“Heaven is totally overrated.”
I sat down by Howard at our staff meeting this morning. Howard was drinking a cup of Starbucks coffee imported from Greenville, SC. Howard may go to the hot place for bringing his Starbucks coffee into the land of Starbucksless Coffeedom. Howard works for me…but not for long if he continues sauntering through the office while brandishing his imported coffee.
That aside, the quote on Howard’s coffee cup caught my attention this morning. You may have already read about it. It looks like I may be about a month late to the party on this one. Here it is, though. "The Way I See It." #230.
"Heaven is totally overrated. It seems boring. Clouds, listening to people play the harp. It should be somewhere you can’t wait to go, like a luxury hotel. Maybe blue skies and soft music were enough to keep people in line in the 17th century, but Heaven has to step it up a bit. They’re basically getting by because they only have to be better than Hell." –Joel Stein, columnist for the Los Angeles Times
So here’s the deal. There, of course, is nothing in the Bible to support Stein’s understanding of Heaven. And, because of that, I guess we could be angry with Mr. Stein for flippantly making this quote without researching the facts. Or, we could slam the Los Angeles Times for employing someone that carelessly attacks people of faith. Or, we could boycott Starbucks because they’re promoting an anti-God agenda. Personally, I could care less about all of that.
Do you know what angers me about this quote? Folks, this is an indictment of the Church. We’ve let the greatest message in the world, become "clouds" and "people playing harps." We’re known more for yelling at people and telling them they’re going to Hell than we are for trying to help people find hope and purpose. We’ve let the media neuter the most dangerous message ever told. That’s what makes me angry about that coffee cup.
To be honest, I’m thankful Starbucks as generated this conversation. The Church needs to wake up. We may be communicating the truth, but people aren’t listening. That’s not a message problem–that’s a method problem.
But Tony you are Baptist…you should be boycotting and sending letters. Us good Methodists will continue to drink our coffee and just pray for him! We will also preach a three point sermon on what Heaven is and is not (weeks 1 & 2). We will then fill our resource libraries with copies of any film out there that teaches us better stewardship of our environment and how to get along well with others.
God bless ‘em!
Well put. I got that same cup last month and have kept it to use it as an illustration. You stole my thunder. Now I’ll just be plagiarizing. :)
what can you say when people form an opinion of god, church and heaven based on what they see and hear from christ-followers…christains…whatever we brand ourselves.
and given new believers are a great resource to influence the community, what do we do with those? here, have a bible, join a group…see ya.
Great post Tony…I was thinking the same thing when I read that comment, and the church should take a very close look at itself and ask why. It seems we always point the finger to the depravity of man, but I think the responsibility falls on the part of us.
steve wulf
http://www.ethoughts.tv
Tony … I see your point about this being a method problem, but couldn’t it also be a message problem?
By that I mean, couldn’t it be that we (the church at-large) are often preaching a “gospel” of hurry-and-get-out-of-dodge … of Jesus, the Savior from this terrible world that never really makes a difference IN the world?
It could well say more about me and my background than anything, but it seems I hear an awful lot about how great it’s going to be when we go to Heaven. But it’s said in terms of achieving something later that I’ll never experience in any form here.
I say all of that beliving firmly that grace doesn’t just get me to heaven, it also changes me here and now and makes me a useful human being on this planet. But that message doesn’t seem to be preached often enough.
But, whether the fault lies with method or message, you’re spot on about this being a communication issue with the fault lying squarly at the feet of believers.
http://mjtilley.wordpress.com
Yes! Matthew, I totally agree with you. In my mind, though, that’s part of the message that’s not being communicated. So, to that extent, it’s still a method problem.
tony
Here’s my thought about this comment: “We’ve let the greatest message in the world, become “clouds” and “people playing harps.” …. we’ve let the media….”
Is this the church’s fault? Are we responsible for popular media? what if images of harps and clouds were especially meaningful for an earlier generation… and these images were used by the church then? Of course, that’s just a WILD guess… I’m all for saying we (of the church) need to step it up here or there, but I’m not sure we can claim credit (responsibility) for harps and the clouds… as far as controling the messages in the media, there’s not a chance that will ever happen… the messages of the gospel will always be misunderstood and passed on by some…
We need to communicate the truth carefully, with consideration, wisdom, and passion…it should never be trivial …. I think this is what is behind this post, and with this I agree fully…
Good post … and good approach by looking for better understanding rather than condemn everyone associated with this quote.
I read a blog recently that posed the question of whether everyone in the world at this point has some awareness of who God is. I had to answer a resounding “No” and add to that the fact that the church has been its own worst enemy on this subject because we often send images that are so very much the opposite of what God is really like.
to me, this is not a church problem primarily, its primarily a me problem.
Oh yes, I wish we in the evangelical church (evangelical meaning we accept the Bible as authoritative) could take responsibility for the message our culture recieves about Christ. It would help us be happier and more effective.
But it is also true that I will be happier and more effective if I take personal responsibility for the message I send with my life. I hunger to discover and proclaim the message of freedom and life in Jesus Christ. I want to live so that my wife and others closest to me are drawn to greater freedom and happiness by the witness of my life; that they see that Christ works for me
If we in the church grab onto personal freedom and life in Christ the message of the church will pretty much take care of itself. To me, the negative message our culture often recieves about Christ is an unfortunate but accurate indication of our lack of receiving the benefits of Christ ourselves.
And that comes back to me –what am I going to do about it?
Good point, C. Michael.
Tony-
Check our Randy Alcorn’s book entitled, “Heaven” for a great biblical description of what we’re actually going to experience!
Hi Tony.
I feel the blame does lie within the church.
Romans 12:6-8. Surely not an exhaustive list,but in third place lies the hub of the blame. Teaching.
For with each ministry comes a power, an annointing-if you will. So it is with the gift, the ministry of teaching.
“That’s not a message problem–that’s a method problem.”
Absolutely right. Teaching is the method that can and will overcome the way people outside the church relate to the message of those within the church.
First, however, there has to be a gifted,Spirit-empowered teaching of God’s Word to the church. For only then,will those outside church receive a proper understanding of even basic Christian understanding that has nothing to do with clouds and harps.
Sorry to be so long. In fact, these are only points from a somewhat related message I will be placing on my website for Sunday evening-24 June 2007.
Please, if you find time you are all invited to come read and to leave your comments.
God Bless you.