Horton, Michael, "Christless Chrisatianity: the Alternative Gospel of the American Church", Baker Books, 2008.
Great hesitation is hindering my comments on this book, “Christless Christianity, The Alternative Gospel of the American Church”, by Dr. Michael Horton. It seems that when this learner is touched positively by a book I am in the thinnest of minorities, in fact, my approval seems to be a literary curse. This book does not deserve such an ignominious fate. This book is, however, a critique of the American church that should cause the churchmen of America to question what they are doing and saying. And as a critique it will be badmouthed.
Being prodigals of the “me generation”, a corporate confession of the accuracy of Dr. Horton’s thesis is overdue. The unintended consequence of the revivalist era of the American church is a self absorbed church that has given God a backseat. We have ignored the Godship of God and worshipped ourselves. Case in point is the following quote from page 241 of his book.
"No longer saved from damnation--they (we; gg) are now saved from unpleasantness. We are the walking dead, forgetful that our designer-label fashions of religion and morality are really a death shroud. To paraphrase Jesus, we go through life like corpses with lipstick, not even aware that all of our makeovers and self improvements are just cosmetic (Matt. 23: 25-28)."
The expanding and dominate new Pharisaism of the church is old human self worship, as it was in the time of Jesus. The church, therefore aggressively moves to parallel the culture instead of confronting it with God’s values. Once in a while a book like this arrives that may jar us into spiritual reality. However, we cowardly saints, we the faint of heart, we need not waste our labors listening for divine directives from our God who is but our pathway to societal acceptability. It would seem that such an understanding of God is most comfortable.
"All that is necessary to become unwitting Pelagians (and Pharisees; gg) is less preaching and teaching of the law and the gospel--downplaying the means of grace (Word and Sacrament) in favor of our means of transforming ourselves and our world. Since self-trust is our default setting, we can never assume that we really get the gospel and can now move on to our own works. Even when we talk about our obligations to God and neighbor, it must be grounded first of all in the gospel of salvation by grace apart from works. So when the church loses its interest in doctrine (a word that simply means “teaching“), it is no surprise that we will drift back to our most familiar religious and moral assumptions." P. 244
Put most bluntly we are the sinning church, blinded to our own frailty by the darkness in our hearts. With a Pauline, “therefore”, we can hope because by the gift of faith we become dependent upon the adequacy of our Savior. The failure to acknowledge that fact belies our testimony. Every believer to be biblical and Christian, is an acknowledged moral failure. Our local paper carries a series of articles on the religion page written by a local pastor. Rightfully evangelistic, the invitation sounds like the church has the moral high ground and of course you sinners can be there too.
This moral and spiritual high mindedness is the rule of the Church and would seem to be symptomatic of the author’s critique. How more truthful to say, we the church are a group of spiritual losers who have been introduced to the God who gives meaning to our lostness. To me, this is what it means to be Christian.
"People are looking for authenticity, but this includes acknowledgment of our sin and self righteousness and our need for Christ. What could be less authentic and honest than assuming that our lives can preach better than the Gospel?" P. 157
Will the critique of this book bring needed change? One can only hope.
G.Goslaw
Victorville, Ca.
