Matt muses over
what I would call "churchianity" rather than "Middle Class Christianity", but the
point is essentially the same:
A lot of what is called Christian morality today is not
necessarily Christian, but more accurately described as Middle Class
Christianity. It is the Christianity influenced by the Victorian era politeness
and the rather quiet in door working spaces of many Christians, who tend
heavily towards the middle class.
Here are examples of the difference:
Middle Class Christianity: Don't be harsh and use mean words to those who come to you, especially if they are in need.
Christianity: Jesus said to the Syrophoenician woman: You don't give the children’s food to the dogs (Matt 15:21-28, Mark 7:24-30).
Middle Class Christianity: It is wrong to even insult those who reject the message of Jesus.
Christianity: Jesus said to the disciples to shake the dust of their feet when leaving an unbelieving town or even home (Matt 10:14). A visible and very offensive gesture in his day. Use your imagination to think of similar offensive gestures
Middle Class Christianity: Quiet kindness and addressing your audience in calm smooth tones is the way to address people. Don’t use ad-hominins, stereotypes, or harsh language.
Christianity: Jesus in the gospel of Matthew: Woe to you Pharisees, you brood of vipers, you snakes, you white-washed tombs, you rotten corpses twice dead, you sons of hell (Matt 23).
Here are examples of the difference:
Middle Class Christianity: Don't be harsh and use mean words to those who come to you, especially if they are in need.
Christianity: Jesus said to the Syrophoenician woman: You don't give the children’s food to the dogs (Matt 15:21-28, Mark 7:24-30).
Middle Class Christianity: It is wrong to even insult those who reject the message of Jesus.
Christianity: Jesus said to the disciples to shake the dust of their feet when leaving an unbelieving town or even home (Matt 10:14). A visible and very offensive gesture in his day. Use your imagination to think of similar offensive gestures
Middle Class Christianity: Quiet kindness and addressing your audience in calm smooth tones is the way to address people. Don’t use ad-hominins, stereotypes, or harsh language.
Christianity: Jesus in the gospel of Matthew: Woe to you Pharisees, you brood of vipers, you snakes, you white-washed tombs, you rotten corpses twice dead, you sons of hell (Matt 23).
Your
average Churchian is the modern equivalent of a Pharisee, wrongly thinking
himself superior to Jesus Christ and shaking his head in judgement of what he
sees as the Son of Man's inferior comportment.