Refuse To Be a Jellyfish Christian (5 of 7)
Series: Jude
Bob Ingle
Jude
There are times I read words written long ago, but they are so pointed and so pertinent they seem like they could have been written just yesterday. This week I read something that fits that description from a 19th century pastor and author named J.C. Ryle. In 1884, he wrote about the presence of ''Jellyfish Christianity'' within the church of his day. He lamented the fact that so few Christians in his day were willing to stand up for their beliefs. He wrote:
(The disdain for being dogmatic in your beliefs) is an epidemic which is just now doing great harm, and especially among young people. It produces what I must venture to call a ''jelly-fish'' Christianity in the land: that is, a Christianity without bone, or muscle, or power. A jelly-fish is a pretty and graceful object when it floats in the sea, contracting and expanding like a little, delicate, transparent umbrella. Yet the same jelly-fish, when cast on the shore, is a mere helpless lump, without capacity for movement, self-defense, or self-preservation. Alas! It is a vivid type of much of the religion of this day, of which the leading principle is, ''No dogma, no distinct tenets, no positive doctrine.''
Jellyfish Christianity is still alive and well today, isn't it? Jellyfish Christianity is Christianity with no theological backbone or nerve. It occurs when Christians will not stand up for what they know to be true because they're worried about what others might think, say, or do. It is Christianity with no fortitude, no courage, and no willingness to tell it like it is no matter the cost.
America has thousands of 'jellyfish' pastors who refuse to show any spine in their sermons. They choose to be diplomatic rather than dogmatic on just about every subject for fear of being labeled extreme, radical, judgmental, or worst of all, intolerant. So, they preach jellyfish sermons so smooth that it would make a cue ball proud. ...
Series: Jude
Bob Ingle
Jude
There are times I read words written long ago, but they are so pointed and so pertinent they seem like they could have been written just yesterday. This week I read something that fits that description from a 19th century pastor and author named J.C. Ryle. In 1884, he wrote about the presence of ''Jellyfish Christianity'' within the church of his day. He lamented the fact that so few Christians in his day were willing to stand up for their beliefs. He wrote:
(The disdain for being dogmatic in your beliefs) is an epidemic which is just now doing great harm, and especially among young people. It produces what I must venture to call a ''jelly-fish'' Christianity in the land: that is, a Christianity without bone, or muscle, or power. A jelly-fish is a pretty and graceful object when it floats in the sea, contracting and expanding like a little, delicate, transparent umbrella. Yet the same jelly-fish, when cast on the shore, is a mere helpless lump, without capacity for movement, self-defense, or self-preservation. Alas! It is a vivid type of much of the religion of this day, of which the leading principle is, ''No dogma, no distinct tenets, no positive doctrine.''
Jellyfish Christianity is still alive and well today, isn't it? Jellyfish Christianity is Christianity with no theological backbone or nerve. It occurs when Christians will not stand up for what they know to be true because they're worried about what others might think, say, or do. It is Christianity with no fortitude, no courage, and no willingness to tell it like it is no matter the cost.
America has thousands of 'jellyfish' pastors who refuse to show any spine in their sermons. They choose to be diplomatic rather than dogmatic on just about every subject for fear of being labeled extreme, radical, judgmental, or worst of all, intolerant. So, they preach jellyfish sermons so smooth that it would make a cue ball proud. ...
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