Issues in the Religious World and “Christian”
Over the years, I’ve had contact with dozens of groups that claim to be “Christian” in some respects. I am not part of any of them. But many may wonder why this is so. Do I not profess Christianity? Do I not claim to be a Christian? Do I not want to live and work with believers? This is true in all respects. But then why am I not part of a group that claims to be Christian? There are many reasons but let me mention several at this time.
It has been said that there are perhaps 3,000 different churches or denominations in the United States and some 30,000 in the world. These would be churches that call themselves “Christian” in some measure. They would not include world religions, such as Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Taoism, Confucianism, or even Roman Catholicism. We know that these groups that claim to be “Christian” would not all be the same for there are different denominations and groupings included in the category of Christian that we have mentioned. We think that some are closer to the truth of God than others.
So the question arises: What problems exist when a given group calls itself a Christian Church? A lot of this depends on the context of such a question. Notice these problem areas. But notice also that some of the issues are positive ones that, sadly, need to be implemented.
Notice a few:
- Luxury cars
- Luxury homes
- “Sport” cars
- Speeding and breaking governmental regulations
- Use of tobacco
- Using all sorts of forbidden items—drugs, cigarettes, cigars, etc.
- Membership in secret societies, such as the Masons, Eastern Star, Odd Fellows, etc
- Membership in service and social organizations, such as the Rotary Club, etc.
- Failure of fathers and mothers to keep their children from the righteousness that they need to combat secular and worldly ways. (Ephesians 6:4).
- Refusal to “multiply” as God has said (we know that at least three children are needed to continue the species—and the family of Jesus had at least seven children—but perhaps 10 or 12, besides the parents).
- Junk food of all kinds
- “Fast food” addiction—for wasting money
- Non-nutritional diet
- Working on the Lord’s day
- Missing assemblies on the Lord’s day
- Working in a compromising way, e.g., the kind of work, the place of employment, and everything pertaining to this work. (See the website article, “Working in Today’s World.”)
- Instrumental music at home, in assemblies, etc.
- Worldly and evil “music” of various kinds
- Sports of all kinds—associated with education, with popular athletics, and other expressions.
- Laziness
- TV viewing
- Movies, especially worldly ones or compromising “Christian” ones
- Radio—the music, the talk shows, and all other worldly venues
- Computer addiction
- Cell phone addition—not merely the young but all
- Costly pets and upkeep
- Mixed swimming of men and women, boys and girls
- Immodest clothing—women
- Immodest clothing—men
- Short hair for women
- Long hair for men
- Bizarre appearances for men and women and teens
- Tattoos, piercing, and other body markings, etc.
- Jobs—times, compromises, etc.
- Jobs—types and places
- Holidays—military, political, religious
- Holidays—“Christian”—Christmas, Easter, thanksgiving
- Amusement parks and other “entertainment” choices.
- Women working away from the house
- Women leaving their family for gainful employment
- Secular schools—elementary, secondary
- Worldly Colleges and universities
- Labor unions—membership and participation
- Carnal warfare
- Childhood amusements and games
- Worldly reading materials
- Worldly college courses
- Evolution tolerated or even promoted—theistic evolution, etc.
- Rejection of Biblical chronology (such as Genesis 1, etc.).
- “Gap theory” (maybe)
- Second marriages accepted and even promoted
- Rejection of the inspiration of the Bible (perhaps)
- Naked showers
- Recreational choices
- Hunting and fishing choices
- Expensive sports equipment
- Forbidding home schooling
- Promoting secular or worldly education
- Expensive Funerals and everything to do with this
- Computer games
- Cell phone addiction, especially in young people, but also among all
- Dating before marriage and “dating” per se.
- Large and extravagant cars
- Large and expensive houses
- Extravagant furnishings
- Unneeded possessions
- Unscriptural songs and hymns
- Preachers doing the work of a overseer
- Giving not at all or in small amounts
- Giving to questionable places and activities
- Failing to give to the Lord or bound to the so-called “tithe”
- Divorce—putting aside one’s lawful marriage partner
- Divorce and remarriage to someone else
- Separation from marriage
- Divisive, confusing, wrongful, and negative “marriages”
- Worldly talk or conversation
- Too much verbal talk, too loud talk, etc.
- Political affiliations and involvements
- Money—acquisition and accumulation
- “Pastors” and “bishops” and so much more and other wrongful positions (see our website dealing with this matter)
- Women taking the lead or authority over men
- Feminism
- Women teaching over the man
- Women speaking in the assembly
- Families with few or no children—purposely, not naturally
- Overweight members
- Luxurious vacations
- Marriage to non-Christians
- Marriage to a worldly person
- Refusal to read the Bible
- Refusal to study and learn more
- Husband—refusing to love and care for wife
- Wife—refusing to love and care for husband
- Wife—refusing to submit to husband
- Not having children work at all
- Children’s involvement in many different worldly pursuits
- Employment for the husband
- Employment that comes before other believers
- Wrongful or compromising employment
- Military—training
- Military—participation
- Military retirements
- War involvements
- Friendships with worldly people
- Refusal to be baptized (immersed)
- Failure to repent of past sins
- Refusal to repent of present sins
- Not believing in Christ Jesus
- Giving the assembly a denominational “name”
- Giving the assembly any biblical or non-biblical name
- Not preaching to outsiders
- Relationships with outsiders or various professing Christian groups, positive acceptance of these heretics
- Refusal to have any physical activity
- Refusal to read Biblically-orientated or any books at all
- Dishonesty at work or in the home
- Sweet and intimate fellowship among believers
- Withdrawal of fellowship in the assembly
- Association with other Christians—daily, weekly, etc.
- Teaching and educating your children
- Playing with your children
- Educational and spiritual games or worldly and carnal games
- Wasting time and opportunities
- Other means of travel—plane, cruises, automobile, etc.
- Sadly, many people are overweight .Surely they must surely realize that this shortens life.
- Many parents permit their children (especially boys) to have worldly mechanical toys of one kind or another.
- Many are overcome with a desire for pets (dogs, cats, etc.), and this consumes money for food and vet visits.
- The Lord’s supper (communion) has become a ritual of sorts with little regard for the meaning of the event.
- First and second century partaking of the bread was a weekly event and not merely an infrequent occurrence.
- Those who preach and teach are surely not to dress in a special clerical garb of any think.
- Jewelry and the like
- Swearing in various ways
- Choirs and the like are not to be seen in the assembly.
- Women are not to lead or teach publically, as anyone acquainted with Scripture knows.
- Confessions, creeds, or disciplines of any kind are not to be part of the assembly or the body of Christ.
- Synods or conferences are not part of God’s believing assembly.
- There is no place at all for “Christian” colleges, universities, high schools, or elementary schools.
- Movie theaters are not to be seen for they allow God’s people to have access to many worldly influences.
- Restaurants and fast food places are not fit for Christian involvements.
- Family “nudity” is not to be part of God’s people at all.
- Cathedrals and elaborate “church buildings” are entirely out of place among God’s people.
- Youth organizations are not to be part of the assembly.
- Is the Word of God really inspired? Sadly, more and more colleges say that it isn’t.
- Some are saying that Christians should involve themselves in political processes.
- War is being exchanged for a non-resistant pacifist stance.
- Evolution is believed and taught increasingly in educational establishments—with the “Big Bang,” long ages, and the like, instead of taking Genesis at face value—not just in a general way but in “Christian” education
- Even lectures promote the idea of the “Big Bang” idea and ridicule the idea that Genesis is true.
- Looking with favor on evolutionary programs, evolutionary TV, evolutionary media
- Worldly and secular songs and music
- Denominational names of all kinds
- Denominational participation
This would be a sampling of a number of “problems” that exist within groups that call themselves “Christian.” What about you? How do you view such things? If you are a true child of God or disciple of Christ, do you find no problem with these elements–or do you grieve over them? What can we do about them?
We know that there may be duplicates in this list. Further, we also know that some of the listed items may appear in other ways. We also are aware that some of these items have much greater consequence than others. We also realize that there are numerous other expressions of compromise in “Christian” groups. Bring this to our attention so that future installments or changes can be initiated. Thus, we ask that you go over this list with caution. If you do find glaring deficiencies or egregious faults, here we must admit this error.
We know that we must not only show defects in the beliefs and the way others are doing these things, but we must also implement positive ways of going about these items. May God help us to be involved in this sort of involment.
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