Why are more and more people putting degrading and insulting the terms "Christianity" and "Christians" lately?
One
reason is that people are merely jumping on the bandwagon. They're
copying what they have heard others say. They haven't bothered to
research anything and it's just easy to regurgitate re-fried rhetoric.
About Christianity, they don't know what REAL is, so they definitely don't know what's fake. Many have heard someone say this or that is
not Christian so, without ever finding out if it's accurate, they
condemn those who are trying to live by Christian principles while they,
themselves, aren't living anything but whatever they feel for the
moment.
Another reason for the harsh sentiment against Christianity is the horrible example of many who profess the faith. In history and in modern times, far too many people wave the banner for Christianity while actually fighting against it. They poorly represent--sometimes intentionally and other times from self-interests or just plain laziness. Many do much more harm than good. They don't walk the talk. But just because bad things are said or even shown about something, doesn't make the thing intrinsically bad.
For example, there are scores of dreadful doctors, dentists, and even herbalists, but most people know they are not ALL bad. Not every single one of them, in every part of the world exemplifies butchering and greed. There are some, a very few, who really do care, try to help, and are not just in pursuit of money. It's the same with Christians. They are also few in number. There are "few", just as Scripture says, who actually do locate and enter that hard-to-find and very difficult gate and way. They are the real followers of Christ. They believe in Christ as Savior and gain pleasure in pleasing the heavenly Father more than in pleasing themselves or each other. But again, indeed, they are FEW.
(Read Matthew 7: 13,14)
The buzz in recent years, even in many churches, has been anti "religion". According to this popular trend, all "religion" and anything to do with it is wrong and bad. Why would any preacher speak against the word "religion" when the very word is used and defined in Scripture?
James 1:27
"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."
So, what's wrong with "religion"? NOTHING! According to the Bible, when it is 100%, as in PURE, it's all good. So, while some religion, as in worldly, rote or routine, religion is unprofitable, not all religion is bad. Traditional, cultural, or pseudo-godliness is bad, but NOT ALL religion is bad. Pure religion is good! And so is the term "Christian".
Acts 11:26
And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
The buzz in recent years, even in many churches, has been anti "religion". According to this popular trend, all "religion" and anything to do with it is wrong and bad. Why would any preacher speak against the word "religion" when the very word is used and defined in Scripture?
James 1:27
"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."
So, what's wrong with "religion"? NOTHING! According to the Bible, when it is 100%, as in PURE, it's all good. So, while some religion, as in worldly, rote or routine, religion is unprofitable, not all religion is bad. Traditional, cultural, or pseudo-godliness is bad, but NOT ALL religion is bad. Pure religion is good! And so is the term "Christian".
And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Acts 26:28
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
1 Peter 4:16
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
Historically, whether or not it was meant as an insult or a favorable term, Christianity was an identification which signified that individuals or groups of people followed the teachings of Jesus, the Christ. Is it misused and misrepresented? Ah.... YES! But that doesn't make it wrong, or an incorrect translation, or a pagan insertion into Scripture, or proof that the whole Bible was just man's way to control others, or any such nonsense. Just as in any profession or group of people, there will always be some, sometimes many, who just do not practice whatever it is, the way in which it was intended.
While Christianity is categorized as a religion, a significant difference between biblical Christianity and cultural Christianity is that the former is a personal and sincere relationship between the individual and Christ Jesus. The true Bible-believing Christian will seek to honor the Scriptures in integrity--even when it seems no one is watching. The latter, on the other hand, requires following a groups' constantly changing values and doctrines. With it, outward appearance is more important than the inward condition.
Hostility against biblical Christianity seems to be stronger and more overt than ever in recent history. The very NAMES pertaining to Father and Son, the Book, and the people of the Book, have come under greater attack and scrutiny lately. Because there are so many dreadful examples of true Christianity and so few genuine examples, lies about God and His people are increasingly easy for some to believe--especially since some want to believe bad things anyway.
There is another reason for the heightened persecution of Christianity, the body of Christ, and those who pursue understanding of and following of Scripture. That reason is prophecy. Those who are insulting the doctrine and people of God are simply playing their parts. They are fulfilling what has been foretold.
They have already rejected the True and Living God of the Bible and are on a mission to deter and derail others. Ultimately, their goal is to completely destroy faith in Creator and, at some point, the goal is to destroy actual physical lives. Drastic? Yes, but the script has already been written. We are witnessing the real-life story play out. Bible prophecies are currently being fulfilled.
John 16:2
They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
John 16:2
They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
Whether we use the words "Christianity", "Christian", "Jesus People", or other names associated with following the Messiah of Scripture, how much LIKE Christ are we? How connected are we to the Christ of Scripture?
Romans 6:5
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
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