospel).

Finally, I find myself in complete agreement with much of what Dr. Moore says about loving, praying, and empathizing with those who are on different journeys with Christ than my own. Ms. Rice is neither to be pitied nor rejected. She is to be loved, prayed for, and attempted to be understood. If my assumption is correct - she loves Jesus, she rejects His church (again, I would question this spiritual possibility) - then perhaps we can learn from her dissatisfaction about the church as it relates to so many in our local communities who I believe feel the same way.

Always enjoy your blog, L

Re: Russell Moore on Anne Rice's Recent Rejection of Christianity

All,

I've just figured out how to make these comments visible! Had a change in the site and didn't know I had to approve comments now, so here we go.

Anyway, just read all four of these. Thanks for the comments. I'm in general agreement and, of course, Rice tries to distance her rejection of the church from any rejection of Christ. I do think that even that idea is problematic to some extent, and I do think that Rice is saying more than, "I don't think I'll attend church anymore," but, as you all have pointed out, and as Moore's article points out, it's just possible that she remains a believer, etc.

And, right, who can deny how misguided churches can be at times? And yet, it is into this imperfect, quarrelsome community that we have been called and it was for this community that Christ died, so it is no small thing to reject the church.

Sorry for the delay on all the comments!

W