*This blog post was inspired by conversations I have had lately on these forums. (I have also posted this to my Wordpress blog).*
Something extremely dangerous has made its way into the Church. It seems good and right on the surface, but is in fact a diabolical lie and deception that is leading to false unity and false peace. This something I am referring to is very widespread and often vague. It may go by several different names, such as "Christian humanism" or the "social Gospel" and it is even based on key principles found in Scripture. In this post I am going to examine some of this broad and ever growing movement in the Church and discuss why it is so dangerous when we consider the true Gospel and true Christian unity.
First of all, let us start with the "Golden Rule." (Which is found in Scripture and is definitely a teaching all Christians would do well to heed):
Matthew 7:12: Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Luke 6:31: And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
So, we can see in the above verses, the "Golden Rule" which is "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." How many of us have grown up hearing those words? I know I did and I agree with them. I believe that we are to treat our fellow human beings with kindness, dignity and respect. Let us look at other Scriptures which tie in with this "Golden Rule."
Matthew 22:34-40: But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Luke 10:25-28: And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
The dialogue between the lawyer and Jesus in Luke 10 goes directly into the story of the "Good Samaritan." So, we will look at this next.
Luke 10:29-37: But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
So, if all of the above is in Scripture, was taught by Jesus and is something all Christians should most definitely do...what's the problem? The problem comes when we rightly seek to love our "neighbour", but we do not love God.
If we look around our world today there is much confusion and chaos. So many people are hurting and hopeless, and as Christians when we see that, we should most definitely seek to respond with love, kindness, patience and compassion. (Galatians 5:22-26) What we should not do is abandon truth in the process. True love is not absent of truth, and we are to speak the truth in love. (Ephesians 4:15) The ultimate truth, of course, is the Gospel, the only real source of love and hope for this lost and dying world. Unfortunately, a false unity is growing, and it has infiltrated the Church. This unity is built on loving one another, but at the cost of the truth of the Gospel. This false unity rightly says we should love and care for our fellow human beings, but it wrongly says that what we believe about God and eternity does not matter. So, we see many people (Christians included) who are willing to put aside what they believe in order that they may come together in "love". But is this really love? Can we really love others if we don't speak the truth? I firmly believe that the answer to that is, no.
And so, many Christians have indeed put the "Golden Rule" and loving their neighbour ahead of sharing the Gospel. In so doing, they have in fact failed to love their neighbour, even though that is what they believe they are doing. Such Christians may rightly be kind and compassionate in their actions, but by withholding the truth of salvation, they are falling short of true love.
I get it, it is difficult to stand for truth, to talk of the "narrow way" in a world that does not want to hear anything "judgmental" or less than completely inclusive and "politically correct". Such an attitude is seen as "hate" in our world, but didn't Jesus warn us that this would be so?
John 15:18-23: If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
The truth is, the Gospel is offensive. It is offensive because it teaches that there is only one Way to be saved, and that all other worldviews and religions will not lead to eternal life.
1 Peter 2:6-8: Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
This "stone of stumbling" and "rock of offense can definitely be removed if we replace the cross with the "Golden Rule". Ultimately this is done by simply coming together in "love" without God. As the cross is offensive and the Way is "narrow" and it causes disagreements and divisions, the prevailing attitude is, let us choose to put that aside and instead come together without Jesus Christ. This logic may sound noble on the surface, but it is in fact a complete denial of the truth of the Gospel, true love and true unity. And this is happening in the Church.
Here is a an official Vatican video from January of 2016 that demonstrates precisely what I am referring to:
And here is another official Vatican video where Pope Francis again emphasizes unity in the face of all of the issues facing humanity. (Specifically unity between all denominations, as Pope Francis has been advancing the agenda to unite all Christian denominations and also all world religions with Rome.)
This unity is not in regard to the Gospel, but rather it is a social and moral unity, where people must come together to solve the world's problems. This view is increasingly popular today in the secular world and in the Church.
Consider also this movie: Pope Francis: A Man of His Word, which was released in theaters on May 18th, 2018:
"No matter what divides us his words unite us." God's word? No, Pope Francis' words.
This same company, Focus Features, also released a movie about Fred Rogers, Won't You Be My Neighbor, on June 8th 2018:
The overarching message is the same for both movies: let us come together as human beings, apart from belief in Jesus Christ as Saviour, in order that we may love one another, celebrate innate human goodness and make this world a better place. Fred Rogers, interestingly, was an ordained Presbyterian minister who apparently considered his show a "ministry", but who did not believe in "preaching". (i.e. sharing the Gospel). Now, we can understand that if he had shared the Gospel, he likely would not have had a show but I simply find it interesting that Fred Rogers' message was much more in line with Humanism and the "Social Gospel" than anything remotely resembling true Christian faith and unity. He definitely did not shy away from the difficult questions and problems in the world, and I can appreciate that he sought to help children understand and cope with life's greatest challenges, but I cannot understand or agree with the message that we are for the most part essentially good people, and that we have the ability to come together, apart from God, to change the world and make it a better place. If anyone reading would seek more clarification on the overall message Fred Rogers shared and stood for, I encourage you to do a search regarding how non-Christians (specifically those who view themselves as "Humanists") view his message. In many cases they will actually praise him for being a Christian minister who didn't share the Gospel or say much about the true God.
Again, is this truly "love"? We know that human beings have a God-given conscience, and that, for the most part, deep down we know right from wrong. Most can agree that being kind and compassionate toward others is an admirable and praiseworthy trait, but, should we stop there? If we know the truth of salvation, is it loving to withhold this truth? I firmly believe it is not loving at all, no matter how kind you are to people in other ways. Jesus Himself did not only do moral and social good works, He clearly taught the truth (as He is the Truth) and He confronted people in their error or deception. We should seek to be like Him, and we should not hide our light under a "bushel".
Matthew 5:14-16: Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
And this is the point: It is not that good works should not be done by Christians, quite the opposite. The question is, who gets the glory for those good works? Who do those good works ultimately point to? Do we glorify and point to ourselves? Or do we glorify and point to God? See, if one replaces the cross with the "Golden Rule" and does many good works with no thought to Jesus Christ or the Gospel, one is merely pointing to oneself, and not to God.
I hope all of my brothers and sisters in Christ will earnestly seek discernment in these matters, and honestly ask themselves just why it is that men like Pope Francis and Fred Rogers are so loved by the world, especially as Jesus tells us plainly in His word that the world will hate us.
John 5:34-47: But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
Something extremely dangerous has made its way into the Church. It seems good and right on the surface, but is in fact a diabolical lie and deception that is leading to false unity and false peace. This something I am referring to is very widespread and often vague. It may go by several different names, such as "Christian humanism" or the "social Gospel" and it is even based on key principles found in Scripture. In this post I am going to examine some of this broad and ever growing movement in the Church and discuss why it is so dangerous when we consider the true Gospel and true Christian unity.
First of all, let us start with the "Golden Rule." (Which is found in Scripture and is definitely a teaching all Christians would do well to heed):
Matthew 7:12: Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Luke 6:31: And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
So, we can see in the above verses, the "Golden Rule" which is "do unto others as you would have them do unto you." How many of us have grown up hearing those words? I know I did and I agree with them. I believe that we are to treat our fellow human beings with kindness, dignity and respect. Let us look at other Scriptures which tie in with this "Golden Rule."
Matthew 22:34-40: But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Luke 10:25-28: And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
The dialogue between the lawyer and Jesus in Luke 10 goes directly into the story of the "Good Samaritan." So, we will look at this next.
Luke 10:29-37: But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
So, if all of the above is in Scripture, was taught by Jesus and is something all Christians should most definitely do...what's the problem? The problem comes when we rightly seek to love our "neighbour", but we do not love God.
If we look around our world today there is much confusion and chaos. So many people are hurting and hopeless, and as Christians when we see that, we should most definitely seek to respond with love, kindness, patience and compassion. (Galatians 5:22-26) What we should not do is abandon truth in the process. True love is not absent of truth, and we are to speak the truth in love. (Ephesians 4:15) The ultimate truth, of course, is the Gospel, the only real source of love and hope for this lost and dying world. Unfortunately, a false unity is growing, and it has infiltrated the Church. This unity is built on loving one another, but at the cost of the truth of the Gospel. This false unity rightly says we should love and care for our fellow human beings, but it wrongly says that what we believe about God and eternity does not matter. So, we see many people (Christians included) who are willing to put aside what they believe in order that they may come together in "love". But is this really love? Can we really love others if we don't speak the truth? I firmly believe that the answer to that is, no.
And so, many Christians have indeed put the "Golden Rule" and loving their neighbour ahead of sharing the Gospel. In so doing, they have in fact failed to love their neighbour, even though that is what they believe they are doing. Such Christians may rightly be kind and compassionate in their actions, but by withholding the truth of salvation, they are falling short of true love.
I get it, it is difficult to stand for truth, to talk of the "narrow way" in a world that does not want to hear anything "judgmental" or less than completely inclusive and "politically correct". Such an attitude is seen as "hate" in our world, but didn't Jesus warn us that this would be so?
John 15:18-23: If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also.
The truth is, the Gospel is offensive. It is offensive because it teaches that there is only one Way to be saved, and that all other worldviews and religions will not lead to eternal life.
1 Peter 2:6-8: Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
This "stone of stumbling" and "rock of offense can definitely be removed if we replace the cross with the "Golden Rule". Ultimately this is done by simply coming together in "love" without God. As the cross is offensive and the Way is "narrow" and it causes disagreements and divisions, the prevailing attitude is, let us choose to put that aside and instead come together without Jesus Christ. This logic may sound noble on the surface, but it is in fact a complete denial of the truth of the Gospel, true love and true unity. And this is happening in the Church.
Here is a an official Vatican video from January of 2016 that demonstrates precisely what I am referring to:
And here is another official Vatican video where Pope Francis again emphasizes unity in the face of all of the issues facing humanity. (Specifically unity between all denominations, as Pope Francis has been advancing the agenda to unite all Christian denominations and also all world religions with Rome.)
This unity is not in regard to the Gospel, but rather it is a social and moral unity, where people must come together to solve the world's problems. This view is increasingly popular today in the secular world and in the Church.
Consider also this movie: Pope Francis: A Man of His Word, which was released in theaters on May 18th, 2018:
"No matter what divides us his words unite us." God's word? No, Pope Francis' words.
This same company, Focus Features, also released a movie about Fred Rogers, Won't You Be My Neighbor, on June 8th 2018:
The overarching message is the same for both movies: let us come together as human beings, apart from belief in Jesus Christ as Saviour, in order that we may love one another, celebrate innate human goodness and make this world a better place. Fred Rogers, interestingly, was an ordained Presbyterian minister who apparently considered his show a "ministry", but who did not believe in "preaching". (i.e. sharing the Gospel). Now, we can understand that if he had shared the Gospel, he likely would not have had a show but I simply find it interesting that Fred Rogers' message was much more in line with Humanism and the "Social Gospel" than anything remotely resembling true Christian faith and unity. He definitely did not shy away from the difficult questions and problems in the world, and I can appreciate that he sought to help children understand and cope with life's greatest challenges, but I cannot understand or agree with the message that we are for the most part essentially good people, and that we have the ability to come together, apart from God, to change the world and make it a better place. If anyone reading would seek more clarification on the overall message Fred Rogers shared and stood for, I encourage you to do a search regarding how non-Christians (specifically those who view themselves as "Humanists") view his message. In many cases they will actually praise him for being a Christian minister who didn't share the Gospel or say much about the true God.
Again, is this truly "love"? We know that human beings have a God-given conscience, and that, for the most part, deep down we know right from wrong. Most can agree that being kind and compassionate toward others is an admirable and praiseworthy trait, but, should we stop there? If we know the truth of salvation, is it loving to withhold this truth? I firmly believe it is not loving at all, no matter how kind you are to people in other ways. Jesus Himself did not only do moral and social good works, He clearly taught the truth (as He is the Truth) and He confronted people in their error or deception. We should seek to be like Him, and we should not hide our light under a "bushel".
Matthew 5:14-16: Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
And this is the point: It is not that good works should not be done by Christians, quite the opposite. The question is, who gets the glory for those good works? Who do those good works ultimately point to? Do we glorify and point to ourselves? Or do we glorify and point to God? See, if one replaces the cross with the "Golden Rule" and does many good works with no thought to Jesus Christ or the Gospel, one is merely pointing to oneself, and not to God.
I hope all of my brothers and sisters in Christ will earnestly seek discernment in these matters, and honestly ask themselves just why it is that men like Pope Francis and Fred Rogers are so loved by the world, especially as Jesus tells us plainly in His word that the world will hate us.
John 5:34-47: But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
