For all too many Americans today, Christianity is about identity and nationalism, not about morals or ethics.

I agree with the comment that for some Christianity is about identity and nationalism. But, I think if Christianity is simply about morals and ethics; then it can easily just be about being holier than thou. I think any spirituality that isn’t based on love, is doomed to failure. As Paul said in Romans, “We love because we are first loved”. 1 John states that “God is love, and those that abide in love abide in God.”
Being pro-choice, I still admire pro-lifers that don’t condemn, but help pregnant women or adopt unwanted children. I admire people that help the poor and mentally ill.
If you read the synoptic gospels, it’s quite amazing how much Jesus identified himself with people of poor circumstances. He also seemed to be apolitical, stating that people could simply “render unto Ceasar, what is Ceasar’s” It seems quite likely that Jesus was killed for political reasons and had the sense of this outcome to say that: “This kingdom is not of my world.”
I’ve been quite involved in political activism and have come to understand that our system is not only based on checks & balances, but also on compromise. Dogmatic people may want to consider the system with which they are dealing.
Maybe it’s fair enough to identify myself as a fan of Eckhart Tolle, Religious Science, and “A Course in Miracles”. I grew up in Evangelical Christianity and became turned off by how Jesus was simply a password to get you into heaven. Mind you, now I don’t think that’s how it is for all Evangelicals. Furthermore, it’s not for me to judge; but, simply to love.

Well, I feel a little awkward, because I’m very pro-sarcasm. I’m even pro-Christian-sarcasm. I do, however, wonder at those who believe the job of a Christian is to defend God from pagans, secularists, liberals and conservatives who are creatures like the Christian, made of dust and mud and broken from birth. I find the identity and nation aspect that Elvis spoke of particularly foolish and contrary to scripture.
But that’s the point, isn’t it? Every Christian, Jew, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Atheist, and Zoroastrian feels, when not humbly asking God to forgive us, sometimes think the rest of the world needs our approval. I’ll try to forgive the self- and frequently- anointed attack dogs as I would be forgiven.
There’s another point, though: Believers in everything have the need to speak and to be heard. It is one thing to say people who practice their faith publicly, either by tolerance or piety aren’t following the true message and it really isn’t necessary to attack each other that way. But it probably is necessary, and we are called, to make our prayers known to God and our beliefs known to our neighbors. If someone believes that they have to publicly defend the faith without care for the feelings of others, I should try not to offend them. More than that, though, I should try to share my relationship with God, who sees the sparrow and loves the criminal and the atheist as much as He does me, the sinner.

I will try to say this charitably, and hope that others will receive it in that spirit.
The attack-dog mentality is almost inevitable when you combine sola scriptura reformation theology with American individualism. Many Christians in the U.S. have been taught that they are entitled to interpret the Scriptures however they wish. Being fallen humans, we tend to read into the Bible the things we would like it to say. We then fragment into groups of like-minded Christians (i.e., local churches) who are convinced that our particular interpretation is the right one. The end result is a kind of theological anarchy or feudalism.
In this environment conflict is impossible to avoid. Religious beliefs are deeply important to people, as well they should be. It would be nice if we could all just disagree politely. In the absence of any kind of authority to make us do so, however, many times the disagreements will become strident. The internet gives everyone his own pulpit so now it is getting much worse.
Catholics and Orthodox have no shortage of quarrels, but I think the problem tends to be less prevalent in those traditions. Their hierarchies have, over centuries, settled most of the major disputes.

Not only are the agnostic or followers of another faith disillusioned… but as a believer trying to follow Christ (for 50+ years) I’m becoming increasingly disillusioned with the fellowship in which I clam to be a member. Based on the behavior I have observed from these “leaders” of the Christian faith I’m convinced they don’t follow the same Christ that I do and I probably should leave the ‘church’ to practice my discipleship.
The most damaging effect of this “attack dog” behavior may not be the chilling effect on evangelism of non-believers but on the disillusionment of the believers. (If this is what it means to be a follower of Christ count me out.)

Such a mentality and way of addressing others creates competing groups that argue about “who’s right” and “who’s got the power”. Now, it seems to me that that was the same adolescent pose exhibited in “West Side Story.” – a tragedy indeed. Someone once told me that Christians (not the faith, but Christians) have grown about the equivalent of 1 year a century. However, at the age of 21, people begin listening to the elders again, and begin to realize that compromise can be a holy thing. I agree with whoever it was that said that American individualism coupled with a “sola scriptura” bent results in a sort of civil religion to create order and condemn those unlike ourselves. If we believe any president is the “Christian” one instead of “a” Christian, we’ve fallen into idolatry and all you have to do is read the Hebrew Scriptures to know where that sends us.
As a Catholic – I watch the same mentality – different view in my own church. Not as nationalistic, it creates groups who are “real” Catholics versus those who aren’t. The term “cafeteria Catholic” was coined to describe those who will not unquestioningly accept everything that “Father” preaches. It is certainly not about Jesus – but about “who’s right” and “who’s got the power”.
Jesus went to the desert and suffered and two of the things he rejected were – “who’s right” and “who’s got the power”. He was powerful because he was utterly dependent on the Father.

The idea that such paragons of the Religious Right are considered too theologically and politically LIBERAL by so many is frightening beyond words …

Now here is a great blog topic David.
Doctrine determines much. A modest and gentle liar is a great place to find evil.
Hypocrisy is a good place to find a liar, or a deceptive and evil person. There is a difference between a good old fashioned “just human” hypocrite and a deceptive and evil person. “A wlof in sheeps clothing.” That is a danger to be exposed. A pedophile and pederast can be the nicest person you’ve ever met, until you talk to his (or her) victims. Words can mask true nature. Hypocrisy can indeed show us a person’s true nature. That indeed was a major theme to Jesus exposing hypocrisy. “You are sons of your father the Devil . . .” That is a very clear nature of some hypocrites and their true nature o be dealt with. And Jesus also talked to and about human nature hypocrites (the woman at the well).
Hypocrisy is no light matter. It can be “just” a human nature faux paus . . . but it can also be pure and absolute evil. Jesus knew that and preached and taught a lot on the very important subject. A lot of parables dealt with hypocracy.
Many reading my reponses would certainly label me a theological attack-dog (and why of course, I have such opposition to my opinions). But I ask: “How can a person oppose liars and lies nicely?”
Within abortion there is human hypocrisy. Maybe there are some people that think a human fetus isn’t a human being. They are purely ignorant or. But evil also exists in ignorance.
Within hypocracy there is absolute truth being violated. Never forget that. If I say to my son “don’t be violent’” and he sees me striking people that irritate me, that is hypocrisy. I would be a liar for one reason or a darker one. Human nature or evil reasons. Violence may be called for in some very well defined places. I wouldn’t let anyone hurt my son and he may need an explanation as to why I said one thing and did another.
There are bad people. Some are evil in actuality and some are evil in complicity and some are just ignorant of the right path. But in the Christian culture, differences of opinions is literally written into our community to decide upon. The New Testament certainly does not hide that the Christian community has strife within its ranks. And sometimes that means kicking people out of the ranks. But it always means after hearing them out!!!!
But again, we cannot agree to disagree with just anything calling itself “Christian” culture. Jesus taught that. That is to say, we must look for the “yeast” within the actions, doctrine and beliefs of anyone making statements, when we are in condemnation of their behaviors or words.
“Test all things and hold on firmly to the truth.” The followers of Jesus knew what He was teaching them.
That means there is truth and there is um, er . . ., non-truth.
Jesus was indeed sarcastic and sometimes mean in contending for His position on things. He advised His followers to be innocent and snrewd. Being shrewd towards others is often seen as being mean or sarcastic. Hypocracy is a very good place to start helping our brothers and sisters “in Christ.” THAT is what tags us as believers in Christ, the way we love one another. It is not loving to be a hypocrite or to tolerate hypocracy.
Look at the way I handle Jim Wallis/Sojouners. I think he/them, is/are a hypocrite on many things. He “says” he is a Christian, but supports and promotes non and anti Christian things like same-gender sex acts, abortion on demand and not stopping Islamic Jihadists by force. At least that is what actions show.
There are evil people cruising in and around the Christian community. Hypocrisy is a good place to find that out. For example, I take Wallis as may either be ignorant or complicit in things that are hypocritical to what Jesus and the Apostles clearly taught us. War is not acceptable behavior for a Christian to wage on others, but this Iraqi war that Wallis and Sojouners rant on and on about, is NOT a Christian action. No matter how hard they and the Islamistst try to paint as such.
The parameters of what is hypocrisy is clearly described in the pages of our current New Testament. On Christians let us stand firm on that as the palce to begin our search and definition of hypocracy..

What makes articles such as these so difficult for Christians is that in our post-modern society, we are told that it is wrong to ever judge another or their beliefs. We are supposed to be tolerant or everything and accepting of everyone else’s truth. We are supposed to buy in to the lie that all people have one part of the truth, that we can all believe in whatever about God we want to as long as it works for us, and that all opposing views of God lead to the same place and same God.
If we look at a car, you can call it a car, I can call it a plane, she can call it a dog, etc…and no matter how sincere we all are as to what we believe about it…only one person is correct…it is a car, not a dog, airplace, table, etc. It would be ludicrous to say that we are all correct.
When a person commits their life to Jesus Christ as their savior and Lord, we are called to turn from our sins and to God. We are called to trust Him alone as THE way, THE Truth, and the Life and believe that noone comes to the Father (God) but through a belief upon and trust in Jesus Christ. We are told in the Bible, the basis of our belief, that the Bible is God’s final, infallible Word, spoken by God through man. We are called to defend the faith, to learn the Bible and be prepared to defend it in season and out of season. We are called to be willing to die for our faith and to turn away from evil and those who would call us to do anything outside of what scripture teaches. Although we are to judge ourselves first and to run the race we call the Christian walk, to become more like Christ in our character and to love one another more than ourselves, we are also told to expose evil and to judge with righteous anger.
When we love God with ALL of our hearts, and minds, and souls, as this is the greatest commandment God gave us, we have to be willing to do ALL that he commands and to fear GOD more than we fear man. In this day and age, anyone who stands for Jesus and says that there is NO other way is called intolerant, and self-righteous, and a spewer of hate. In a world that is supposed to embrace religious freedom, we are instead being intolerant of anyone who has a strong belief system that challenges their own.
In the same way, when a Christian sees apostasy, hypocrisy, and hereticism being spread by influential leaders that impact thousands and millions of believers (both long term believers and babes in Christ), the Bible calls us to challenge and confront those things. We are to STAND up for the Truth of God’s Word, whether it is comfortable for us or politically correct. There are many, many scriptures that call us to judge those that speak falsely of God and to point out error and deception. But people do not know the Word today the way we should and any difficult or uncomfortable passages are swept under the rug by those that are made uncomfortable.
I do agree that sometimes well-meaning Christians who are rightly passionate and correct about their speaking out against those that are leading many astray, should think long and hard about the choice of their words and whether they sound sarcastic or unloving. We do too much of that, and I am not innocent of it myself. However, we are fallible people and Christians are struggling to be lead by the Holy Spirit and constantly in need of the forgiveness Jesus provides for those that accept Him. We need to be just as understanding of the “Watch Dogs” as we are of those we think are being attacked. I would much rather err on the side of defending the faith than to fall along with the world and back away from the faith and the Gospel of Jesus that I am called to believe with all that I am and defend with all that I am. People in other countries are dying for their faith. The least we can do is stand up for ours and to KNOW the Bible we are called to defend.
The Lord says that in the end times, which it is clear are upon us, that many teachers and leaders of the Christian church will stray and tell us all the things our itching ears want to hear. Deception will rise up from WITHIN the Church and ther will be a great falling away. So great that even the elect might be deceived if not already sealed by the Holy Spirit.
Many pastors are spreading a message that says God wants to prosper all of us financially (when God calls us to be willing to give up everything for Him), that God will give us anything we name and claim if our faith is strong enough (When His will, not our will shall be done and God is not a puppet to our words), that God loves us and wants us just as we are and that there is no hell or need or repentance (when our sin makes us ALL destined for hell except that God loved us enough to save us from hell despite that sin, IF we repent from that sin), that God wants us to be united and usher in peace (when God calls us to stand firm in our doctrine and says not to be yoked together with unbelievers and says that He comes not to bring peace-but a sword and when the Bible says that he who comes in the name of peace is not of God). I could go on and on.
The point is that if we do not know the Bible (and studies show that only a measly 8% of those claiming to be Evangelical Christians even read the Bible regularly), we will never see this deception when it comes in. And THAT will lead to the great falling away from the Christian faith that God prophesied and said WILL happen. We need to wake up and heed the words of those men and women that Love God more than they love people and themselves, and who are doing what God calls them to do, to sound the alarm when all forms of deception DO come into the church. We should pray that they temper their tone, but lets not loose the forest for the trees.
I hope that we will use this to learn to love the Lord our God with ALL our hearts, souls, and minds. I pray we learn to love His WORD, the Bible, meditating on it(pondering…not clearing our minds as the new agers do), so that we too can be prepared for this great age of compromise and deceipt…and use God’s Word to share with others the TRUTH about God’s hatred of sin, His wrath for sinners, His great Love for us, and His means of conquering sin and saving us through Jesus Christ when we believe upon Him for salvation.
Blessings!

Dr.Aikman has been hitting the “Contemplative prayer bong” with *Richard Foster(*Renovare-see http://www.ttf.org/index/resources/links/) and Dallas Willard. Dallas Willard and Richard Foster are key figures in the “Spiritual Formation” movement, apparently Dr. Aikman sees value in contemplative prayer too.