Beyond Carrie Underwood Christianity

Carrie Underwood's first single from her latest album was "Jesus Take the Wheel." It was followed (whether or not immediately) by "Before he Cheats." "Jesus Take the Wheel" is about a single mother who has lost her life and desires to give it to Jesus, because she's messed it up. "Before he Cheats" is about the revenge a former lover takes on her ex-boyfriend, celebrating her revenge and sense of justice.

This story describes the Christianity of too many people, which is to say, the lack of Christian faith of too many professing Christians. How so? We come to a situation in life (perhaps a physical, emotional, financial, real, false, perceived crisis) and give life to God. Jesus, take the wheel. However, we continue living once the crisis is past and go back (or stay in) our old ways of living; we live life without regard for the one who's just assumed control. We live as though we never gave up control in the first place. Unfortunately, there is no faith without transformation. (Actually, that's quite fortunate, but that's another post.) Why? Because the one we've asked to take the wheel is the Lord who breathes the Spirit into our lives (John 20) and it is the Spirit who changes us to be like the Lord. In fact, in 2 Cor. 3, Paul draws Jesus and the Spirit so closely together (in connection with Yahweh, reminiscent of Ex. 34) that he refers to them both as the Lord, but they remain distinct. Jesus without the Spirit is no Jesus.

If you're in Johnson City, NY on Sunday, go to another church, or else you'll hear that same sermon.