The Christian Gestapo

A Reformed Inquisition…

“I’m going to kill Santa Clause—cart him to the guillotine in a tumbrel, and then carry his head through town on a pike. I mean it. That damned red-nosed reindeer will be sausage. Why is his nose red? Because he’s a drunk. His real name is O’Toole. He emigrated to the North Pole under a forged visa.” Fred Reed

Christianity had spread to the City of Rome before the Apostle Paul was imprisoned. In four journeys he had covered over 20,000 miles spreading the Gospel and establishing churches. The Apostle Peter and other Christian Jews were also busy spreading the Good News,

From the beginning there were contentions in the church. Some Jewish converts insisted that circumcision and keeping the Law were essential to salvation while Paul maintained salvation was by Grace. Paul and Barnabas argued and separated over the restoration of John and churches established by Paul were plagued with false doctrines brought in by heretical members and outsiders similar to the divisions we have in churches today.

As Christianity spread, contentions were intrinsic.

In our time, man, as opposed to God, is receiving an overwhelming emphasis. In the Western World all religions center on the creature. Like the bygone hucksters of cure-all elixirs, Christian churches emphasize the benefits involved in becoming a Christian and joining their church. The primary goal of denominational Christian Churches is attracting new members. Charismatic Churches offer exotic teachings and emotional highs. Evangelical denominations are geared to manipulating new Christians into the fold. The Catholic Church still maintains its exclusivity and theological difference between Catholics and Protestants are still significant. A humanistic element in one form or another has spread through all of Christianity.

Congregants are presented with an array of churches that provide a variety of different services. Invariably church attendance is determined by perceived benefits. Seldom is consideration given to what God requires of his people and how a particular congregation is meeting that requirement.

Theological differences notwithstanding Catholic Schools are preferred over public schools by both Catholics and Protestants because they offer a better learning environment. Protestant Christian schools have now become popular and bumper stickers with carefully selected Christian names are common.

Though Christian ethics is a major consideration, humanism is the common denominator in all this activity. Schools and churches are geared to providing an intellectual and spiritual education for their students. Little thought is given to the Will of God concerning His creation.

This focus on the creature rather than the Creator causes serious problems in the church.

At the time of the Reformation the Catholic Church was running rough shod over people and nations with an arrogant usurpation of God’s dominion. The sale of indulgences which was one of Martin Luther’s principle grievances was a doubly sinful procedure. First, the idea that the church can forgive sin does not stand up to Biblical doctrine; and, second, substituting lucre for repentance was a direct insult to The Law Giver. To make matters worse the Church had jailed, tortured, and even murdered dissenters. Martin Luther endangered his person by appearing before the Catholic inquisition.

God is not a respecter of persons but politicians, pastors and congregants are. The indulgent spirit is still active in churches today with leaders tending to indulge wealthy supporters of their ministries. A recent article in Slate told of the Governor of one of the United States (Potentially a candidate for President.) who is creating injustice by indulging certain prisoners. http://www.slate.com/id/2238938/pagenum/2

The concept of separation of church and state is popular and has barred the Catholic Church from carrying out involuntary punitive actions. Emphasis on separation allows a flaccid Christian community to flourish under a secular government.

The weakness of the Christian Church does not involve a lack of financial power but is instead due to faulty doctrine. Centralized power in the Catholic Church is less in tune with Biblical doctrine than the de-centralization of Protestantism, but neither is focused on a proper Christian goal.

As I write this essay, my wife, our son, and I are visiting in Paris, France. In a previous essay I mention our upcoming trip and our intention to visit Notre Dame Cathedral on Christmas Eve. This intention brought several strident responses from Reformed Christian men who condemned me for intending to support a two tiered evil. One respondent wondered how I could write as I do and still commit such a grievous sin.

This event pinpoints two problems:

First, I know Christmas has pagan roots. It is an interesting fact that every living person has pagan roots – all of us are descended from Adam. In spite of this sinful platform God sees fit to save many of us. If pagan roots are the major problem with celebrating the birth of the Savior, their efficacy is questionable. My family and I have celebrated Christmas as Christians for over 45 years. For many years in contrast to the pagan world we placed an 8 foot lighted cross in our front yard. I also know that though December 25th is not the date of the birth of the Savior there is no other date on which His birth is celebrated.

Second, it is time for Reformed Christians to stop emulating ineffective Dispensationalists. I am astounded by the number of Reformed Christians who fail to promote the only offensive weapon Christians possess because they believe society will not accept it. Instead they devote most of their time fighting abortion, resisting homosexuality, denouncing the Catholic Church http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Catholicism , attacking and insulting their brothers and sisters and generally acting like Pharisees.

Islam with a functioning legal system is overcoming Christianity. Social change cannot be realized without law. That is the reason Islam is the brunt of a propaganda campaign fit for Adolph Hitler. We could stop abortion, wipe out homosexuality, Christmas, Catholics, Muslims, and derelict Reformed Christians but it would only amount to a humanistic victory leaving the Creator waiting on proper obedience.

The late Dr. R. J. Rushdoony maintained that love “is not an emotional attitude but a keeping of the law in relation to our neighbor. This means respecting his right to life (Thou shalt not kill),the sanctity of his home (Thou shalt not commit adultery), and his property (Thou shalt not steal), and his reputation (Thou shalt not bear false witness), and finally, respecting these things in thought (Thou shalt not covet) as well as in deed.”

It is not only the Ten Commandments that are sorely needed but the case law as well. A peaceful, orderly, prosperous and free society cannot become reality when the legal standards regarding the death penalty are neglected. No society can achieve peace when murderers, child molesters, parent defiers, and blasphemers, are allowed to live, reproduce, and disrupt righteousness. Neither can justice be found when the law concerning restoration is ignored allowing criminals to create permanent victims.

Human law is leading the world to tyranny. Muslims see, understand, and take advantage of what is happening. The Great Commission is to bring the message of Salvation to the entire world. However, the message of salvation contains an ulterior motive; that motive is obedience. It is time for Christians to wake up and undertake that mission. Christmas may fall to the Glory of God. Catholics may see the folly of their ways. Homosexuals may repent and desist from their abominable actions – but none of this will happen until God’s primary mission becomes our primary mission.

We visited Notre Dame Cathedral yesterday. It was cold and crowded. Gothic architecture has a ponderous, almost frigid, charm. The interior of Notre Dame is breathtakingly long and high with a center isle running between massive columns that set forth isles on either side that are outlined with various Catholic relics. The altar with a massive cross is located at the rear of the edifice. Construction of this building was begun in the Twelfth Century. United States is a young nation and realizing Notre Dame was constructed before the North American continent was discovered and seven centuries before we became a nation is a awe inspiring fact. http://www.sacred-destinations.com/france/paris-notre-dame-cathedral

Catholic involvement with national monarchs and the resulting inhumane cruelty fostered a visceral hate for the Church. During the French Revolution Notre Dame was ransacked and renamed the House of Reason. Some of the frigidity of cold, calculating reason remains.

In contrast to the cathedrals in Rome, Venice, and Assisi, Notre Dame is a disappointment. Italy’s ancient edifices are packed with glorious paintings and statues giving them a warmer and more inviting appearance. They are also better policed – hats are removed, silence is demanded, and a more reverent atmosphere prevails.

Christians need to know and understand their history. The great cathedrals were important in the Christian saga and understanding and appreciating their role adds to a solid Christian foundation.

Unrated

Published in Al Cronkrite    

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