A challenge to reclaim the meaning of Christianity

In response to a discussion with a dear long-standing friend where he and I are both contending for the Faith:

Sigh… we have so many “christian viewpoints” today that simply are unsustainable by the Biblical text. (In a court of law, such arguments would surely be thrown out if we were pleading for a Biblically-orientated lifestyle?)

SO…. these pseudo-christians first used to say that it’s the way people “interpret” the Bible. But note that NOW the tendency is to suggest that the Bible is a “nice book” that does not reveal truth at all, and that is on a level of any other writing. These voices claim to be the authentic, “post modern” church. They are not. By definition they are heritics.

What is really at stake is the definition of what a “Christian” really is. It CANNOT BE a 21st century re-invention. Who gave anyone the right alive in the planet today to CHANGE any element of the orthodox Christian faith?

So, I see a challenge us to re-claim the meaning of what a Christian really is and what is a NOT Christian.

Two final points: for years I refused to call myself “Christian” — but WHY should heritics take the name? Secondly, those of us who lived through the hippy and or Jesus Movement days know all about post-modernism, because we saw it emerge. I think this is important to recall – and to ask the Lord for WISDOM in responding to the current crisis in the church. Amen.

John Ruffle [07/15/2015 8:40 AM]
Hi Joey Kelly! I ussd to say stuff like “I’m a disciple of Jesus” or “I love Jesus but I’m not religious”. But there is a perception problem there too… people think I just make up my own faith. I do believe we can say “I am a Christian” with thanksgiving and with nothing to be ashamed of.

John Kissinger [07/15/2015 10:06 AM]
Joey Kelly hate to ask but what denomination are you 🙂

John Ruffle [07/15/2015 11:22 AM]
You orobabky know already so you are welcome to ask. I don’t believe in “denominations” really but I’m not try to dodge your question. It was that distrust of post-reformation individualism that led me to the catholic tradition. And from there to be received into the RCC. In all, from card-carrying Penticostal to received Catholic – a visible 10 year hike.

John Ruffle [07/15/2015 11:23 AM]
Charismatic Catholic if you must!

John Kissinger [07/15/2015 7:01 PM]
there’re so many Christian traditions represented in this Pentecostal Theology group

John Ruffle [07/16/2015 1:50 AM]
Hope my post was clear. I am defending our right and our DUTY to read, believe, love, embrace and obey the Bible and the Faith in Jesus that each book therein points us to.

The Holy Spirit is the One who interprets — NOT our culture!

The beauty of the Bible is that it is timeless – just as relevant to this present hour as any other time. That is because the One who inspired the writers is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, who knows all things. We are fools if we abandon the Bible or dis-believe its message.

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