Who wants to overturn some tables in the temple with me?

So what started as curiosity about what Daystar could possibly have to say about sex and marriage has turned into jaw-dropping, falling-to-my-knees-in-shock horror at what I'm actually watching on the screen right now. I think I always thought that the Christian network was fairly benign, sometimes a good place to catch a good gospel tune or two, but innocuous.

But brothers and sisters, I had no idea.

I don't want to smear or insult or foam at the mouth incoherently, although the urge is there. I want to resist the urge to reject what I'm hearing outright, and I want to not be judgmental. I know that many conservatives have claimed that liberals reject what they say out of hand, and I want to give these guys a fair shake.

But when I hear someone say that what Jesus wants is for you to be financially and materially successful, that people who are rich and powerful winners got that way because God wants them to be, my skin crawls and my heart beats faster and rage rises. I won't deny it.

And when I hear someone say that all I need to do to get the knowledge that will lead me to success and help me avoid pain and loss, all I need to do to figure out how to get God to work for me so I can be successful in this world, all I need to do is to give them money?? That's when I start crying.

No wonder so many people look at Christianity and think the gospel message is a joke. No wonder people are no longer shocked when they hear about financial scandals within the church. No wonder legitimate ministries have a hard time raising money to feed the hungry and care for the outcasts.

God's wisdom is not the wisdom of the world. The cross was a symbol of failure, not success. It was a humiliating criminal's death that Jesus died, a loss, not at all what people were expecting from the Messiah. What Christians are called to do - feed the hungry, care for the sick, love everyone the way that God loves us, without judgment, with compassion, make God the center of our lives instead of ourselves - this is foolishness to the world! Making lots of money, having lots of things, winning competitions? This is what the world sees and applauds, but it is not the fruit of the gospel.

Do I believe that we are called to give of ourselves financially in God's service? You're damn right I do. And I know that ministries need money in order to operate within this world. But God doesn't want you to be rich. God doesn't you to not be rich either. Honestly, God doesn't give a shit either way. God wants you to know that you're loved, and God wants your love in return, and God wants you to love everyone else you meet the same way. That's the gospel.

I know I could avoid this by just changing the channel. But lots of people are watching this. And lots of people believe this, believe that this is what the Bible really says, this is what Jesus really said. And if we just change the channel, then we give them the rights to the temple, we let them leave their tables standing and we let them pocket their profits and we let them help perpetuate the unjust systems that the Word came to overthrow 2000 years ago. We can't just change the channel and forget it's there. We have to respond. If we do not offer an alternative in response, we cannot be surprised when our churches close and people scoff at the gospel.

We are the light of the world, the salt of the earth, we're the ones who were entrusted with the good news. So let's live it, folks. Not just by engaging in vigorous debates, or by blogging somewhat coherent rants, but by showing the world what the gospel really is. Not success in terms of this world, but love. Loving each other, loving God, moving on towards that perfect love exemplified in the person of Jesus.

Okay, I feel a little better now. Time to change the channel. For now.