Tuesday, August 4, 2015

"Bible Believing" Christian?? by Steven Kozar


 If you believe it’s important to follow the Bible, wouldn’t you want to “test all things” by God’s Word? Shouldn't you be like the Bereans in Acts 17:11 who kept "examining the scriptures daily to see if these things are so?" Shouldn’t you at least see which ideas have more scriptural support than others? In light of that important idea, below are some questions for you:

    
In the Bible, which are there more of?

...Bible verses about feeling God's presence (so you can know He's real), or Bible verses about knowing, teaching and following correct doctrine? (This is a trick question; there are no verses about feeling, experiencing or “being intoxicated” by God’s presence. Also, capitalizing the letter “p” in presence comes from the New Age movement.)

...Bible verses that tell us to have a "personal, intimate and emotional encounter with God," or Bible verses that tell us we can know God through His Word and Sacraments? (This is a trick question-there are no verses telling us that we’re supposed to have a personal, intimate and emotional encounter with God.)

...Bible verses about how you need to follow along with the vision of your pastor, or Bible verses about the pastor being a servant and shepherd? (This is a trick question; there are no verses telling you to “follow the vision” of your “vision-casting pastor;” that idea comes from the business world.)

...Bible verses telling the church to conform to the pagan culture (in order to "win over" that culture), or Bible verses describing the church as separate and distinct from culture? (This is a trick question; there are no verses telling the church to conform to the pagan culture. The word “church” comes from the word “ekklesia” which means “gathering” or “called out ones.”)

...Bible verses that describe the church as a place for entertainment-style "worship" (so that lots of people will enjoy going there), or as a place where the Bible (and sound doctrine about Christ) is proclaimed, confessed and taught? (This is a trick question; there are no verses telling the church to attract non-believers with flashy and/or emotional music, stagecraft, sermons full of entertaining stories/jokes, etc.)

...Bible verses that teach pastors about effective leadership skills that allow them to direct and manage a large staff (and thus make a huge salary), or Bible verses that say no believer should follow worldly philosophies and pastors should not get rich from preaching? (This is a trick question; there are no verses that describe pastors as businessman CEOs that follow leadership practices borrowed from pagans who want to get rich.)

...Bible verses that describe the Holy Spirit as wanting to get more and more attention (because He's been so neglected), or Bible verses that say He is always pointing us to Christ? (This is a trick question; the real Holy Spirit of the Bible is always leading people to repentance and faith in Christ, He never sends people on bizarre wild goose chases.)

...Bible verses where the Holy Spirit wants to make us act drunk and out of control, or Bible verses where the Holy Spirit wants to lead us to repentance and faith in Christ? (This is a trick question; there are no verses saying that the Holy Spirit wants to make us act drunk and out of control.)

...Bible verses that command us to muster up intense fervor to show how serious we are about serving God (so that He will finally give us something more: more power, more miracles, more success, more influence...), or Bible verses that tell us to simply believe in the forgiveness of our sins through Christ? (This is a trick question; there are no verses telling us to muster up intense fervor so we can show God how serious we are. You can relax now!)

...Bible verses about a great end times revival that features new and better Apostles who will do great healings, signs and wonders, or Bible verses that tell us about an end times falling away, full of false teachers doing great healings, signs and wonders in the name of Jesus? (This is a trick question; there are no Bible verses that tell us to expect a great end-times revival that features new and better Apostles.  All of the Bible verses are warning us about a great falling away with false teachers leading many astray by doing miraculous signs and wonders in the name of Jesus.) 

...Bible verses that tell us to go to meetings and conferences in order to "get the anointing," or Bible verses that tell us we already have all that we need in Christ? (This is a trick question-there are no verses that tell Christians to go somewhere in order to "get the anointing." You can stop throwing away money on travel expenses and conference tickets now!)

...Bible verses that instruct Christians to "speak things into existence?"... never mind, that's so idiotic that we can just go to the next question (this is not an article about witchcraft and sorcery)... 

...Bible verses that tell churches to unify regardless of doctrine (so that God can finally "show up"), or Bible verses that tell us to hold fast to correct doctrine? (This is a trick question-there are no Bible verses where God promises to "show up" once we all give up our doctrine and unite for the sake of being unified.)

...Bible verses that tell us it's "all about a relationship, not a religion," or Bible verses that tell us to repent, be baptized and become members of Christ's body-The Church? (This is a trick question-there are no verses that tell us to "have a personal relationship with Jesus," instead, the Bible points to the establishment of the Church and it's specific doctrine. Christianity is, by definition, a religion. You can stop being ashamed of that now. It is the only true religion-and it offers us the only true Good News! And, yes, we can certainly claim to have a relationship with Jesus, but this article is about what the Bible actually says. Perhaps this video will help: Jesus Is My Friend)  

4 comments:

  1. Outstanding!

    Reblogged at wideawakechristian.blogspot.com

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  2. That last one really resonated with me because for decades I have been told that it is vital to "have a personal relationship with Christ" and that Christianity is "all about a relationship, not a religion".
    Frankly, I prefer the idea(?) of a relationship, not a religion. Religion seems too much like a list of dos and don'ts rather than a relationship with Christ as my Savior and Friend.

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  3. J. Rose,
    Thanks for your thoughtful comments.
    I will probably write another entire article (at some point) about the whole "It's a relationship, not a religion" thing, because it's pretty confusing. My main point was to show that there are too many catch-phrases being used (often from the pulpit) and not enough complete and actual Bible verses and Bible passages.
    Also, this particular catch-phrase sets up a false dichotomy between "relationship" and "religion," as if those two things were complete opposites when they're not. Also, in the dictionary the word religion means: "belief in God or gods; worship of God or gods; a particular system of religious belief and worship; anything done with or followed with reverence or devotion." Yes, Christianity is VERY distinctive because it teaches that salvation is a free gift-it's not earned by our good behavior-but Christianity still is "a particular system of religious belief and worship." If we try to pretend it's not a religion we eventually have to admit we're not being completely honest.
    Finally, as a Confessional Lutheran, I believe God is 100% responsible for coming to me with the free gift of salvation, and this is portrayed vividly in the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper. These objective sacraments take place outside of me, so that I'm not left wondering if I'm sincere enough, devoted enough or pious enough. My relationship to Jesus is assured weekly in the divine service-not as a result of my internal processes. I spent over 30 years as an evangelical who knew he wasn't good enough, or devoted enough, etc.; but I felt my "intimate, personal relationship with Jesus" would eventually materialize sometime later in life after I'd done enough. Now I feel the weight taken off of me concerning my inability to be good enough-that's why Jesus gave His life for me and that's what my "religion" reminds me of every Sunday.
    So, yes Jesus Christ is ABSOLUTELY my Savior and Friend, and I'm not under the terrible burden of just following a bunch of "dos and don'ts." Praise be to God! Hope that helps, Steve

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