A couple of weeks ago, George Barna put out what his group calls the 12 Most Significant Religious Findings from 2006 Surveys. One of these findings, which came out on March 6 of this year, details what he calls the “Christian Revolutionary” movement. Visit the link to read up on the full story, but to summarize, he defines the ‘revolutionaries’ as “born again people who have made their faith in God the highest priority in their life, who believe that their faith has greatly transformed their life, and who often express and experience their faith through alternative forms the Church.” [sic]
It says a lot about the state of modern-day Christianity when a Christian who makes their faith in God their life’s highest priority is called a revolutionary.
But it comes as no surprise. All throughout history, even during His lifetime, hasn’t it been revolutionary to truly follow Christ, and in the process, to differentiate yourself from the masses people who only pretend to?
Truly it is revolutionary to follow Jesus Christ. Throughout the ages the people who most remarkably express the extent of their love for Jesus (or perhaps the extent of His love for them) will stand out with expressions of the Church that seriously contradict the spirit of people who would rather not make waves. In Christ we have The Revolutionary Himself and to put Him on is to be inextricably linked to being a Revolution starter.
Makes me wonder how a person could call themselves a follower of Christ and not be a revolutionary. “By definition,” etc…
People put pressure on us to conform to them. They give us awkward glances. They do not admit they enjoy your ideas. They remain distant.
The reason people do not want you to be a revolutionary is because it shames their own faith – and in turn it deflates their secret and sinful passion for people’s approval.
The Barna Group put the label “Revolutionary” on the most dedicated of the “Born again Christians.” Yet a Revolutionary is one who promotes Revolution. And what is Revolution? Revolution is defined as change, either violent or peaceful. So what are they wanting to change? Seems like just a convenient label to put on a group of people to sell a book called “Revolution”