|
|||
|
Christianity was supposed to be about becoming like Jesus. | |
We went in the wrong direction. |
| Blog Archive Home | |
| Christian Pioneer Blog |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Here I Stand
|
|
| Martin Luther is
said to have made this declaration in the face of the life threatening
opposition of the Roman Catholic church. It was courageous, but
incomplete. The Christian church had accumulated many errors in the
previous 1,500 years. Not only doctrinal errors, but even the attempt
to run Christianity as an organizational system. The denominations that
sprang forth from the Reformation still carried many errors both in
doctrine and structure as well as some adding new ones. Perhaps the greatest failing of a denomination is asking their members to accept a package of doctrine as true. Some even bypass altogether actually trusting in the gospel of Christ and simply trust in their denomination. This can result in people taking a “here I stand” position that is personal and emotional, but may not reflect a trust in Christ. Most people do not have the energy to be combative and take more of a “here I sit” position. Regardless of the energy level, people can lock themselves away from considering what is actually true. Consider what Abraham told the rich man about his brothers, that since they were disinterested in the bible, they would not listen to someone even if he returns from the grave. Paul encountered those who rejected outright what he had to say. Some accepted it as true. A few even considered what he had to say and sought to compare it to what the bible said to see if it was true. Perhaps most of those who rejected what Paul had to say did so because it was different that where they “stood”. They may have considered that where they stood was right and complete and thus anything different was wrong and a threat. This sort of contentious position was what Paul was condemning with the Corinthians (1 Cor 3:1-4). Paul called the Corinthians immature, even “babes”. There is an expectation that Christians should grow and mature. It is easy just to park oneself with a particular denomination with a “here I sit” declaration. However, this is an abdication of the responsibility to mature. It is not always simple laziness that produces a static resistance to growth. One can plant a sort of emotional “flag” on a doctrine or tradition that represents one’s identity such that questioning can be seen defensively as a threat. Immovable stasis can also result from self-righteous pride. One can see growth occurring in an environment of questioning, seeking, and a thirst to know more. The key to such learning is honest humility. James tells us that God gives more grace to the humble (James 4:6). To survive in the marketplace of ideas, a denomination often has to present itself as having the final and complete truth. Often this is interpreted as agreement with denominational declarations. By trusting in these, those claiming Christ can mistakenly place their faith in what someone else has told them rather than in Christ and what he did on the cross. Some resistance to inquiry and growth comes from a fear that one might be subverted. However, the Christian life is supposed to be defined by learning and growth. 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 4:13-15 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
||
|
Information about Christianity and the Christian life. |
Pictures and views of our farm | Some of our animals | See some of the old-fashioned crafts we are trying to relearn | ||