But...
What role does 'emotionalism' take in Christianity?
I don't mean typical praising and worshiping ....
I get all that and was raised in churches that practiced 'overt' worshiping like raising hands, singing out loud, public prayers, etc. I can hang with that and believe it's scriptural.
My thoughts, tonight, however are on moments in a worship service, or during a talk, a sermon, whatever...
........when emotionalism is played up.
When the speaker is trying to raise the roof, when your spirituality is publicly judged based upon how 'emotional' you are during these services, etc.
When you are put with a small group of people (potential strangers) and directed to share prayer requests....
When the speaker uses Christian cliches over and over to 'encourage' the listeners as to what amazing things God can do...or at least has done 'for them'. (gag)
I'm kinda done with all of it.
Emotionalism, like what I described above, seems only to be to the detriment of those that 'don't get it' and only serves to ostrasize the private or the uninformed.
Isn't God a respecter of persons?
So why does the modern day church, in it's various forms and stages, put such emotional pressure on it's attendees?
Is it just my personality? Am I just jaded or something??????
But I find this kind of an assault on Christian intellectualism.
(please remember that I am NOT talking about typical praising and worshiping as described in the Psalms....I regularly participate and deeply appreciate the benefits of singing God's praises together with others...I am talking about more of the 'pressure'-oriented or manipulative-type emotionalism that seems to be so alive in churches and Christian groups....)
Why can't we function within the "Psalms" type praising and worshiping ...
(which I guess for some would even include dancing but it wouldn't done because a leader said, "Ok, now let's all dance!"..it would be done with humble and almost private attitude...am I describing the differences well enough or not?? this is hard but it's really bothering me!)
without stepping or, in some cases, jumping (!!!) into the 'overt emotionalism' type of service where you are judged on your activities?
Or why do "Christian Cheerleaders" try so hard to cheer????? Isn't simply READING THE BIBLE reason enough for 'cheer'..... I don't need someone FORCING me to be 'Glad in the Lord' to know that I have good reason to be "Glad in the Lord".
goodness.
I'm sure I've stepped on some toes and for that I apologize ....
however, this over-emotional type of Christianity that seems so prominent these days ISN'T for everyone (me being one of those everyone's!) but that DOES NOT MAKE ME LESS OF A CHRISTIAN!
phew.
breathe...Andrea...breathe!!!
10 PLEASE give your thoughts! Click to comment!:
Well, I, for one, agree with you, Andrea.....ya didn't step on MY toes! :-)
thank you Kim!!!!
I appreciate you!
Andrea
hoping your Ruthie's foot heals quickly...ouch!
It's interesting to me how you have put words to your thoughts on this.
I grew up in a church (non-denominational) where it was 'in' to be 'spiritual' - whatever that means! In the youth group it was 'in' to have all the right answers... to be a part of the 'elite' Bible Study groups... or invited on the special mission trips. And then we went to our new church and the WHOLE youth group went to Mexicali to share the gospel. I remember being shocked at some of those who were 'allowed' to go - but, that was my upbringing judging them. It's hard to put into words... but, the new church we went to - it was 'in' to be REAL. It was okay to struggle and ask the tough questions about your faith. Anyhow, although I grew up in more conservative churches than it sounds like you did -- I think you are talking about this same type of thing... and you certainly didn't step on my toes - I appreciate your perspective!
Phew, you're making me cry. I know I cry easliy as the tiny things touch me big, but. . .
I wouldn't be who I am or where I am if God had brought me to a pushy, emotional Christian. I'm certain I would have ran.
Thank God (yes I truely do) that He brought you to me to get to Him.
That's huge for me and that's why it makes me cry greatfully.
So instead of running away I told my wonderful husband, yes we are going to church again this Sunday and again, and again. . . Now he takes our girls on Sundays when I'm at work. I never woulda thought that would happen.
Hummm
So Andrea, thanks for being Jesus with skin on for me!= Not over the top, Not pushy, yet lovingly worried how I felt when a visting Pastor was "over the top" pushy/judging-'asked'= made it seam like we should raise our hands 'privately' to some thing he said, since we all had our heads bowed and eyes closed. You knew I would feel uncomfortable and again took action for me. (Remember?) Thanks!
I truely remember the words you share with me not how loud and emotional you were. (Even though you are often loud and crazy) ;-)
Here are some things that were said by some of the girls in regular conversation that did help bring me to finally take the steps towards Christ:
"I prayed and I have a peace about it" - I wanted a peace about stuff. How do I get it?
"Like my husband tells people, We don't make the rules we just follow them."- Hummm so just being a good person and doing the right things wasn't how I got my free gift? I thought about that, I got it and accepted it entirely.
"God did not want bad things to happen, but He gave us free will and He will be with us to get us through the bad times."- I LOVE free will and it helps me to help friends understand that God donesn't want them to have hardship 'just to learn something'.
But our own free will and the free will of others sometimes leads us to hardship and heartbreak, but as the choices were not His, He is ALWAYS with us to get us through.
I said, "I guess I'm just waiting (to attend a church service) for someone to say, you should come." and with that CM said "You should come." And we did.
Oops! This isn't MY blogg. I'm going to blame Andrea for being transparent as it tends to strike a nerve and MAKES my fingers type so much.
OK bye,
Lisa J. Davis
Thank you for your very appropriate thoughts Jenni...
Lisa - I am not as amazing as you type me out to be...but...God brought us together for a purpose....of that we are both sure! You have helped me immensely (I wish you still lived here) and,maybe?, I have helped you.....
a huge hug to you my friend...(and stop crying!! hehe)
Andrea
I needed to hear each of these comments tonight...thank you.....
Andrea I totally agree with you and see that kind of pushyness (however you spell that??) as unhelpful and it does take away from the truth of the Bible.
I remember going to this church once years ago and this lady was speaking and was almost forcing this man to 'receive' this gift etc and when he didn't start 'doing' it you could tell she was frustrated and kept pushing him. She nearly pushed him over!!! I could not stand that and if she had kept going I was going to get up and walk out of there...it made me SO mad!!
Anyway, no toes stepped on here at all... I'm with you Andrea 100%!!
Anna
Oh no, was last night no good??
Hey Captured Blessings (aka: Jessica)...
Not last night but just Christianity overall sorta.
No specific event just some memory-triggering and observations, kwim?
Me
Emotionalism is a problem, but I think we may tend to extrapolate out to the idea that emotion would be a problem.
...grr... not making sense, Luke. Explain.
I remember standing in the back of a worship service at camp where everyone was jumping and singing and praising and whatnot. People were bawling their eyes out. People were praying like mad. It was an emotional madhouse.
And I stood in the back and thought, 'No wonder people think we're crazy.'
And, yes, I'm guessing there was quite a bit of emotionalism in all that. People feeling pushed and pressured into exhibiting signs of the Holy Spirit. Much like those who feel pushed into speaking in tongues (not opening that can of worms, "I'm just saying" [smile]).
And so, pushy is bad. Emotionalism is bad. But there is something freeing about opening yourself up to experience the emotion that Christianity allows for as well. When people spontaneously shout "Praise Jesus!", I admit: It makes me uncomfortable at times. It feels phony.
But it's not always. And my intellectualism is getting in the way. My judgmentalism is doing me wrong.
All that to say: Maybe it's the -alisms that are the problems. Because intellect is good, judgment (discernment) is good, and emotion is good. But we must balance and be wise in how we use these gifts and attributes.
Hoping that made sense. If not, just ignore me: I'm a madman myself.
[smile]
~Luke
"But there is something freeing about opening yourself up to experience the emotion that Christianity allows for as well. ...
All that to say: Maybe it's the -alisms that are the problems. Because intellect is good, judgment (discernment) is good, and emotion is good. But we must balance and be wise in how we use these gifts and attributes."
I was going to say AMEN! but, I'll refrain ... ha ha j/k
I do think that this is very well said.
I have witnessed countless times someone pushing their 'freeness' or 'openness' or whatever you want to call it (by saying it that way I don't want to insinuate that the other person isn't free or open b/c I don't think that's true at all!) on others that weren't at the same place. I think once someone does experience this for themselves, they want everyone around them to have the same thing ... but they expect it to 'look' the same as it did for them and that's where the problem comes in, I believe.
I fully believe that someone can feel just as open and have as 'much' of a breakthrough spiritually whether they are standing still and being quiet or if they are praising God loudly and very exuberant.
I have to catch myself and be very careful about judging in this area, on both sides of the coin. It's even hard for me with our oldest son, I want him to "show" that he at least appreciates the praise and worship service by clapping or at least trying to sing or something ... but I have had to learn to accept him for where he's at and love that. He's 11, it's typical, I know. ok, I'll stop taking over your blog now ... ;-)
Post a Comment