Search

Eternal Approach

Month

January 2023

When “Love” Becomes an Idol

Crucifix Christ Church Wall

It seems that every once in a while, the church decides to re-invent itself. To shift its focus or try to re-state, re-organize, or just try to do a makeover in order to appear more acceptable, more relevant, and more hip to the surrounding culture.  

The reason for this is often blamed on the church’s ineffectual ministry to the surrounding world. Therefore, there is no end to all the books and ministries seeking to lead the church down a new path to become more effective or more “contextual”.

And, of course, there is no end to all the rhetoric telling us how to do this. How we must become a “New Kind of Christian”. Or even how “Everything must change”!

And always, without fail, the one thing that is constantly emphasized in all of these “methods” is how we must become more “loving”. 

Always, always, “love” is lifted up as the great answer.

In effect, “love” has become the New Idol of this church age. 

Continue reading “When “Love” Becomes an Idol”

Labeling Someone a “Legalist”

zipper smile emoji

Holding to solid doctrinal beliefs and defending those biblical beliefs is not “legalism”.

Holding to biblical morality and insisting that the church hold to that morality is not “legalism”.

Technically, “legalism” is not even a biblical word.

It’s a word created to describe an attitude one might encounter in a church or in an individual Christian. Specifically, it’s an attitude of one who tries to enforce a set of values or practices that are not specifically biblical. But which might be the accepted norm within a group.

Or an attitude held by someone lacking tolerance for anyone that doesn’t fit a specific standard. Like a Pharisee who tries to get everyone in line with Traditions that are extra-biblical.

Enforcing Traditions that are not specifically spelled out in scripture.

Traditions that are secondary principles. Traditions open to interpretation. And open to the exercise of Christian liberty.

Continue reading “Labeling Someone a “Legalist””

Every True Christian is a “Priest”

Man Kneel Pray by Lake

Believers in Christ are called “priests” in the New Testament.

… “and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 1:3-9)

But what does this really mean?

Continue reading “Every True Christian is a “Priest””

Create a free website or blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑