Soundbites vs. Sound Doctrine

"Where there is no revelation [divine communication], the people cast off restraint..."

(Proverbs 29:18)

Thirty years ago, I was hospitalized with a staph infection. It took a week to bring it under control. Every day a platoon of doctors & nurses would pass through my room, draining puss and changing my drip bag. Most were caring and competent; but I only remember one.

Discovering that I was a pastor, a nurse asked my advice on what to do with her 18-year-old son. She was a single mom, working long and stressful hours. Her son had spent much of his life with various sitters and caretakers. She was his key role model; hardworking and conscientious. He was not. He liked to play rather than work or learn.

She was buoyed one day when he asked her a career question: "Are there any job openings at the hospital?" Excitedly she told him there was a long list of openings; he just had to apply, schedule an interview and he would probably get hired. That's when he asked a question that let the wind out of her sails: "Do they have any doctor jobs?"

Befuddled, she patiently explained, "Yes, but you have to go to school to become a doctor." To which he inquired, "You mean like a six-week course or something?" Perplexed, she asked me, "What's wrong with him?"

Often when I am asked complex and important theological question, my answers disappoint. What is desired was a soundbite-sized answer; not my usual detailed  and lengthy commentary. Usually the subject quickly shifts to something "lighter." Which often leaves me wondering, What's wrong?

Neil Postman in his 1986 book Entertaining Ourselves To Death had a similar concern. He noted, at that early date that the minds of Americans seemed to be shrinking. People were losing their desire or ability to think in-depth and/or at length. Even as a non-observant Jew, Postman saw it happening within Christianity:

“I believe I am not mistaken in saying that Christianity is a demanding and serious religion. When it is delivered as easy and amusing, it is another kind of religion altogether... What shall we do if we take ignorance to be knowledge?”

He was right; soundbites have replaced sound doctrine. The reasons are obvious: Biblical illiteracy. Only 9% of Christians read their Bibles daily; 30% once a week; 50% only twice a year. When it comes to attending church, 30% have, as one commentator noted, "exchanged the pew for the couch." Like Peter Sellers character, Chauncey Gardner in Being There, they "prefer to watch." It's easier to say you are a Christian when you are only a "watcher." You can remain biblically illiterate and emotionally uninvolved, while retaining the illusion of spirituality and maturity. Just as our culinary character is defined by fast food, our faith too is defined by fast data & shallow faith. Cleverness has replaced credibility. We at gravitate to quips, quotes & fun facts delivered in tasty bite-sized nuggets of truth, that don't require deep thought.

We pastors are also complicit, as the above mentioned commentator noted:

"When pastors and leaders view the core purpose of church as evangelism rather than discipleship... and are willing to do whatever seems to “work,” ...success is just as easily measured by logins and views... as it was by attendance and growth... Too many Christians think of church as an optional experience that can just as easily be consumed remotely. Consequently, we have discipled a generation that will only follow a Church that leads where the consumer wants to go."

It does make preaching easier if you avoid societies sins & sacred cows. Instead, the focus is on being positive, non-judgmental... & behaviorally non-specific. Calling a particular lifestyle sinful, evil or wicked is not affirming. Therefore, it is essential to avoid negative stuff like sin, repentance, death, hell & judgment to come. Instead, talk a lot about love! If they read Scripture, it's only to mine the Bible for quotes that support their point; not to reveal Truth!

So why are we surprised that fewer and fewer people are interested in what we have to say? Could it be that what we say is no different from everything else one hears within the culture? Have we become so accommodating of the culture, that the Church is no longer counter-cultural; that the difference that Jesus makes, no longer makes a difference?

Although, salvation is instantaneous... sanctification is a life-long process of separation from the world to Christ. It requires a costly investment of time and energy. There are no six-week courses producing doctors of theology. Reading the latest quips, quotes or mini-sermons on Instagram or Tik-Tok, is not a path to spiritual maturity. Fast-food Christianity shouldn't be a thing!

It is not enough to say that you believe the Bible is God's Word; or that you take it literally. You also need to take it seriously. Like good food, you need to consume it daily or you will starve spiritually.

...do not be children [immature] in your thinking; continue to be babes in [matters of] evil, but in your minds be mature. (1Corinthians 14:20 Amplified)