Existentialism 3

I was listening the the radio station my sister likes and I heard this song

Blessed Be - Jason Grey

I listened wondering why he couldn't read/sing about the beatitudes properly....(see unscriptural interpretation of the beatitudes) and the meek inherit the earth, not see the kingdom, and there is not even a 'broken ones' in the entire chapter.

Then he got to the third verse and I realised that it was a neo-Marxist existentialist interpretation!! If you are pretty, or strong, or brave you cannot go to heaven. If you are doing well (in business, perhaps) (thier words- 'got it made') you are outlawed immediately.

I got challenged to explain how this is wrong because Jesus himself said: "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter heaven"

I responded:
Jesus is saying (I believe) that the rich have so much to overcome because money can buy them everything material, and almost anything else that they have trouble not 'working for' heaven. They have to get over this huge hurdle and recognise that they and the most dirty beggar are equally sinful, guilty, and worthy of eternal punishment.

There will be rich people in heaven.....like Solomon, Job, Abraham, and Joseph (who was prime minister of the largest dynasty of his age)...in fact, God even blesses obedient christians who keep his commands!!

However, saying that capitalistic rich people...or "the strong, beautiful the brave" will not (to use the scriptural terms "inherit the Kingdom of heaven" is wrong, and borders on 'changing the gospel'.

So above all....DON'T take the Rich Young Ruler story out of context, and beware of this existentialism! It seems to be rampant!

Existentialism 2

One result I noted in my last article mentioned "Neo-Marxism", or "the new gospel".

I recently found a good example. I was reading a children's story book to my little sister called "Jesus is born" by my Bible stories. It gives a rather comprehensive, 3rd grade explanation of the birth of our savior, and of the events during and following (Herod's decree, the wise men, the flight to Egypt).

It also includes other segments of Jesus' life such as the trip to Jerusalem when He was 12, His baptism by John, the calling of the disciples, the wedding at Cana, and the "Sermon on the Mount". At the Cana wedding there is no mention of Jesus' rebuke to Mary for "ordering Him around" In the picture she stands in the background looking on proudly as the servant pours water into a jug with surprise.

In the "sermon on the Mount" portion, Jesus is told to have been "heal(ing) the sick and look(ing) after people who were poor and needy". For the actual sermon part the book tells children "(Jesus) wanted to tell (the people) about God's kingdom. 'The sick, the poor and the hungry will be happy in heaven,' He told them. 'But those who only care about getting rich on earth will never go to heaven.'
Jesus told the people not to be selfish and to care for eachother. To look after the sick and the poor. To share what they had with others. The people listened to Jesus. They went away nd tole even more people about the things that Jesus taught them."

I think this is a prime example of how deception sneaks into one's home. I have seen that book around, and maybe I even heard my little sister read it to herself without conciously seeing how it twisted the salvation gospel into a condemnation of "the rich" or prosperous.

It is sad...

Existentialism

Today I learned about existentialism.

Modern Progenitor:Soren Kierkegaard.

Basic Characteristics: "Truth is relative", "there is no absolute truth", "do what feels good", "follow/listen to/trust in your heart", "look inside you...", etc, etc, etc!!

Well remembered/memorable results: The 60's era, Neoorthadoxy, the drug "solution", the suicide "solution", the "peace" movement, homosexuality, rock music, and a "'spiritual' encounter" with god. (I don't capitalize that word because the "thing" that they perceive as "god" is not anything like the one, true GOD.)

Some results to curches because of this movement: Infiltration (As an interesting friend of my sister put it...modern day church-goers are looking for a "'spiritual' high". It is a shame that for every new religion like Darwinism, or Marxism people in the body of believers always try to fit God's Principles into it instead of fitting it-or throwing it out- based on God's Principles), the "new gospel" (of refurbished Marxism)(that God came for the abused minorities and to liberate, and enrich the poor), and most of all- Stagnation.

Resource: 7 Men Who Rule the World From the Grave.

Conclusion: God came for the "sick", that they might have a doctor. God came for the "infirm", that they might be healed. This means that God came for the sinners. He came to save them from eternal damnation, to wash them from all the sin that would keep them away from Him, and so that all mankind could be without excuse (Romans 1:19b). Sadly, though many of our brothers and sisters in Christ have fallen for some/many of these lies. They truly believe that the Bible (or at least most--if not all of it) is outdated, judgmental, and legalistic. Even though many want to discredit it, the Bible is true and infallible. There WILL be a judgment day for believers (Rom.14:12) and un-believers.

Truth is there, it is up to us to discern it, get it, and spread it.
(I can never say anything without preaching can I?)