Putting to Rest Our Malangsticism

I am not sure if what I am talking about is angst (a feeling of anxiety or apprehension often accompanied by depression), malaise (a vague feeling of bodily discomfort, as at the beginning of an illness, or a general sense of depression or unease) or cynicism (an attitude of scornful or jaded negativity, especially a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of other). But there is a spirit moving its way throughout the church, especially amongst many people who are attracted to the Emerging Church that is filled with angst/malaise/cynicism. Maybe I can coin a term and call it malangsticism (a feeling of apprehension rooted in physical discomfort and anger fueled by distrust of the integrity and motives of others).

This spirit is not one limited to the Emerging Church, or this generation. But it is certainly prevalent in both. I like to think of it like having smoked cigars the night before. For many who have grown up in or encountered the church they have been left with a bad taste in their mouth. They may have enjoyed their experience at first, but the next morning they have terrible breath, a headache and general nausea. And the only way they can figure out to express it is through angry, spiteful, sarcastic, complaint and disagreement. This spirit is not of God. I know many who have thought that this feeling, this malangsticism, was from God, but I assure you it has no place for the people of God.

God sends us Holy Discontent. (A Phrase I first heard from Rick Warren a couple years back) God makes us dissatisfied with the brokenness of our world and those around us. But this discontent is rooted in love. It is rooted in love for those created in the image of God. It is rooted in a desire to see an end to suffering and injustice. It is rooted in a beautiful image of the church be presented to Christ as the beautiful, pure bride he deserves. For many of us, however, this discontent is rooted not in love but instead in our own brokenness and pain. The church hurt us. Christians have sinned against us. We have found dissatisfaction instead of peace in the church. And now, we are at war in the church. We want to skewer all those in the church who have hurt us or failed us.

When Christ was angry, it was rooted in love for his people and love for God. Ultimately, when those he loved failed him in every possible way, he loved them, forgave them, and issued his grace to them. In this action of transformational love, Jesus set the example for those of us who now live as the Body of Christ. I guarantee that the church will fail you. I promise that if you pour your life into others, at some point they will let you down and hurt you. God assures us that to follow him means to walk a path of suffering and being hated by the world. Yet, we are called to be a people who know the peace and rest of God.

So don’t stop being discontented with the church, we have a long way to go. Don’t stop your righteous anger over those who suffer, may it spur you on to action. Never abandon your calling in this world, your holy discontent, may it lead you to a life of fulfilled service in the kingdom. But please, for the sake of all of us, leave your malangsticism in the grave with the old man, your life that was put to death by Christ. Let it stay in the ground, buried and abandoned, never fueled to life by our unrighteous anger and self righteous indignation.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7