I am no expert Christian. I go to a non-denominational church where they believe there is no such thing as 'church doctrine' - there is only God's doctrine. The Bible says what it means, and means what it says. The bible is not a living document to be edited by anyone who feels the need to do so. This makes sense to me, in light of what I have seen zealots do in the name of God or any number of other "causes".
One of the things I struggle with is that the bible tells us not to judge lest we be judged. And yet, it does recognize and encourage adherents to show good judgement.
I guess Squishey Pants Biden is a good Christian - and believe it or else, because it is right from the horse's mouth.
When I started going to church I just showed up with my wife one day and I knew I was where I was supposed to be. I would not want to be a Catholic wrestling with my conscience right now.
Translations have consequences, we are not to Judge as GOD Judges. We are to show discernment and make "judgments" about things and sometime people. We are to correct fellow Christians behavior and attempt to correct bad behavior and may need to go as far as ostracizing one who continues to violate GODs laws, always remembering we are all sinful in GODs eyes.
ReplyDeleteCorrect. What we should never judge is a person's salvation. Only God can do that. We are to judge what is righteous and what is not, and to avoid unrighteousness. If someone is an endangerment to our life, our family, or our salvation, we are to do what it takes to defend ourselves and our family from this threat. Avoid the threat if possible. Defend as required.
DeleteMy grandfather, who lived a Christian life, had a run-in about a tie on a hot summer morning with a pastor, so they managed to chase him away. He would say: "If people would just follow the golden rule, they could make things much better." He understood the simplicity of Christianity, and realized the treachery of organizations.
ReplyDeleteIf you sit down and look at all the scripture, you will see two very different thrusts regarding "judging others." The first is in regard to judging people who are not Christian. The second is in regard to judging people who are Christian.
ReplyDeleteWe are not to judge non-Christians by Christian criteria, because they are already blind, ignorant,and damned. Their issue is not that they break some rule of behavior that Christians adhere to. Their problem is that they are not Christians and do not have the Holy Spirit to guide them. Of course they will do evil things. But rather than worrying about every little behavior they do, we should worry about bringing them into the light where they can see *for themselves* what is right and wrong.
In contrast, there are a number of scriptures that reinforce that it is the duty of Christians, and in particular, of the congregation of Christians to teach, police, and *discipline* each other. Paul makes this distinction plain: "For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside."
As Paul noted in 1 Corinthians, when discussing conflicts between believers "If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!"
Similarly, if we see a fellow Christian straying, we are *supposed* to correct him or her. Jesus Himself tells us about it in Matthew: "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. "
Similarly, Paul writes:" It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing."
The "judge not lest ye be judged" scriptures almost all carry a caveat "lest ye be judged" by the same criteria by which you judge others. This is not a prohibition against moral judgment. It is a prohibition against hypocrisy. It is not wrong, for instance, to condemn theft per se. It is wrong to condemn theft while being a thief and not repenting of it in your own life.
Thus, it is appropriate to judge those who promote evil *in the name of Christ* and who trade on their pretense of faith. All those "devout" Catholics or "strong" Christians who promote antichristian beliefs and celebrate sin are to be judged -- because they misrepresent the faith and they smear Jesus Himself with their filth. If they dropped the facade, it would be different. And if it is not a facade, then they need discipline and correction.
Couldn't have said it better, brother!!
DeleteGlen, all faiths have shown themselves to be willing to bow to the powerful from time to time. Does not make it right, just the way it is.
ReplyDeleteOh, that we had a Luther or Calvin or Benedict (or Orthodox renewer of the faith - sorry, lacking knowledge here) in our era.
The Bible also tells us to judge people by their actions and treat them accordingly. Gotta read the whole thing
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure abortion as a multibillion dollar a year industry is not something God approves up.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure homosexuality is frowned upon by God.
I'm not a pastor, but if I was gonna go out on a limb, I'd say protecting perverts so they can continue their ways is something to be ashamed of.
I'm 66, I remember the Sunday paper in Houston. The stories about priests being punished for molesting boys, read it slowly,,,,Priests, church representatives, BUSTED, in Criminal and Sexually Perverse acts, PUNISHED by being forced to Move to another parish, where they can continue their predatory ways.
I was just a kid, and SunnovaBitch that confused the Hell outta me.
Seriously, NO COPS WERE READING THIS SHIT?
Howcum ,with a public admission, these Men Uv GAAWD weren't ARRESTED and put in prison?
The church protected pedophiles, as far as I know it's still going on.
Biden supports abortion
Considers himself a Christian
Insanity, absolute insanity..
We need to do something about our leaders. They don’t even follow their own rules. They need to be punished in a meaningful way, not let off with a slap on the wrist. I can’t prove it but I think that if you dig deep enough you will find that Joe Biden is a paedophile too…
DeleteMillstones, necks, some assembly required.
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