What is a trend? By definition, it is the latest style, what is en vogue. Everyone has seen examples of trends and fads over the years. In the 1970s one hairstyle trend was to have really long, usually unwashed, hair. In the 1980s, Mohawk haircuts were in. In the 1960s the automobile industry was making bigger and bigger cars, whereas now days people like smaller, more compact cars.
The Christian church, however much we might wish otherwise, is not immune to trends. In the movie Luther Brother Martin is appalled when, upon visiting Rome, he saw not the holy city he had dreamed of but a bazaar selling all manner of Christian goods, from crucifixes to papal pardons. In Kingdom of Heaven young Balian is told that unless he trades his life as a blacksmith for that of a Crusader then his wife would remain in hell forever. No, the Christian church has, historically, always been susceptible to trends, often times trying to set them.
But what about the modern church? Surely we have learned from the mistakes of centuries past? Alas, we have not, I think that all will remember the “WWJD” craze, in which a simple phrase “What Would Jesus Do?” a simple question meant to guide Christians in their treatment of a given situation, was turned into a mass-marketing phenomenon. The result? The simple question about how Jesus would treat a situation is now scorned and lost amongst a sea of worthless trinkets. There have been others, such as the “Prayer of Jabez” craze, the Christian fish on the back of cars, t-shirts depicting the cross, crucifix jewelry, and the list goes on and on.
But why does it matter? These things are short, trendy little fads that burn themselves out. Those behind them would argue that they are giving people something tangible to hold onto to remember how to act, behave, or show off their Christian faith. The problem, though, is that the Message of Christianity, that of a risen Savior, is lost. The good news of God’s love through His Son Jesus is scorned by nonbelievers who see only pushy, trendy salespeople hocking their wares.
What does the Bible say about these trends, this selling of Christianity? In Acts 8:18-21, Simon the Sorcerer asks Peter and John this very question. When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money and said,
“Let me have this power, too, so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!” But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God.”
The story goes on to say that Simon asked for repentance for his greed, but what would have happened if Peter had taken his money and given him a little wooden cross, a little woven bracelet, or some other little “religious” knickknack and said “With this purchase, always remember what you have vowed in your heart to do for God.”
Well, the vow of Simon’s heart was greed, and by rewarding the greed Peter would have lost a soul for God. Instead, by telling Simon that God’s gift is free to all people, Simon was able to see the error of his ways and had a much longer, more everlasting reward, that of encountering God.
I would challenge everyone to ask the question “Why would I want this trinket/knickknack/fad? Will it improve my spiritual life? Will it bring me closer to God?” Instead, with heartfelt prayer, ask God how you can be closer to Him. Commit your heart to the life you are called to live in Jesus. Study His words, get to know Him, talk to Him. No trinket will bring you closer to God than getting on your knees and, as the child Samuel, saying:
“Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.”
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