Acceptance of False Christianity

Richard Hollerman

Numerous times over the years I have been quite dismayed with the fact that people often think that something is the truth when it is false. They reject what they think is true Christian but what they reject is not the true way of Christ but a substitute, a false caricature, actually a false church that is not to be found at all in Scripture but which has been promulgated as the truth over the years.

What do we mean? Some may reject Roman Catholicism for they become aware of the fact that this is a sad presentation of Catholicism and that the early Christians were not at all like what we find in this false system. Thus, these people reject anything that is promoted as Christianity. We know of people who have turned away from the true way of Christ because the only “church” that they know is false. Do you know of others like this?

Then there may be Muslims (for example) who reject Christianity for they see idols adoring certain cathedrals and assume that this is the way of Christ. They know enough about God and His will to know that this is not true. Thus, they turn away from anything that calls itself Christianity, not knowing that what they reject is not real Christianity but a counterfeit. Thus, these dear Muslims turn away from what they mistakenly think is Christianity (the various forms of the Orthodox Church)  and are content with their false way.

Or even consider atheism and its twin, agnosticism). These unbelievers may assume that they are turning away from Christianity but, in reality, they are rejecting not the real expression of Christ’s way but only a false way that considers itself the way of Christ—but isn’t! They see the huge cathedrals, built by the blood and sweat of thousands, while the surrounding area is filled with poor shacks and dilapidated buildings. This is so sad for these deluded people are rejecting not the way of Jesus but the way of false “churchiality.”

This is the same for those in the Far East (the Hindus, the Buddhists, the Taosts, the Confucianists, and others). They see the expressions of false Christianity, of professing religion, of the ways of unbelief and think that this shows the way of the Bible. However, they are totally wrong. They wrongly assume that what they are rejecting is the true and the genuine but they are only turning away from a distortion of the truth.

We know that this sort of charge will hurt some of our readers but, sadly, it is the truth. What can we possibly do to correct these distortions and aim these millions on the right path?

First, we need to somehow show people that they are rejecting the truth in favor of what they assume is the truth—but is false. They need to know that they have accepted the false view of the enemy of their soul and not rejected the truth of the gospel.

Second, we encourage all rejecters to examine carefully what they are rejecting to determine whether or not they are rejecting the truth of Christianity or what they have been told is Christianity. Remember that many people assume that they know what is truth but they really don’t.

Third, of course, we would encourage those who reject the truth in favor of false Christianity to know what Christ taught and what their own false doctrines might say, whether Islam, or Hinduism, or Buddhism, or other world religions.

Fourth, especially regarding such religions as Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and the like, we would urge people to know the truth of God so well that they would know what the truth is compared to error. They (and we) must know what Christ taught and what God presents as truth so well that we would be able to see the difference.

Fifth, especially when people in the many parts of the world where false “Christianity” is rampant consider true Christianity, they need to study and learn what is the truth and reject the error around them.

Sixth, when people are surrounded by that which others label as “Christianity” but this is merely a counterfeit, we need to show the difference. If this is not true Christianity, why not?

Seventh, let us so establish the Bible as the Word of God—the only Word of God and the judge of right and wrong. If we can establish this fact, perhaps we can show people that what they thought was God’s will really is a work of Satan, the enemy of our soul!

With these thoughts in mind, maybe we will be in a better position to know the truth of God ourselves and point others to the will and ways of God our Creator and His will. Please don’t accept false Christianity and assume that it is the truth!