Where's Jesus?: American Christianity in Crisis

By Stephen F. Huss Ph.D.

This book recognizes an alarming and increasing trend of Americans rejecting membership in organized religion and moving further and further away from Christianity. It provides a critical and historic analysis of Jesuss life, his teachings, his example for others, and his existence as a caricature in modern American denominations. The final chapter presents a new paradigm that could stimulate the revitalization of modern Christianity.

The author has synthesized his Ph.D. in American studies, masters in history, BSE in education, professional training in mental health, his experiences in teaching American history, world religions, and other courses for over twenty years with his church life and personal spiritual development. This has resulted in the book that answers the question, Wheres Jesus?

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Oct 21, 2015
• ISBN: 9781512714586

Stephen F. Huss Ph.D.

Dr. Huss holds a Ph.D. in American Studies from St. Louis University, an MA in History from Southeast Missouri State University, and a BSE from the University of Central Arkansas. He served as one of the founders and as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the COMTREA Community Comprehensive Health Center in Jefferson County, Missouri, from 1974 to 2016. Huss taught as an adjunct-instructor in American History for over 20 years at the Jefferson Community College in Hillsboro. He also has taught World Religions, Western Civilization, and American Politics. He is a member of the Fletcher House Foundation, the Vice-President of the Jefferson County Heritage and History Society, serves as a Missouri Mental Health Commissioner and served as historian of the Jefferson County Bicentennial Committee providing over fifty presentations on the history of Jefferson County in 2018. Dr. Huss has presented over 200 workshops to the St. Louis community on topics such as preventing youth violence, alcoholism and other drug abuse prevention, Jefferson County history, teaching children of divorce, motivation in the classroom, Seven Habits of Effective People, management effectiveness, values clarification and stress management. He has published four books and many articles. He lives just outside of Hillsboro, Missouri, in Jefferson County, with his wife, Dr. Renee A. Huss. His family includes: Michael Huss and wife Misty; Jason Meyers and his wife Katy; Justin Huss and his wife Jennifer; Joshua Meyers and his wife Amy; Rebecca Ashley and her husband, Paul; Geanna Moore and her husband, Tracy; and his twelve grandchildren. He can be reached at [e-mail] and welcomes correspondence.

Book preview

Copyright © 2015 Stephen F. Huss, Ph.D..

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission. NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks of Biblica, Inc. Use of either trademark for the offering of goods or services requires the prior written consent of Biblica US, Inc.

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Durrie & Peck. New Haven, Connecticut. 1833.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

1 [phone]

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-5127-1459-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-1460-9 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-1458-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015916307

WestBow Press rev. date: 10/20/2015

Table of Contents

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1.   Jesus’ Life

Chapter 2.   The Development of the Early Christian Church

Chapter 3.   The Beginnings of American Christianity

Chapter 4.   Selected Teachings

Chapter 5.   Application of Christian Principles

Chapter 6.   The Christian Perspective

Chapter 7.   Summary and Conclusion

Epilog: Action Steps

The Author

Dedication

This book is dedicated to all those who search for something more than themselves.

Foreword

This book is the culmination of over forty years of study, teaching, and exploration. As lay-minister, MYF teacher, Adult Sunday School teacher, World Religions teacher, American History teacher, historian, author, counselor, parent, and seeker, I have attempted to make sense of the modern world of Christianity. It has not been easy. Raised a Southern Baptist and living as a Methodist for over forty years, only in my later years did I begin to really wonder about Christianity’s diverse teachings and appropriate place in modern society. I have been and am concerned about its lack of responsiveness to the real needs of others, its avoidance of introspection, and its frequent negativity toward others; even toward other Christians.

I was extremely curious about the historic Jesus and the culture in which he lived. I wanted to know what Jesus really had to say two thousand years ago. I wanted to know if his teachings were or could be relevant to today. I wanted to find out why the United States has so many different versions of Christianity. I wanted to see if comfort and guidance was available in the words of the holy texts. The results of my research are explained in this book that has taken over two years to write.

And it could not have been written without the college instructors who guided me in philosophy, religion and history and opened my mind at an early age at the University of Central Arkansas and Southeast Missouri University. My PhD degree work at the Jesuit-guided St. Louis University American Studies program sharpened my research and interpretation skills.

Nor could it have been completed without the patience and support of my many friends who reviewed the drafts and made suggestions. Of special importance was the aid of my sister, Mary Beth Embree, a book editor in California, who kindly agreed to assist in the review of the final product. Also helpful was my son, Michael Huss, who helped me clarify potentially confusing passages within the first draft of the work. My wife, Renee, was patient with my absences.

My research primarily used the King James Version of the Bible as it is so familiar to most people. Its Shakespearian language is also beautiful and melodious to the ear. However, when there were potential areas of confusion or really poor interpretation, I added my own clarification/interpretation in this manner [clarification]. In some instances modern versions spoke more clearly to the topic under review and I used them. These are noted in the citations.

Every attempt was made to remain objective in the analysis. A remarkable thing occurred in the process of writing this book―The Living Jesus emerged strong and vibrant.

Stephen F. Huss, PhD

Introduction

Modern Christianity is fast losing its influence in America. Christians have diversified themselves almost out of existence. The lack of commonality has made if not enemies of various Christian groups at least caused them to be suspicious of each other. Many have decided that it is not worth the effort to try to reconcile or accommodate other Christians whose beliefs are different.

In the last decade or so the percentage of people who call themselves Christian has continually diminished. It is not unlikely that within fifty years less than a third of all Americans might hold membership in a Christian church. The trend among youth toward non-affiliation with any denomination is going up at an alarming rate (Pewforum.org, May 12, 2015; Gallop Poll, June 17, 2015). Among all demographic groups American Christianity is moving toward irrelevancy at an increasingly rapid pace. There seems to be little hope that the tide can turn without a major effort. And changing that trend will be difficult because there are so many people with so many different perspectives on Christianity. They can’t all be right; and they might all be mostly wrong. This can be perilous territory.

There is a need for vibrant Christianity in America. While there are problems within the religion, Christianity offers great comfort. It can help people find meaning in their respective lives. It can provide a caring framework for private and public decision-making. The inspirational music provided by choirs and gospel singers still stirs one’s soul. There are far more efforts by Christians to reach out to the needy than from those who are not religious. The Catholic Church is by far the largest single provider of health care in the world. Churches still may be the greatest supporters of marriage and the family in our culture. The activist phase of the Civil Rights movement in the United States can be traced directly to the Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. Vibrant Christianity can stimulate one’s personal spiritual life.

Its problems, however, center on the lack of relevancy perceived by most Americans, the lack of comprehension about what Jesus really said and modeled and a shaken faith among congregants. We probably should start thinking about this crisis by looking more closely at the typical American Christian.

Based upon what we know we might ask ourselves if there is a typical American Christian? There might be; but not for sure. It shouldn’t be that hard to identify one if s/he is out there. After all, isn’t being a Christian easy? All one has to do is just believe in Jesus. Really? Isn’t that way too simplistic? What does believe in Jesus even mean, anyway? It sounds pretty easy; but we might wonder if it really is. The fact is most Americans could and do come up with many things about Jesus to believe. The problem may be that all those millions of modern Christians don’t agree on what to believe. Nor do they agree that if one believes what that means for one’s life and actions. It is really confusing. But, we might ask if there is anything that all American Christians might believe in? Or should believe? Is there any way Christians can unify at least in some commonalities while accepting other differences?

The lack of consistency across denominations might cause us to ask ourselves why the multiplicity of groups exists. And we might wonder how modern Christianity got this way? There are literally thousands of splinter groups from which to choose a typical Christian to examine. And these churches and individuals are very, very different, one from another. So different, it is sometimes hard to even see how they all could call themselves American Christians at all.

One might vividly observe these differences by walking down the aisle of a mall parking lot in any American city. WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) reads a bumper sticker on a late model Ford parked mid-way down Aisle One. Walking farther down the same aisle WWJBD reads a similar one on a new red Chevrolet, meaning What Would Jimmy Buffet Do? This is American culture at its most effective—and irreverent. It might be tempting to label the person in the Ford a Christian and the owner of the Chevy as something else. The fact is in our American culture both drivers may consider themselves Christian. How can this be?

Walking a bit farther, perhaps in Aisle 5, we notice on the trunk of a Toyota the strategically placed outline of a small, chromatic, silver fish. Obviously a Christian, we could assume. How about the person driving the Honda parked two cars away? Just next to the left tail light what looks like the same fish is glued to this one’s trunk. But this fish has four little legs. What is going on here? Both are statements of some kind, but the exact meaning is only guessed at until a conversation is or could be initiated with the drivers. Even then we might be disappointed.

Leaving the parking lot and driving down Any-street, USA, the question of finding a typical Christian gets thornier. On the right we pass a formidable Catholic Basilica. Its gray granite, flying buttresses take up most of the block on which it sits. Less than a mile farther down the road is a red brick Baptist Church. Its cross-topped steeple reaches toward the sky. Then just a little farther away is a splendid, white, imposing Mormon Temple located across the highway from a yellow-plank Free-Will Baptist Church. A little farther away in the middle of a strip mall next to the bondsman we notice a Christ the Savior meeting place complete with neon sign stating Jesus Saves Here. Without much more driving and after a few turns we would be able to find Methodist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Church of Christ, Church of the Nazarene, and too many congregational groups to mention.

If we went inside of any of these on a Sunday we could find devoted followers of the teachings of Jesus sitting in pews or walking around. Well, maybe. They would have approximately the same Bible, the same cross, the same stained glass windows. But which would be the real typical Christians? Talking with any of these frequenters of the religious centers one would find that each called themselves Christian. This would solve our problem then? No; because if you asked them if those in the other religious centers located nearby were also Christians one could obtain critical responses; and often not very Christian ones.

If we were very ambitious we could ask to see some of the writings of each religious center. Then we could really be confused. The perils of Original Sin would be at the forefront of some. Elaborate rituals permeate others. Silence in one is counterbalanced by loud singing in another. Jesus is seen on a cross, absent from the cross, in stained glass and etched in marble or other stone. He is usually tall, blue-eyed and Caucasian. His immaculately coiffured long hair and neatly trimmed beard flow over a white robe cinched with a glistening rope. Brown leather Roman sandals adorn his feet. His outstretched arms, bright countenance and shining eyes seem welcoming to all. There is a tolerance and serenity in these portrayals mostly unmatched by modern American followers.

So, now what? There are a lot of questions to consider as we explore the problems of American Christianity. Do modern American Christians really know what Jesus taught? Does it matter? Is there any reason to believe that his teachings have any real relevance today? Why? Why not? This is the purpose of this book; to be a guide for one who wants to search for Christian meaning and facilitate constructive dialogue among very distinctive groups in order to build up Christianity rather than just allow its descent into irrelevancy.

But first we have to confront the essential nature of Christianity in our modern society. It bears little semblance to that taught by Jesus. And this is the root of the problem faced today. The not so simple fact is that the word Christian is itself emotionally loaded and potentially explosive. It means something different to most people, even those who identify themselves as Christian. Some Christians believe that Jesus founded a new religion. Others point to Paul and later followers as the real founders of Christianity. Some Christians believe that every word in the New Testament and the Torah (Jewish foundation narrative including the first five books and some also add the later books and even commentaries) is to be literally interpreted as the absolute word of God. Others suggest that the Bible was written by man and subject to historic influences and incorrect translations.

Almost all historians are very comfortable saying that the New Testament was written down much later than during Jesus’ life. It is widely believed that the later writers created many of the stories to give validity to the religious system that developed or was developing. Some believe that Jesus said everything ascribed to him. Others believe that later writers put words in his mouth based upon oral tradition, current wisdom, divine inspiration, political need or some combination of these influences. Jesus was divine to many Christians but a great teacher and moral guide to others. To some a personal relationship exists with Jesus. Some equate Jesus with God and/or a Holy Ghost/Holy Spirit. There are those who believe one must be born again in order to be a Christian; others reject this notion or redefine it. Many accept the virgin birth story; others do not need that in order to be a Christian. Likewise other Christians do not believe in the resurrection and yet still call themselves Christian. Some Christians see proselytizing as a command while others view it as intrusive and arrogant. And there are Christians who think their beliefs provide the only truth and others who call themselves Christians are at best deluded. Some Christians prescribe specific actions, dress, and beliefs; others are more liberal in life style. Some Christians believe in a theocratic approach to government; others are strictly committed to a separation of church and state. Some Christians limit the pulpit to males; women serve in others. Some withdraw from modern society; others embrace it. So much for a typical Christian.

From just the issues above it is apparent that modern Christianity is not a homogeneous group. In reality, it never was. However there is a common base from which all Christians grow—the New Testament (NT) itself. While Christians do not agree on much, most agree that the teachings of or attributed to Jesus found in the New Testament can provide a strong foundation for personal values and actions. Most believe they understand what it says. They are only partially correct; if that. Part of the problem is the fact that most Christians have not read the Bible in its entirety and, if they have, have not studied it with a critical eye.

This book looks at how today’s understanding of Jesus’ teachings are similar to or divergent from the original intent. It is the Holy Theme presented by or attributed to Jesus that all can learn from and live by. This can be the central unifying factor in modern Christianity; if people are not afraid to look.

In order to understand Jesus’ principles and guidance there is more than just reading words placed in a book, even if that book is the New Testament. As to those who say one must accept the writing in toto and without questioning— that is easier said than done. Without a lot of knowledge and analytical skill it is easy to get lost in translated words which were written within a context that was more complex than one might suppose. We must look at how Jesus lived, learned and taught. Real understanding depends upon this. Revealing this is an important task but not an easy one nor always comfortable for the reader.

There really isn’t much related to Jesus even in the New Testament. Jesus did not write anything or at least nothing of has been found. Communication and preservation of speeches was not as easy as today. Of course, there were no video or audio recordings either. Most of the writings we associate with Jesus in the New Testament were written long after Jesus’ death. Regardless of what one might like to believe, the composers’ own agendas affected their writing. Whether or not the later writers were holy inspired, the fact is they were certainly products of their own age and circumstances.

From these murky realities one must consider where truth can be found. Critical thinking is a skill needed for real understanding—even for the Bible. This is the really hard part. Only one ancient historian, the Roman Titus Flavius Josephus, actually mentioned Jesus at all. Josephus was born after the death of Jesus and wrote his histories over fifty years later relying of the memories of others. While many may disagree, it really isn’t enough to just accept words written down by humans in a book called the New Testament. The holiness of a work is a belief not a fact. But of even more importance, acceptance without critical analysis also does not really illuminate how significant Jesus’ Holy Theme really is. Those who just accept every jot and tiddle miss many if not most of the essential truths revealed after study.

Finding the truth about the distant past is almost like living a detective story. One must look at the work from all directions and find as many primary sources and witnesses as possible. The writing styles, historic continuity, and possible meanings need delving into. It is not easy to do any of this from two thousand years later. But illuminating real truth is worth the effort. Jesus’ life is that important; or at least could be in modern America. His unifying principles could be really significant in this divergent world— if they can be found. The Living Jesus is real, but must be illuminated for today. How this accomplished, one might ask? The answer is, with great diligence and tenacity.

Today we have great, detailed records