In western culture, the church enjoys wide freedoms to teach and practice their religious beliefs. Our Constitution allows for such broad freedoms giving opportunity for pluralism. The idea was to keep government out of the realm of religion so as not to establish one particular religion over another and to keep the authority of state away from the authority of religious institutions. This creates a context for the flourishing of ideas and seems to be only limited by human nature. Perversions of Christianity are recycled and flourish here. Lifestyles of any kind are now celebrated as an act of free worship. We have yet to discover the limitations of human nature but we are approaching its end.
I am often amazed at listening to “end times” teachings (some call it prophesy). Much of what passes for “end times” ideas are filtered through a political lens and global activity. The country of Israel gets a lot of attention due to a rigid and literal interpretation of ancient texts. There is a tendency to use the Bible for justification of one’s personal expectations for Christ’s return. The idea of a secret rapture is often commodified for resale. Man has figured a way to make money off an unorthodox idea relatively new to the church. In less than 200 years, rapture theories dominate western Christianity where there has been relatively little suffering for white Christians. What is there to escape? Certainly not oppression from government or persecutions from any kind.
So, what predictions did Jesus have in mind for his people? Peter and Jude leave no doubt.
“In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions. It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit”
(Jude 1:18 ESV)
The prediction was that there would be those in the church who were worldly (desiring control or dominance), controlled by ungodly passions and who did not walk in the Spirit. In other words, they look and sound saved but they are unaware of their own sinfulness. Peter and Jude were writing to the church – not about culture, media, or government. Believers were expected to live differently, not in competition or struggle for power or position. They were to build themselves up in their faith and grow in humility. They were to grow spiritually becoming more self-aware of their sinful tendencies and guard their hearts from self-deceit. In fact, Paul told the believers in Ephesus that God had sovereignly given to the church the roles of apostle (pioneer church planters), prophet (speaking truth understood from Scripture), evangelist (sower), shepherd and teacher (those who water) “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ” (Eph.4:12). Those within the church were to be equipped so that they could assist one another in their mutual pursuit of spiritual maturity and persevere against the resistance of their own flesh which loves its “freedoms.”
Collectively, the church “does the work” of people to people service (not simply a few paid staff).
Sadly, because of the intelligence of sin in the flesh, much of what passes as Christianity has been commodified into a marketable product one can use to gain what one likes. One can even maintain a worldly mindset while singing the songs of Zion (that’s a metaphor that represents the coming of the Kingdom of God on earth). As for the real biblical Jesus, it’s difficult to recognize or find him in the pluralism of the western church. May God help us and grant discernment in the market place of buying and selling Christianity. It’s a Burger King church culture out there, you can have it your way…for now.
Pastor Preston Atkinson
Pastor Atkinson is the Pastor at Southern Hills Baptist Church. He this aij;poja afj aelk ;vjow evj wo;