The validity of modern Christianity

[DarkProphet]

Stranger has pointed out a few passages that question the validity of modern Christianity. Indeed the Bible says not to pray boastfully and not to peddle Christianity like it was some trinket to be worn. I also don't see many Christians selling all their belongings and giving them to the poor as Jesus advised the rich man. What validity does modern Christianity have if the Bible disagrees with their practices?

 

[BobW188]

If you look at Christianity as a monolith, I question that it has been Biblically valid since Constantine's time. Fact is, takle away a few Mother Teresas and Francis of Asisis, andwe Christians are a sad lot. (And are supposed to know it.)

Ancient or modern, the validity of Christianity depends on the validity of Christ.

 

[divided sky]

With regard to Jesus telling the rich man to sell all his possessions and giving them to the poor, why do you assume this is a command for all Christians for all generations?

With regard to the question of conflicts between what the Bible states and Christian practices, I would say no Christian is perfect. We strive to understand Scripture and live it out as best we can. This is no different from any person of any other faith.

 

[ebia]

Stranger has pointed out a few passages that question the validity of modern Christianity. Indeed the Bible says not to pray boastfully and not to peddle Christianity like it was some trinket to be worn. I also don't see many Christians selling all their belongings and giving them to the poor as Jesus advised the rich man. What validity does modern Christianity have if the Bible disagrees with their practices?

Well, followers of Christ have been falling short of their calling from the very beginning. And yes, frequently we do need the ways that we have pointed out to us in big neon letters. It was true of John, James and Peter, it was true of the churches in Corinth, Galatia, ... It was true of almost all of the "Seven Churches in Asia" and it always will be true.

By all means query it, call people to account over it. And if you read that as a sign of Christianity's lack of validity rather than the times we get it right as sign of Christianity's validity then so be it.

As to the story of the Rich Young Man, it has been pointed out for close to two millenia that there is a lot more going on in that story than simply a generalised command to give all one's possessions away.

Christianity is The Way, a journey. To judge someone as not being on the journey because he hasn't got to the destination yet would be rather unfair to say the least. On the other hand, if he isn't even heading in remotely the right direction you might have a point.

 

[DarkProphet]

With regard to Jesus telling the rich man to sell all his possessions and giving them to the poor, why do you assume this is a command for all Christians for all generations?

Probably because he commented on how hard it would be for rich people to enter the kingdom of God. Do you assume that you are so much better then the rich man in the story?

With regard to the question of conflicts between what the Bible states and Christian practices, I would say no Christian is perfect. We strive to understand Scripture and live it out as best we can. This is no different from any person of any other faith.

Maybe but it seems that Christians simply disregard large sections of their holy text.

 

[Texana]

Probably because he commented on how hard it would be for rich people to enter the kingdom of God. Do you assume that you are so much better then the rich man in the story?

The rich man was asking what good thing can he do to have eternal life. Jesus was responding that we cannot earn our salvation by doing good deeds. There is more when you read into it such as how he was not obeying the comandments and how he loved his possessions more than God or his neighbor and his lack of faith, but I won't go into that now. The Jews in that time believed if a person prospered it was evidence of God's blessing on them and surely their salvation. Jesus challenged that with the statement about the difficulty for a rich man to enter heaven. Notice he said difficult not impossible. I think this is because many rich men value their wealth over their love of God. He went on to say "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (NKJV). Meaning we cannot save ourselves, rich or poor, this is only done by the grace of God.

Maybe but it seems that Christians simply disregard large sections of their holy text.

I don't believe Christians disregard large portions of the Bible. I think most people who believe that are taking the scriptures out of context and not seeing their true meaning.

 

[kotwebck]

I bet if you could ask Albert Einstein how he feels about his statement now ... you'll get an interesting and eye opening answer.

 

[drich0150]

Thiere is a difference between Christianity or as the Bible speaks of As member of the body of Christ, and popular christianity which is just another empty religion..

Mt.7: 15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

you do have a point!

 

[divided sky]

Probably because he commented on how hard it would be for rich people to enter the kingdom of God. Do you assume that you are so much better then the rich man in the story?

Not sure what you're asking exactly but I think the point is people treat money as their God, which means they neglect the real God.

Maybe but it seems that Christians simply disregard large sections of their holy text.

How can you prove such a thing? I can't prove you wrong either. I can't speak for the millions and millions of Christians. All I can say is all the writings in the Bible (yes, I know there are differences between churches) are accepted as Scripture.

 

[ephraimanesti]

Stranger has pointed out a few passages that question the validity of modern Christianity. Indeed the Bible says not to pray boastfully and not to peddle Christianity like it was some trinket to be worn. I also don't see many Christians selling all their belongings and giving them to the poor as Jesus advised the rich man. What validity does modern Christianity have if the Bible disagrees with their practices?

Unfortunately, most of what is passed off as "modern christianity" is neither "modern"--being mainly composed of a regurgitation of age-old heresys--or "christian--being made up mostly of beliefs and actions which are the antithesis of Christ's teachings and proscribed life.

That being said, however, it must be pointed out that even at its watered-down worst, today's off-track "christianity" is far superior to atheism at its best given that at least a belief in God exists, and this provides a starting block upon which to build a real faith if one is honestly seeking the Truth. Atheism, on the other hand offers nothing but a ticket to nowhere.

A BOND-SLAVE/FRIEND/BROTHER OF OUR LORD/GOD/SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST,
ephraim