5. We become awkward around unbelievers.
We go to movies and play golf or go fishing with other bubble believers, but never even think about doing such things with the unchurched. When we rarely do find ourselves talking to the unchurched, we find ourselves uncomfortable with their language or perspective on politics or other issues. Rather than seeing conversations as an opportunity to share Christ, they make us long for fellowship with people who share our worldview. We do not find ourselves praying for others like we once did, but we do find ourselves pitying people not like us.
6. We become like Jonah.
After years in the bubble we relate to the culture around us mostly by complaining about it. “Like Jonah…who ran away when God told him to go to the wicked city of Ninevah (Jonah 1:3), we don’t want anything to do with those who aren’t following God.” (Kimball, 45) The church becomes a place to protect us from that evil world rather than a sending base for the mission of God. We fill our calendars with activities that keep us at the safe church building, which has become more monastery than mission center. We don’t think about the lostness of those who are apart from Christ, at least not as much as we think about how awful they are to be like they are.
In other words, we become pathetic. As a result we spend far more time nit-picking little disagreements over nonsense, while all around us people are perishing. I have been here too many times, and it is a sorry way to live.
This is not a little issue. This is idolatry, the exchanging of the Great Commission for the Great Disconnection. We are not to be like the world. But our subculture is definitely not making us more like Jesus. It may make us more like the Pharisees who condemned Jesus. What happens next?
7. We need Christ.
Not for salvation. We are secure in Christ. But for our sanctification. We realize the gospel is for us as believers, the Great Commission is not the Great Suggestion, and that God saves us to send us into the culture to spread His love as His ambassadors.
Here is the problem: far too many in the subculture never get here. Some walk away, becoming dechurched and often antagonistic to what they perceive as Christianity. Some become disillusioned and seek spiritual solace in other ideologies from cults to covens. But many become quite comfortable in the subculture, confusing it with authentic Christianity. Like the frog in the kettle who does not realize when the water becomes so hot it can kill, we do not even see our faith being corrupted into something other than gospel-driven vitality.
But for some, thankfully, through repentance and fresh spiritual eyes, we change:
8. We become disciples.
Rescued for service by the same gospel that rescued us from sin, we see the Christian subculture as just one more idol and focus instead on Christ and His mission.
I confess, I have walked down this road. I am a recovering bubbleholic. And God has used friends who do not know Christ to help me see my declension. But God be praised for giving new eyes to see.
Can you identify with any of this? Being in the Christian bubble is bad; simply criticizing it may be even worse. Let’s step up and lead others to burst the bubble and live like Jesus.
