Christians enjoy being in their own community. The more they seclude themselves, the less they can function in the real world. So many Christians are caught in the Christian bubble.
It's a common perception, that Christians are out of touch, lacking spiritual vitality, insulated from thinking, and living in another world. But scarier still is that it's not just a perception. This from a 28 year old Christian...
So many Christians are caught up in the Christian sub-culture and are completely closed off from the world. We go to church on Wednesdays, Sundays and sometimes on Saturdays. We attend small group on Tuesday night and serve on the Sunday school advisory board, the financial committee, and the welcoming committee. We go to barbeques with our Christian friends and plan group outings. We are closed off from the world. Even if we wanted to reach out to nonChristians, we don't have the time and we don't know how. The only way we know to reach out is to invite people to join our Christian social circle
The bulk of the chapter is not about the why people are turned off a faith that seems sheltered. It's about why a faith that shelters itself falls so much short of what it is called to be. Why hiding out in a Christian bubble is the exact opposite of being the salt and light of the world.
By contrast, the author also gives some examples of some young Christians who are actively engaged outside the Christian sub-culture. "The motivation of these young leaders is to redeem rather than condemn" - is just one of many pieces of helpful guidance offered for those who wish to break the stereotype and fulfil our calling.
So what's the positive alternative to being sheltered? How about Christians are engaged, informed and offer sophisticated responses to the issues people face.
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