The video features a bunch of Gen Y types talking about how they are a Christian but they don't fit particular stereotypes regarding Christianity, and it is currently being torn to shreds by most every Christian in the blogosphere/on twitter/on YouTube/on facebook/everywhere on the interwebs. Whilst I agree that a video about Christians that doesn't mention Jesus is not really ideal and that yes you could ask question of the brand of Christianity these young people practice, I think maybe we shouldn't be so quick with the flaming torches and pick forks.
Firstly, we need to own that some of the things said in this video are completely true. Every Christian should be able to say "I'm a Christian, but I'm definitely not perfect" because that is the whole reason we need Christ in the first place. It is one of those stereotypes about Christianity that we should be fighting against because "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:10). The same can be said about the video's statement that "I'm a Christian but I do not put myself on a pedestal" as we are called to be humble, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6), and the video's statement that "I'm a Christian but I'm not judgmental" because we should be in constant awareness that judgment belongs to God alone and we are all under that judgment not the judgment of other people (Luke 6:37)- I would suggest that homophobia as spoken of by the video also falls into the category of judgment*. Also we all live in the awareness that the world and mysteries of it are at the present time hidden from us (1 Cor 13:12), so we can join the video in its statement "I'm a Christian, but I don't have all the answers".
Secondly, we can acknowledge that some of the things in the video aren't anathema to the gospel and are spaces that many Christians occupy whilst also holding onto biblical truth. There are myriad Christians who are not uneducated, not politically conservative (I assume this is what the video means when it speaks of being conservative), not ignorant, love Beyonce, love wine, and have friends from different walks of life and love them. I'm one of them (assuming again that the conservative is political not theological). I'm also a Christian who is a feminist which is one of the comments in the video (aside from the sexuality comments) that the most pitch forks are pointing at- Jesus was an equal opportunity saviour and he choose to reveal his resurrection first to whom...that's right to women even though their testimony was of no value in that day and age. Even if you are a Christian who has issues with Christians being feminists (which is such a complicated and simple term that it should require unpacking before you use it as an insult), you surely will agree that Christians are stereotyped for better or worse (mainly worse) as being uninformed fun haters and it is about time that we acknowledge to the world that we comes from a mix of educational and political backgrounds and that we have a vast variety of opinions on things like alcohol and popular culture. Also we could definitively put it out there that we love science too because as the video says "science makes God look really cool" (as a Christian with an biology degree I say, "yes, ain't that awesome! I completely agree with you, random Buzzfeed gen Y person!").
Third and finally, we can ask is hating on this video the best use of it? This video has gone pretty viral over the last few days and a landslide of comments that say, "let me tell you why this video is so very wrong" merely serve to demonstrate the point that the video seeks to make for those who believe the bulk of Christians to be hypocrites. I agree that there are issues with it, but just remember the video isn't about spreading a Christian message (it is from Buzzfeed for goodness sakes!), it is about breaking down stereotypes. Why can't we engage with the ideas and views it presents in a way that leads to a positive discourse instead of just attacking it? Most Christians are aware of the stereotypes about Christianity that are held as true by our society, and most of us are aware that these stereotypes don't hold much water when you look at the diverse community of broken sinners that Christ has called to himself. So instead of looking at this video and tearing it to shreds for what it never intended to be, why don't we recognise that it might be worth exploring with those we know who aren't Christian what their beliefs and stereotypes about Christians are and starting to break these down if we can.
That is me just chucking some thoughts into the internet void and I'm happy for you to disagree if you wish to. I will end where the video ends with love, because it is the heart of the gospel- the Father's love for humanity even in its sinful state, Christ's love for humanity and the Father shown in his death, and the love of the Holy Spirit that Christians are called to act in whether speaking to God, to fellow Christians, or to non-Christians- not a mild watered down emotionless love but the all expansive love described in 1 Corinthians 13 that "never ends".
*You may notice I don't comment on the video representation of sexuality. This is because unlike their love of Beyonce, I believe that a person's sexuality is best discussed with them in person if they wish to share it with you, and that attacking people's sexuality on the internet does little to love or support them. So the Buzzfeed twenty somethings may have shared it, but I feel it is not my place to comment on it (or especially to invite the comments of other on it) one way or the other in the toneless void of the internet.
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