Neat Christianity is naïve Christianity. This is the Christianity that is best identified with young Christians and for many carries into adulthood. It begins when one becomes a follower of Jesus and has a wide-eyed idealism of how his or her life will be and all the dangers from which he or she will be protected. After all, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” This neat Christianity sometimes turns into messy Christianity, but often it does not. When one’s Christianity remains neat, it is easy to share simple untested solutions to life’s challenges and problems.
For example, I was browsing through Facebook and noticed one of my Facebook friends (acquaintance in real life) wrote something to the effect of, “I know this is simplistic, but if everyone would just reach out to Jesus, life would just be great.” That sounds great at first, but what happens when one reaches out to Jesus and things do not turn out great? What happens to that person’s faith? Does the person not have enough faith? Is the person not reaching out enough? The problem with this thinking is that it can cause others to doubt or cause them to question whether they have enough faith. Comments such as these are not only posted on Facebook, but are also made by prominent preachers.
My wife and I were driving back from our anniversary getaway, and I was flipping through the radio stations. I found a station featuring a radio call-in show hosted by two big-name Christian figures, one a mega-church pastor. Someone called the show and shared that for many years he was hooked on methamphetamines (speed), but for the past number of years has been drug free. He also indicated he has been struggling with depression, and his question was, “What can I do to get rid of my depression?”
After the caller asked his question, the hosts silenced his line and offered an explanation. The host basically said that to get rid of the depression, all you have to do is grow closer to Jesus and pray. As I was listening to their trite answer, every cell in my body was getting angry at their response. Their answer was one based in ignorance and naivety. The truth is, there is much more to depression then they let on, shared or had enough knowledge to speak intelligently about the subject. Even if the hosts could not empathize with the caller, at least give him some credible resources or refer him to a good clinical psychologist or psychiatrist.
This caller felt as if he was doing something bad, as if he did not have enough faith! To make matters worse, the host just perpetrated his thinking by saying, “Pray more.” I have news for you: Praying more may not be the answer.
The Bible says to “be prepared to give an answer for the hope you have.” This is the famous apologetics verse of the Bible. Everyone uses it to give a case of why we should defend the faith. I am all for that. It also applies that we should offer credible conversation, resources and answers to those who ask us within the faith.
There is no doubt in my mind that Jesus is the answer. I just doubt phrases such as, “Jesus is the answer.” I looked that phrase up, and it is nowhere in the Bible. I doubt some people’s hermeneutics. In a similar sense, I don’t doubt the Word of God; I doubt some people’s theology (especially when they start implying their theology is what provides salvation).
Neat Christianity responds to people the way Job’s friends did. It says, “Why are you down? Just pray. Don’t worry about tomorrow. God will make it anew.” Those statements are true, but must be made in the context of a healthy relationship and after much discussion.
Messy Christianity
Messy Christianity looks at trite statements made on Facebook (or other social media site) or by a prominent pastor with skepticism. It says, “Jesus never said life would be easy.” Messy Christianity helps us take a look at some of the men and women in the Bible and realize they had struggles, as well as doubts.
Some of the men and women in the Bible wrote about being angry at God (
In the passages above, we are able to understand that living for God may not be as easy or neat as we once thought when we first accepted Jesus as Lord of our lives. In fact, there may be times when we just want to yell to the heavens about the inner or outer pain we are experiencing! Maybe we scream, rant and curse; and we are not any closer to God then when we began. Are we not closer to God because there is a lack of faith? Maybe, but maybe not.
Messy Christianity recognizes that your friend is going through a tough time and sometimes life is challenging. Messy Christianity says, “I don’t know why you are going through this, but I am with you every step of the way. If you want to yell, I will yell with you. If you want to cry I am here—and I will not attempt to offer any trite answers. I will simply be by your side.” (Some call this incarnational ministry.)
I think it is during those difficult times of hurting and crying with our friends when they may receive comfort. Messy Christianity doesn’t attempt to answer the whys and does not offer any trite sayings, it simply doubts when you doubt, cries when you cry, curses when you curse and is there to offer comfort.
Jesus Was Messy
I don’t remember Jesus offering any trite sayings in the Bible. He didn’t tell the woman at the well, “Everything will be alright!” No. Jesus piqued her spiritual curiosity, spoke into her life, and she began to realize there was so much more. Anybody else would have written her off (as most had already done)—but not Jesus. Jesus didn’t offer simple solutions, but rather a conversation and the beginning of her deeper life.
When Jesus was asked about paying taxes to Caesar, the religious leaders were hoping He would offer a trite reply because that would ensure He would end up in trouble with the Roman government. The religious leaders were hoping He would say only give to God. Instead, Jesus offered a magnificent response that’s significance is often lost on modern readers. Jesus said, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” (
Examples such as these are throughout the New Testament. In fact, my guess is Jesus never offered a simple, trite statement.
What Trite Sayings Communicate
Trite sayings communicate: I am shallow; I don’t know what I am talking about; I have no credibility; and I’ve never gone through anything difficult in my life.
Conclusion
Whether one would consider him or herself under the category of neat or messy, Christianity does not mean one is better than the other. These are designations of where one is spiritually. If you are under the category of neat Christianity, allow me to encourage you to spend time with those with whom you may disagree and to reflect on your life and ponder past difficult times you have been through.
If you are struggling, seek professional help, and don’t lose hope. You may feel as if there is no way out or no end to your misery, but there is. God hasn’t forgotten about you. There may not be any easy answers, but that doesn’t mean Jesus doesn’t care or love you. In fact, He loves you more than you know.
Questions to Discuss
• If others were honest with you, would they say you are messy or neat?
Why and how does that make you feel?
Share an example of when you were either.
• How does a neat Christian become messy?
• How does a messy Christian become neat?
• What does your church background have to do with your messiness or neatness?
