The Free Market Jesus WK 2

So........ we got all ready to watch the second part of this video and realized that the first we had actually watched the whole video accidentally, the first week. oops... Anyway it was probably better that we watched it all at once.
I really like this video because it gives a great perspective on our modern church and how what we do and say has detrimental affects on our representation of Jesus. We seem to be so caught up in this idea of God being the ultimate fix-all. With out getting into our various views on pre-destination, I want to say that if one is to enter into a relationship with God expecting life to be all peachy, this person will be met with great disappointment. (I say the cautiously)We can look to God to necessarily to magically rescue us out of a fallen world. What I mean is, just because we decide to follow Jesus doesn't mean that the world will for some mystical reason change for the better necessarily. Our perception and perspective will change, our realization of God's potential impact on the world will change, our motivation for waking up each day and living with a renewed hope in God and people will change. All this is good but what will also change is affirmation that there is great trouble in the world... it is in disrepair and is sick. No amount of magic can negate the consequences of previous actions that people have taken. We live in a world of cause and affect.
You see, when we sell this "fix-all antidote Jesus" to people in need of something real, all we really sell them is temporary hope in a product. Jesus is not a product so when we do this the result is confusion, false hope and a sense of distrust in God and his people. I believe one of the things we should present people with is the fact that living a life for Jesus is the way it was meant to be from the beginning. This new life won't be easy and things won't mystically or magically fall into place necessarily, but we can have confidence that our life is heading in the right direction because it is centered on God.
Look over these questions:

1. If "culture is the lens through which we view God", how do we go about keeping that lens clear? Is it even possible?
   
2. Why do we, as humans, seem to always be looking for a "Magic bullet"?
3. Think about some of the "hype" you have heard in Christianity, we why we tend to make promises to people about Christianity that will not pan out?
4. If you read through the Bible you will notice that there are many miracles that can from some perspectives be looked at as quick fixes. It also talks about life as a "tree planted by the water", slow growth and dedication for a goal. How do these 2 concepts fit together.
5. What is our next step? How should this shape or realign our view of God and our relationship with him?