A Different Kind of Pharisee

A Different Kind of Pharisee
26 posted on January 26, 2010
POSTED IN: Authenticity, Blog Posts

Over the last year I’ve attracted a rather diverse following on this blog. It’s both exciting and sometimes challenging. Exciting, because every post I write is discussed by such a wide mix of people from many different backgrounds. But it’s challenging at times too because sometimes I write things that are only going to connect with a smaller subset of my readers. This is one of those posts. That doesn’t mean all of you can’t join in in the discussion (please do), just remember that what I’m writing may not apply to you at all and that’s ok.

I grew up in a strict, legalistic environment that placed a high value on outward appearance – how you dressed, what you said, what you listened to, etc.  I wore suits to church (3 times a week) to dress my best for God. We didn’t have a television for the majority of my childhood because of the “worldly influence.” I only listened to very conservative Christian music because I was taught that all the other music would lead me away from God.

In short, I was a good little Pharisee.

Losing My Religion

In my early 20’s I slowly began to shed the trappings of legalism. I began to see that God was so much bigger than the little box I had kept Him in. I started to experience the joy of freedom and grace and let me tell you, it was awesome!

I traded in my suits and ties for rock star shirts and ripped jeans.

I went back and watched some of the movies I had never gotten to see growing up.

I traded in my hymns for something with a little more kick-drum and electric guitar.

I realized that God was more concerned about my heart than how I looked on the outside. He wanted relationship, not religion.

The more I began to experience of God’s grace the more I reacted to and pushed away from the legalism I grew up in. I wanted nothing to do with the Christian sub-culture of “Christian t-shirts” and cheesy bumper stickers. I even began to poke fun a bit…I wore a shirt that simply said “CHRISTIAN T-SHIRT” (I have to admit, it’s still one of my favorite shirts).

I determined if I ever planted a church that “Authenticity” would top the list of our core values because if you’re not being authentic, you’re one of “them.” And by “them” I mean the people who go to church every Sunday wearing suits while turning up the Christian radio in their Christian-bumper-stickered-car to drown out the fighting.

I have visited churches in the past couple of years and chosen my wardrobe solely to “test the waters.” Would my holey jeans and t-shirt get a reaction? I wish I had a tattoo I could flaunt…what would they think of that? While I might not have expressed my intentions quite so blatantly if I were asked, the attitudes were definitely under the surface.

Reality Check

And then a couple of weeks ago we were visiting a church (I was wearing jeans and a t-shirt of course) where the message was about modern-day pharisees. I was totally tracking with what he was saying because if there was one thing I couldn’t stand it was a person who tried to dress, talk and act a certain way to prove their relationship with God.

And then the pastor said something that hit me like a ton of bricks:

“God is no more impressed with our t-shirts than our ties.”

Wait a minute, he meant to say “God is no more impressed with our ties than our t-shirts” right? Because I’m wearing a t-shirt at church which proves how authentic I am…..

Oh.

Without realizing it I had traded in one form of hypocrisy for a newer, hipper kind. I had developed a self-righteous authenticity that caused me to look down on anyone wearing a suit or singing hymns. My faith was more real, more “authentic” than theirs.

I was just a different kind of pharisee.

I had fallen back into the same trap I had tried to avoid for so many years – I had started to act like God was somehow impressed with how “authentic” I looked on the outside.

“Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with looks and stature…God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the outside; God looks into the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

Authenticity is a funny thing. God desires it, but He doesn’t need it. He already knows us from the inside out. We can’t keep secrets from God. Authenticity is more about how we act with each other. It’s important to be “real” with each other but if we’re not careful, our authenticity can turn into a badge that we wear. God hates masks…but he also hates badges.

Don’t let your hipster jeans, modern worship bands or iPhone bibles fool you into thinking that you’re somehow closer to God than the suit-wearing guy sitting in the pew.

Maybe this is just something I’ve struggled with. But if any of this resonates with you too, then my prayer is that we can strip away all self-righteous “authenticity” that gets in the way of a genuine relationship with God.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 at 7:09 am and is filed under Authenticity, Blog Posts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

31 Comments

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  1. Visit My Website

    January 26, 2010

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    1 Kiel Kinnaman said:

    Great post man, I know we struggle with this in the Church. There’s a great diversity in the body of Christ and God is most concerned about the heart… not the affliction shirt or the suit/tie combo.

    On another note, somewhat related… I’ve been taking some classes and just got done reading a book that may help you in your church planting endeavor. It’s called “Breaking the Missional Code” by Ed Stetzer and David Putnam. It touches upon this cultural relevancy that you talked about.

    Blessings to you Brad… I know God is doing great things in your life man! :-)



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    January 26, 2010

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    2 Aaron J said:

    Awesome post! I think we all need that kick in the teeth once in awhile. I know I sure needed to read that today. It’s really all about our heart. And the funniest thing is that *GASP* even the people wearing suits can be authentic! Thanks for sharing your insight, good stuff!



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    January 26, 2010

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    3 Parke Ladd said:

    Well said. I agree. The only way I know to avoid falling into the traps of “Pharaseedom” is to constantly read what Jesus had to say to them in the Gospel. Even then, it’s challenging. Thnks for the post.



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    January 26, 2010

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    4 April said:

    amen. or maybe, right on. :)



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    January 26, 2010

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    5 Katie said:

    Wow! Awesome post. I too grew up in church – the kind of church where you HAVE to dress up and you HAVE to go every Sunday. It wasn’t about the relationship at all. In fact, I’m not sure I ever heard that word spoken about God until I was in college. Now that I try to hard not to be that I often accuse people in my circles of being pharisees – the suit wearing kind, but don’t stop to realize I am one too – the jean wearing kind. Thanks for the punch in the gut this morning, Brad!



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    January 26, 2010

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    6 Dawn Bryant (@simplydawnb) said:

    Well said. Authenticity is not about who we want to be to other people. It’s embracing who God created us to be — suits or t-shirts. Regardless of our perspective on the world, we all have equality in grace…and God has called ALL OF US to LOVE. Love your post. Thanks for laying it out there!



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    January 26, 2010

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    7 JD said:

    Beautifully expressed, Brad… great food for thought.

    I grew up in a church similar to Katie’s, it’s been jeans ever since — God knows my heart — but do I know my heart? I’ll have to give it a closer look.



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    January 26, 2010

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    8 Phillip McCart said:

    Ouch man. Great post. I echo your thoughts. Thanks for sharing this.



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    January 26, 2010

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    9 Jason said:

    What a great post. I’ve really been struggling with this subject lately because I’ve been getting really irritated at my “hipster” friends who keep slamming and insulting the “establishment.” I just rest in the fact that even if they refuse to see those who dress differently as our brothers and sisters in Christ that I can do it.



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    January 26, 2010

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    10 Leah said:

    Do we get brownie points (or just brownies:-)), if we remember your teal suit, paisley tie, side combed hair, and your brief case:-). LOL…I can tease you in this regard though…been then bought the t-shirt (pun intended)! Love you guys!



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    January 26, 2010

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    11 Brad Gross said:

    Ahhh yes, the heart. Clothes are just coverings of our flesh. It’s the relationship that matters…if we bind our relationship to our hipness what are we worshipping?

    Thanks B,
    B



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    January 26, 2010

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    12 Bryan said:

    wait… you people wear clothes?

    Dang…I have been fooled again. All these years in the nude and I felt so authentic…fig leaves and all :)

    So can I go to church in a tie..and I mean JUST A TIE? I am sure God won’t care, but the congregation would :)



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    January 26, 2010

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    13 Brad Ruggles said:

    Bryan – Yeah, fig leaves can be a bit drafty this time of year. ;-)



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    January 26, 2010

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    14 Bill (cycleguy) said:

    Good thoughts Brad. i too have played the “reverse” Pharisee gig. I preach in jeans and a casual shirt thinking “Man, I am glad that I am not some stuffy tie dude” all the while being a little smug in saying it. I have even toyed the past couple of weeks with wearing my khakis again but then talk myself out of it with “what will visitors think?” talk. Talk about hypocritical! Anyway, you post was well-placed…like that space in the chest.



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    January 26, 2010

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    15 bondChristian said:

    This is fantastic. Best post I’ve read from you so far (to be fair, I’ve only been following for a couple weeks).

    I just twitted that quote and this post: “God is no more impressed with our T-shirts than our ties.” Thank you for posting this.

    -Marshall Jones Jr.



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    January 26, 2010

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    16 Lisa said:

    thanks for this post, Brad! Point well-taken, and the message needs to be passed on! I love it when you write posts like this!



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    January 26, 2010

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    17 Brad Ruggles said:

    bondChristian – Thanks, but I can’t take credit for that quote. Aaron Brocket was the speaker who mentioned it in his message. You can listen to the entire message .



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    January 26, 2010

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    18 Shellie (baylormum) said:

    “I realized that God was more concerned about my heart than how I looked on the outside. He wanted relationship, not religion.”

    There’s my kick in the teeth! It’s all about the relationship!! Not the clothes. Not the bling. Not the number of iPhone apps. My heart. Not yours. Mine.

    As always, thanks for grabbing my attention. :)



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    January 26, 2010

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    19 Molly said:

    Love it. Thanks for writing such a thought provoker. (again)



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    January 26, 2010

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    20 Erik Cooper said:

    I’m ashamed at how often I just try to grow different fruit on the same diseased tree. Great reminder Brad…



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    January 26, 2010

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    21 BJ said:

    Father God search our hearts oh Lord and in our humbleness and reverence to you may they be pleasing to you and a sweet fragrance unto you Lord. Thank you for your grace and your love and relationship….



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    January 26, 2010

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    22 Brad Ruggles said:

    Erik – So true man, well said.



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    January 26, 2010

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    23 pete wilson said:

    Wow! Great post Brad!



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    January 27, 2010

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    24 Laurie Zieber said:

    I am dancing! I am singing! I am linking to this blog!
    I’ve been thinking about this! I’ve been aware but have not taken time to focus on the murmurings from the thoughts in the back of my mind.
    I needed someone to say it, straight up! Thanks!



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    January 27, 2010

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    25 Paul Steinbrueck said:

    Great post, Brad. It’s kind of like taking pride in how humble you are. :)



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    January 27, 2010

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    26 Brad Ruggles said:

    Paul – Ha ha, exactly! Kinda stupid when you put it that way, huh?



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    January 27, 2010

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    27 Erik Cooper said:

    Read this this morning and couldn’t help but think of your post:

    “Don’t fool yourself. Don’t think that you can be wise merely by being up-to-date with the times…He exposes the chicanery of the chic. The Master sees through the smoke screens of the know-it-alls.” (1 Cor. 3:18-20 MSG)

    Ouch.



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    January 27, 2010

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    28 Brad Ruggles said:

    Dude, that verse is killer! Wow. Thanks for sharing.



  29. Visit My Website

    January 29, 2010

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    29 Leeanne Graf said:

    If you have a relationship with God then you’ll want to give Him your all and your best, including your wardrobe. Should we not want to look our best for the Lord? After all, it’s His house isn’t it?



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    January 31, 2010

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    30 alece said:

    so appreciate your heart in this post…



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    February 9, 2010

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    31 Marissa said:

    Yeah, I can relate to both sides. Great post.



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