Danville Enlightener

VOL. VIII, No. 5

February 4, 2007

Why Are We Hated?

Narrow-minded, bigoted, sanctimonious, self-righteous, cultish and intolerant; these are a few of the labels hurled toward New Testament Christians (members of the church of Christ), often by “religious people.” I know we should not let the barbs of hate and anger cause us to become sidetracked because certainly much worse was launched against the Lord. Care to remember the false accusations of winebibber, glutinous man (Matt 11:19) and demon possessed (Jn 7:20) to name three?

Why do seemingly otherwise sane people become mad with hate when it comes to members of the church of Christ?  For sure, there is the obligatory detestation for Catholics, Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, Jews and a few others, by mainstream Protestant denominationalism. Their contempt for groups such as these often are based upon some verity; Catholics do worship the pope as God on earth, Mormons do accept as inspired writings other than the Bible (Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price and Doctrines and Covenants), J.W.’s have their blind loyalty to the Watchtower Organization rather than devotion to the New Testament, and Jews reject the only means to God (Jesus). I must confess, however, I cannot fathom why New Testament Christians are placed in the same category as these.

After all, we honor Jesus Christ as the Son of God; we also believe that the New Testament is the only inspired will of Christ that is to govern our lives today. We believe that God loves and saves all men and women who come to Him on His terms regardless of national origin, race or color. We believe in the sanctity of life, the blessedness of the home and we have an honest work ethic. We believe we should obey the laws of the land and respect our elected leaders; we abhor revolution and anarchy. Religiously we call all men to untie upon the teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ. What is wrong with these?

When  I  think  about  this  I  have  to  scratch  my head in wonderment, why are people 

responding in disgust to members of the Lord’s church? This is something I have pondered for years. I have family members who think my faith is revolting. I have former friends who think my faith is about hate (homosexuals, drug users, drinkers of alcoholic beverages, divorced, etc.). I encounter people who shout “Like your truth is the only truth and everyone should believe the way you believe.”

Maybe, just maybe, the reasons for such loathing are not that hard to understand after all. In our pacifistic society it is not fashionable to take a stand for or against anything. The social order of our populace is now conditioned to accept anything and everything in the name of multiculturalism so as not to offend anyone. We see it in the war against terrorism. The pacifists among us would rather try to understand and appease the murders of 9-11 rather than stand against them. Thus instead of “profiling” at airports and questioning young Arab men, we demand a seventy-five- year old white-haired grandmother from Oglethorpe, Georgia be stripped searched. This proves our inclusiveness and broad-mindedness; anything else is bigoted.

This is what has happened in religion. If you believe anything, then some people feel bad about that. If we say marriage is a heterosexual relationship between one man and one woman for a lifetime, then we upset the homosexual community, the divorced and those living together. If we say that moral purity is better than immorality, well then we have offended the purveyors of pornography and the adherents of it. If we say telling the truth is better than telling a lie, then liars, deceivers and frauds are upset. If we say baptism is for the remission of sin, all who disagree rise up and call us “water salvationists.” If we take a stand for anything, then we have riled a large segment of the population who differs. Muslims are offended because we believe in Jehovah God, Jews are irritated because we preach Jesus, Atheists are, well they are offended because we love them and desire their salvation. If we come out against something, then we have offended those who are for it. Gamblers are angry when we oppose the Lottery; winos, drunks and junkies think me a cult leader when I preach against their favorite vices.

What is the answer? Do we simply abandon truth so those who have contempt for it will like us? Do we dump our principles so those with none will love us? Do we make the church more sinner-friendly so those who wallow in sin will feel good about us and them? No, a million times no!

These people are not angry with us; we are just their convenient target. Their anger is against God. As it was when the people clamored for a king the problem really was, according to God, “they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them,” (1 Sam 8:7).

When we are  the  objects  of  scorn, ridicule and hate just remember, their hatred is for

He who claims “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me,” (Jn 14:6). They are just too dishonest and cowardly to admit it.

I conclude the best thing we can do for these people is to pray for them and do our level best to teach them the truth of God’s word. After all, it is the truth that will set them free (Jn 8:32); not only from their sin, but from their rage.

-- jrb

"As I See It"

“I need some advice” the voice on the other end of the line said when I answered the phone. “We don’t know what to do with our fourteen-year old son.” I listened, commented and hung up; then I began pondering the competence of modern parenting.

Walking through Wal-Mart one can observe bad behavior of every sort from kids while the care-giver (what happened to mom and dad?) has the classic “dear-in-the-headlight” look. These parents better take control soon or all is going to be lost.

“And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord,” (Eph 6:4). Any parent who applies biblical principles will find at the very least a modicum of success.

All parents should expect and demand respect from children, regardless of age (Eph 6:1-3). This means kids never slap, spit or drop the F-bomb on parents, and if they do, they are severely punished. Too many parents allow children to burrow away watching “reality shows” such as the Osborne’s where Kelly and Jack regularly tell Ozzy and Sharon to ____.  As a result we see three, five and 15 year-old kids unleash their venom on their parents and others and then walk away smacking their gum.

Every parent should demand their child understand them instead of the other way around. “Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, and give attention to know understanding; for I give you good doctrine: do not forsake my law,” (Prov 4:1-2). I never used to sit around sad that I could not understand my son or my daughter. It never occurred to me to even try to understand them; I expected them to understand me. Understand the rules, understand what is expected, understand bedtime, understand curfew, and understand I did not tolerate a smart-alecky mouth or unsavory friends.

Parents ought to expect and demand that children become friendly and treat others with kindness. “A man who has friends must himself be friendly,” (Prov 18:24). “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them,” (Matt 7:12). This will eliminate the sullen or irritated attitude seen in so many young people today. Daughters will not behave like psycho chicks in a pout pretending to be the next angry supermodel. Sons won’t walk around like a homey out of prison looking to punch out the lights of anyone who invades his space.” They will become kids who are respectful, kind and friendly.

AS I SEE IT every mom and dad must instill some biblical qualities into each child, and when he or she grows up, they’ll thank you, and so will their spouses.