The Simple Pastor

Thoughts on faith, life & wonder

Is Christianity middle class?

Christians like us love testimonies right? We love stories of how people come to Christ and the stories we love the best are those who were really bad, who were really far away, were really sick and now they’re really saved. We love it, I think for a number of reasons, one because its grace and we love grace, but also because the difference is really, really clear.

The changes drug addicts and criminals need to make to their life once they’ve committed themselves to following Jesus is usually obvious (though not easy)

But what changes do you ask of say for example, a teacher who is happily married, works hard, doesn’t get drunk and basically leads a pretty good life? What changes other than to start giving to the church and coming on Sundays do we ask of the middle class? Is it really possible that 99% of how the middle classes live is fundamentally honouring to God? Do they really already follow the lifestyle pattern Jesus set down for his people so that all they need to do is come to church and tithe? Or have we missed something?

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9 responses

  1. jul avatar
    jul

    There is nothing distinctly christian about not drinking, working hard, being ‘nice’… There should be a radical change in anyone who gets saved and now has the Holy Spirit of the Living God living in them! Signs, wonders, miracles,casting out demons, healings, you know, just for a start.

    We have got something wrong. We are not book of Acts believers for the most part in the middle class comfortable parts of the world. I say for the most part (including me) but recognizing that there have always been exceptions to this and I believe God is causing a shift in the rest of us back toward a dependence on him and a deep hunger to see his power transform our world and usher in his kingdom.

    Reply
  2. Phil avatar
    Phil

    Jul,
    I agree with you that in the church we should see more of all the things you list – demonstrations of God’s power. I also think we should see greater sharing, deeper community and more radical generosity which are demonstrations of His love. Perhaps if we had more of the second we might see more of the first!

    Reply
  3. Anonymous avatar
    Anonymous

    Having been brought up in a nice protestant middle class home, I was conditioned into a culture of high educational achievements, good job leading to a house, wife, 2.3 kids, nice car and you’ve made it. Keep your head down, be nice people, uncontroversial. Maybe get a hobby but above all create a nice safe settled life where you can live in a self sufficient comfortable bubble.

    When you put 100 similar people together and call it a Church what kind of Church do we get?

    Reply
  4. Phil avatar
    Phil

    Dear Anon,
    That is a fascinating comment – will post on that later. Thanks so much for writing

    Phil

    Reply
  5. Natty1905 avatar
    Natty1905

    They start to love their brothers which is completely different from being a ‘good person’.  God’s love for others, when experienced is something completely different whether you had an ornate pile of shit life or a messy pile of shit life.  Its still a pile of shit either way.

    Reply
    1. Phil Whittall avatar
      Phil Whittall

      That’s certainly one way to put it!

      Reply
  6. stephen houghton avatar
    stephen houghton

    well there is quite a lot of pressure on christians if you read his word and to obey it . o his burden is light and yoke is easy.
    look a ephesians chap 6 the churches in ephesians they all had faults they are written for us arnt they soon as you talk to some about jesus they think there is something wrong with you or they ask what do you do .ie as a job fisher man , making tents, carpenter i know to work and do GODS work is hard so for me i couldent do both as jesus said when you fast pray continously help widow orphan put others before you turn the other cheek speaking in tongues raising the dead praying for the sick dicerment of spirits ect making diciples of all nations
    then is seeking GOD because the lord is watching to see who,s heart is loyal to him then there is GODS dicipline because he discipline those he loves . then he says be holy be perfect he who has ears to hear what the spirit says to the church s
    then being lead by the spirit of GOD
    then if we work we are to content with are wage greed is a sin the lord is our provider psalm 103 i dont see many christians working in macdonalds saying i must be content with my wage because the lord said he would never leave me or forsake me many go for top jobs

    and money living comfortable specially if your married prophet priest and king and all that do the work of a evangelist as well

    Reply
  7. stephen houghton avatar
    stephen houghton

    well done ste . then we must encourage ourselves,

    Reply
  8. stephen houghton avatar
    stephen houghton

    LORD i ask your hand of healing for our broken nation and many will be delivered from death and healed according to your word help us to love you

    Reply

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