Pull the Plug on Stereotypes

                No one likes to be stereotyped, yet it happens all of the time. In our world of political correctness, profiling people is a major sin. Yet, many are very willing to stereotype those who are opposed to their politically correct views.

                The allure of stereotyping is not absent in the church. In fact it has had a long standing history. The labels of liberal, conservative, fundamentalist, have long been with us. Given a person’s theological stance, these labels may be embraced or sneered at. Some labels that were intended to moderate the theological divide, such as evangelical, have morphed into a negative indictment. Surprisingly to me, evangelical seems to be taking flak from both sides of the theological continuum.

                But there is one label that I increasingly hear bantered about that truly causes me pause. The label is “American Christian.” This label is never used in a positive light. It is defined as complacent, uncommitted, spiritually lax. I want to challenge this label on several levels.

                First, it is a gross misrepresentation of a vast body of believers who happen to be Americans. It paints with a far too broad brush. By virtue of the fact that I am an American and a Christian automatically calls my faith and practice into question. This is not only unfair, it is illogical.

                Second, this label denies the reality that every culture influences the believers that live within it. Because America happens to be an affluent, influential culture, it is seen as a corrupting influence. Let me challenge this on two levels. First, we tend to see Christians living in other cultures only from a distance. We magnify their assets and ignore their deficits. Therefore Chinese Christians ( you can insert African, South American, Middle Eastern) are automatically more spiritual than American Christians because they live in China. The reality is that Christianity in these other places is just as much a mixed bag as it is in America. In some places far worse. Second, because America is affluent and influential, American Christians have been able to accomplish much for the Kingdom of God that Christians in other cultures could not. In fact, many believers in other countries would not be believers at all if it were not for these so called American Christians.

                My point is that being an American Christian is in no way an indicator of a person’s spiritual maturity. It is simply a description of the environment into which God has placed that person. I am not arguing that American culture has not influenced the church in America in general; it has. I am arguing that there are many committed, spiritually mature Christians who happen to live in America. To throw around the pejorative label of “American Christian” is an unfair indictment of the whole. It is time to set this label aside and get our focus back on encouraging one another to grow in our faith.

Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.