Christless Quotes

The absence of the Gospel from most churches is a topic that continues to both intrigue and infuriate me. Michael Horton's newest book continues to be the best source for discussion of this topic. Here are some quotes from Christless Christianity:

Aside from the packaging, there is nothing that cannot be found in most churches today that could not be satisfied by any number of secular programs and self-help groups.

In my view, we are living out our creed, but that creed is closer to the American Dream than it is to the Christian faith.

Just as you don’t really need Jesus Christ in order to have T-shirts and coffee mugs, it is unclear to me why he is necessary for most of the things I hear a lot of pastors and Christians talking about in church these days.

The church as people has many different callings, but the church as place (gathered publicly each week) has one calling: to deliver (and receive) Christ through preaching and sacrament.

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Christless Christianity?

Most church goers will notice if a certain church member or family is absent on Sunday. If that person or family doesn't show up for several weeks in a row, then we begin to get worried, concerned, or possibly judgmental. Yet, most churches in America haven't seemed to notice that Christ is missing from their worship gathering most Sundays. In particular, the gospel of Christ isn't even the focus of most sermons, songs, or curriculum.

This is a problem that Michael Horton has brought into the light of day in his most recent book, Christless Christianity: The Alternative Gospel of the American Church. If you have listened to his podcast (The Whitehorse Inn) over the course of 2008, then you have already heard his plea; however, this book, and many others like it, should serve as a warning which must be heeded by churches. I recommend this book for everyone who calls himself a Christian. Understanding and combating this trend is of first importance, because the American church is doing something far worse than forgetting the gospel all together: we have created our own gospel, with its own truth claims, to replace the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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