Turn the world upside down

While in Rome on a “footsteps of Paul” trip a few weeks ago, I had the privilege to tour the Coliseum. It was an amazing man-made structure that has stood for thousands of years. In the middle of the modern city stood something that is centuries older than anything that exists in our country. I was impressed.

Here is the story of why it was built: As the Roman Empire was reaching it’s zenith, those in leadership realized they had to keep the people happy; and keep them from rioting. They decided that they needed to give people free entertainment—a spectacle! So they built big buildings (the Coliseum being the biggest), provided a regular spectacle, and gave the citizens free bread. This would keep the people happy for a long time, and would keep them coming back for more.

A big building.

Free bread.

A spectacle.

This remind you of anything? It did me!

I think our churches today are taking a cue from the pages of Roman appeasement. We also build big buildings (church structures), provide free weekly bread (sermons), and put on the best spectacle in town (the entertaining service). It keeps people happy.

I’m not saying that a big building, a great weekly sermon, or a well thought-through service is a bad thing. But when we present those as a way to simply keep people appeased, we are acting like the “powers that be” and are missing something huge!

In Acts 17, the people in Thessalonica accused the Christians of turning the world upside down. Our goal should not be to simply satisfy and appease our congregants, like the Romans did for their citizens. Our goal ought to be to inspire our brothers and sisters to radically shake up the world for Christ—to turn the world upside down!

We have a choice: To work to keep people sedated and happy or to actually encourage insurrection. Let’s always remember that our goal is not to sedate the masses but is the salvation of humanity!