Utumishi Blog

Pragmatism may be the dominant philosophy of the twenty-first century but it is not a new mentality.  Kris Lundgaard writes:

What do most people think about and cherish?  According to the psalmist, “Many are asking, ‘Who can show us any good?’” (Psalm 4:6). That is, most people want to know who will help them get the things of this world and give them peace of mind. But the psalmist says, “Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD.  You have filled my heart with greater joy than when grain and new wine abound” (Psalm 4:6-7).  Nothing in this world can compare with seeing the light of God’s glory in the face of the eternal God-man.  (Through the Looking Glass: Reflections on Christ that Change Us, pp. 35-36)

Harrison, team leader of iServe Africa, identifies pragmatism as one of the most
insidious threats to the Kenyan church. It is more subtle than a blatant prosperity gospel that promises perfect health and wealth if you ‘sow a seed’ (i.e. give to my ministry).  Even churches that explicitly teach against the prosperity gospel can end up making church a place where we come to get a ‘blessing’ and resolution to our immediate problems – financial, relational, health.  Very easily man is at the centre and Christ only turns up for the altar call.

This has been a very cutting challenge to me personally.  I may decry the prosperity gospel but so often my prayer life and thought world are dominated by immediate, earthly problems.  As I deal with water leaks and power cuts and door handles falling off and delayed freight I’ve found myself very prone to pragmatic religion.

Let’s turn our eyes to eternity, to seek Jesus, his face, his kingdom, his glory.