I recently did a sermon series, "Five Things You Won't Find in the Bible", where I addressed several major themes that I hear from many Christians that aren't biblical. The series was really well received and I get a lot of questions, but I'm amazed at how many things people didn't know, did know, challenged, and didn't challenge.
So I thought as a topic that was both fun and challenging, we'd see if we over here in WP could come up with some topics for discussion framed in the idea of "Common Christian Wisdom", that perhaps, isn't true. As an example, capitalizing pronouns can be a way to show respect or adoration; and there's nothing inherently wrong with it. Though some Christians have started to believe that the Bible capitalized those pronouns originally, or that Christians Must capitalize pronouns. The reality is, it's a modern invention and the original scriptures and most Biblical translations, especially the earliest ones, do not capitalize pronouns.
Here's a little of what we covered in the sermon series;
"The Lord Helps Those that Help Themselves" - Not only is this phrase not found in the Bible, it's contradictory to tremendous amounts of scripture that suggest a responsibility for believers to help those in need, regardless of their ability to repay us, or even their thankfulness for receiving it. The Biblical qualification for receiving help from a Christian, is having a need. Period. The quote itself is actually a Ben Franklin quote, and he was paraphrasing greek philosophers, who used it mockingly.
"Where two or more are gathered in my name" - Often this scripture is read to mean that the 'minimum number' of Christians is two, or that the presence of Jesus requires a gathered group. The reality is, Jesus was referring to witnesses; evangelism. Quite simply, the more people who tell the world about Jesus, the harder it is going to be for the world to dismiss them. The more witnesses to something, the more likely people will believe it. So don't share the Gospel alone, Jesus is saying, find others to share it with you. This scripture is taken to mean something about gathered groups; but it's actually quite the opposite; it's meant to be about going forth!
"I can do all things..." - This famous scripture is quoted by athletes, put up in offices, and is usually framed in the context of "I can achieve all things through Christ". However, that's not what the greek tells us. Paul writes this in prison, writing to groups of believers who were, understandably, worried about him. Paul replies, basically "Don't worry, I can handle it". Some biblical translations make this clearer by using "Endure" in place of "do", which is probably a better translation anyway. "I can endure all things through Christ who strengthens me". This matters, because faith in God isn't about being able to accomplish whatever you'd like; it means that even if you don't accomplish it, God offers us strength to endure.
How about you? What would you add?
So I thought as a topic that was both fun and challenging, we'd see if we over here in WP could come up with some topics for discussion framed in the idea of "Common Christian Wisdom", that perhaps, isn't true. As an example, capitalizing pronouns can be a way to show respect or adoration; and there's nothing inherently wrong with it. Though some Christians have started to believe that the Bible capitalized those pronouns originally, or that Christians Must capitalize pronouns. The reality is, it's a modern invention and the original scriptures and most Biblical translations, especially the earliest ones, do not capitalize pronouns.
Here's a little of what we covered in the sermon series;
"The Lord Helps Those that Help Themselves" - Not only is this phrase not found in the Bible, it's contradictory to tremendous amounts of scripture that suggest a responsibility for believers to help those in need, regardless of their ability to repay us, or even their thankfulness for receiving it. The Biblical qualification for receiving help from a Christian, is having a need. Period. The quote itself is actually a Ben Franklin quote, and he was paraphrasing greek philosophers, who used it mockingly.
"Where two or more are gathered in my name" - Often this scripture is read to mean that the 'minimum number' of Christians is two, or that the presence of Jesus requires a gathered group. The reality is, Jesus was referring to witnesses; evangelism. Quite simply, the more people who tell the world about Jesus, the harder it is going to be for the world to dismiss them. The more witnesses to something, the more likely people will believe it. So don't share the Gospel alone, Jesus is saying, find others to share it with you. This scripture is taken to mean something about gathered groups; but it's actually quite the opposite; it's meant to be about going forth!
"I can do all things..." - This famous scripture is quoted by athletes, put up in offices, and is usually framed in the context of "I can achieve all things through Christ". However, that's not what the greek tells us. Paul writes this in prison, writing to groups of believers who were, understandably, worried about him. Paul replies, basically "Don't worry, I can handle it". Some biblical translations make this clearer by using "Endure" in place of "do", which is probably a better translation anyway. "I can endure all things through Christ who strengthens me". This matters, because faith in God isn't about being able to accomplish whatever you'd like; it means that even if you don't accomplish it, God offers us strength to endure.
How about you? What would you add?