Fake Christians losing their religion
Couple of interesting items popped up on the Christian Post this week:
Rick Warren is warning “Fake and Passive Christians” that they aren’t going to like his church and Brian Bloye is telling his church members to “lose their religion and become true followers of Christ.” Pastor Craig Groeschel is warning “Christian Atheists” that they need to shed their hypocrisy and become true followers of Christ. The last one is my favorite, although haven’t read his book.
I have two reactions when I am reading about these big name, megachurch pastors get on board with the original gospel. The first is hope that there are Christian leaders who are (hopefully) getting back to the basics and preaching the good news instead of the good candidate. The second is a little disappointment. I mean this is not new stuff they are talking about. Why do we still not get it? I think sometimes we as Christians have created a culture in which we can have it all. We want to be consumers and happy and comfortable, but believers as well. We seek to follow both the world and Christ.
Personally, I want to follow Christ. Far too often, though I seem to lose my way. I think that is why it helps to have our leaders in this world who are willing to call us out for our mistakes. Now we just have to listen.
I agree with all the above and I know that there are many churches in my area that have wandered away into the entertainment areas. Their concept is to draw people into the church but have gone away from teaching His word. I have had a hard time with finding a bible teaching church in some areas. So in many ways the churches have created the problems themselves.
Thanks for the nudge hopefully this will bring the attention back to the word.
I get uncomfortable when people start labeling folks “real Christians” or “fake Christians”. There’s a lot of diversity in the world and a lot of different ways to interpret the Bible.
I think he is saying that fake Christians are those who claim to be Christians and are highly religious but instead of following the teachings of the Bible are moralistic, judgmental, and for the most part pretty bitter and hateful (basically coming out of their self centeredness). I don’t really think that “false Christians” interpret the Bible differently then “real Christian’s” they just tend to ignore the parts that make them uncomfortable.
I also don’t like the application of the label. Like so many things, all you can do is examine your own heart. Through examining yourself and though the spirit, we can hope to determine if we are living up to the faith that we need.
On the other hand, as members of the body of Christ, it IS our responsibility to be open and honest with each other. We can’t really live and let live within the bounds of the church. We are called to help each other stay on the path with love and humility. If that means that a pastor needs to stand up and remind us what our standards should be, then that is ok with me. (Unless of course it pertains to my life!)