I've started this book my mom bought for me recently and it takes an extremely hard look on the modern world of christianity. Pastors preach 'feel good' messages- watered down versions of what the bible says. He wrote about how churches try to 'cater' towards our human wants... you want a band? We'll give you live music complete with drums, electric guitars and keyboard. He said what it all comes down to now in the church is to lift our self-esteem.
But he says in order to follow Christ we need to hate ourselves. Self-denial. Only when we hate ourselves and set ourselves apart even from our families and friends can we be followers of Christ. He used the example of the parable Jesus once told.. about the man who had to 'go first and bury his father' before he could follow. But he indicated that he had to 'go' and presumably wait for his father to die before he could go so basically he put his family first.
I think we have watered down the whole message. In order to appear more 'tolerant' we say that anyone can become a christian because all you have to do is pray a little prayer and accept Jesus into your heart and admit you are a sinner and poof! welcome to the club.
But it's not like that. The way to heaven is a narrow gate where many people are misled into thinking they are one of the few who would get in. And in seeing this, Christians don't want to appear exclusive, when in fact, it is exclusive.
So now I'm quite confused... where do you draw the line between trying to reach out to people through coffeehouses, music, christian magazines... vs just a big, fat marketing company trying to reap in as much money they can get from the religion industry. I'm so confused... What defines 'self-hate'? To refuse to have nothing to do with one's self. But I think we have all become too comfortable in hearing all this lal-la sermons where they tell you stuff to make yourself feel better... instead of looking at ourselves crititically... iono what I'm saying anymore.
I have more random things to say but I'm kinda tired and as you can see.. I'm not really thinking straight. Not like I ever do anyway.
But he says in order to follow Christ we need to hate ourselves. Self-denial. Only when we hate ourselves and set ourselves apart even from our families and friends can we be followers of Christ. He used the example of the parable Jesus once told.. about the man who had to 'go first and bury his father' before he could follow. But he indicated that he had to 'go' and presumably wait for his father to die before he could go so basically he put his family first.
I think we have watered down the whole message. In order to appear more 'tolerant' we say that anyone can become a christian because all you have to do is pray a little prayer and accept Jesus into your heart and admit you are a sinner and poof! welcome to the club.
But it's not like that. The way to heaven is a narrow gate where many people are misled into thinking they are one of the few who would get in. And in seeing this, Christians don't want to appear exclusive, when in fact, it is exclusive.
So now I'm quite confused... where do you draw the line between trying to reach out to people through coffeehouses, music, christian magazines... vs just a big, fat marketing company trying to reap in as much money they can get from the religion industry. I'm so confused... What defines 'self-hate'? To refuse to have nothing to do with one's self. But I think we have all become too comfortable in hearing all this lal-la sermons where they tell you stuff to make yourself feel better... instead of looking at ourselves crititically... iono what I'm saying anymore.
I have more random things to say but I'm kinda tired and as you can see.. I'm not really thinking straight. Not like I ever do anyway.
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