Cirque du Evangelicalism
At first I thought this was an April Fools’ joke, but then I realized it’s only just March.
Saddleback Church, one of the largest “mega-churches” in the United States, pastored by Southern Baptist Church-affiliated and bestselling author Rick Warren, will hold its Easter Sunday services at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA. Those attending are invited to “tailgate” before the service begins at 10 A.M.
Headlining Saddleback’s services for the most solemn holy day in the Christian calendar will be… The Jonas Brothers.
American Popular Christianity has completely bastardized itself, and just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse.
Thanks to Okey, I am reminded of this passage:
When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money.
So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!”
His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
(John 2:13-17)
Pax et bonum.
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Mega-churches always have seemed sort of like entertainment venues, though. This seems much less like a service and more like a concert. With baptisms.
Yep. I think Metallica would have been a better choice.
Bill, you’re exactly right.
Kevin, oh certainly. Or perhaps even Madonna, although she’s no Sorrowful Mother.
Jesus… The Jonas Brothers… Jesus *and* The Jonas Brothers? Truly we’ve found heaven on earth! (Besides that Resurrection thing just doesn’t have much draw if you know what I mean.)
I’m gonna be serving deep-fried Communion “chips” and “Blood of Christ
Jell-O Shots” out of my trunk.
Oh yes Bob.
Can we pray for the Jonas Brothers to get swallowed by a whale?
At least the stadium is appropriately named.
Joe LOL!
Ray, indeed, although an angel of what I cannot say with any certainty.
[...] the church sold itself out? Read the “Cirque Du Evangelicalism” at Ad [...]
Hey Thom,
I live near Saddleback. Matter of fact, this whole part of the region is very Mega-Churchy. I’ve seen their facilities. It’s all built to attract people. Glitzy and glamorous. Come on, a food court in your church??? A rock concert hall??? This Jonas Brothers thing is part of that superficiality. They’re trying to make up for the emptiness that is in their hearts because Jesus is not there.
I’m very inclined to agree with you, Patrick, sadly enough.