This weekend while I was reading my copy of World magazine, I came across an article about Phil Vischer. If I had known that article was in there, I'm sure I would have read it first. Do you know who he is? He created Veggie Tales! And we love some Veggie Tales in our house. I enjoyed reading the article, but I was saddened to find out that his company Big Idea had to declare bankruptcy, and then he sold it. But that's not the purpose of this post.
We're drinking a cocktail that's a mix of the Protestant work ethic, the American dream, and the gospel. And we've intertwined them so completely that we can't tell them apart anymore. Our gospel has become a gospel of following your dreams and being good so God will make all your dreams come true. It's the Oprah god.
How true is this! I haven't heard anyone put this idea so succinctly before, that we believe that God will give us what we want if we just try to be good and put a little bit of trust in Him, that God just wants us to be happy. And isn't it a sad statement about us Christians here in the United States?
What do you think? Do you think Vischer knows what he is talking about? Or do you think he is completely clueless?
*By the way, Vischer started another company Jellyfish Labs and has a new series of videos about the Bible coming out. I've already ordered the first one, and I'll let you know what I think after we've watched it. I can't wait!
4 comments:
I love the "What's in the Bible?" series! I've used it as a resource in my own Bible teaching ("How is this approached in the dvd?") I think that one of the downfalls of our churches today (speaking very generally...) is that we fail to teach kids doctrine. I love his approach!
I will say, though, there is soo much info! I think the dvds are better suited to about 8 years and up, although it really depends on the kid. I can't wait to hear what you think about it. :)
Charity, I agree that we need to teach our children doctrine, what we believe and why. Otherwise, they grow into adults who still don't know. If this series teaches some doctrine, too, that would be great!
I'm glad that you enjoy this series, and I will definitely let you know how we like it.
My kids heard a speaker at a kid's event and the whole agenda was "doing good," "being nice," and "listening to your parents." I'm not saying that's wrong. I am SO SURPRISED (though I really shouldn't be) how many people associate Christianity as keeping the rules and using God as a good luck charm to get through hard time. I am challenging the youth group I lead (and some are unchurched) and my own kids as they get older to go deeper...to see it as a relationship with God because of what Jesus did on the cross. What's the point of teaching them to do good if the message of Jesus is not really a part of that?
Amy, I understand what you're saying, and I agree. Christianity is NOT a list of rules; it IS a relationship. I hope that you are able to teach your youth group this difference because it will impact their lives.
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