Imago Fidei

Comments

The photographer's site shows that the cross in the top picture is hollow.

Posted By: cathy | May 1, 2009 7:50 PM

This is an interesting commentary on American culture and religion. Can you imagine walking into a cathedral and having the sense that you are in a secular space? The mega church where I live takes great pride in having such a "secularized" space. There is very little in terms of its material substance that communicates that it is a particular space where Christians gather to worship in the presence of God. The mega church, with all its wires, technology, and other parts that contribute to the "mechanics of faith" is Gnostic, a dis - incarnate form of religion, and like its ancient forerunner, a heresy that has turned away from the mystery of God Incarnate.

Posted By: MP | May 4, 2009 7:37 PM

This is a far cry from the beauty of the Temple of Israel. It is true WE are the temple of the Holy Spirit, but if Christ fulfills the Law and does not destroy it, it seems we should not do away with beauty but bring it to its full expression. It is not an "either/or" (either "spiritual space" ie., the human body, or "secular space", ie., our "worship space"), but a both/and. God is a God of beauty, creation didn't cease being wonderful when the Holy Spirit descended in Acts 2. Dostoevsky said it best, "Beauty will save the world". The modern tendency to disincarnate and gnosticize Christianity by denying physical space as "sacred space" guts the Christian faith of the meaning of the Incarnation of God.

Posted By: Steve Robinson | May 4, 2009 10:54 PM

Branson, Missouri is what it reminds me of. All about flash and glitz and shows with great props, but at the end of the show, everyone shuffles off to their pathetic lives having nothing more than when they went in. American evangelicalism has become a joke. Christians are just like the world, their churches are not "sanctuaries" but auditoriums where shows get put on. It was going this way in Tozer's day, but in the last 40 years since his death, it's become pure farce.

Posted By: Valerie | May 14, 2009 8:11 AM

Wow. I am *so* thankful to be Catholic.

Posted By: Donna | May 14, 2009 10:11 AM

This is interesting. I'm not sure I see the connection between Gnosticism and the contemporary church movement; however, I am concerned with how all this relates to the conservative resurgance among the Southern Baptist Convention; indeed conservative Christianity is under attack, while many patrons of the conservative cause are embrcing the contemporary agenda. It seems that the main concern here is not a contemporary approach to church in and of itself; what needs to be noted is the lack of sound doctrine and theology which is often associated with the contemporary movement, particularly as they relate to seperation of the christian from the world.

Posted By: Rob | May 14, 2009 11:08 AM

This is interesting. I'm not sure I see the connection between the contemporary church movement and Gnosticism; however, I am concerned about how this relates to the conservative resurgance among Southern Baptist. Indeed, all of conservative Christianity is under attack, while many patrons of the conservative agenda are embracing this new approach to church. The issue here is not the contemporary movement in and of itself, but the issue is what often accompanies such churches. Often there is a lack of sound doctrine and theoloy associated with the contemparay movement, particularly in the new "paise and worship". In particular the doctrine of seperation as it relates to the Christian and the world are effectd. In the new pursuit to "engage the culture", evangelical Christianity must gaurd and consider its roots, and at the same time carefully critique any endorsement of the contemporary church movement.

Posted By: Rob | May 14, 2009 11:43 AM

What came to my mind when I looked at these pictures was what I always thought the hillside must have looked like when Jesus finished His Sermon ON The Mount. People had heard the greatest sermon ever preached and not a sign of church ever having happened except in the hearts of changed people. I think when the worship time is over The Church leaves the building.

Posted By: Charles Stearns | May 14, 2009 11:58 AM

This is reminiscent of the medieval Catholic church:performance was valued above participative worship;the visual was valued above the auditory and intellectual;and human glory was emphasized above the Cross. Am I ever glad that I'm not Catholic nor modern contemporary!

Posted By: John | May 14, 2009 6:13 PM

As first-hand experience of an indwelling Lord is either non-existent or dwindling, the external props become vital to having any sense of "divine encounter". Socrates, Aristotle and Plato wrote extensively about creating a "sense of divine" by manipulating light, sound, even smell and architecture. The Catholics and Orthodox mastered these techniques with cathedrals, incense, stained glass and chanting, etc. The sad thing is that these mega-churches are doing the same exact thing. It is the inevitable tendency of fallen men to cover spiritual nakedness with fig leaves---even electronic ones.

Posted By: Nick -Florida | May 14, 2009 8:56 PM

This is a bit confusing. Do we really think that the appearance of the church building has anything to do with the integrity of the doctrine taught? Having come out of a restorationist church, I agree that there are serious doctrinal errors being taught by morons and wolves and being accepted by the desparate and ignorant. However, to suggest that having current technology and a good looking building are to blame for doctrinal error is off point. Traditional buildings and the absence of lighting and sound systems don't guarantee solid doctrine or morality either. I think we need to be careful of trying to remove a speck from the others' eyes while there are telephone pole sticking out of our own. Don't the ornate decorations and statuettes of saints in the Catholic church take the focus off Jesus just as much as an expensive lighting set up? Could this be envy?

Posted By: James | May 15, 2009 12:20 AM

At the church I serve in MS...a small traditional congregation, we are starting something so simple, it is confusing to many...we are simply opening the sanctuary on Tues. and Thurs. night for a "happening"...some worship, some prayer, some Word, whatever...no "liturgy", no "service", not a Bible Study or Prayer Meeting, just Christians and the curious meeting together...waiting on the Lord, and gathering together, nothing fancy, nothing complex...just the Body of Christ. It's time to return to the Upper Room! The music isn't the oldies, though, more like Jason Upton and (for the old school like myself) Keith Green and Elijah Streams. Let's see what happens!

Posted By: Pastor Gene | May 17, 2009 12:09 AM

One question... Since when megachurches became the common enemy of the so-called mainstream Christianity? Have they not served the same function as the small churches do? Churches like City Harvest Church (Singapore), New Creation Church (Singapore) and etc, had preached the gospel to a lot of people and brought them to Christ.

Posted By: Johnsoncn005 | May 17, 2009 11:12 PM

"Have they not served the same function as the small churches do?"

No. They do not preach the Word, they preach self-help sermonettes to christianettes who wouldn't know the Gospel if it was preached to them. Megachurches are the epitome of American culture assuming a Christian-esque veneer. Where there is no Gospel, there is no church.

Posted By: M Burke | May 19, 2009 11:32 AM

Please stop hating for bogus non-biblical reasons. Stop confusing your decades or centuries old tradition with actual biblical principles. Many of these churches preach Christ crucified, ressurected and the only way to salvation. They preach against sin and its literal short term and eternal consequences like hell. Don't hate because they preach the literal word of God in a place that has an outstanding light and sound system, comfortable seating, the latest and greatest music technology, and creative settings. We are commanded not to conform to the world, but that is with our heart and actions, not with asthetic and material things. God's presence can saturate any building or space where true believers are hungry for and seek his presence. It doesn't matter if there are no instruments, an old pipe organ or a 12 person band. Man looks outward - the props, sound system, lights, stage, music styles, clothes the pastor wears - but thank God, he looks at the heart.

Posted By: V Stevenson | May 19, 2009 7:45 PM

hmmm, just thought this dialogue and article are interesting. I'm a worship pastor at one of the churches pictured here... and I met the photographer. But the photographer here didn't ever have a conversation with me about who I am or who the church is... and I think had he, he might have realized that everything we do is based around helping people experience God in a deep ways and yes, we use technology to do it.

And I'm not sure when size of church or type of technology determines what is talked about or the heart of the community involved.

Posted By: Andrew | May 19, 2009 9:13 PM

Technology cannot help people experience God... only the Holy Spirit can do that. How sad that the evangelical church has sunk to the level of worldliness. And to the "proud Catholic" Donna, Catholicism does similar things, they will have you "experience God" through your surroundings ie: stained glass pictures, crucifix, saints, etc. any experience of a so called "god" that is not from His Holy Word, is not God.

Posted By: Gabriela | May 20, 2009 12:58 AM

I'm sorry, but I fail to see the connection between physical setup and doctrine/faithfulness. Are you serious in what seems to be the implication, that a frugal setup would then imply more faithful/ "Biblical" preaching, leaders, and members? Isn't this an example of judging books by their covers? If we follow the very reasonable counsel to not judge books by their covers when applied to "non-Christian" people or groups, why then do we blatantly ignore it with respect to our own brothers and sisters?

Posted By: Mel C | May 20, 2009 3:26 AM

Right on Andrew.. catholics invented mega churches and worship "aids" .

i am so grateful for the grace of God that drew me to Himnself..

Posted By: Terry | May 20, 2009 2:44 PM

It is gnostic in the sense that it treats the physical is profane, not needing to be made sacred. The only thing that matters, in gnostic philosophy, is the heart, not the body, not the building, not the space. So it is anti-sacramental by its very nature.

In the peace of Christ,

- Bryan

Posted By: Bryan Cross | May 20, 2009 6:08 PM

Ok, this is getting pretty funny. Why don't we just apply this same idea to medical technology? Are old surgical techniques and approaches more true to the standards of real medicine? Leeches anyone?

I think some in the body have wrongly inferred that because God is the same yesterday, today and forever that it would be Christ-like for us (the church)to resist change and progress.

What of those of us in the younger generation that grew up with this technology stuff...must we repent and turn the lights off in order for us to be truly Christian? Do I need to wear a suit and loafers to church to be a mature Christian? No wonder the rest of human-kind thinks we're nuts.

Posted By: James | May 21, 2009 10:14 PM

John MacArthur has a "mega" church in the purest sense of the phrase and I would consider him a very gospel centered preacher. So I wouldn't eqate the builing size with apostasy. But sadly, many churches have forsaken the gospel and only seek to entertain men and run at the thought of standing for righteousness or preaching the gospel of Christ. From my experience, these empty pew seats do remind me of the MANY people who are decieved by wolves who are out for gain. Especially found in mega churches... Joel Osteen, Benny Hinn, Rick Warren, Joyce Meyer... All teaching a false gospel that is not in line with historic evangelical beliefs about salvation found in the gospel. Salvation by faith alone apart from works in Christ alone- manifested in a life that bears fruit untill the last day.

Posted By: Bill | May 24, 2009 7:32 PM

Could a solidly scripture-preaching church use technology and architecture to create an environment that plays a part in helping people learn and grow as Christians? Sure.

Does using the environment to get people to "feel spiritual" at least sometimes get ahead of making sure that there's scriptural content for people to learn from? Yup.

The shiny stuff is not, in and of itself, bad, as long as it's kept in balance. Priorities are important.

Posted By: Avrila | May 26, 2009 9:02 PM

I second the lady above: I too am so thankful to now be Catholic. I pray that the megachurches will all shut down permanently soon.

Posted By: Johann | May 27, 2009 12:27 PM