Sulis author Michael J Clemens recently appeared as a guest on the podcast, Christianity Without Compromise to discuss his book, Why Aren’t Christians More Like Jesus?
Michael J. Clemens, author of Why Aren’t Christians More Like Jesus?, is on Christianity Without Compromise with host Jake Doberenz to discuss the idol of “churchianity”—the tendency to substitute church participation for actual spiritual growth. Michael traces how his own journey from legalistic church life to a deeper relationship with Jesus revealed the dangers of institutional religion that emphasizes numbers, structure, and performance over true discipleship. Michael contrasts the vibrant, sacrificial faith of the early church with today’s often passive attendance culture. He explains why churches that chase attendance and budgets may be failing their people, and why following Jesus requires more than checking boxes. What did the church look like before it became institutionalized? And why do so many Christians fail to resemble the one they claim to follow? This episode is especially helpful for believers feeling stuck in routine church life, leaders rethinking discipleship models, and anyone wrestling with the gap between belief and behavior.
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You can see it everywhere—on the news, in social media, in books or movies, and by how some churchgoers behave. Just because people call themselves Christians does not mean they are anything like Jesus. His followers were first called Christians in Antioch. Why? Because they acted like Christ (the original Greek work meant “Christ-people” or “little-Christs”). At the time, it was something of an insult. If people call themselves Christians, but merely go to church, they will not like what they hear about themselves at Judgment. It is not enough to just know about Jesus. To be his follower, his disciple, you must get to know and be known by Jesus. Why? Discipleship involves spiritual growth—an ongoing process with the goal of life-long transformation. Jesus said, “follow me,” but instead, today, many religious leaders say, “come to church.” What do the words and actions of some churchgoers bring to the minds of average, unchurched people? What do people tell pollsters about America’s Christians, how would they label them? For some, it has not been “Christlike.” Why aren’t Christians more like Jesus? Church history suggests how it happened, the Bible answers why, and the basic teachings of Jesus provide the solution.
”A very practical book, Why Aren’t Christians More Like Jesus? overflows with sage advice, acute observations, and spiritual insights born of many years of Bible study, wide reading, and experience in church life and leadership. The author offers some serious criticisms of the “institutional” church, but these criticisms are accompanied by a spirit of grace and hope. He calls us to transition from “churchianity” to real Christianity, that is, to faith and discipleship to Jesus, to loving God and loving others in the name of Jesus. I especially recommend Why Aren’t Christians More Like Jesus? to any believer who loves Jesus and his people but is a bit frustrated with the institutional church. Clemens refrains from offering grandiose but unworkable programs for institutional reform. He simply reminds us that church reform begins with “me,” with my continual transformation into someone “more like Jesus.” Amen!
—Ron Highfield, Professor“ Religion and Philosophy Division, Pepperdine University; author of Rethinking Church: A Guide for the Perplexed and Disillusioned & 7 seven other books.
