The Chaos that is American Christianity

It is no secret that over the past several decades Christianity in American culture has undergone dramatic and even radical change. American Christianity has seemingly experienced the kind of metamorphosis only found in certain species of insects. I do not think it controversial to maintain that Christianity has never witnessed the kind of radical and rapid shift away from its core teachings that is has recently, since the inception of the movement (if we can call it a movement) in the first century. It was not so long ago that when we called someone a Christian we had a pretty good idea what we meant. Today, that no longer seems to be the case.

Despite the goings on in American and western culture, I still believe that the term Christian means something very specific, at least where the Christian Scriptures are concerned. I realize I am making a bold assumption when I point toward the Christian Scripture in order to understand what we mean when we use the term ‘Christian’, but for that assumption I will make no apologies. If we hope to understand this term, we must inquire into the source of its origin. And there is only one source for the origin of Christianity: the Bible.

The word Christianos appears three times in the NT, once in 1 Peter and twice in Acts. It is used by Luke in Acts 11:26 to record that the Disciples of Christ were first called Christians in Antioch. It is again used in the case of Agrippa when he responded to Paul by asking him if he thought it was that easy to convince him to become a Christian. Textual issues aside, the notion that Paul wanted Agrippa to become a Christian meant something very specific. Finally, Peter uses the term to encourage those who might suffer as a Christian not to be ashamed but instead to glorify God in this name. Peter contrasts Christian with meddlers, evildoers, and murderers. Obviously, there are things that Christians are not.

According to the lexical evidence, a Christian is one who is a believer in and a follower of Christ. Another source tells us that a Christian is one who is associated with Christ. The name itself presupposes that confession of Christ constituted the characteristic feature of Jesus’ adherents.^[1] At its most basic foundation then, to be a Christian is to believe in and follow Jesus Christ. Another hint can be derived from Luke’s record again in Acts 11:26: a Christian is synonymous with disciple. Luke informs us, “and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” A Christian then is a disciple of Christ. That begs the question, what is a disciple of Jesus Christ?

The Greek word mathetes is used 264 times in the GNT. It is very well attested. At its most basic level it describes a person that was a follower of some Rabbi, Teacher, or Philosopher. Now, this  “follower” is not a follower in the modern sense of the term. In order to understand what the Bible means when it talks about a disciple, we have to understand what it mean when the Bible was written. How did that Greco-Roman culture understand and use the word disciple? How do Christ and His followers use the word disciple? I think we can begin to understand what a Christian is if we can understand what a disciple of Jesus Christ was in Greco-Roman-Jewish culture. One thing is sure: we cannot possibly understand what it means to be a Christian by listening to all the noise and chaos going on in modern writings about.

The disciple-teacher relationship has deep roots in the ancient world and there is nothing to which it may be compared in modern times, at least not in western culture. A man is called a mathetes when he binds himself to someone else in order to acquire his practical and theoretical knowledge.[2] This picture of learning becomes extremely clear in Deut. 4:10; 14:23; 17:19; 31:21. In each of these cases the object of manthano is phobeisthai kyrion ton theon, to fear the Lord God. Learning means the process by which the past experience of the love of God is translated by the learners into obedience to the Torah of God. This understanding is to lead to an inner acceptance of the divine will (cf. Deut. 30:14)[3] To be a disciple is clearly more than just being a learner or a student. In fact, it is much more than simply being a student of someone else.

The noun mathetes occurs 264 times in the NT, exclusively in the Gospels and Acts. It is used to indicate total attachment to someone in discipleship. The verb form of this word, manthano, carries the idea when used in the epistles that to hold to the teaching which the recipient of the letters received is to hold to their faith (Rom. 16:17; Eph. 4:20; 2 Tim. 3:14). In other words, a disciple is one who learns from God and holds to the teachings that God is giving through the holy apostles. And this is precisely what it means to be a Christian since being a disciple is being a Christian.

Disciples were identified with the teacher they followed. In Matthew 9:10, the disciples of John came and asked a question about Jesus’ disciples. In Matt. 10:1, we are told that Jesus summoned His twelve disciples. Jesus also recognized that His disciples were to be viewed as of more importance than one’s own family (Matt. 12:49).

One of the traits of a disciple of Christ is love for other disciples. The world will observe the disciples behavior and recognize the deep love that Christians have for other Christians. Disciples of Christ prove themselves to be disciples, not with words but with fruit (John 15:8). Jesus said that the cost of discipleship was high. In fact, He said if anyone wanted to be His disciple that they would have to take up their cross, deny themselves, and follow Him. In fact, Luke 14:26-27 If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” Any view of Christian that involves significant focus on self is entirely out of accord with the idea that Jesus taught. One does not have to look very far to see that there is hardly a stripe of American Christianity that does not begin with and focus on the self. In fact, the most sacred doctrine of American Christianity, the one thing that every version seems to have in common with every other version is the radical notion of libertarian free will. No doctrine is more focused on self than the doctrine of the free will.

In Matthew 18:15-18 Jesus identifies disciples in community with one another as His Church. Any disciple in that community guilty of sin must be confronted and lovingly corrected and restored. In other words, sin will not be part of the Christian community in any way, shape or form. If a professing disciple refuses to repent of sin as a result of this confrontation, they are to be excommunicated and not treated like a disciple. They are instead to be treated like an unbelieving pagan. The disciple’s life is a life that believes all that Jesus teaches and that adopts, embraces and lives the values that Jesus lives and commands. The teachings and ethic of Jesus are more important to the disciple than their next breath, than even their spouse, and yes, more important than their own children and parents.

The Bible provides a clear demarcation of what it means to be a Christian as opposed to a pagan as opposed to a pagan claiming to be a Christian. Contrary to the chaos in American and western Christianity, Christian has a definite meaning. To be a Christian is to be a disciple of Christ. To be a disciple of Christ is to be one that believes Christ’s word and teachings, and one that lives Christ’s words and teachings, His values and ethic. No one who claims to be a disciple of Christ rejects the teachings of Christ either outright or by way of a subversive hermeneutic. Christians do not look for ways around the clear teachings of Scripture. Christians do not challenge the Word of God; they obey it. Christians submit to the Word of God. They reject the theological and hermeneutic skepticism that is the by-product of philosophical skepticism. They humbly embrace Christ's Word. "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Col. 3:16)

The message to the believer then is that you must stand up and engage. You must seek the truth, live the truth, proclaim the truth, and yes, you must defend the truth. This is what it is to love the truth. This is what it is to be a disciple of Christ. This is what it is to be a Christian.

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^[1] Horst Robert Balz and Gerhard Schneider, Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1990–), 478.

[2] D. Muller. Disciple. New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology. Vol. I, 484.

[3] Ibid.

The Christian Concept of Truth

The contemporary situation regarding the concept of truth is more than a little confused, more than a little chaotic, more than a little cluttered: it is spiritually and infinitely catastrophic. It is confused because modern society can’t seem to recognize it. It is chaotic because modern society can’t seem to agree if it even exists or is knowable in any meaning way. It is cluttered because modern society cannot seem to decide on a precise definition for it. Finally, it is spiritually and infinitely catastrophic because modern society’s failure to come to grips with truth is moving it rapidly toward moral decay, epistemological bankruptcy, and metaphysical meaninglessness. It is spiritually and infinitely catastrophic because it has led modern society to cut itself off from its only source for morality, meaning, and knowledge: the God of Christian theism, the God that has revealed himself clearly in creation and in Scripture.

A contributing factor to the current state on the concept of truth in modern society is the lack of concord within the Christian community on the subject. For starters, the visible Christian community has failed to maintain a single source or final standard of truth, shifting its theories and doctrines along with the shifting whims of the society itself. Rather than providing a fixed and immovable target, the visible church has followed the shifts and movements of a blind society desperately attempting to find ground upon which it can rest. That ground, of course, cannot include God in any way, shape or form. Christian scholars, philosophers, pastors, and Christians themselves are in large part to blame. In their desire to remain relevant, they have become increasingly irrelevant. The visible church seems to be just one more confused entity among an already confused society. To give you an example of the problem, I will provide a quote from a leading Christian philosopher, William Lane Craig. Craig writes, “No, there is no peculiarly Christian theory of truth, one that is used only in the Bible and not elsewhere.” Craig contends that a distinctly Christian theory of truth would lead to equivocation in matters of doctrine and that Christianity itself would be circular or system-dependent, reducing the entire system of Christian theism to nothing more than a trivial claim. With such an unbiblical view of truth and such a misguided understanding of Christianity, and this coming from the supposed leading Christian philosopher of our day, it is easy to see why the concept of truth in modern society is in such a dismal condition.

Before moving to John’s distinctly Christian concern about truth, I want to point out the very basic notion in Paul on the subject and use William Lane Craig’s comments on Paul’s notion in Rom. 1:25 to illustrate what it looks like when one’s philosophy directs their interpretation of Scripture as opposed to allowing Scripture to interpret itself. The phrase I am concerned with is located in Romans 1:25: “Exchanging the truth of God for the lie.” The NASB translates it, “For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie.” Craig quotes it, “They exchanged the truth about God for a lie.” This is not a genitive of reference, a rare use of the genitive in the NT. But Craig’s previous comments that there is no such thing as a peculiarly or distinctly Christian theory of truth seems to influence his interpretation of this verse. More likely this verse means the reality consisting of God Himself and His self-revelation (Cranfield). Others refer to it as the self-disclosing reality of God. Note that Paul uses the article with “lie” so that he is not talking about some lie or merely a lie, but “the lie.” “The lie” is the lie that is at it most basic level, in opposition to the self-disclosing reality of God Himself. It is that worldview that contradicts Christian theism. It is that notion of truth that rejects the distinctly Christian view of truth as revealed in Scripture and articulated in Christian doctrine. Christian theism has a very fixed and steady view or theory of truth that is as sure as the person and being of God Himself. To say otherwise can only mean that one does not understand Christianity or they have not bothered to evaluate the Bible’s teaching on the subject, or they have engaged is a seriously flawed reading of Scripture.

John, in writing to Gaius said that he was very glad to hear that his children were ἐν ἀληθείᾳ περιπατοῦντα, walking in the truth. According to Christian theism, truth is something that we can walk in. The implications are far-reaching. The phrase is used in John 17:17 in the high-priestly prayer of Christ, ἁγίασον αὐτοὺς ἐν τῇ ἀληθείᾳ· Sanctify them in the truth. To walk in the truth is to walk in holiness, it is to work in God’s word, it is to purfy oneself from the works of the flesh, to mortify the deeds of the body. The word περιπατοῦντα means to live or behave in a customary manner. Hence, to live or behave in a customary manner “in the truth” is to live, or behave in a customary manner in God’s word for Jesus said, “thy word is truth.”

The same John informed us that Jesus said in His own words, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (Jn. 14:6) And again, John described Jesus as the word made flesh that was full of grace and truth. (Jn. 1:14) The same John just three verses later said that both grace and truth are realized through Jesus Christ. (Jn. 1:17) John 8:32 tells us that we will know the truth and the truth will make us free. Scripture tells us that there is no truth in Satan, even though Satan can reason better than the best philosophers. Scriptures describes the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of truth. (Jn. 14:17) Paul, having given Festus the gospel said, “I utter words of sober truth.” (Acts 26:25) Romans 1:18 declares that all unregenerate men suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Yet, unregenerate philosophers are trying to convince us that they are actually after the truth. It is the truth they seek, we are told over and again. And many Christian apologists agree with them even thought Scripture denies such misleading claims. The gospel of Christ is called the message of truth, or better, the message of the truth. (Eph. 1:13)

We live in a culture that makes so many different claims about truth it is impossible to keep up with them. One silly notion claims there is not such thing as absolute truth and claims this is statement is absolutely true and sees nothing wrong in the statement. Another person claims that truth is relative, and this claim applies to all of us. Again, she sees nothing wrong with this reasoning. Another person argues that truth cannot possible be known and asserts they are sure of it. On the one hand, our culture makes fun of one man that bows his knee before God in thanksgiving in the end zone and praises another man who gets on his knees for all sorts of disgusting reasons on the other. Videos of moms killing their unborn babies go viral while mothers that stay out home to spend more time with their children are called Exhibit A is Gretchen Ritter, who apparently makes her living directing the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies at the University of Texas and as associate professor of government and women’s studies, who maintains stay-at-home moms are dangerous subversives and a plague on society.
Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2004/08/25862/#liBfRhLSC57kfr0k.99.

Contrary to William Lane Craig’s perspective that Christian theism doesn’t really have a theory or view of truth, nothing could be further from the truth. Christian theism does have a very serious and focused theory and understanding of truth. Sadly, many Christians are doing nothing with that theory. Many of us go to church, and home again. We go to work and home again. We go to the gym, the coffee chop, the barber, the grocery story, the restaurant, and home again. We observe truth being smashed and perverted, and God being blasphemed everywhere we go and do nothing to engage. I am not saying you can stem the tide of coming judgment on this nation. I am not saying Christianity can rescue America. Only God can do that. This isn’t about America. It isn’t about rescuing our culture, not really. It is about rescuing you and me. Speak up Christian! You have the truth. But you say that you are not prepared to answer questions. Frist, you don’t need all the answers. Get the conversation going, admit when you don’t know, but somewhere in there, give them the gospel. At least do that much. We can begin to prepare ourselves to have better conversations over time. We will get better. But one thing is for sure: unless you begin to spend some energy to prepare yourself to engage the culture and work up the courage to start talking about Christ loudly, everywhere you go, and condemning sin and blasphemy in a loving way, pointing it out, you will find yourself a minimal fruit-producing Christian. Is that what you want? Have loud enough conversations at the coffee shop for others to sort of overhear you. Introduce yourself to strangers and work the conversation toward the gospel. Do something!

The Strange Fire Conference - John MacArthur Initiates Another Battle for Truth

The Strange Fire Conference

Click the link above to visit the "Strange Fire Conference" webpage. There will be live streaming of the event beginning tomorrow.

John MacArthur does it again. He has refused to sit back and say nothing about a movement that routinely displays some of the highest arrogance of any movement I can think of in terms of the movements claiming to be distinctly Christian. I am convinced that Dr. MacArthur's attempt is one of the most loving things he could ever do for the Christian community. Part of the issue with the Pentecostal-Charismatic movement is its amazing congruence with the hedonistic, materialistic modern advanced cultures and its wildly successful ability to generate temporal, fleshly hope in cultures where little hope exists. The tactic is about as cruel as one can possibly be. The number of people jumping on the bandwagon and signing up for this movement is very high. But the reasons are as sinful in many cases as they are erroneous. 

• People feel very special when God talks to them directly. They want what the early Church and the prophets had: direct, divine revelation from God. In fact, they demand it. This movement gives them dreams, visions, and personal prophecy.
• People want a life of material gain. This movement promises that they can have it.
• People do not want deal with being sick or getting a disease. This movement teaches that healing was provided for in the atonement.
• People want to see God's miraculous power. This movement claims to have miracle workers.
• People want their best life right now. This movement tells them that God wants the same thing for them.
• People want success in marriage and career, fulfillment, personal happiness, to be elevated. This movement promises them all their hearts desires.
• People do not want to suffer or do without. This movement promises them they do not have to.

The Strange Fire Conference is not a conference strictly dealing with abstract theological disputes over cessationism. It is much more than that. It goes to the very heartbeat of why continuationism is such a problem. This conference has at its core, pastoral concerns. People are living in error and being taking advantage of. The Christian message has been contorted into something very dark and demonic in many cases. The range of teaching in Pentecostal-Charismatic movement moves from simple error to insidious blasphemy. Someone has to say something! Thank God Dr. MacArthur sees the true threat and danger of a movement that for the most part, and with few exceptions here and there, is a blight on the Christian community.

We are kidding ourselves if we think for a minute that the Pentecostal-Charismatic movement would be what it is today if you took away the above promises and paced the gifts in a much more conservative environment. If we removed the prosperity gospel, the promises of career advancement and personal fulfillment, and we removed the personal prophecy, the dreams, and visions, and we placed the gifts in an environment that taught the truth, the movement would be unnoticeable. It is not the gifts themselves that motivate people to be in this movement, but the sensations they get, the hope they experience, and the lifestyle they think they can achieve that makes it so very attractive. It leads to ungodly desires for wealth that somehow become sanctified and right. It makes promises it cannot and does not keep. But hope is a funny thing. Hope will deceive you. Take a failed relationship for example. If a person has hope that the relationship can be restored, that hope, even if it is false, will cause them to continue to yearn for something that will never be realized. This false hope keeps the PC adherent in the movement, hoping that eventually their ship will come in. But the only hope that matters is that blessed hope that we have in the work of our Lord Jesus Christ. Oh, to be satisfied by the hope that He offers, by the experience of knowing Him even if nothing else goes as we had hoped, that hope will sustain our joy more than anything man could ever hope to conjure up. I hope you will be stirred to avoid misplaced hope, and discover the faith and hope that is Christ Jesus.