Closet Christian

I can never understand "Christian-based" hate groups. It's very oxymoronic. Isn't it? How can you be Christian and hate your brother, when Christ has called you to to love all your brothers, especially those marginalized, and even your enemies? I'll give them one thing though, they are right about the country changing as far as being taken over. But, I argue that it has NOTHING to do with sexual preferences, race, religious views, or ethnicity. It has to do with ignorance, misinformation, misconceptions, and backwards ideology perpetrated by media. We are not one another's enemies. We are all people trying to make it in the world, people, just people.

My thoughts and ideas make me a very isolated and unpopular person in this backward town. Unfortunately in this primarily Christian town, my Christianity is frowned upon and unacceptable.

"I do not believe in the death penalty, because Christ tells me I should forgive my brethren." I live in a prison town, and I have lost my guard friends because of that statement. I also believe that God has told us not to take a life. He, and only He, is to avenge. I also believe the death penalty allows some victim's families to live with guilt because they fought for the death penalty. Often it creeps in slowly as they realized that these are people. They become at odds with Christ. I also believe the death penalty allows the criminal to get off easy. They never have to live with the guilt of their crimes. The taking of a loved one is a life sentence for the victim's family and a travesty for all involved. It should be  life sentence for the perpetrator, as well.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

~ Romans 12:17-21

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

~ Matthew 6:14-15

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

~ Mark 11:25

"Although I support the use of guns and bows for hunting for food, I believe that assault rifles should be outlawed, and hunting should only be done for food not for sport." Again, I have lost many "Christian" friends from this statement. New Oxford American Dictionary defines assault as, "make a physical attack on," and assault rifle as, "a rapid-fire, magazine-fed automatic rifle designed for infantry use." There is no reason for an individual to have an assault rifle other than to kill mass numbers of people. It is not logical to use an assault rifle as a hunting rifle. Once we start saying it is okay for the general public to have public access to military weapons, our problems grow and even more mass numbers of people begin to die. We would not want our neighbor to have a bomb designed to kill mass numbers of people, we would not allow our neighbors to have a rocket launcher, would not allow our neighbors to carry hand grenades, so why do we allow assault rifles? I agree that each person has the right to own a handgun, rifle, shot gun, bow, and crossbow, but assault rifles I will never get behind. For a matter of fact, my home has weapons, but they are not weapons of mass destruction. A gun used wisely does not kill a man, and just because we have been given dominion over the animals of Earth, we have been warned to care for it and its lifeforms.

"Then God said, 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.'"

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so. 

~ NIV Genesis 1:26-30

The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 

~ NIV Genesis 2:15

Remember, love one another. I do. ♥

For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

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.

~ 1 John 3:11-16

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

~ John 13:34-35

Welcoming: Opening doors to Strangers

The idea to love one another no matter the cost changed history. This idea was and still is a Christian idea. Then, Tippens says that we must remember that a stranger at our door may be a messenger from God. This statement reminded me of that old TV show “Highway to Heaven.” These men were always strangers, and they were God’s messengers.

Tippens reminds us that Jesus reached out to those who were marginalized; therefore in order to follow Jesus we must do the same. Tippens also says that a banquet need not be fancy, but it is the heart and spirit that makes the banquet worthy.

Tippens goes on to tell us that donating to those far away is not always enough. It is also important for us to directly help those in need at home.

Tippens also states that we must find our home in Jesus, and through finding that home, we will be more capable of showing hospitality to others. Furthermore, Tippens states that “Jesus welcomed others to his table without compromising the standards, and so can we” (62).

In America today, people find it difficult to follow through with welcoming others. Those who take advantage of other’s hospitality have jaded today’s Christian Americans. Though there are many people who try to get something for nothing, it is important to remember that others may genuinely need our help.

Also our culture has raised us to believe that we are all in danger all of the time. We are conditioned from the time that we can talk to not talk to strangers. The media shows us countless acts of violence that are perpetrated against our brothers and sisters, which places fear into our hearts. With this kind of mentality it is hard for us to reach out to those who live closest to us.

"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

Forgiveness

Tippens explains that we all must find it in our hearts to forgive. He reminds us that “Jesus came to forgive; we have been forgiven by him; we must forgive others.”

I remember that when I was growing up my mother would always tell me “two wrongs don’t make a right.” I think that what she was trying to say is that the failure to forgive someone for their wrong is just as wrong as the original wrong. Tippens says, “First, we should consider that forgiveness is a grace that begins with God, not with us.”

Just as Tippens says in the next section of the chapter, I believe that good can come out of any bad situation, no matter how horrendous it may seem to us. I do not think that God wills bad things to happen to us to teach us a lesson. It just happens. I know that everything I have been through in my life has made me a stronger person. This has happened through God’s grace, and in the strength he has given me, I can forgive.

Tippens tells us though that we must remember to forgive ourselves as well. This is where many of us lacking. We tend to blame ourselves because we have “allowed ourselves” to get hurt. Tippens warns if you do not forgive yourself, this can lead to “guilt and shame,” which can turn into “anger toward others.” I never thought that when I verbally lash out toward others, which does happen sometimes, that I could be from my inability to forgive myself.

In American culture, it is difficult to forgive people, because it is difficult to trust others. We must remember that we can forgive people for how they have wronged us, but trust is earned. Also in American movies, vengeance is the answer to the problems that plague us. We all must remember, “Vengeance never settles the matter” (Tippens 121).

But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. Psalm 130:4

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matthew 18:21-22

This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:28

And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Mark 1:4

to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, Luke 1:77

He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Luke 3:3

and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 24:47

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38

All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Acts 10:43

“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38

to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ Acts 26:18

[ Forgiveness for the Offender ] If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you to some extent—not to put it too severely. 2 Corinthians 2:5

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace Ephesians 1:7

in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:14

In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Hebrews 9:22

[ Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness ] This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5

The Children Are Innocent

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” (NIV Matthew 7:15-20)

I wonder, today, how Fred Phelps, an American pastor heading the Westboro Baptist Church, an independent Baptist church based in Topeka, Kansas, must feel. He has preached his hate speeches over and over again and his church has picketed many, many funerals. The Westboro Baptist Church has planned to picket the funerals of the children, who lost their lives to the gunman at the Sandy Hook school. Phelps claimed that the children's lives were taken because Connecticut has legalized gay marriage. The website boasts, "The dead children of Sandy Hook Elementary are better off dead than to continue being raised for such great wrath and destruction as you have brought to this land. There is no hope for any child of this nation outside of Westboro Baptist Church. You have a duty to teach your children to fear God or else leave them to desolation, darkness and destruction."

What you will not read about when reading releases from the Westboro Baptist Church is the shooting that took the lives of two law abiding police officers, Corporal David Gogian and Jeff Atherly, who lost their lives in an attempt to prevent an possible massacre at a local grocery store in Phelps own home town of Topeka, Kansas. So I ask, Mr. Phelps, what are the citizens of Topeka being punished for? Is it the hate speeches that spew from your own mouth, the likes of which lead to more violence and more hate? What wrong did the innocent officers and innocent families of the officers who died commit? Why did God see it fit to punish these two men?

I do not understand the logic of attacking victims of violent crimes and saying they deserve to be victims due to the actions of others. Innocent children do not have the right to vote; and though the lives of twenty children in the Sandy Hook school were taken, each and every child in that school and that community have been victimized. What did Jesus teach us about children? Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (NIV Matthew 19:14)

The Jesus I follow is the Jesus that teaches love and compassion. He does not condone the killing of the innocent for any reason. Apparently, the Jesus I follow is not the Jesus that Phelps follows. The only conclusion is that they are two separate beings. What I find the most perplexing about Phelps’ teachings is that he is a former Civil Rights activist.

Today, Americans are coming together to have Fred Phelps and his followers recognized as what they are, a hate group. A petition has been initiated and signed by 132,167 Americans as of yet. I had checked the site just a little less than an hour ago, and the petition had only 127,303 signatures. Other Americans have joined the group, Anonymous, which has sent out the following video publicly (I am not associated with Anonymous in any way):

Unfortunately, Fred Phelps is not the only pastor who is preaching hate-filled messages to evangelical congregations. Another pastor spewing hate is Sam Morris, of Old Paths Baptist Church in Fayetteville, Tennessee. Although the Old Paths website claims, “We believe in the separation of the church and its members from worldliness, apostasy, heresy, or any questionable habits that would tarnish our Christian testimony or bring reproach to the name of Christ,” Morris complained about the call for tough gun control laws [italics are mine]. He went on to state that “I guarantee you there’s at least six or seven guns in this place [Old Paths Baptist Church] right now. Amen.”

Amen? To be a Christian is to follow the law of Christ, not to pick and choose which law you choose to follow. What need does a pastor have to facilitate the possession of a firearm? Did Jesus not teach us to turn the other cheek? Had I been sitting in the pews when so much hate was being bellowed through the air, I would have committed myself to never walk in the doors of the Old Paths Baptist Church, Fayetteville, Tennessee again.

So, Morris, how do you view arming yourself against the brothers and sisters Jesus teaches us to love? What do you think Jesus would say had he heard you spouting so much hate in the church? I do not see what need an evangelical pastor has in owning a firearm to protect himself from both Christians and non-Christians alike. There is no need for a pastor to even hunt for food, as food is widely available and far cheaper than hunting licenses; and the needs of the family of the pastor are met by the tithe given by parishioners  Where is your faith, Morris? My Christ and Morris’ Christ must be two different entities, which is the only explanation I have been able to find for our differing opinions on owning firearms.

I am not against owning firearms on the whole; for had it not been for my father’s guns, my siblings and I would have often gone without meat growing up. I am against having military grade automatic and semi-automatic weapons when you are not in the military. No one needs to agree with my opinion, as it is mine alone, and I have the right to my opinion as well as voice that opinion.

My Christ teaches us to love, not hate. My Jesus taught us, “For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. 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.” (NIV 1 John 3:11-16)

Morris’ sermon included, “that authorities should take the body of the suspected shooter, ‘and string him up in public and set his body on fire and leave it out there to let the birds pick his bones.’” This is hate. “Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer,” Jesus taught us. To say that this man’s family should have to suffer even more than they already are due to not only his actions, but also the loss of him, his mother, and the people he killed on Friday is hate. Did Morris forget that the shooter was human? Did he forget that the families that are in turmoil are already suffering? Did he forget that Jesus loved all men, women, and children, especially those marginalized due to their differences including mental illness? I could never imagine how it feels to be the parent of the children and adults that lost their lives and to hear that I am being blamed for someone stealing the life of my loved one away. Does Morris even understand the meaning of the word ‘respect?’

I do not and cannot believe that my Jesus would call for the death of innocent children due to what is taught in the school. Morris believes, “the number of mass shooting were escalating because of schools were government ‘mind-control centers’ that taught ‘junk about evolution’ and ‘how to be a homo… And I want to tell you what evolution teaches - here’s the bottom line - that you’re an animal. That’s what it teaches. So, you’re an animal, you can act like an animal. Amen.’”

Amen? What do small children, the eldest being seven years of age, have to do with what is being taught in their schools. They are not the ones who passed laws, nor are they the ones that have mandated what is to be and is not to be taught in the schools they attend. For a matter of fact, it is the teachers’ responsibilities to teach what they are required to teach in the school. It is the parents’ responsibilities to teach what they want their children to believe and not believe out of the school. There is no crime or sin that calls for the death of innocent children and adults.

The website for Old Paths Baptist Church, Fayetteville, Tennessee goes on to say, “All of our teachings come from the King James Bible. This way we know that we will have unity in doctrine and spirit. Because our doctrine comes straight from God, we do not apologize for our beliefs and standards. Whenever a person gets offended at Bible preaching it is because of a spiritual problem on the part of that person.” Well, I am offended by the beliefs and standards of this church if they do not teach love and acceptance, as Christ has taught us to do. If that means I have a spiritual problem on the part of myself, then so be it. I say; I do not remember reading doctrine that condones the murder of an innocent child in Christ’s teachings.

I do find that the children will be punished for the sins of the father. However, even Exodus 20:5, Exodus 34:6-7, Deuteronomy 5:9, and 1 Corinthians 15:22, that calls for the sins of the father being put on the child, scripture does not mention the death of the child due to the father’s actions. The Bible does cover the death of children according to their fathers’ sins in the following manner: "Fathers shall not be put to death for their sons, nor shall sons be put to death for their fathers; everyone shall be put to death for his own sin.” (Deuteronomy 24:16) “The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity, nor will the father bear the punishment for the son’s iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself.” (Ezekiel 18:20)

Giving Up the Grudge

Forgiveness is a command of Christ. It is liberating, and freeing us from resentment and bitterness. It is not vengeance, justice, or a free pass. You may have to offer forgiveness over and over again. If you offer forgiveness to your enemies, you are “placing them on the path of repentance.” The worse the wrong, the harder it is to forgive and the longer it may take to forgive. We must want to let go, and we must recognize our own sins. In order to forgive some one, you do not have to support or accept the wrong behavior. It does not mean that the person does not have pay for their crimes. The person that you forgive does not have to ask you for forgiveness; you can forgive the dead. There is no such thing as “forgive and forget.” You can forgive, but you never will forget. Forgiveness does not mean that you automatically trust the person you have forgiven. Trust has to be earned. Similarly, you do not have to be close to the person you have forgiven; you should treat them with kindness and respect.

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (NIV Matthew 18:21-22)

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. (NIV Matthew 6:14-15)

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. (NIV 1 John 1:8-10)

In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now.” The Lord replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked. (NIV Numbers 14:19-20)

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.