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Christianity was supposed to be about becoming like Jesus. | |
We went in the wrong direction. |
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As Rare as an Independent Thinker
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| The word “idiot” has
its origin for those in ancient Greece who chose not to participate in
the polis (city). Peer pressure can be seen at the time of Jesus (Luke
7:32). After WWII Stanley Millgram discovered that 85% of people would
torture someone to death if told to do so by an authority figure. A
cartoon during the Covid phenomena showed a teacher saying that the
schools should be reopened as soon as possible because there was a risk
that children would start thinking for themselves. Rockefeller who funded a lot of education in the early 20th century said that he wanted a nation of workers, not thinkers. Gemüt was used by the Nazis to describe a desired level of social integration for children the absence of which could lead to euthanasia. In all sorts of ways Satan has collectivized society to make people do what they are told. He has established dependency on so-called “experts”, information media, and educational systems to produce generations of people compliant, accepting whatever they are told, and even responsive to programmed stimuli. In Japan it is said that the nail that stands up is hammered down. There are few who can resist the forces of compliance. The Christian raised in this modern world faces immense challenges. From his youth Satan has tried to control the Christian’s development such that he is compliant with the world Satan is directing. Jesus warned his disciples against hypocrisy perhaps because it is almost impossible to get disentangled from self-deception. As difficult as that is, getting free from the developmental abuse that inclines one to accept whatever one is told as truth, reverence “experts”, and accept rather than critically evaluate information can be even more so. The key to freedom is truth (John 8:32). Satan has promoted lies as a method of herding people into his collectives so that they might work to achieve his objectives. For one attempting to free himself from a web of lies, he must first learn to question. Discernment is a skill that needs sharpening (Heb 5:14). Using the bible as a standard to measure truth is helpful (John 17:17). The awakening Christian even has supernatural resources upon which to draw. Prayer is a powerful resource (Eph 1:16-18). Having the Holy Spirit work in us is another advantage (Gal 5:22-23). However, working against the individual are those who present Christianity as a finished product that simply has to be accepted. This disinclination to think and question is usually a “red flag” for those seeking truth. Christianity is not about right and wrong as much as it is about learning and maturity. We come to maturity through questioning and learning, not through the passive acceptance of what we are told by an expert. Learning leads to truth which leads to humility which leads to a deepening faith and closer walk with Jesus. Christian leaders were supposed to help us grow, not tell us what to think. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: - Ephesians 4:11-15 |
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Information about Christianity and the Christian life. |
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