Every word in the Gospel is God breathed. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. That said, I believe certain people have been trying to "change " the Word of God to suit their own interests and desires. Beware of wolves in sheep's clothing. Deny Me on earth and I will deny you in Heaven. That's enough for me!
Newsweek and pretty much every other major magazine and newspaper is interested in only one thing when it comes to Christianity - demonizing it. That is to say, their goal is to lump all Christians into one group and paint them as hypocritical, backwards, delusional, or whatever else they can to make them look bad.
If you look at this from a spiritual point of view it makes perfect sense. One of Satan's greatest weapons is turning humans against each other. He wants the world to hate those who serve God. Jesus told us this would happen. So, those who aren't Christian will always try to divide and destroy us.
From a political point of view, it is useful to divide us and put us in a bad light because it diminishes our political power. And it works.
It works because many who start out as Biblical believers cannot handle the idea that people hate them for being Christian. There are pastors who water down the gospel or avoid controversial subjects because they are afraid of making people angry, losing parishioners, or losing donations. They still believe they can have it both ways. But this isn't what the Bible teaches.
So, the media, in general, groups us together because it is an efficient way to denigrate us and what we believe. It's effective because some people want to be liked more than they want to serve God.
Agreed, Jason. Division has always been Satan's ploy. And words carry meaning. So in a postmodern world, the meaning of words change on a whim. This allows Newsweek and others to use those definitions (or create their own) to exacerbate the division. May God find us faithful! Thanks for your thoughts.
I am lucky. I was raised as a Franciscan Irish Catholic (Not ROMAN - though I think our current Pope is the best of the best). So when it comes to the readings and teachings of our Master, I am like someone who thirst and every morning my thirst is quelled by His Words. Living Words. I just stay focused on the tow commandments He left us... Love Me. Love every other single person created in My Image and Likeness. As my Irish Mom always said, "You don't have to like 'em but you should better love them.
Appreciate you reading! And great points. As a follower with Protestant roots, I'm not aware of the differences between an Irish and Roman Catholic - more to research. Ha. Thanks again, brother!
Wow. The article was interesting (to say the least), but it is my opinion that in the circle of non-believers, that is how "we Christians" are seen as all lumped together into the "evangelical" pile. (And now I'm the one who is labeling and piling unbelievers together). Why would they have any other reason not to? There is so much division (and extreme rhetoric) among Christians, that non-believers almost have no choice but to place (or label) the many different groups of Christians into levels of conservative or liberal, or simply, either/or. Frankly, there are times that I listen to Christian radio and happen to tune in to a preaching and I am saddened of the subjects they are choosing to preach (mostly to do with politics). There are so many voices. Writers like the author of the article focus in on the one voice, write a blurb, and lump groups together. So many people do just that every day. This is an important topic and I for one will use it to reflect on my own walk and relationship with God and others. I think we fail to realize that in the end, we alone will be before God to give account on our lives especially as we proclaim to be followers of Jesus.
Thanks for reading! I agree that we live in a polarized society. And as I mentioned in the newsletter, the labels people choose for me are bothersome. I need to remember that when I do the same to others. Much more to think about...
Every word in the Gospel is God breathed. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. That said, I believe certain people have been trying to "change " the Word of God to suit their own interests and desires. Beware of wolves in sheep's clothing. Deny Me on earth and I will deny you in Heaven. That's enough for me!
Newsweek and pretty much every other major magazine and newspaper is interested in only one thing when it comes to Christianity - demonizing it. That is to say, their goal is to lump all Christians into one group and paint them as hypocritical, backwards, delusional, or whatever else they can to make them look bad.
If you look at this from a spiritual point of view it makes perfect sense. One of Satan's greatest weapons is turning humans against each other. He wants the world to hate those who serve God. Jesus told us this would happen. So, those who aren't Christian will always try to divide and destroy us.
From a political point of view, it is useful to divide us and put us in a bad light because it diminishes our political power. And it works.
It works because many who start out as Biblical believers cannot handle the idea that people hate them for being Christian. There are pastors who water down the gospel or avoid controversial subjects because they are afraid of making people angry, losing parishioners, or losing donations. They still believe they can have it both ways. But this isn't what the Bible teaches.
So, the media, in general, groups us together because it is an efficient way to denigrate us and what we believe. It's effective because some people want to be liked more than they want to serve God.
Agreed, Jason. Division has always been Satan's ploy. And words carry meaning. So in a postmodern world, the meaning of words change on a whim. This allows Newsweek and others to use those definitions (or create their own) to exacerbate the division. May God find us faithful! Thanks for your thoughts.
I am lucky. I was raised as a Franciscan Irish Catholic (Not ROMAN - though I think our current Pope is the best of the best). So when it comes to the readings and teachings of our Master, I am like someone who thirst and every morning my thirst is quelled by His Words. Living Words. I just stay focused on the tow commandments He left us... Love Me. Love every other single person created in My Image and Likeness. As my Irish Mom always said, "You don't have to like 'em but you should better love them.
Appreciate you reading! And great points. As a follower with Protestant roots, I'm not aware of the differences between an Irish and Roman Catholic - more to research. Ha. Thanks again, brother!
Wow. The article was interesting (to say the least), but it is my opinion that in the circle of non-believers, that is how "we Christians" are seen as all lumped together into the "evangelical" pile. (And now I'm the one who is labeling and piling unbelievers together). Why would they have any other reason not to? There is so much division (and extreme rhetoric) among Christians, that non-believers almost have no choice but to place (or label) the many different groups of Christians into levels of conservative or liberal, or simply, either/or. Frankly, there are times that I listen to Christian radio and happen to tune in to a preaching and I am saddened of the subjects they are choosing to preach (mostly to do with politics). There are so many voices. Writers like the author of the article focus in on the one voice, write a blurb, and lump groups together. So many people do just that every day. This is an important topic and I for one will use it to reflect on my own walk and relationship with God and others. I think we fail to realize that in the end, we alone will be before God to give account on our lives especially as we proclaim to be followers of Jesus.
Thanks for reading! I agree that we live in a polarized society. And as I mentioned in the newsletter, the labels people choose for me are bothersome. I need to remember that when I do the same to others. Much more to think about...
When the Word of God is weaponized it wounds deeply.