PEOPLE happened to Christianity.
We are the sinners.
I looked up some history on Santa Clause, St. Nick.
St. Nick did good things just 300 years after Christ, it seemed he was Christian.
but we have the ideal that "we are to recieve this time of the year". we are to give like Christ Jesus.
to be Christian is to LOVE.
so we are what happened.
the t.v. preachers are mostly in for the money.
but i take what is good and let God Judge the rest.
quote:Originally posted by rogerrisner:
we are to give like Christ Jesus.
And God's Word agrees with you.
Ac 20:35
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
In response to the title of this thread...
People like Joy and kindred_spirit are good examples of what happened.
quote:"What the hell happened to Christianity?"
People like Joy and kindred_spirit are good examples of what happened.
quote:Originally posted by _Joy_:quote:Originally posted by imho:
However, Christians may judge where the bible has already judged. There are specific sins that are already judged therefore when a Christian points them out the person is not being the judge, God has already judged.
When you said "point them out", I hope you were asked your opinion first. I'm sure this is NOT what you meant, but it is definately not the Christian's job to point out the sin in people's lives. This would effectively kill your witness anyway. If God places someone in your path with questions, yes, answer them with Biblical references (not opinion). I believe the Bible teaches that we should live so transparently that Christ is visable to others & they will be drawn to the Christ they see, not us personally. As you know, we cannot save their souls; only God can do that through belief in Christ. If it's only us and our opinion they see, what's the point? They have to see and know Jesus.
You are correct, I did not mean going around pointing out sin as a Christian's job. It was more a reference to when there is a topic brought up like homosexuality and the such the first things people scream is "don't judge me." It is not the person judging when God has already spoken through the Bible.
I agree to your post - we must be Christ-like to make someone want to know more.
quote:we must be Christ-like to make someone want to know more.
I wonder just what they preach in the churches of hindered_spirit, Joy and imho?
quote:Originally posted by imho:
You are correct, I did not mean going around pointing out sin as a Christian's job. It was more a reference to when there is a topic brought up like homosexuality and the such the first things people scream is "don't judge me." It is not the person judging when God has already spoken through the Bible.
I agree to your post - we must be Christ-like to make someone want to know more.
I figured that's what you meant, but was afraid someone might take it the wrong way & pounce.
quote:Originally posted by _Joy_:
I figured that's what you meant, but was afraid someone might take it the wrong way & pounce.
I'll add - a Christian's job is also looking out for the well-being of others. Thanks.
I learned a tough lesson the other day...I was mowing grass at our church...a lady came to the back door..the church was locked....I stopped and walked over and asked if I could help her...She says."What makes you think I need help, just because I am not well-dressed...and I come here to the church...you think I need help" I apologized and walked off. I will think twice before I ask again...
So what WAS she there for - to sell something? 
Don't hesitate to ask again. You'll never know if you don't ask.
Don't hesitate to ask again. You'll never know if you don't ask.
Elijah,
You said you learned a tough lesson the other day. Things like that can hurt our feelings but don't ever let someone's meanness stop you
from being helpful and showing the love of Jesus. Just think how many times people were rude to Jesus and didn't give him the respect he deserved.: ) You who know Jesus can forgive her and pray for her. She needs it. We all do.
You said you learned a tough lesson the other day. Things like that can hurt our feelings but don't ever let someone's meanness stop you
from being helpful and showing the love of Jesus. Just think how many times people were rude to Jesus and didn't give him the respect he deserved.: ) You who know Jesus can forgive her and pray for her. She needs it. We all do.
Elijah, you think maybe she was embarrassed that someone saw her besides the pastor (or whoever she normally talks to)? Just a thought.
It is very humbling to accept help, especially when you are already feeling pretty low. When I had my first child (we were very young, stupid & broke), I think we might have starved to death had some sweet little lady in the clinic not told me about WIC. It helps low income families with groceries. I didn't even know things like that existed. I remember being so embarrassed to use the vouchers. I found myself growing more and more defensive. Once I realized this, I got passed it, but had a little bit of a chip on my shoulder for a while. She MAY have felt that way, too. But I wasn't there.
It is very humbling to accept help, especially when you are already feeling pretty low. When I had my first child (we were very young, stupid & broke), I think we might have starved to death had some sweet little lady in the clinic not told me about WIC. It helps low income families with groceries. I didn't even know things like that existed. I remember being so embarrassed to use the vouchers. I found myself growing more and more defensive. Once I realized this, I got passed it, but had a little bit of a chip on my shoulder for a while. She MAY have felt that way, too. But I wasn't there.
I think she was more angry than anything...I think she thought I was stereotyping her, and maybe, selfconsciously, I was...We have a lot of people who come to our church...to that same door for help...I will word my question differently from now on...
I concur!
Originally Posted by rogerrisner:
PEOPLE happened to Christianity.
We are the sinners.
I looked up some history on Santa Clause, St. Nick.
St. Nick did good things just 300 years after Christ, it seemed he was Christian.
but we have the ideal that "we are to recieve this time of the year". we are to give like Christ Jesus.
to be Christian is to LOVE.
so we are what happened.
the t.v. preachers are mostly in for the money.
but i take what is good and let God Judge the rest.
We are the sinners.
I looked up some history on Santa Clause, St. Nick.
St. Nick did good things just 300 years after Christ, it seemed he was Christian.
but we have the ideal that "we are to recieve this time of the year". we are to give like Christ Jesus.
to be Christian is to LOVE.
so we are what happened.
the t.v. preachers are mostly in for the money.
but i take what is good and let God Judge the rest.
Yep, pretty much. Some of us make the others look bad.
Will Campbell said it pretty well: "We are all b astards, but God loves us all."
Thankfully, Christianity is being revealed and reviled as the scam that it is. President Obama validated non-believers in his victory speech and we have come front and center to reclaim America for Americans, not just Christian Americans. The Bush years repressed free thought, intellectualism and innovation in favor of christian fundamentalism and NASCAR. Thank all that is good that we've caught it before we became a western version of Afghanistan.
There is no God, embrace it.
Wow, very old thread. Jay Bakker, son of PTL (Pass the loot).