The Christian Church

Inevitably, this was going to arise as an issue, which, for the purposes of this blog, predates issues I will later write. Societal norms and pop culture are, as they have done countless times, shaping the way in which Christians live and form moral standpoints. I can speak of my experience only as a Seattle resident, but I gather it is prevalent all over the states and maybe worldwide too.

The Christian church in Seattle is being greatly impacted by the societal norms of liberal, humanistic morality. No longer is it okay to condemn "borderline" or disputable immoral practice. Former members of my church, in particular, are sidestepping basic Christian morals and supporting their feelings and experience as true and right. Rather than challenging their experiences in light of Scripture or talking it over with church leaders, these members are embracing sinful ways of living and justifying it by personal experience. The little training I have in theology showed me that many people practice bad theology by interpreting the Bible by their experiences (conforming the Bible to justify their experiential truth) rather than interpreting their actions by Scriptural truth.

This leads me into some rather frustrating situations. Anytime I try to challenge a person I see in sin with Scripture, they try to avoid it. Because they can't back up their interpretation of their experiences, they avoid Biblical conversations. They decline wisdom from me, Scripture, and spiritual leaders (their own pastors).

The greatest sin that has arisen is that of self-gratification. A number of people are justifying sinful practice by claiming it will bring happier lives. whether or not that's true, doesn't scripture have the final say on what's right? take divorce for example. The Bible allowed divorce for only the most necessary reasons (death and infidelity). Christians are now justifying that divorce is okay because it will "improve their quality of life." But that doesn't line up with Scripture. Scripture doesn't say, "if you think it will make you happier, it's okay." Rather it lays down some specific guidelines that are not to be broken.

The deeper issue, though, is that of personal surrender. If one is in a situation they don't think is the best fit for them, it is more important (in their view) to accept committing a "necessary" sin for "the greater good." (the "greater good" theology can be used to justify just about any sin, and so should be considered bad theology). Christians (some) would rather seek their own happiness and "need" to be true to themselves rather than follow the written word of God. Is that really the a healthy Christian? or even a Christian, period? Doesn't being a Christian mean that you are willing to sacrifice ALL for Him? Even Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son out of faithfulness to God, and if he's like most loving fathers, he loved his son more than his own life. When God demands something, shouldn't we strive to give it to him? I pray that the Christian church will stand by its principles and right morality, not giving in to the sin that so easily entangles. May God have mercy on their souls, and the Spirit of power convict their hearts.