Some of you will know the internet slang: “TL; DR”. It means “Too long; didn’t read”, and, if we’re honest, it’s how we’ve all found ourselves reacting at times. It’s probably what you’re tempted to do with this piece of writing! I think “TL; DR” illustrates a shift that’s taken place in the 20th C. Entertainment has shifted how our brains react to politics, education and religion. So, today, politicians are forced to offer sound-bites rather than substantial arguments. Children are weaned on a diet of Sesame St or CBeebies, and the one thing they must not experience is boredom. And, likewise, churches feel pressure to put on a good show. This is shown in the architecture of bigger, modern church buildings which are more cinematic – with a stage, lighting, and theatre-style seating. Today, more than ever, we need to grab people’s attention. “There’s no business, like show-business”.
Surprisingly, in 1 Cor 4:9, the apostle Paul confirms that the church is into show-business. God is putting on a show at church. “God has exhibited us apostles”, Paul says. What’s more, God’s show is a blockbuster. God is directing a box-office hit. “We have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men” (v.9). Everyone – in heaven and on earth – is talking about this show. The newspapers are talking about it. It’s the talk of the town.
But, what’s Paul point? The show that God is putting on doesn’t make everybody happy. God is directing a performance that deliberately inverts everything the world values. So, the “stars” of this show aren’t “celebrities”, but “the scum of the world” and “refuse of all things” (v.13). At the red carpet event, the main actors aren’t strutting around with impressive, botoxed bodies, sporting smart suits, and glamorous dresses. They look dishevelled, hungry, and homeless (v.11). The “values” of this performance aren’t “strength” and “wisdom”, but “weakness” and “foolishness” (v.10). This performance doesn’t bring in money, but loses it (v.12). The critics don’t love this show, but pan and trash it. Its reviews on Rotten Tomatoes or imdb.com are all one star. In fact, some critics even want to stop the show, or ban it from playing in their area, because it’s so offensive to society’s sensibilities.
Why? Because at the heart of God’s show is the cross of Christ (1:23-25). God’s show glorifies what the world is most ashamed of – the crucifixion of the Lord of glory. And, that event obliterates human boasting (1:29), and gives all the glory back to God (1:31).
So, this is God’s show! It is show-time at church. But this show isn’t for us to watch with our pop-corn, or sip with our coffee, as we sit comfortably in our seat. It’s not a show, where our children are quietly taken care of, and the parking is easy to find. It’s not where everything is polished, and we slip in and out for the bits of the performance we like. The soundtrack to God’s show won’t match the music production quality of the entertainment industry. But the show must go on!
And God invites us into the performance. He’s recruiting and asking us to send in our CVs. But the qualities he’s looking for are not: successful, powerful, and skilful, but weak, sinful, and undeserving. And the shows events aren’t designed to show us off, but to show Jesus Christ off. At the show’s grand finale, Jesus will raise all the performers to share true glory, honour, and power (15:43), but we need to be patient; the show isn’t over yet.
Yes, the 21st century church needs to be into show-business. But the question is: what are we really showing?