Doubt 3 - Too Much Injustice of Church
“The church has been involved with too much persecution of Christians, for goodness’ sake. They turn on their own and attack fellow believers who differ on minor points of doctrine” said a college student.
On the surface, the above criticism is simply true. Once the reformers of the 14th and 15th centuries came on the scene, and Protestant churches were formed, the fight between them and Roman Catholics became forceful. Later, the differing Protestant churches would turn on each other. It’s a sad commentary on church history. Using England as an example, when the Catholics had the king, the Protestants were persecuted, and when the Protestants had the king, the Catholics were persecuted. John Wycliffe of England wanted the Bible in the common language (English). He was a Catholic and a priest, but having the Bible only in Latin that the normal person could not read made no sense to him. The Catholic church did not like this and persecuted him. He would flee and survive until he died in 1384 AD, but later would be exhumed and his dead body burned as an excommunicated Christian. The issues were complicated. He also was critical of the Pope, but it is an early example of the church wanting control beyond reason. Others point to things like slavery supported by some Christians.
How do we respond to such things? First, we must admit wrong has been done by seemingly mature Christian leaders. Anytime we allow something other than the teachings of Jesus and his apostles to guide us, we are in danger of getting off course. Mistakes are made, sometimes major ones. But let’s keep in mind the old saying, “The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.” All who seek to follow Christ are works in progress, and far from perfect. That’s why we are saved by grace, through faith in Christ, and not by our works. Second, not all who claim to be Christian, are Christian. Some come into the name by family, by tradition, by culture, but have never really decided to make
Jesus Lord of their life. They wear the name but do bad things and give cause to criticize the church.
The truth is, sometimes you’ll find better character traits in non-Christians than in Christians. Why would I say that? Because character must be developed over time. It comes largely from a stable family and social environment that reinforces such traits. You can have these advantages without being a Christian. And yet many who come to Christ come from poor backgrounds, without these advantages. Once they are “Christian” it will take extended time to change their behavioral traits. So, you will at times find non-Christians who are more advanced in good character than some Christians. Still, wherever you start, following Christ should take you in a positive character direction.
You’ll remember that some of Jesus’ chief critics and persecutors were the Jewish leaders of his day. They had allowed power and a narrow mindset to blind them to any concept of this sacrificial Messiah who presented himself. That can still happen in religious circles. We must look closer at Jesus, who he is and what he stands for, before allowing the mistakes of misguided “Christians” to get us off course. And keep in mind that the apostle Peter said judgment begins with the household of God (I Peter 4:17).
Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be servant of all” (Mark 10:43,45). Such church leaders, who patiently and painstakingly seek God’s kingdom first, wanting as many as possible to enter it, while standing on solid Christian teaching for the character and discipline we all need, will be recognized for the good they do. Don’t let the mistakes of “so called Christians” derail you from what Christ has to offer.
Cross Point: “God will judge the righteous and the wicked” (Ecclesiastes 3:16-17). Justice will come, so don’t allow the misbehavior of some to blind you to the truth of the faithful, who seek God with a sincere desire to obey him.
On the surface, the above criticism is simply true. Once the reformers of the 14th and 15th centuries came on the scene, and Protestant churches were formed, the fight between them and Roman Catholics became forceful. Later, the differing Protestant churches would turn on each other. It’s a sad commentary on church history. Using England as an example, when the Catholics had the king, the Protestants were persecuted, and when the Protestants had the king, the Catholics were persecuted. John Wycliffe of England wanted the Bible in the common language (English). He was a Catholic and a priest, but having the Bible only in Latin that the normal person could not read made no sense to him. The Catholic church did not like this and persecuted him. He would flee and survive until he died in 1384 AD, but later would be exhumed and his dead body burned as an excommunicated Christian. The issues were complicated. He also was critical of the Pope, but it is an early example of the church wanting control beyond reason. Others point to things like slavery supported by some Christians.
How do we respond to such things? First, we must admit wrong has been done by seemingly mature Christian leaders. Anytime we allow something other than the teachings of Jesus and his apostles to guide us, we are in danger of getting off course. Mistakes are made, sometimes major ones. But let’s keep in mind the old saying, “The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.” All who seek to follow Christ are works in progress, and far from perfect. That’s why we are saved by grace, through faith in Christ, and not by our works. Second, not all who claim to be Christian, are Christian. Some come into the name by family, by tradition, by culture, but have never really decided to make
Jesus Lord of their life. They wear the name but do bad things and give cause to criticize the church.
The truth is, sometimes you’ll find better character traits in non-Christians than in Christians. Why would I say that? Because character must be developed over time. It comes largely from a stable family and social environment that reinforces such traits. You can have these advantages without being a Christian. And yet many who come to Christ come from poor backgrounds, without these advantages. Once they are “Christian” it will take extended time to change their behavioral traits. So, you will at times find non-Christians who are more advanced in good character than some Christians. Still, wherever you start, following Christ should take you in a positive character direction.
You’ll remember that some of Jesus’ chief critics and persecutors were the Jewish leaders of his day. They had allowed power and a narrow mindset to blind them to any concept of this sacrificial Messiah who presented himself. That can still happen in religious circles. We must look closer at Jesus, who he is and what he stands for, before allowing the mistakes of misguided “Christians” to get us off course. And keep in mind that the apostle Peter said judgment begins with the household of God (I Peter 4:17).
Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be servant of all” (Mark 10:43,45). Such church leaders, who patiently and painstakingly seek God’s kingdom first, wanting as many as possible to enter it, while standing on solid Christian teaching for the character and discipline we all need, will be recognized for the good they do. Don’t let the mistakes of “so called Christians” derail you from what Christ has to offer.
Cross Point: “God will judge the righteous and the wicked” (Ecclesiastes 3:16-17). Justice will come, so don’t allow the misbehavior of some to blind you to the truth of the faithful, who seek God with a sincere desire to obey him.
Posted in Cross Points