The Want of Elegance

A quote left by a christian on a website in response to an article about Steve Jobs (founder of Apple):

"I am convinced that the world is awaiting someone, somewhere somehow who will bring hope. I can only hope that we as christians can find provocative, meaningful and engaging ways to convey the hope we have as elegantly as Steve Jobs."

Reading this left me cold. What could possibly be wrong with this? It is well meant. Indeed, it is well meant. It sounds so reasonable and relevant to today's society. There is the clear empathy with the world, someone to "hope" for and a hope to give in "meaningful ways". And how should we do this? With elegance - something pleasing on the eye, something the world can applaud and not get offended by, something that is seamless and fits with ease into our present life without a jar, a pleasant accessory or update, something useful but also beautiful. I am thinking of a ballet or a Renoir painting. Perhaps they're not useful, but they're definitely beautiful. Wouldn't it be great if we could mimic the world but do it in a 'christian' way so the whole world would be surprised. If only we could make christianity less ugly and brutal; if only we could make it pleasing and easy for the believer and the non-believer alike; if only we could make Jesus look and feel like an iPod or a Loreal advert.

But what do I see on the Place of the Skull? Blood-stained splintered wood and a naked carcass battered beyond any recognition of humanity. Four groups of people looking on: those giving approval of the execution, those who delight in the entertainment of its brutality, those who are drawn to the innocent out of compassion and those who turn their back because it is all too much and all too violent.

How do we dress this up in elegance? How do we hide this away? What tarpaulin is large enough to cover the offence of the cross? The only thing large enough would be a bigger distraction, a show, an open-air concert with fireworks so people could look up into the sky rather than consider the pathetic piece of humanity hanging from the cross. Maybe there would be an orchestra so at least if anyone did look in that direction then at least they might think they were in a cinema. There would definitely be a picnic - you can't expect people to come and not be fed. We could have a small play or  a comedy sketch. Actually, the open-air film sounds like a good idea; we could drape a lovely white linen sheet from the city walls and project a film onto it, maybe Bruce Almighty - the kids would like that. We can't have the kids upset now, can we?  A dance troupe might be an idea but nothing revealing, something with flags. There could be a stained glass window with some 'christian' art. Some sculptures would look nice around here wouldn't they? Perhaps we should have a cross after all. I know, we could have a representation of it like in a painting, stylised and covered up, showing his holiness, looking up to heaven in a spiritual way. Or we could have an empty cross wrapped in red garments so no one would get splinters; it would be a symbol of his resurrection and his blood. Hang on, it's a bit daunting having it right there in the middle where everyone's looking, let's stick it on the outside of the building, then everyone will know who we are and not to mess with us. We could wear liitle versions of it round our necks. Cool christians eh? The last thing we ought to be is uncool. We should be hip and trendy, that would give God the most glory. We can't have the world disrespecting us because that would dishonour God. We should be elegant christians so people can see how wisely we spend God's money.

Man is very creative and very resourceful; he is able to do many things without God while doing them for Him.

We look for ways; God chose One Way.
We look for techniques, but God prepared a body.
We look for methods, but God has sent His life in His Son.
We look for a means; God's means is to break a man.
We look for what we should do, but God says we should BE with Him.
We look for ways, but He is the Way.

We are so desperate not to be seen as dreary christians that we sing and tap-dance our way through life as if the cross were just the start to our wonderful, new and improved life. The cross is only elegant in one way: it is the most appropriate punishment to deal a death blow to all sin once and for all. It is the perfect solution because it is the perfect sacrifice. There is your elegance; everything else is bloody.

God has already provided a provocative way to convey this hope we have, it starts with a sacrificed man and then a sacrificed life . . . your life. God does not send technology or culture or events - He sends people. If we do not see the cross we cannot say, "Woe is me! I am a man!". If we do not see the cross we cannot offer to be sent, so instead of sending ourselves we avoid the issue and send money and organisations - these are just the WAYS of men, we ourselves avoid going. We cannot engage with the world for we do not speak their language and nor should we; we should not speak to the culture of man though we may put it in cultural terms; no, we must speak to the dead, God-hungry spirit within him. The measure of any man or woman is their response to the cross itself, first in Jesus, then in you.

If we continue the St. Vitus dance of the saints, eagerly distracting from the cross, one day we may turn around to find there is no cross but, in front of you, an audience - not a congregation. And who will be smiling that day? The very kind of man that the world is waiting for to give them the type of hope they want; a hope that is bought and not bled for; the very kind of man who is waiting to give them the hope they deserve and want. He will give hope to the whole human race for all the wrong reasons. He will pander and compliment and sound soo smooth and speak so many wise and elegant words. They will love him for tickling their ears for he will tell them what they want to hear. He will affirm the whole human race in its rebellion. Such will be the man of lawlessness with apparent integrity and human respect from a religious heritage.

A cross-less christianity is the pathway for the antichrist.