Christians Converting Christians to Christianity
Jesus is equal to a chemical catalyst (a chemical catalyst changes other elements in a chemical reaction, but does not change itself). The failed apocalyptic view of a first century Jewish reformer seems to have been forever lost forever in time and space (Albert Schweitzer / Rudolf Bultmann). As a theological catalyst, he now has created chemical reactions in the minds of over 20,000 sects within Christendom with most claiming the exclusive rights to the word "Truth" or, according to each sect; Truth" should be a registered Trade Mark in the US Patten Office. As an example here just last week, are the two Jehovah Witnesses left an "Awake" magazine with my wife. It stated emphatically that while there are religions calling themselves Christian, there is only ONE TRUE CHRISTIANITY - those believers called by Jehovah to witness His "Truth"...door to door. Also here we find Mormons, Church of Christ, Seventh Day Adventist, Christian Science, and Catholics all having THE exclusive TOTAL TRUTH given to them by God. As viewed from within, each of these sects, see other Christianities are "Deceptions of man" or at worst, "lies of Satan".
Just tune in the “Catholic Global Radio New Work” (either on satellite radio or an AM station) and hear form evangelical Protestants “coming home” to the true and only orthodox Church Jesus Christ accepts. On their website: http://www.catholic.com/ hundreds of books and pamphlets are offered debunking the belief of evangelicals and their “born again” theology. Apologist Karl Keating invites the “heretics” of evangelical / Protestant theology to debate him on the air. More over, some of the major Catholic defenders of the faith are former evangelicals who now defending the truth of the Roman Catholic Church against evangelicals without compromise.
On the other hand, I worked with a Baptist on furlong from Guam (an island whose population is 90% Catholic) which he stated has a lost population which desperately needs to break that hold Satan has on it by hearing and accepting the Gospel of Christ. I’ve seen this man breakdown and cry over his “burden for lost Catholics”.
Since ignorance breeds superstition, the human mind feeds on the fear of a supreme figure theology labels as absolute "Truth". Stories of a vengeful God killing anyone viewed as sinful in many parts of the "Old Testament" or a disappointed loving God of the New Testament who "fries people like bacon in Hell" creates the same fear in an adult as the ghost that hides under the bed or the noise in the attic does for a child's mind... just as the stories of the brothers Grimm. Is it any wonder after viewing the movie The Exorcist (according to Billy Graham) many Christians had to seek psychological counseling.
So how is truth is so subjectively maintained? As a Baptist preacher told me 38 years ago..."The Bible said it! I believe it! That settles it!...No wait. The Bible said it! That settles it! I don't have to believe it!" Thus, we have absolute "TRUTH" in its purest from!
It’s little wonder that when I asked an evangelical Christian which is worst: an Atheist or a Heretic? He answered definitely “A Heretic!”
7 comments:
In the spirit of trying to find a silver lining here, I think it is sometimes possible for atheists (and others interested in opposing evangelical efforts)to exploit some of this infighting. I have read a number of debates, for example, between Catholics and evangelical Protestants on the issue of sola scriptura. The Catholic approach is, usually, (from what I have seen),to take the Protestant view on its own terms, and debunk it from within -- i.e., the Bible itself does not seem to teach sola scriptura, and the early Christians seem to have had no such ideas.
These debates can be quite informative! Long story short: Catholics have the better arguments. They argue for Church tradition (such as church heirarchy, Papal rulings, Thomistsic philosophy, etc), in addition to Biblical exegesis as a more reasonable/proper base for the Christian religion, rather than Biblical exegesis alone with no central authority to settle disputes.
This is a better argument for, I suggest, two reasons: one, as a matter of (secular) history, it is almost certainly true that the apostles, early Christians, and early Church fathers never envisioned a Christian Church based on texts alone -- after all, the canon wasnt even settled for several hundred years.
Two, if we are trying to understand religion in a more anthropologically and sociologically valid way, it certainly seems to be more the human norm for religion to develop within a broader human context that includes a more "organically" evolved theology and set of ritual. This is what is seen in Judaism, Hinduism, etc. Self-conscious acknowledgment of this dependency is simply more honest. This "is" doesnt constitute an "ought", of course, but it does suggest that the fundamentalists seem to want to abstract themselves from everything their religion grew out of. Perhaps understanding why that is would be a fruitful exploration.
Now, I am *not*, I hope it is understood, arguing for a Catholic theology as opposed to a fundamentalist one, but I do think that these sorts of considerations can constitute one more arrow in our quiver.
The issue of fixed and final, timeless Truth claims ("absolute truth"), characteristic of many versions of Christianity, is another matter, and I think is at heart a psychological issue. But thats another post....
Richard
Great post indeed. After all, christians started converting other christians since about 100 AD, as suggested--among others--in B. Ehrman's "Lost Christianities".
Antonio Lombatti
Thanks for the good insights and comments.
Traditions MUST be part of the normal denominational development or we would not even have a Biblical Canon. I enjoy hearing the Catholic side now (after my experince of a Sola Scriptura dogmatic faith).
When confronted by Mormons or Jehovah Witnesses and other sects, we confront what I call "Dogmatic Ignorance".
I'm a JW and have come to believe that the "Church" does not reside within only one Christian body. I stand apostate in this regard with many of my brothers and sisters.
I do not believe that we will ultimately be convicted or granted eternal life based on our adherence to doctrine, rather on our heart condition and the love we show for our brothers and sisters and the love and honor with which we regard God, namely putting our faith in the ransom sacrifice of Jesus.
All Christians of any stripe believe in the resurrection. This is the starting point, irrespective of doctrinal particulars.
I am cursed to my face by Christians and atheists alike. It matters not. I have also met Catholics and Protestants who have the truth in their hearts and on their lips and I know, despite what my particular church tells me, that these ones are also part of the Body of Christ.
I separate out that which is from God and that which is from man. At least I try.
Hello Chris.
You say you are a Jehovah's Witness. Is there a reason you choose to stay with that group and haven't sought out another form of Christianity? Just curious. From what I know of Watchtower Society beliefs, it is taught that all others churches are of satan, or under his control.
I recall a few debates I had with Jehovah's Witnesses when I was an evangelical. One time they came to my door and I tried to show them that Jesus was God and the trinity doctrine was scriptural. They of course had the contrary view. They wanted to convert me and I wanted to save them from a "false gospel", and we both had bibles in our hands!
Hi Sean,
Bill Gnade had a wonderful point on a different thread and that is that often the bible has been elevated iconically; it has been made an idol and has been used to hammer down instead of to build up.
All Bible based Christian theologies have this tendency, to our shame.
While the bible is suitable for reproving and setting things straight, its primary purpose should be to spread the good news, and the promises of God.
Witnesses like all Christians of the book, fall into this trap. I have decided that I will not go there any longer. Its not what God wanted, it isn't what Jesus wants. If I am met with this form of self righteous resistance, I bid them well and move along.
It is a natural human tendency to want to be right, to show others he truth of our message. Unfortunately when you get locked in such discussions, the larger truth is then moved to the side and this is counter to our purpose of spreading the good news.
I am aware of the Watchtower Societies position on other faiths within Christendom. In some cases, I see their point. False beliefs and understandings are everywhere present. They do not exist, I believe, in any one organization.
The bible tells us that the head of every man is the Christ. Jesus said no one comes to the Father except through him. It does not say that anyone comes to the Father except through the Church or the organization. This is why I believe that the like falsehood, the truth exists everywhere. This is why I believe it when I say that some in the RCC and some within the various Protestantism sects have the truth in the hearts and on their lips.I have met them and spoken with them and I will not let any man made organization estrange me from these faithful people.
I bid you well Sean.
Chris
Thank you, Chris, for your response.
I know how difficult it can be to move away from a set of beliefs or a particular church or denomination. My own journey eventually lead me out of Christianity altogether, but I understand that that choice is not for everyone, however much I myself believe Christianity to be untrue.
I believe at the very least we all must learn to see what we have in common as fellow human beings, regardless of religious beliefs or the lack of them.
I wish you luck.
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