Why Question Faith?

Through my extensive study of the Bible, I have learned several things that I would not have previously known. I find a disjointedness between the Old Testament and the New Testament, to a point that I often wonder if the two sections of the Bible belong together at all. I question my faith every day, as each day holds new challenges. I live in a world of poverty and frustration, but I try to find the beauty and good in each day. I often find myself agreeing with Gandhi that many of the modern Christians do not believe or act the way Christ has asked of us. I know this weblog will be criticized by what I have to say about Christianity. Therefore, I will give you a peek into my life, and maybe, through that, you will understand a little more about what I have had to say. I have read a book by Ronald J. Sider called The Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience, Why Are Christians Living Just Like the Rest of the World? Through my reading of the book, I began to question my own faith. I was involved in many discussion groups pertaining to the message in Sider's book, and we all agreed on one thing, American churches often skew the message of the Bible to keep people in the seats.

For instance, I have seen many Christians turn away from those in poverty, and I was, at one time, no different than they. My homeless experience humbled me as a Christian, but also opened my eyes to the church of which I was a member. There was a great deal of hypocrisy in this church. How can people claim to be Christian, but turn a blind eye to those in need? I can personally see why this would cause non-believers to despise Christians. The actions of this particular church caused me to loose faith in the church.

Had it not been for one fellow, non-church going Christian, I may have lost faith in God all together. Their Christian act helped my family when we needed it most. With my eyes wide open, I looked at the world anew. I, myself, had been obsessed with material possessions just before we lost it all. I was at one time no different than the other members of my church. We hung out together and drank together just the night before we all attended service together. Many of my “friends” in the church were no different than Sider’s pagans.

Now before you grow angry and criticize, read on. I know not all Christians and not all pastors lowered the standards to accommodate the congregation. Unfortunately, this seems to be a trend across the United States. No longer are parishioners asked to leave for deviant behavior. The message, “God forgives,” is belted out on every church sign. However, many Christians forget that Jesus may have saved sinners, but he also said, “Go and sin no more.” Wow! That is a tough one. As Christians, we need to remember that our life after Christ is a time of transformation. We are not perfect, and we all sin, but we should all model the life of Christ. We should abstain from sin, be compassionate to our brethren, and not repay evil for evil.

Remember what Christ has taught you, remember the parables pertaining to the poor, and remember that idolatry is a pagan custom, not Christian. Do not live your lives for the love of money. Live them for the love of your fellow men, women, and children. In today's society, we need that more than ever.

As we look at the world around us, do we really see what is going on. Do you really know that the poverty level in your country is at a higher percentile than that of many third world countries? Do you realize that when you buy up property to make your church and family centers larger that there are children in your own community going to bed with nothing in their bellies? Do you realize that 75% of your brothers and sisters cannot afford medical insurance and go without health care? If you do and you continue to fail to do as Christ asks of you, are you certain that your spot is reserved in Heaven? Listen, my brothers and sisters, listen to what Christ has taught you, and never forget those words.

"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." - KJV 1John 3:16-18

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." - NIV 1John 3:16-18

So, why question faith? I question mine because it makes me a better person and helps me to learn the errors of my ways.