Telling "fool's gold" from the real thing.

Date:   12/24/2006 10:25:23 PM ( 18 y ago)

Who are the 'real' Christians? The very question assumes there is such a thing as Truth. For those who don't believe in absolute Truth, such questions don't even matter. But for those who do, it makes all the difference in the world.

To define a Christian, it makes sense to go to the best, most reliable ancient manuscripts. That's the Bible; no other writings even come close to having the same degree of accuracy, number of manuscripts, intensity of critical examination, or scholarly support. And that Bible tells us that the word "Christian" was first used for the believers in an area called Antioch. Historians think it was probably a derogatory term, a bad name to call someone ("You silly Christ-followers!"). But to be someone's follower or disciple meant more than using their name, it meant following in their footsteps. But you had to know what the person taught and then practice it. So who is practicing what Jesus and the apostles taught?

The list of religious views claiming to be Christian is practically endless, to the point where even those whose teachings are anti-Christian are now claiming it. For example, today there is a huge global push for the mystical practices that come from eastern religions: contemplative prayer, 'the silence', 'the cloud of unknowing', lectio divina, breath prayer, the labyrinth, and many more. This all stands in stark contrast to anything found in the Bible, and is in fact condemned by it. Yet they call this Christianity, in spite of the fact that Jesus never taught any such thing. Likewise, Gnosticism claims to be the 'real' Christianity while rejecting basic things like his being YHWH in the flesh who died for the sins of the world.

Ironically (and prophetically), the so-called emergent church is starting to use the term 'anti-Christian' as a positive thing! While to their credit they reject the pews, pulpits, and pompousness that has never been what the Bible taught, they exchange it for something far worse. The biggest name in this movement is Rick Warren, author of the "Purpose-Driven" teachings. (There is an excellent expose of him at This Link.)

Another group claiming to be Christian is the 'prosperity gospel', 'name it and claim it' crowd, such as what is seen on TBN. When anyone calls them out on their heresies they wrench "Touch not God's anointed!" out of context and make it mean they are above reproach. And quite hypocritically, they lash out against people who expose them with more venom and hatred than they ever received, all in the name of peace and love and tolerance. Death threats from the mouths of people who claim to be working for peace should tell us a lot. Paul and Jan Crouch and the many heretics they love are the very personification of all that is against the true wealth of salvation.

A common objection by these false teachers and their followers is that "if it works, it can't be bad". But does the end really justify the means? Not at all. It was Jesus who said "Why do you call me 'Lord, lord' but don't do what I say?" and that not everyone who calls him 'Lord' is saved, but only those who do the will of God. We cannot excuse false teachers by claiming healing or 'conversions' or whatever. Jesus warned of even the smallest amount of error mixed with truth. It only takes a tiny bit of yeast to make a whole loaf of bread rise, and it ony takes a little falsehood to make great amounts of evil. But the false teachers want to draw attention to their alleged successes while hiding their sins. That's what the gold, jewels, cars, jets, and sickly-rich Hollywood sets and shows are all about. They crave the praise of the world and all its material rewards. Discernment has been sacrificed on the altar of global peace and prosperity.

Jesus said this in Matthew 6:

19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also...

24 No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

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