I've gotten some hilarious reactions, in a number of quarters, to my "bucket list".
A lot of Christians don't buy it. It just...bugs...them. Wha...but...you...this...no. There's something that bugs us, deep down, about this idea that we can't do anything to save ourselves. Oh, we "believe" it, theologically, but we don't really believe it. Not really. At least we don't want it pointed out. Not specifically. Not like that.
Lots of people threatened...and no one able to articulate what's really wrong with it. Every one of those things can be done without giving God your heart. God wants your heart. God wants your heart. God wants your heart. Too simplistic? Too bad. Children often understand the Kingdom better than adults do, I once read.
So yeah, it's very threatening, and that's fascinating. But it's not threatening to everyone, certainly. It's good news for some, and very, very bad news, for others. It's good news for folks who've failed at religion. (Who am I kidding? We've all failed at it. More accurately, it's good news for those who've failed and admitted it.)
One obvious reason: We'd rather think God wants our checklist, rather than our hearts. But this is in complete opposition to anything Biblical, for what it's worth. If we look for him "wholeheartedly", He says, we'll find Him. The other stuff, minus the heart, is an offense. The heart is the issue, from Genesis to Revelation.
But don't say it too loud. Christians will get ticked.
I spoke at a church recently, and mentioned how God doesn't really NEED us to do something. He could do it Himself. Point is, He allows us to be part of the work of His Kingdom, to let us play a role in setting things right in the world.
The next time I was getting read to speak there, the pastor told me, half-jokingly, "Hey, we're doing our big drive today to get 200 people to help in the children's ministry. Please don't mention the thing about how God doesn't really 'need' you..."
I think one reason a list like this can threaten is a lot of the stuff, like tithing, leading worship, attendance at services and small groups and such, makes for strong institutions.
If we start saying, "This isn't what God wants, folks. He wants your heart." -- well, yeah, it may be true, but can you keep it theoretical?
