We tend to be aware of differences between churches roughly described as denominations. I want to suggest that across every denomination there are strata of believers that have a central tenet of Christianity, usually Jesus, but most of their practice of Christianity is directed by an “-al.” There are multiple “-als” and when others see these Christians, they see the “-al” most.
Social
Also known as country-club Christianity. The point is who you go to church with. Hobnobbing is more important hearing the Word preached.
Behavioral
Also known as legalists. If you claim to be a member of their church, it is very important that you don’t bring dishonor on them — Christ.
Emotional
These people are all about the feels. Tears and trips to the altar are the way you feel close to Jesus.
Political
The way to save the nation is top down. Laws that reflect God’s righteousness are the first important step in pleasing God.
Theological
The more you can teach about God, the better.
Biblical
Memorizing the books of the Bible, hiding the word in your heart, and having a verse to justify every opinion.
Summary
These practices of al-most Christianity have significant appeal. They can be described. They can be measured–you can even measure yourself. You can go home reveling in the benefits promised by your chosen “-al.” These practices are manageable. You can control the depth of your involvement. You can know the efforts that will increase your status within the group.
These fractional parts of Christianity should not be utterly despised. Each are essential and have life-giving value when submitted to one more “-al.”
Relational
Learning to live with Jesus in openness, honesty and love.
Conclusion
All relationships involve more than one will. His is perfect and that means that ours must be transformed for the relationship to be real. This relationship should be more honest than we are comfortable being. If you have never thought that God was making a mistake and breaking things beyond all hope of recovery, you are in denial. Hopefully, you have since figured out that you were wrong and reconciled with him. If you have never justified your preferred sin because…reasons, you are walking in darkness and the truth is not in you.
This relationship will saturate your life, changing and being changed by all the -als listed above.
Biblical
The Bible reveals how God has related to people in hundreds of situations. It models how to interpret events that happen to use.
Theological
Through the Bible we gain a relational knowledge of God. We can see his character, what he desires, and what he finds so damned irritating.
Political
Knowing God, we walk with him, learning to lead others.
Emotional
He walks with us through the valley of the shadow of death and wipes all tears from our eyes. And he delights in every lesson learned and he shares his joy with us.
Behavioral
Our behavior does change. As we know him and his joys we want to please him in what we do. More than this, though, we learn to respond to the behavior of others like he responds to ours,
Social
We fellowship with a diverse group of people who are in various stages of their relationship with God. Not one of us has achieved perfection, but we are all relational. We can comfort one another, restore one another, confront one another and meet one another’s needs.
Do you have any other “-als” to add to this list? What have you seen distort the people of God and hinder them from becoming more like him?