ProChrist 2006
This year saw another iteration of the one-week, European evangelization campaign »ProChrist«. This is of particular interest to me since I was involved in the design work for ProChrist when I was at Buttgereit und Heidenreich three years ago. The office managed to realize unconventional ideas for this project once again.
Some churches in Herrnhut and the surrounding area took part in ProChrist, today it was the turn of Christliches Zentrum. Matching the subject of the upcoming satellite transmission by Ulrich Parzany, our pastor Frank spoke about the Ten Commandments. Using a chainsaw as an example, he described their role as a good instruction manual for our protection, or as guard rails. I would add to this their purpose of conviction of sin (Romans 7:7). We cannot keep the Commandments by our own strength, so that we are dependent on God’s grace and the sacrifice of Jesus and nobody can save themselves.
Unfortunately, as is common for many Christian events, the central program before the sermon was quite bad. I think something like this should either be done well or left off. At least the local efforts were really good, the King’s Kids were powerful – I was excited to see how the boys in particular went for it. The dances (if you could call them that) were so much different than during my days (I’m sounding like an old man now …). It is a different generation.
Specific criticism: The “Allee der Kosmonauten” sang their song “Engel” (Angels), whose lyrics have little Biblical content. The chorus goes as follows (translation by the author):
Angels are with you on your way
Angels always know where you go
When you are discouraged
When you are lonely
Angels guard your dream
And when you lose your strength
They will carry you a while.
All nice and well, but not the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This on an evangelization event where (one hopes) thousands of non-Christians will hear this song.
I was even angrier over the song “Frag mich nicht” (Don’t ask me) by Klaus-André Eichhoff. It was practically an invitation to not evangelize. Anybody heard about 1 Peter 3:15 before? “… and be ready always to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason of the hope in you, with meekness and fear.” Not to mention rather unimportant things like the Last Command of Jesus.
To be fair, there were positive things as well. The actors from the short theater play were quite good, especially Mirjana Angelina. The actual subject of the evening, as mentioned above, were the Ten Commandments. Ulrich Parzany emphasized their position as extremely important and foundational rules for human living and community. Human life is much more complicated than machines are, which is why we need a Sabbath rest and must not be driven by Mammon continually. Turning from lying brings about the fresh air of honesty. I was especially impressed that Parzany actually preached conviction of sin and repentance – something that is almost a rarity today. Unfortunately, he did not mention baptism, which should follow conversion. I am also concerned about the practice of leading people in a prayer for conversion: Should one not be so overwhelmed of one’s sin and have understood the sacrifice of Jesus so that one can speak to God with own words? Otherwise, I see the danger of equating conversion with a formulaic prayer and putting the responsibility for one’s own salvation on the preacher.