I must be edgy–see my nose ring?
The latest installment (ok, it’s never the latest on the internet) of boutique churches, we find the Scum of the Earth Church. In what might be a textbook example of the homogeneous unit principle gone to seed, we have sort of an Occupy Church Movement. Taking their motto from Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 4:13, and missing his point entirely, they focus on the “scum” part as though Paul or anyone else would see this as virtuous in itself. The problem is, Paul’s aim is not to be scum, his aim is to follow Christ. This made him “refuse” or “scum” in the eyes of many, and will do the same for us.
Being taken in by one’s own coolness isn’t being edgy, it’s just another way of making the “edge” the new normal, i.e., mainstream. This is especially true now, when image is reality in mind of many, as if, “I present myself as I wish to be perceived, I make myself in my own image” (Madonna is a good example). In a culture of images, self-creation of my personal brand, or image is the ultimate reality.
In a world filled with real suffering, persecution, and disenfranchisement for the sake of Christ and His Gospel, this kind of image manipulation is really self-serving. Instead of the offence of the cross, offence is prized for its own ability to shock and annoy. It is anti-social behaviour writ large. In Acts 11:26, disciples were first called Christians when the church was truly multicultural (which is a celebrated diversity founded only on the unity available in Christ, see Ephesians 2:11-3:6). The Gospel is unique in its cross-cultural message, and the self-ghettoisation by the trendy is Gospel denying. And yes, suburbanite Christians share the same guilt. The Gospel is for all if it is for any, and its message of the uselessness of human ability to save is plenty offensive in itself.