Following up on my rather rambly recommended reading post from a couple of weeks back, I came across Luke 11 v52 this morning:
KJ version - Woe
unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye
entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.
or
Message version - “You’re
hopeless, you religion scholars! You took the key of knowledge, but
instead of unlocking doors, you locked them. You won’t go in yourself,
and won’t let anyone else in either.”
For anyone who likes to present theology as a series of abstract or difficult questions to people, this scripture should strike terror into your heart.
Sounds just about right, that the churches are nothing but hypocrites !!
ReplyDeleteD'you reckon?
ReplyDeleteThat seems quite a broad sweep - are you quite sure you have evidence for all that?
I have had the unfortunate pleasure of meeting a lot of "christians" who don't quite practice what they preach. If that counts as evidence ?
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that's been your experience. We all get it wrong sometimes, and we are also misunderstood at others. That can make us seem like hypocrites, even if we're doing the best we can at the time.
ReplyDeleteThere will alway be people deemed "hypocrites" in all walks of life. Unfortunately the church is an easy target, believe me there are a number of people I can recall from our church that could come accross as this. They're not bad people, but do tend to over think things and take his out of the equation - making there actions of man and not god. That's where the danger lies, especially for leaders. If you are acting on your own actions and not gods.
ReplyDeleteSadly us leaders are always on a pedestal, so have to try and really make sure we are hearing god before acting. As our actions can have more impact on peoples walk with the lord than average Joe. It shouldn't, as we are all equal. But we are called to these positions - so know pressure hey !
Anonymous - sorry about your experiences, but god is always there. Keep with it and find a church that works for you.
Thanks for taking the time to comment Dave.
ReplyDeleteYes, we have to be so careful about what we say and do as leaders, and we're certainly on view all the time. Since I'm not perfect I am glad to be forgiven, but I sometimes wish I didn't need forgiving quite so often. Hopefully this isn't one of the areas that I need it *quite so much*.