Disregarded and Ignored Words Part I (Might)

In order to establish their doctrines and to make them fit a preconceived idea, there are little but important words that Christians tend to disregrd or ignore.

See now Neologist - that's where I get all confused. Because on one hand, it's not supposed to be about "good works" (or behavior) and then on the other hand you have verses like that one in Peter that infer that it is somehow more difficult for a sinner to achieve salvation than someone who at least appears to be more righteous. (I really hate that word).

I think those type of verses almost imply that a judgemental attitude among Christians is implicit and in fact, advocated. Who's to judge who is and what isn't righteous? I think those who pass judgement on others are perhaps committing the worst sin because they're placing themselves in God's role. And that "righteous" judgemental attitude is what turns so many people off to Christianity. I know it's what turned me off to organized Christianity - even though I was practically born and brought up in the church.

Luckily I know a lot of Christians who practice a more empathetic and understanding humanistic form of Christianity so my view is not totally jaded. And I know what I've read about who Jesus was and what he believed and taught so I don't buy into that whole Christian right gig as anything related to what Jesus taught or who he was.


What's your view?

"Nevertheless, a certain one will say: "You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith apart from the works, and I shall show you my faith by my works."

aidan wrote:

See now Neologist - that's where I get all confused. Because on one hand, it's not supposed to be about "good works" (or behavior) and then on the other hand you have verses like that one in Peter that infer that it is somehow more difficult for a sinner to achieve salvation than someone who at least appears to be more righteous. (I really hate that word).

I think those type of verses almost imply that a judgemental attitude among Christians is implicit and in fact, advocated. Who's to judge who is and what isn't righteous? I think those who pass judgement on others are perhaps committing the worst sin because they're placing themselves in God's role. And that "righteous" judgemental attitude is what turns so many people off to Christianity. I know it's what turned me off to organized Christianity - even though I was practically born and brought up in the church.

Luckily I know a lot of Christians who practice a more empathetic and understanding humanistic form of Christianity so my view is not totally jaded. And I know what I've read about who Jesus was and what he believed and taught so I don't buy into that whole Christian right gig as anything related to what Jesus taught or who he was.


What's your view?

Best to let the Bible answer:

"Nevertheless, a certain one will say: "You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith apart from the works, and I shall show you my faith by my works." 19 You believe there is one God, do you? You are doing quite well. And yet the demons believe and shudder. 20 But do you care to know, O empty man, that faith apart from works is inactive? . . . Indeed, as the body without spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead." (James 2:18-20,26)

Might I make a suggestion here?

One might make an attempt at understanding the English language.

Quote:

"Nevertheless, a certain one will say: "You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith apart from the works, and I shall show you my faith by my works."

Yes, because ideally faith or beliefs in a principal or ideal will inform one's behavior. And to be honest - I'm most attracted to Christian faiths that are socially conscious and active - like Methodists. But what do you say of the "Christian" whose behavior may look exemplary to the outside eye, has strong faith, yet is engaging in judgement inwardly- or even outwardly as a lot of strongly faithful Christians do?

I do want you to know I 'm not challenging you - I'm just kind of picking your brain. I've been thinking quite a lot about my own personal spirituality lately. I'm very conflicted. I was raised as a Christian, and part of me is literally kind of superstitiously afraid to renounce it - but I almost feel that honestly I should not claim to be a Christian because I am also literally unable to believe that God would consign those who have different beliefs to hell- and I'm unable to do that myself.
But there's another part of me that doesn't want to renounce it or relinquish it because it has brought me such comfort at times in my life.
I guess I'm looking for some loophole so that I can have it both ways- the story of my life .

Jesus spoke about the religious leaders who ". . . resemble whitewashed graves, which outwardly indeed appear beautiful but inside are full of dead men's bones and of every sort of uncleanness. 28 In that way YOU also, outwardly indeed, appear righteous to men, but inside YOU are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."

I certainly believe he was referring to those who knew the truth but who played false to it. As for those who never knew the truth, John 5:28 promises them a resurrection where they may claim the life which Adam lost.

As for those who are ignorant of the truth in the last days, God has published this warning about Babylon the Great:
"And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
[5] For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities." (Revelation 18:4,5)
More to it, of course; but I hope that helps.

But who would that include exactly? Would that include Hindus and Muslims, and everyone else who were not raised in or exposed to a Christian tradition or upbringing? And what about Jews, who are fully aware of Jesus' availability as a Messiah but have actively rejected it? And that doesn't even address homosexuals and others who either have been given or have chosen an alternative life-style than the one that the Christian right very narrowly prescribes as "righteous".

Chai Tea wrote:

Might I make a suggestion here?

One might make an attempt at understanding the English language.

And your point is what exactly?

Scott777ab wrote:

Chai Tea wrote:

Might I make a suggestion here?

One might make an attempt at understanding the English language.

And your point is what exactly?

If you don't take my point, you're worse off than I thought.

Yes, mercy and forgiveness - what concepts. But I don't think God's outstanding quality of love merely includes them- I think that's what makes God's standard of love so superior to humans' -because those concepts are its defining characteristics. That's why it's so sad that there is so much focus on judgement and condemnation by those who would teach God's love.

I must have just grown up in a really, really, different kind of Christian tradition. In some ways I'm glad - but in others- it makes it so confusing.
Oh well - it'll all come out in the wash (the final reckoning). Maybe it's not for us to know right now.

That is what I don't get about you Neo.
Verse 26 is a great verse that show that the sprit is not the body.

That it might be fulfilled