Offensive Christianity

I think all of us, believer or non-believer, have experienced Christianity that is offensive.  I'm referring to bullhorn guy/street corner preacher, the legalistic judgmental Christian, Westboro Baptist Church, etc.  I've begun this post off topic, but since I'm here, have you ever seen or heard of anyone walking by the street corner preacher and they stop, listen, repent of sin and street corner preacher begins discipling them?  Or has anyone walked by Westboro's "God hates fags" sign and turned from their homosexual lifestyle?  I haven't seen that either.

This post isn't about Christianity that's offensive, as in rude or repulsive.  I want to share the idea that we should be offensive, as in the opposite of defensive.

Many of my Christian friends, and even my own family at times, have been guilty of playing spiritual defense.  We intentionally don't go where sin takes place, like bars, rated R movies and public schools (before my home school & Christian school friends get upset, you should know/remember that my wife and I met at a private, Christian college).

Please understand what I'm trying to say.  I absolutely believe in being wise, having good friends, protecting our children, and not conforming to this world (Romans 12:2).  But I can't help but wonder if we might be more effective in ministry if we took more risks.  Let me give a couple Biblical reasons why I think like this.

1. Jesus did it.  Jesus aggressively went after outcasts of every kind.  Sinners, including cheaters with money, cheaters in marriage, and everyone else that the "good people" looked down upon.  He also touched the poor, sick, handicapped, and even dead.  To be fair, Jesus also taught in the temple and spent time with religious folks.  But it's pretty obvious he was rarely impressed with, in fact He got very angry with the religious leaders who were hypocrites. 

2. Peter and the gates of hell.  Jesus tells Peter in Matthew 16:18  And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.  

At first glance a couple things stick out to me.  One is that Christ is building His church on/through Peter.  And two, the gates of Hades can't stop it.  When I think of gates I think of large doors that keep people in or out.  They are preventative or defensive.  The church (the collective body of believers) should be so powerful that nothing, not even hell can overcome or stop it.  

The church should be on offense, hell should be on defense.

3. Arrows & Warriors.  Psalm 127:4 says Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.

My kids don't need to be locked in their rooms, wearing robes made of bubble wrap covering them from head to toe, never to watch TV or listen to music.  They are arrows, weapons, in the hands of their dad, the warrior. 

I shouldn't be scared of the beach, where girls wear bikinis and people drink beer.  I shouldn't be scared of schools, where they teach evolution and kids get bullied.  My kids should be arrows, weapons, ready to attack.  As their warrior dad, I need to prepare them and train them for battle.  I want my kids to be missionaries in our neighborhood, at their schools and at sleepovers and birthday parties (my kids are young, if you couldn't tell).  I want my kids to influence their friends to live for Christ. 

I challenge my fellow believers to quit being offensive, and start playing offense.