#Christianity

Posted on 6.17.2015

"Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."

--Jesus

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4 thoughts on “#Christianity”

  2. This brings up a good question regarding those who pray publicly, especially over meals in restaurants. I try not to be judgmental of those who do, yet I still wonder why this is singled out as the "must" for prayer. After all, whenever my family and I travel, I am always thankful to arrive safely at our destination. I deliberately thank God in my mind and heart for our safety. But we do not stand outside the car holding hands in prayer, nor have I witnessed, so far, any other families who do so. Anyway, being the light of the world and the city on the hill does not seem to be helped by such displays.

    Also, in another vein, the public "Righteousness" test for politics in the form of having to voice a literal belief of the Bible and of a moral standard that even those who espouse it cannot live up to, has created one of the most dishonest efforts of election control since the days before the Civil Rights Movement, leaving many with virtually no trust of evangelical Christianity.

    Christians often become deluded with the notion that others are impressed, though they refuse to admit it for one reason or another, with their "righteousness". But the truth is most people have the good sense to know when someone is too good to be true; but so far I have not known any one that others called too real to be human.

  3. To understand why so many American Christians push for public prayer in schools, the ten commandments on government buildings, etc. it is important to know the history of American Protestantism. The Protestants who came to America believed that the job of the church was to Christianize the state. All the revivalists spoke about God's relationship to America. From my admittedly biased perspective (I'm Catholic), it seems to me that these Christians replaced the church with the state so that the state is now the context of salvation while the church is some nebulous concept. Of course, the Catholic bishops and sisters now approach the state in a similar way although they are on opposite ends of the political spectrum. For many Christians in America, America is supposed to be the new Canaan. What I find problematic in all of these cases is that the Christian faith is being politicized. Yes, Christians should be involved in politics, but I'm afraid that sometimes we are worshiping our political parties and think we are worshiping Christ. Forget the effect of a Christianized state on religious tolerance. I don't think a politicized Church is good for the Church. I'd be OK with having the ten commandments on government buildings if I was convinced that they would convict everyone equally of sin. But they wouldn't and I don't think that is the intention of those who push for that. It seems to me that people want to use the commandments to justify themselves in their political views and condemn others. The ten commandments don't just apply to "great sinners" but to everyone. I don't think politicizing the ten commandments does anyone any good. I think your post today goes along with your last post. A smaller church will not have the political backing that a larger church has, but it will be good for the faith.

  4. “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
    You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
    In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."


    So... don't choose either to display your good works or to hide them if it's for your own benefit, just do what it seems that the Spirit is doing and maybe don't worry about it?

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