Which is more dangerous: Bangalore or Leisureville?

So, which is more dangerous for a Christian — Bangalore or Leisureville?

What do you think?

1 Peter 2.11 says: ‘Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.’

It is our own desires that enlist as soldiers to battle for our souls. Neil Postman was right: Aldous Huxley’s dystopic vision in A Brave New World is more terrifying than that of George Orwell in 1984. What we love is even more dangerous than what we hate. Our worst enemy is the one to whom we happily submit ourselves.

In my sermon yesterday, I suggested that it is in many ways less dangerous (for your soul) to be attacked by Hindu mobs in Bangalore than to live in the plush, hedonistic retirement communities of Florida. The evidence I gave was the vibrant spirituality of a young Christian couple who have actually been attacked by a Hindu mob, have had all their possessions taken, and are still living and ministering for Jesus. My other evidence was the appalling emptiness and pleasure-seeking of Florida’s retirement communities. Living only for GLC (golf, lifestyle, and convenience) is a great way to destroy your soul. The passions of the flesh are mounting a stronger attack in Leisureville than in Bangalore.

I was drawing in yesterday’s sermon upon a new book by Andrew D. Blechman, called Leisureville: Adventures in America’s Retirement Utopias (Atlantic Monthly Press, 2008). The book is well-written, thoroughly researched, and insightful. I recommend it for insight into the history and present condition of a massive American business: age-segregated retirement communities. Blechman’s book offers numerous examples of the grave dangers that human desires represent. Many seniors are entering retirement communities like The Villages in Floriday because they want to be safe. But the picture painted by Blechman of shallow, frivolous, self-centered pleasure-seeking suggests to me that along with safety from crime comes grave danger to the souls of those whose god is the golf course or the pool.

Posted by Stephen Witmer on Nov 10, 09:05 AM