Two percent Christmas

Saturday. Sofa. Coffee.


A few weeks ago as we were preparing the Friday morning prayer breakfast Joe was pouring his coffee. He poured something into it from a carton. The carton read, "Fat-free half and half." I have been disturbed ever since. Half and half is supposed to have fat. If it does not have fat, it cannot be half and half. Whatever it is may turn the coffee golden, and may have a pleasant flavor, but it is not half and half, is it?


A recent article in the Atlantic caused quite a stir. It had nothing to do with half and half. http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200912/rosin-prosperity-gospel/3


The article is primarily an anecdotal account of how the Christian prosperity gospel contributed to the economic meltdown. I think most of the buzz was created by the provocative title "Did Christianity Cause the Crash?"


I would recommend that you read the article. It is not nearly as edgy as the sensational title would lead you to believe. If you choose not to read the article then I will refer you to old Janis Joplin hit "Mercedes Benz":


"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz.
My friends all drive porsches, I must make amends.
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends.
So oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?"


This morning I define Christianity as a religion focused on the revelation of God incarnate through Jesus.


But half and half is supposed to have fat. And here it is being called half and half even without its well known essence . . .fat.


And Christianity is being called Christianity without its apparently lesser known essence . . . Jesus.


The author of the Atlantic article and other media surely cannot be blamed for its use or misuse of the Christianity label. We Christians love to stick our brand on almost anything . . . nation, war, capitalism, socialism, health reform, opposition to health reform, taxes (more and less), discrimination, persecution, pest-control, dry-cleaners, attorneys, auto-repair, political parties, schools, day-cares, gun safety training, music; I could go on, but perhaps I already have.

Sometimes Jesus truly is the main ingredient.

But other times all that is present is an artificial Jesus flavoring.

Christmas lite.

Great taste.

Less filling.

.