(See the UPDATE below the video) its amazing the conversations i get to be a part of with students each week as i’m in and out of area schools. today i was blown away by a student that i’ve gotten acquainted with only in the school setting. he wanted me to check out this video that he said really spoke for him. said the dude in the video nailed an understanding of his current faith journey…he said he was done with the “church”…mostly because (a typical excuse) of the hypocrites. he pulled up this video on his phone and we watched with a couple other students…
i told this student how i wholeheartedly agreed with this “spoke word”. the conversation that follow was good and thoughtful about how empty religion is. i was impressed by the heart of this young man and his peers. together the small group of students and i talked about how they can leverage making their faith real…an encouraging conversation. discussions of what practical ways they can take in making a difference for justice in the world and moving from simple religion to lasting impact. i simply love what God allows me to be a part of.
UPDATE:its interesting how this video has gone viral. when i posted yesterday thursday -1/12, it had about 2.9 millions views and in 24 hours it was well over 6 million. later today, a youth pastor friend rj gruewald posted a link on his facebook to this article does jesus hate religion? kinda, sorta, not really from the gospel coalition’s kevin deyoung. its a long but a worthy read…and yet i’d suggest that there’s probably room in the middle for some dialogue. the book of james 1:26-27…
26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
this video, for a number of reasons has touched a nerve. its clarifying and its a great tool to begin deeper theological conversations for all of us. i’ve seen a number of exchanges with students i know on facebook trying to hone out the details. the theological art has been lost in many of our contemporary churches and i’m hoping this video and the response may spur on teaching that is needed in our churches and student ministries to disciple our charges in the truth and impact of believing in what james calls: “religion that is pure and undefiled before God…”