I recently watched a video of a random group of people answering the question, “What do you think of church?” There was one person in particular that made what might be a lasting impression on me. He was a tattoo artist who didn’t hold back in regard to his thoughts on church. In fact, he was blunt enough that parts of his answer were censored with the familiar “bleep.” He made the charge that church is all about brainwashing, and he wanted to make it absolutely clear (and he did) that he wanted nothing to do with church. It seemed that as soon as the word “brainwashing” passed his lips, his angry tone erupted into a seething hate. He became agitated and his body tensed up - he was spittin’ mad. His interview was over. He answered the question.
It was apparent that brainwashing was a very bad thing by his standards. If by popular understanding it means having your mind taken over and becoming a mind-less robot, then who wouldn’t push back or even become indignant about such a crime? A mind is supposed to be free; isn’t that an inalienable right?
I was reminded of a children’s story about a young boy whose mind is filled with hate, anger and prejudice by the adults in his life. The simple line drawings accompanying the text depicted an innocent face being contorted under the great weight of all the garbage that was poured and packed into his head. Over time, the child’s smile was transformed into a permanent expression of anger and pain, similar to the one I witnessed on the tattoo artist’s face. By popular understanding the little boy and the artist were more than likely victims of “brainwashing.” I find it odd that our culture uses such a term for an act of defilement and polluting. Why don’t we just get honest and call it “braindirtied” or “brainstaining?”
I was also reminded of the following scripture:
For husbands, this means love your wives just as Christ loves the church. He gave his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. (Ephesians 5:25-27, emphasis mine)
So, the tattoo artist was unwittingly correct. Jesus is washing us – brain and mind included. But instead of making us mindless, non-thinking automatons, He is making us new persons and changing the way we think by removing the accumulation of filth, dirt, and stains that has built up in our minds by way of our sins, choices, and circumstances.
Don’t copy the behaviors and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:2)
If this is God’s idea of brainwashing, then all I have to say is, “Wash, rinse and repeat.” I think you’ll say the same thing too.
Grace to you.
Dave Paukner
