Religion
If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.
Galatians 3:6 (NIV)
STORY
It is discouraging that so many Christian evangelists have popularized a meaningless, and actually, a detrimental theology. To this extreme we have Tim LaHaye who capitalized on promoting the vile nature of man. Discussing how he came to write the “Left Behind” book series, in which only “believers” will know eternal peace, LaHaye relates, “This is an idea that the Lord gave me when I was on a plane. The airline captain came out of his cave and he started flirting with the head stewardess. I noticed that he had a wedding ring on. She did not. I began to see the sparks flying between these two and as he went back into the cockpit, I got to thinking, ‘What if the Rapture occurred right now? On this plane, a third of these people would be gone. It would be pandemonium.’ I imagined this guy, married to I assumed, a Christian, and all of the sudden it would dawn on him, ‘When I get home, my wife will be gone, and I have been left behind.’ That is where the title came from.” But, as LyHaye sits in judgment, does he know the trials and tribulations of the captain and his need to be directed to counseling rather than into the fires of hell.
Literally, LaHaye collects and spends millions of dollars on himself from his enterprise of eschatological preaching. With the selling of books, accompanied by movie proceeds, computer mouse pads, and all imaginable gimmicks, he has amassed a fortune of personal financial wealth, and he was a miser when it came to philanthropic giving. When Christ returns mysteriously on the clouds of heaven to claim only his own, as LaHaye prophesies, I would like to be privy to this eschatologist’s self-justification and rationalization for his unwarranted wealth. It is money that could have been spent on evangelistic programs exemplifying his message of the urgency to save souls; but then, treasures on earth are difficult to surrender. In the accountability of life, I ponder, would Tim be the only one left seated on that 747?
DEVOTION
Paul’s letter to the churches in Galatian is likely the first New Testament book to be written. It was composed sometime soon after AD 49. The Galatian church was comprised of both Jewish and Gentile converts. Paul’s purpose in writing to these churches was to confirm them in the faith, especially concerning justification by faith alone, apart from the works of the Law of Moses. The letter was written because the churches of that region were facing a theological crisis. The essential truth of justification by faith rather than by human works was being denied by the Judaizers. These men were legalistic Jews who insisted that Christians must keep the Mosaic Law. In particular, the Judaizers insisted on circumcision as a requirement for Gentiles who wished to be saved. In other words, a Gentile man first convert to Judaism, and only then would he be eligible to become a Christian. When Paul learned that this heresy was being taught in the Galatian churches, he composed an epistle to emphasize our liberty in Christ and to counter the perversion of the gospel that the Judaizers promoted.
To dispel this notion, Paul in his letter reintroduced the Galatian parishioners to the message that he shared with them on his original visit. Abraham, the recognized father of both Judaism and Christianity, when he was called by God and he answered in faith. Abraham’s life’s journey was a journey of faith. Circumcision, then for Abraham, became an outward and visible sign of his inward and spiritual grace. It was never intended to be a legalistic act that was now being imposed on Gentile converts. The Mosaic Law that followed the ritual of circumcision was to make apparent the actions of men and women that were transgression of the faith covenant that God made with Abraham.
The Tim LaHayes are the Judaizers in our society today. These are Christian evangelists who dwell on judgment rather than grace. These evangelists, in my observation, are more enthralled with the punishment of God than they are with the blessings of God. It is their desire to scare people into a relationship with God rather than invite them into that relationship with God. In my opinion, they turn away more individuals from God than they ever bring to God.
Points to Ponder
> Why do so many Christian evangelicals enthusiastically witness to the horrors of hell rather than the tranquility of heaven?
o For me: I consider this to be an ineffective and disturbing way to witness to the joy that an individual can discover by being in fellowship with Jesus. I think witnessing to the pain and suffering of hell reflects the debase nature of many Christians, reflective that they have not fully separated themselves from secularists. I think many Christian relish a discussion of hell with all its horrific and dreadful consequences because gore is more enjoyable to share than peace and beauty. Biblical passages can be referenced to divine punishment, though many Christians fervently excel in embellishing these scriptural verses with graphic descriptions of eternal torment. A person who comes to Christ out of the fear of hell will never know the joy and blessing, the peace and solitude, of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
> How do you verbally witness for Christ?
o Foe me: I never ever discuss judgement and damnation. I never ever make any reference to hell. I never ever ask if you should die this day your soul would reside. I prefer to focus on what Jesus will contribute to one’s life this day, and not in the days hereafter. I do share the liberation of knowing that your sins are forgiven. I do share the comfort and guidance that comes with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. I do share the promises of scripture. I do share the need to have a moral compass. I do share that anthropologically, sociologically, and psychologically every culture and every society and every person since the dawn of creation has had a god orientation. I share that since the individual that I am conversing with undeniably has a god orientation, I ask who is their god. I then share that the Christian God, of all religions and pseudo-religions, is the healthiest relationship a person can have with the Supreme Deity. I also discuss the importance of having Christian friends and belong to a Christian community.
Please share other Points to Ponder so I can update my list
Please share your thoughts with me – if you desire I will publish them for others to read anonymously or first name only or your entire name as you choose