The state of modern day Christianity is sad.

[ChrisHolland619]

Christians these days are getting caught up in the crisis of religion. Forgoing their liberty in Christ, and trading it in for man made chains and rules. A sad truth when observing the nature of the modern day church.

For some reason, it's all about what we can do to appear good for our fellow man, not what God did for us so we can be with Him for an eternity.

It's sad when we are taught to follow man made tradition and rules, and are so consumed with it that we forget why we are truly here: to love God, to worship God, love our fellow man, and to spread His love so others may come to know our Savior.

If it isn't in the Bible, it's an opinion. What did Christ call the Pharisees? Blind. He knew them not, and they knew not Him.

 

[Leonfrost]

I love you. Your posts like this are awesome, and always seem to say exactly what I need to hear without knowing I needed to hear it. I'm glad to see someone else feels the same way I do.

 

[ChrisHolland619]

Thank you brother. Just standing up for the truth that has been revealed to me from study of the scripture.

 

[LilLamb219]

So what man-made tradition and rules are annoying you? I'm just asking out of curiosity not to goad you or anything at all.

Christians these days are getting caught up in the crisis of religion. Forgoing their liberty in Christ, and trading it in for man made chains and rules. A sad truth when observing the nature of the modern day church.

For some reason, it's all about what we can do to appear good for our fellow man, not what God did for us so we can be with Him for an eternity.

It's sad when we are taught to follow man made tradition and rules, and are so consumed with it that we forget why we are truly here: to love God, to worship God, love our fellow man, and to spread His love so others may come to know our Savior.

If it isn't in the Bible, it's an opinion. What did Christ call the Pharisees? Blind. He knew them not, and they knew not Him.

 

[ChrisHolland619]

So what man-made tradition and rules are annoying you? I'm just asking out of curiosity not to goad you or anything at all.

What traditions of most churches aren't man made? I ask as a serious question. Because I'd have no clue where to begin.

In actuality, it all starts with a misinterpretation of scripture based on oral tradition and not personal study. Churches say things to dictate lives to "protect" them. This is a lie. Things like:

-Telling young adults that kissing and holding hands is a sin based on Paul saying it is good for a man not to touch a woman, when studying the Greek text proves this is referring to adultery and fornication

-Telling people you sin if you drink at all, even though Christ Himself drank and the Bible only says not to get drunk. It's the same sin as gluttony, yet how many obese preachers are there? Loads.

-saying to refrain from things as to avoid an appearance of evil, yet the Greek text mentions not appearances, only that which is presently and clearly evil.

-being so concerned with uplifting themselves, and requiring people in ministry to wear suits, as if God doesn't honor the ministry of a man in rags. Christ wore tattered robes, not a royal gown.

I could go on. It's all man made crap.

 

[Fireinfolding]

-being so concerned with uplifting themselves, and requiring people in ministry to wear suits, as if God doesn't honor the ministry of a man in rags. Christ wore tattered robes, not a royal gown.

I could go on. It's all man made crap.

Yeah, my first church didnt approve of my clothes. I was made to feel ashamed for my jeans and tees I wore, but I was out of a job and fresh out of the millitary, its all I had. I ended up leaving that church and eveloped a little attitude to that mentality myself.

It was strange, I was learning of the Lord by myself and was so in awe of Him. Not too long after I had come to the Lord and got pretty excited reading acts. I was like I want to meet these kinds people!

My Sundays best was not their Sunday best. Eventually a sermon was directed at me one Sunday and I recall I was so humilated and left in tears. I always tell folks the pastors watch was worth more then my car, what was I supposed to do? Steal finer clothes for church attendance? Would that have honored God? I was living within my means, I was content it was their hearts that were exposed as I consider it. John the baptist in his camel gear would have been lectured there, heck Jesus wouldnt have made it through the door.

That ticked me off too then. It seemed to them God hath chosen the richer and well dressed to worship him.

I dont want that kind of christianity, you can keep it.

 

[Adaephon]

Yeah, my first church didnt approve of my clothes. I was made to feel ashamed for my jeans and tees I wore, but I was out of a job and fresh out of the millitary, its all I had. I ended up leaving that church and eveloped a little attitude to that mentality myself.

It was strange, I was learning of the Lord by myself and was so in awe of Him. Not too long after I had come to the Lord and got pretty excited reading acts. I was like I want to meet these kinds people!

My Sundays best was not their Sunday best. Eventually a sermon was directed at me one Sunday and I recall I was so humilated and left in tears. I always tell folks the pastors watch was worth more then my car, what was I supposed to do? Steal finer clothes for church attendance? Would that have honored God? I was living within my means, I was content it was their hearts that were exposed as I consider it. John the baptist in his camel gear would have been lectured there, heck Jesus wouldnt have made it through the door.

That ticked me off too then. It seemed to them God hath chosen the richer and well dressed to worship him.

I dont want that kind of christianity, you can keep it.

Clergy and parishioners who get upset and judgmental because someone shows up not in high class finery are imbeciles. We've all met them, and in my opinion they aren't worth giving any consideration. I think it's much more important to dress decently and comfortably within our means than dolling ourselves up as much as possible.

Take comfort in the fact that all that is important is known. Long live the Praxis!

 

[Fireinfolding]

Im sorta getting a chuckle at this same thread in GT, that stuffy loveless stuff, I will never buy into that, or its presentation of itself.

 

[Fireinfolding]

Clergy and parishioners who get upset and judgmental because someone shows up not in high class finery are imbeciles. We've all met them, and in my opinion they aren't worth giving any consideration. I think it's much more important to dress decently and comfortably within our means than dolling ourselves up as much as possible.

Take comfort in the fact that all that is important is known. Long live the Praxis!

Oh yeah, I dont buy their mentality is of God, He is not a partial respecter of persons. He says judge the cause of the poor, they just become partial in themselves and judges with evil thoughts. Says one apsotle who knew how to speak up for the cause of the poor.

They neglect that sorta thing alot.

 

[Bella Vita]

Yes being overly legalistic is a big problem in today's Christianity. But being to liberal and to lax is also a problem. No one wants to speak hard Biblical truth anymore no one wants to risk hurting others feelings even when it comes to things that are very much in scripture and are clear to go against God. And we have Christians who are to busy being "politically correct" and "tolerant" that they don't wanna stand up for the truth it's easier to deny God.

On the flip side we have Christians who know what they do is a wrong, but are so caught up and blinded by their own sin that they can not see past their own flesh desires and own selfishness.

People need to be in their word know scripture front to back. Follow and live it and not be afraid to hold their fellow brothers and sister accountable to it as scripture demands us to. And the Christian getting held accountable needs to take it as a loving gesture not a personal attack. And needs to really think about/pray about what they are doing and is it commanded by God for them to be doing it or is it selfish sin.

Not get offended storm off and go find a whole new church cause this one makes you mad and that would just be easier than facing your sin problem.

Cause that is usually how it goes....

 

[Girder of Loins]

Lecrae - Church Clothes (Music Video + Lyrics) - YouTube

 

[Peripatetic]

-kissing and holding hands
-if you drink at all
-requiring people in ministry to wear suits

Remember that there are many sides to modern Christianity. I have friends that are Catholics, Mainline Protestants, Evangelical Protestant denominations, and Evangelical non-denominational. I honestly can't think of a single one that carries the beliefs that are quoted above. Your complaint is with a certain slice of modern Christianity, but it would be a shame to cast that net over Christianity as a whole.

 

[Adaephon]

Remember that there are many sides to modern Christianity. I have friends that are Catholics, Mainline Protestants, Evangelical Protestant denominations, and Evangelical non-denominational. I honestly can't think of a single one that carries the beliefs that are quoted above. Your complaint is with a certain slice of modern Christianity, but it would be a shame to cast that net over Christianity as a whole.

Oh dear, unfortunately I know quite a few people with those views

Take comfort in the fact that all that is important is known. Long live the Praxis!

 

[123pass]

I agree that we have a lot of Pharisee churches with a lot of tradition that does not belong. My problem seems to be that most churches that are not that way go to far the other way and say things are OK that scripture clearly says is not. It is really hard to keep a balance.

God looks on the heart, and is not impressed with our outward things as far as I can see. He wants us to love our neighbor and put people first. It's not what we can do for God, it's what He has done for us. Since God saved us through his Son Jesus after we deserved Hell, I think we should love him with all our hearts. I can tell you that He loves us more than you will ever know.

 

[Peripatetic]

Yes being overly legalistic is a big problem in today's Christianity. But being to liberal and to lax is also a problem.

Quite right... both extremes are problematic. But I think the biggest problem in the church today is apathy. Not about sin per se, but about the importance of faith in our lives.

I know that some previous generations of my family drank too much, had anger issues, and weren't as well educated doctrine, but they had a passion for Christ. They had their vices and shortcomings when it came to sin, but I think I appreciate them more than a busy, self-sufficient modern suburbanite that has fewer flaws, but Christ is just one of 100 priorities.

 

[Peripatetic]

Oh dear, unfortunately I know quite a few people with those views

I've met a number of people with those views too... they just aren't among my circle of friends. It's interesting, because I have seen God work through an agnostic friend of mine more than most Christians I know. He actually has a natural affinity for Theology and is always connecting people or providing some perspective that brings them closer to Christ! Even he's noticed it, and wondered if he's some sort of instrument of God. Yet, he is agnostic because he says he can't believe in something that he's never perceived in any way (including emotional or spiritual). My theory is that his time will come... it's just not an open window quite yet.

 

[EazyMack]

Now this is my kind of thread!

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.

 

[ChrisHolland619]

Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus || Spoken Word - YouTube

 

[EazyMack]

Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus || Spoken Word - YouTube

THIS IS AWESOME.

 

[Adaephon]

God, that video sucks so much.

Take comfort in the fact that all that is important is known. Long live the Praxis!