What is Wrong with so-called “Christianity”?

Richard Hollerman

When I was a child and growing I was in a denomination that I assumed was Christian. It used the correct terms (Christianity, truth, baptism, etc), although it was aberrant in certain ways that would have been clear to the knowledgeable person (the way such terms as pastor, church, etc., were used). Yet, as a child, I just assumed that this was right, correct, and the way to think of Christianity.

Years later I discovered so much after I began to read my own Bible. Of course, I discovered that Martin Luther, Philip Melanchthon, Lutheran theologians, and denominational churchmen were far from Biblical in outlook. They may have thought that this was Christianity, but it was far from true Christianity.

Recently I was beginning to watch a DVD presentation that began with a short introduction. The video study referred to some of the ways that “Christianity” posed a problem and was very much like the world around us. This is what I read, along with my own notes:

“There is something wrong in Christianity.”

RH: This definitely is true. What we know as “Christianity” is very unlike the way of Christ that we read about in Scripture. But what did the speaker have in mind?

“Domestic violence rates: No difference.

Child abuse rates: No difference.

Alcohol/Drug addiction: No different.

Pornography use: No different.

Disunity and fragmentation with 34,000 different groups.”

This deserves a few brief comments. The way of Christ that is true, genuine, and authentic would never accept domestic violence. This is true whether we refer to the husband against the wife, or the wife against the husband. Didn’t Scripture say quite plainly: “Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. . . . Husbands, love your wives. . . . Each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband” (Ephesians 5:22, 25, 33).There is no room for violence or hurts of a husband against his wife or a wife against her husband!

As for “child abuse,” how can this be in true Christianity? This term refers to “beating, neglect, or other mistreatment of a child by a parent or guardian” (Random House Webster’s College Dictionary). In no way could a genuine—loving, kind, gentle, responsible—parent treat their son or daughter like this. As Scripture says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). We also know that brutality is severely condemned (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

And what about the alcohol and drug addiction? We know that drunkenness is a deed of the flesh that will prohibit one from entering the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Similarly, drug abuse would be similar to drunkenness in condemning and not rewarding such irresponsible thought and behavior.

Of course, pornography has no place in the transformed life of the Christian. Sexual lust of all kinds will keep one out of the kingdom of God (Matthew 5:27-28; Romans 1:24-28). Only the pure in heart will see God (Matthew 5:7-8) and only the holy will see Him (Hebrews 12:14).

Further, we realize that the reported 34,000 different sects, cults, and denominations are definitely opposed to the way of Christ in His body. As God’s Word says, “. . . you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10). How could there be 34,000—or even two divisions (with God’s approval)? Jesus only created and formed only one single body of followers (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 4:4-6).

We must agree with the speaker who began his talk with the statement, “There is something wrong in Christianity.” We are not speaking about the true way of Christ here—for there is nothing at all to be said in a negative manner about this—but we refer to “Christianity” as we know it. (Perhaps we could call it Christendom?) There is a vast difference between what people call Christianity and what God accepts as the way of Christ! Let’s reject and denounce this false form of “Christianity” and pursue the true way of Christ!