Many Christs?
With dozens of major Christian denominations and hundreds if not thousands of times that number of significant differences between local churches, it’s clear that there are an innumerable variations of the gospel. Thus it might be said there are “many Christs.” Equally obvious is that by definition there can only be “One True.” Thus it greatly behooves believers to determine how closely their beliefs and practices track with those of the Christ of Scripture.
It’s both the privilege and responsibility of all mankind to consider, if not answer the ultimate questions posed by life and death. Those diligently seeking to do so soon find faith reasonable and even crucial when faced with the absolute and scientific certainty of the existence of God demonstrated by the fantastic fine tuning and astounding intricacies of actual intelligent design. Such overwhelming evidence is augmented by the simple fact that for anything to exist, it must have either been created, created itself, or possess self existence (one of the five attributes of Divinity).
Such rationale holds true for everything from the tiniest partial of matter to an infinite number of universes to Omnity itself. Self evident, this undeniable proof of the existence of God is easily demonstrated by the simplest math equation possible: 0 + 0 = 0.
Those intellectually honest enough to jettison atheism are left with agnosticism or some form of religion, of which there are many. Yet even a layman’s study of world religions in side by side comparison with the Bible reveals a preponderance of evidence for Scriptural authority and authenticity. Even so, this raises the salient question, which version of Christianity is closest to the true?
There are no doubt many insightful metaphors exemplifying the importance of “judging with righteous judgment” in regards to authentic Biblical doctrine and lifestyle. Perhaps the simplest and most significant is that of a compass. Useful in a variety of ways, the compass analogy offers a quick and easy interface helpful in pondering the matter of theological and practical purity as it pertains to genuine Christianity.
Familiar with the concept of true or magnetic north, we can readily visualize a directional arrow spinning within 360 degrees of North, South, East and West. Further helpful are the designations of North East and North West, South East and South West and all points in between. When used for our purposes, such generous tracking increments allow for considerate yet accurate estimations of the corporate and personal direction of our faith as mapped and plotted by Scripture.
Such an exercise raises several interesting considerations. These include:
- How important is doctrinal orthodoxy and orthopraxy, correctly interpreting Biblical meaning and lifestyle?
- What means are best employed to honestly evaluate a given set of beliefs against the teaching of Scripture?
- Given the potentially wide scope of topics covered by Bible passages, are certain tenants more important than others? If so, which?
- Are such critiques encouraged or even required by Scripture?
- Is this line of questioning by nature unnecessarily divisive?
- What practical benefits might be hoped for from this kind of reasoning?
- Is spiritual truth primarily subjective?
- Is spiritual truth primarily personal?
- Is genuine spiritual growth a journey or destination?
- To what degree, if any, are we responsible for the spiritual wellbeing of others?
1. How important is doctrinal orthodoxy, correctly interpreting Biblical meaning and emphasis? Scripture places a premium on our growing in an accurate understanding of God as revealed in the Bible. Hundreds, if not thousands, of verses explicitly and implicitly underscore the directive that we diligently seek and serve our Creator.
2. What means are best employed to honestly evaluate a given set of beliefs against the teaching of Scripture? The old criticism is true that one can argue just about any point of view by selectively picking from among the Bibles over 31,000 verses. Even so, the honest reader and researcher will find Scripture’s major tenants easily understood by persons without advanced degrees or resorting to the study of ancient languages. While insightful commentaries and sermons are useful and readily available in the Google age, the Bible itself is it’s own best tutor.
3. Given the potentially wide scope of topics covered by Bible passages, are certain tenants more important than others? If so, which? While all the time tested rules for Biblical interpretation are helpful, QC has created the Rule of Emphasis as a simple tool to help discover which teaching(s) upon which the Bible itself places added emphases.
4. Are such critiques encouraged or even required by Scripture? A number of passages reinforce the need for learning to rightly interpret the Bible as well as growing in the ability to correctly evaluate the quality of teaching and behavior inside and outside of the established church. The same Jesus who warned about misjudging to the point of condemnation also warned against failing to discern truth, a directive repeatedly reinforced by Paul and all New Testament authors.
5. Is this line of questioning by nature unnecessarily divisive? Like most truth, spiritual truth is not a matter of consensus. Though by nature hidden, God’s word is designed to reveal it. While narrow, the road to heaven is not meant to be a solitary one as repeated reinforced by Scripture exemplified in the Lord’s Prayer’s use of the plural phrase “our Father.” When studied and shared in love, unity in essentials (see Rule of Emphasis) still allows for great diversity and inclusivity regarding less vital points.
6. What practical benefits might be hoped for from this kind of reasoning? The principal goal of Christianity is reconciliation. Reconciling God to man and man to God as well as mankind to itself individually and corporately. While no easy task, any progress in these areas is well worth the effort.
7. Is spiritual truth primarily subjective? Given the manner and nature of human existence, spiritual truth while itself objective is primarily subjectively discerned. Even the objective teaching of Scripture must be subjectively interpreted and applied. Still, as previously mentioned, while there may be “many Christs” there can only be “one True” thus it greatly behooves us to do our due diligence in formulating and living out a Christian world view as close to that of the Bible’s as possible.
8: Is spiritual truth primarily personal? Verses such as “the kingdom of God is within you” highlight the fact that many aspects of Christianity are designed to be personal, often on the deepest of levels. Others, as in the case of discipleship, find there fullest expression among the fellowship of believers. Others still, such as that pertaining to evangelism, are intended for public discourse and debate. Finally, as in the case of the prophetic, spiritual truth is meant to reprove conduct and should all else fail warn of impending judgment on a large scale.
9. Is genuine spiritual growth a journey or destination? Both, yet more the former than latter. Wile many can pin point an event that seemed to kickstart the process of religious enlightenment, others less so. In either case spiritual life, like it’s physical counterpart, is a journey often filled with important waypoints.
10. To what degree, if any, are we responsible for the spiritual wellbeing of others? From beginning to end, Christianity is an open enrollment expression of the eternal God embracing mortal man. The costly incarnation and ministry, crucifixion followed by Christ’s resurrection and ascension, intercession and imminent return is not only Divinity “seeking and saving that which was lost” but a model for those who would follow as Christ-ians.
Worth Asking?
Tragically, for most the “compass question” holds little interest. The reasons for this are many beginning with the simple fact that all of us have unresolved issues with God, often to the point of severally limiting religious enthusiasm. Some find such questions theologically and/or socially offensive. Many find even normal spiritual pursuits unsatisfying, having succumbed to the ease of MEism. Even avid church attenders consider the issue moot, at least when it comes to themselves, their local church and denomination. Why? The “other guy” syndrome. And why not? If our individual choices of doctrine and lifestyle were not the right ones obviously we’d simply change them. And if we can’t or won’t change ourselves why worry about others who no doubt in the same boat?
Of course, to know to what degree (compass point) one’s brand of Christianity is error free requires a fairly comprehensive study and recall of Scripture. This in and of itself is problematic when the average Christian can’t quote 5-10 verses in a row with the possible exceptions of Psalm 23 and the Lord’s Prayer.
Furthermore, seeing Scripture must be spiritually discerned, simply reading or even memorizing verses in the Bible hardly guarantees interpreting them, much less the rest of Scripture, correctly. This posses another obstacle since the average Christian stops and prays less than 5-10 minutes a day, hardly enough time to become spiritually astute.
Finally, with the pains and/or pleasures of life offering continual distraction, nearly all opt to delegate the niceties of such supposed spiritual responsibilities to trained professionals. On the surface a reasonable response, were it not for the massive tangle of divergent doctrine among theologians and clergy.
Regardless of the reason, failure to synchronize our faith with Scripture is foolish. Only to the degree our minds, hearts and wills are tuned to the Bible’s message, promises and commands are we assured of God’s faithfulness, mercy and direction. Yet humanity as a whole, and even Christians in particular, are all over the map in regards to finding faith’s true north.
Biblical illiteracy accounts for several aspects of the problem. When individual “believers” are uniformed as to actual teachings of the very Scriptures they claim as the basis of their beliefs, a number of difficulties arise:
- Biblical doctrine is supplanted by that of men if not devils.
- Religious tradition supersedes the power if not presence of the Holy Spirit.
- Sentimental emotions or lack thereof rewrite if not replace Scripture.
- Misinterpretation or simply a disinterest in Scripture makes millions far more susceptible to the misleading of “teachers” who knowingly or not contaminate if not corrupt Churchianity.
To Believe or Not To Believe
The compass comparison works on a number of levels. Perhaps the first most basic level is that of Faith and Reason as depicted in the following diagram:
- Biblical Christianity represents the complete synergy of faith and reason. Here we find those honest enough to admit not only that creation requires a Creator, but there is abundant reason to believe He is the God of the Bible. Reasoning through faith, such fully embrace not only the promises but conditions and costs of the Gospel. Having found the treasure of which all men seek, these make every effort to deny themselves daily, taking up their cross in hopes of a being filled with “all the fullness of God” while “obtaining a better resurrection.”
- Humanism would cover a broad array of points of view held by those not directly for or against religion yet showing some level of concern for their fellow man. Loving one’s neighbor in demonstrable ways is not only noble but extremely Biblical, perfectly in line with Christ’s most important teachings on salvation. Unfortunately, most humanists give far less than directed by such New Testament greats as John the Baptist and Jesus, Paul and James. Furthermore these are often diverted from diligently seeking God for reasons running the gamut from feelings of alienation to worldliness.
- Other Religions are those espousing the existence of a particular God or Gods other than the Trinity revealed in Scripture. One the one hand such believers admit the obvious reality of the Divine existence. Some practitioners are extremely devoted, displaying a level of commitment that puts most Christians to shame. On the other hand, careful scrutiny reveals nonsensical and at times even demonic foundational beliefs and/or practices.
- Me-ism might represent those too apathetic or self absorbed to develop a clear concept of their Creator. Formally known as Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, various forms of Me-ism are quickly becoming the default religion within developed nations.
- Agnosticism represent both sides of the agnostic argument, that of the selfish skeptic as well as the genuine yet disheartened seeker. Here can be found shreds of a legitimate concern too lightly answered by the faith community, if and when addressed at all. Namely, the quantum dilemma posed by the apparent silence and distance of God.
- Atheism represents the opposite of Biblical Magnetic North, beginning with the fundamentally fallacious arguments of the atheist. Ironically, while often among the most intelligent, for a variety of reason atheists repudiate common sense by denying such fantastic fine tuning and intelligent design requires a Designer.
Major Christian Sects
As previously mentioned there are dozens of major sects within the Christian community. Having elsewhere identified and ranked at least seven gospels, the following graphic will suffice as an summary of plotting the majority of these as compass points:
- Biblical Christianity (Example Apostle Paul): "In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel." Full understanding and commitment to the Bible's promises and conditions extended by Christ to those embracing His cross as well as their own. Examples: Apostles, Martyrs, Blaise Pascal, Søren Kierkegaard, Hudson Taylor, Praying Hyde, George Muller, Charles Finney, Smith Wigglesworth, Evan Roberts, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Brother Yun, Jackie Pullenger, etc.
- Charismatic: (Example Believers in the Gifts of Spirit): More Biblically honest than their cessationist counterparts. Cessationists twist Scripture to match the sad reality of powerlessness within modern Christianity. Charismatics more often than not twists reality claiming to routinely heal the sick, prophesy accurately etc… to match Scripture. While closer to Biblical Christianity than most others, the net effect of even well meaning spiritual dishonesty by cooking the books in regards to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit promotes a culture disinterested in seriously seeking a New Pentecost, much less paying the price of Pre-Revival Repentance.
- Evangelical (Example Average church): Status Quo. Neither hot or cold. Blind to various doctrinal deceptions and level of worldliness ubiquitous within Churchianity. Promotion of unconditional acceptance via cheep grace. No fear of God or judgment. Decreasing emphasis on Christian disciplines such as serious and regular personal and corporate Bible study and prayer. Form of Godliness without and/or denying the power thereof.
- Catholic (Example Average Parish): Similar to Protestants with even greater doctrinal deception and Biblical illiteracy among lay membership. Can be more pro life and pro family.
- Heretics and Higher Critics (Example Word of Faith): From those promoting the Prosperity Gospel to liberal interfaith alliances, including those philosophically embracing the LGBT community. In general heretical doctrine arises from an over emphasis of certain portions of Scripture while higher criticism under emphasizes Biblical authority to the point of relegating vital tenants to little more than fine literature and/or mythology.
- Liberal (Example Mormons): Excessive movements, the larger posing as mainstream denominations in violation of critical Christian doctrines. Additional denominations include Seventh-day Adventists, Jehovah Witnesses, Scientology etc.
QC and Godblog carefully acknowledge that the above categories reflect the belief and religious traditions of hundreds of millions of well intentioned believers in some form of Christianity. We are also mindful of an equal or greater number of loving and charitable acts routinely performed by members of all sects of Christianity, not to mention humanity itself. Nevertheless, as previously demonstrated, Scripture requires each and every would be disciple of Christ to learn to ever more accurately recognize and respond to the voice of our “great God and Savior.”
Many will ask what proof can be offered to make such sweeping judgments. The answer is a simple one. The Bible itself. Though there are minor differences in what may be somewhat flawed modern translated and paraphrased versions, Christianity’s fundamental messages and major tenants are so often repeated and emphasized as to be impossible for the honest reader to miss.
How North Is Enough?
Avoiding obvious doctrinal error is good, but when it comes to the New Testament’s weightier requirements is it good enough? In eternity, this question will literally be a consuming fire, as before God and the holy angels we give account for every deed, word and thought:
- “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.” 1 Corinthians 3:11-15
- “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:9-10
Definitions of genuine, much less radical discipleship, are as varied as are Christian sects. Nevertheless the Bible’s claims on the minds and hearts, words and actions, habits and lifestyles of believers are written in plain black and white. Honest seekers and servants handle the Scripture carefully in efforts to conform their will to the Bible, not vice versa.
Identifying problem areas of dualism and double-mindedness, concerned believers grow in sanctification, conscious of the difference between imputed positional righteousness provided by Christ’s costly atonement and the conditional righteousness Jesus requires. Sadly too few care enough to accurately and honestly admit much less implement Scripture’s admonitions regarding crucial additions to faith. Those who do soon find themselves faced with the Bible’s directive to exchange our rights and privileges for progressive levels of righteousness:
- Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Luke 9:23-25
- I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
- “The matter is quite simple. The bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand, we are obliged to act accordingly. Take any words in the New Testament and forget everything except pledging yourself to act accordingly. My God, you will say, if I do that my whole life will be ruined. How would I ever get on in the world? Herein lies the real place of Christian scholarship. Christian scholarship is the Church’s prodigious invention to defend itself against the Bible, to ensure that we can continue to be good Christians without the Bible coming too close. Oh, priceless scholarship, what would we do without you? Dreadful it is to fall into the hands of the living God. Yes it is even dreadful to be alone with the New Testament.”
- “Think of a very long railway train – but long ago the locomotive ran away from it. Christendom is like this... Christendom is tranquillity – how charming, the tranquillity of not moving from the spot.”
- Christianity…“Is the deepest wound that can be dealt to a person designed to collide with everything on the most appalling scale.” In short, faith is the passion of sacrifice and self-denial, a way of being in the world that suffers ridicule and persecution from the established order with its religious hypocrisy. For this reason, “The will of Christ is this: an examination in which one cannot cheat.”
- “It is true that a mirror has the quality of enabling a person to see his image in it, but to do this he must stand still.”