Abu Bakr al Baghdadi, the recognized leader of the new Islamic Caliphate-without-borders, accused those Muslims who do not support ISIS’ interpretation of the Qu’ran, as being “cotton-candy-Muslims.” His disgust with the mediocre state of Islam today drew him to support, sponsor, and now lead the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
His vehement declaration about Muslims drew me to ponder whether or not evangelical Christians in the West could be accused of being cotton-candy-Christians? How could normal people spot a cotton-candy-Christian? Some thoughts—
1. Uses religious phrases to sound Christian and fit in.
2. Cannot communicate in normal speech patterns to normal people.
3. Freezes up when a “non-Christian” asks them about their faith. Gets all tight. Falls back on some pre-scribed formula.
4. Remembers wrongs. Does not forgive, but pretends to.
5. Knows little to nothing about what’s going on in the world but judges it nonetheless.
6. Great at quoting Scripture, even when inappropriate.
7. Is afraid of everything and everyone outside their Christian Bubble.
So then I wondered, How could a normal person spot a genuine Christian? Hummm, let’s see… .
1. Their inconceivable capacity to forgive others.
2. Enjoys the company of normal people.
3. Celebrates life!
4. Does not judge anyone. Anyone. Leaves that to God.
5. Is gracious to a fault, sacrificing their own livelihood for that of others.
6. Weaves their faith into conversations without intent; rather, with aplomb.
7. Gives God room to work. Doesn’t strive to “close the deal.”
There are probably many more observations of a cotton-candy Christian and a genuine Christian that could be added to this appraisal. Please send your thoughts on this to me. But, for now, I will leave you with this—
Which list more closely describes your faith?
For what it’s worth,
Gary
Clueless Christianity 