WOODBRIDGE, Va. – Healthy churches breed a healthy culture, but church problems can lead to social woes, contended political strategist turned ministry leader Chuck Colson on Tuesday.
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(Photo: The Christian Post)Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship, speaking to hundreds of pastors and ministry leaders at the 19th Annual National Conference in Woodbridge, Va. on Tuesday, April 9, 2008.
Based on that logic, Colson, the founder of Prison Fellowship, sought to identify the root of current church problems during his address on “Preaching and the Public Square” at the 19th Annual National Conference on Preaching.
“Of course we care about the world. Of course we care about everything happening in society, including politics, but we better get our own house in order because what we see in the cultural collapse of America around us today and in the Western world is exactly on our doorstep,” argued Colson, who was a top aide to former President Richard Nixon before being jailed for the Watergate scandal.
Colson believes the root of the church’s problem is that Christians don’t know what they believe in.
“I think that is at the heart of the problem of the church – we replaced truth with therapy,” he said.
“Most people are basically ignorant,” he said referring to believers’ lack of knowledge on their own religion.
To make his case, he recalled occasions when he asked his friends to explain the trinity or a group of “mature” church elders to explain the church doctrines, and found that they all “fumbled” for answers but could not provide a satisfactory response.
Likewise, during a speaking engagement he asked a group of distinguished Christians that included theologians from respected universities to explain what Christianity is.
Again the Christians could not give a proper answer. One respondent said Christianity is “to love God with all your heart, mind and soul,” in which Colson responded that that was a commandment and not what Christianity is.
“We assume people in the pulpit understand it and people in the churches understand it, but they don’t,” Colson concluded.
The Christian radio commentator and author noted that no one even responded as he expected – that Christianity was a religion or a relationship with God. According to Colson, Christianity is the Word and he recited John 1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
Knowing what Christianity is and its belief is important as Christians are confronted by social challenges such as genetic engineering, Islamic fascism, and a more aggressive atheism.
Colson said that he begins each morning with a New York Times newspaper on one side and the Bible on the other side so that as a Christian he could “look at everything in life through a Biblical prism.”
“We have to always compare what the Bible says and what culture says,” he advised.
He also pointed out that Christians are not only given the Great Commission – which is not to make converts but disciples – but also assigned a cultural commission to “bring God’s truth and majesty to bear against everything.”
“We cannot defend our faith nor can we live it if we don’t know what it is,” Colson concluded.
Since Monday, hundreds of pastors and ministry leaders – who range from small-town preachers to world-renown Christian leaders – have converged for the 19th Annual National Conference on Preaching just outside Washington, D.C. The three-day conference, running under the theme “Where Do Pulpit and Culture Meet?” has been exploring the role of preaching in addressing cultural, social, and political issues. It concludes Wednesday.
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Christianity is not religious. It is not a great movement or evangelization for the betterment of
the world. It is not reacting to a need simply because the need is there (Matthew 26:6-13).
In many ways, religion is a deception. It is an activity carried out by men in the name of God.
Often, the activity substitutes for the operation of the Holy Spirit.
Religion always has doctrinal biases. That is one way it can be recognized. Also, religionists
are busy doing instead of being. There is a kind of romance in religious work. Much
enthusiasm can be generated in organized activities.
But it is not what we do before men that matters. It is what we are in the eyes of God, in our
secret place with Him. Where are we in our personal communication with Him? Where are we in
relation to what He wants to accomplish in our personal lives? Those are the questions, which
separate Christianity from religion.
Religion is the birthplace for denominational divisions. The tendency of denominational
behavior is to observe one another, compare activities, and count heads. There is a
competitive spirit to outdo the church down the street. Each denomination declares, “We're
right, we've got it all together.” Although unsaid, the implication is that the others are wrong.
Christianity is not dependent upon the acceptance of a creed nor upon a statement of doctrine.
It has nothing to do with the observance of rites and ordinances. It does not require attendance
at certain services or functions, nor demand conformity to a set of rules for behavior.
These things are all good works and can be very deceptive. Those who perform them may
assume they are earning favor with God. Unfortunately, this is an illusion, which could lead to
a bitter day of confrontation with the Lord (Matthew 7:21-23).
Christians become Christians by discipling themselves to Jesus Christ. In this manner, they
join with other born-again believers and become one in Christ. This body is the true body of
Christ, the real church. It is possible to attend church and never meet Christ, yet become very religious. Historically,
every time man has received a revelation from God, he has built a denomination around it. He
has imposed rules, which have made him comfortable. But he has so distorted the original
revelation that the Spirit of God has been forced to leave. Luther, Calvin, and Wesley all
received revelations, which have been turned into denominations. This has fragmented further
the body of Christ.
Continued below.
In Matthew 23:37,38, Jesus told the religionists. "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.”
It was no longer the house of God, for man had claimed it for himself. Then, in Matthew 24:1, it
is recorded that Jesus left the temple. He walked away from the institutional church and took
His real church, His believing disciples, with Him.
Religion has never made this world happier or better. Religionists tend to occupy themselves
with the bad state of things; how the world has deteriorated into a terrible condition, and how
mankind is headed for hellfire and damnation.
But the Lord is more interested in the solution than in the problem. He would have His people
align themselves with Him to bring about His purpose. Through them, He could then alter the
state of things.
Religionists try to change the world, but it is the church that needs to change. When the
church changes, the world will change.
There is nothing supernatural about religion and its ritualism. The world fears supernatural
powers. But there is nothing offered by religion for the world to fear, or even to respect;
therefore, the world treats religion with contempt.
John the Baptist called himself a friend of the Bridegroom (John 3:28-30). He understood the
principle of decrease in order to draw the bride (the church. the body of Christ) to Christ, the
Bridegroom. Today's preachers are in the same position, that of friends of the Bridegroom. But
instead of decreasing in order to draw the bride to the Bridegroom, many are flirting with the
bride. They are exalting themselves, and drawing the bride in their own direction.
Such activity deceives the sheep, and they go astray from the real Shepherd. They follow
substitute shepherds, intermediaries placed between themselves and God. Those sheep suffer
from stunted growth, for they are unable to grow beyond their man-shepherd.
Jeremiah 23:1 proclaims, “Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of My
pasture! saith the Lord.” Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:4, that following after one man's doctrine
is carnal. When we are interested only in a form of religion, we do just that. We select a leader
because of his popularity and his image, and we allow our eyes to focus upon him rather than
upon God.
God's purpose is to make His believers one body (Ephesians 2:14), and He is doing just that.
He can reach through the veil of religion and touch those who truly seek Him. When they
respond to His touch, He introduces them to salvation, the first segment of His truth.
One reason the Church is Ignorant of what Christanity is, Because of Blind Watchman, who no longer preach the truth of Gods Word. But also because Most Christians don't read their bibles.
And Christanity is not a religion, It is a Person, Jesus Christ.
With TVs and videos, people have learned to read less. Many Christians I know seldom study the Bible reguarly and rely primarily on weekly sermons for most of their information about Christianity.
The first Christians gathered to study and pray reguarly because they were hungry for the Word and thirsty for the Spirit. A December 2007 Gallup reported that 82% of Americans claim their faith has ties to Chrisitanity. A lot of us living in these "end times" must be very hungry and thiristy spiritually.
Hope Page: http://itsallaboutjesusnotme.blogspot.com
Hope Page:
,” argued Colson, who was a top aide to former President Richard Nixon before being jailed for the Watergate scandal." Why is it that every time Chuck Colson is written about there is a need for the media 'Christian and secular' to introduce him as 'having been jailed for the Watergate scandal'? Do we speak of Moses as an unindicted murderer, David as a murderer and adulterer? And so on and so on. Give it a break.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God
For me that verse from the Gospel of St John also state a complete explanation of our faith.
Mr. Colson touches some of the things which I see myself do everyday, being unaware, ignorant and not fully understand Christianity to properly answer trivial questions let alone theological ones.
And further I do not particularly check all social and cultural goings on with the Word of our Living God in the Holy Bible.
Slowly but surely shall I learn more, Mr. Colson. Thank you for your input.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Ti 3:16, 17).
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ” (Col 2:8).
A great diagnosis by Chuck Colson! Colson believes the root of the church’s problem is that Christians don’t know what they believe in. How true.
Perhaps nothing has been as destructive to Christian society in the last number of decades as the abandonment of two thousand years of Christian teaching on God’s order for sexuality, starting with beliefs about contraception.
Like Colson points out, Christians should understand historic Christian beliefs and live by them.
I posted a blog entry today on this subject.
http://signofcontradiction.blogspot.com/2008/04/unholy-sacrament-of-corrupt-christian.html
I invite your comment.
Hey Coffee, I encourage everyone to read the writings of Ignatius of Antioch like I did. He led the Christians as a bishop in the first city the Christians were called Christians. He also wrote the name down for the first time that described the Church Jesus founded: Catholic, with a capital C. 110 A.D. And he learned Christianity from John the Apostle.
"Let no one do anything of concern to the Church without the bishop. Let that be considered a valid Eucharist which is celebrated by the bishop or by one whom he ordains [i.e., a presbyter]. Wherever the bishop appears, let the people be there; just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church" (Letter to the Smyrneans 8:2 [A.D. 110]).
The Orthodox faith was the first to split from Catholicism. Since then, I think we're up to 33,000 conflicting versions of Christianity. What a shame. Yet Jesus' Church hasn't been overcome by the gates of hell. To me, it's the only safe harbor in a world of theological shifting sand.
chris says that the church was once united. The who was the first split-off group? The Orthodox claim that it was the Roman church, that Orth. was the true original church.
The Bride of Christ IS united in HIM and always has been. There are many people sitting in the pews of many denominations who profess Christ, but whose hearts are far from Him. They are not members of the body. The building into which you enter for worship does not define who is of the body and who is not.
Compromising scriptural doctrine for the sake of an outward appearance of unity avails nothing.
Well said, Chuck! You are truly a wise man. You have also done many wonderful things in ecuminism between Catholics, Orthodox and Evangelicals. Keep up the great work, and I pray that someday all will follow Jesus Christ and that His Church will be united again like it once was.
“Most people are basically ignorant,” he said referring to believers’ lack of knowledge on their own religion.
Remember the old testament; Israel went in and out of capativity. Best yet, we in and out of hellfire.
God said: Hosea 4:6-7, 9-10
My people are destroyed for a lack of knowlege. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.
The more they increased, the more they sined against Me; I will change their glory into shame.
And it shall be: like people, like priest. So I will punish them for their ways, and reward them for their deeds.
For they shall eat, but not have enough; They shall commit harlotry, but not increase; Because they have ceased obeying the Lord.
Thank God for Chuck Colson.
I agree with those recommending blogs. Sure, there's some bad blogs, but, by and large, you find some very talented students running theology blogs. I have some links to such blogs on my own blog:
http://dogmatics.wordpress.com/
Also, read some good Christian magazines/journals, like First Things and Touchstone.
Boy I think Colson has hit it on the head here! I have come to learn one way (but not the only way) if someone really is a genuine Christian. Its simple. Just ask them to explain the atonement to you. If their answers is illogical or incoherent then you know that person is not a Christian, If they are unable to explain it then how did they ever get saved to begin with. If you have little or no knowledge of the Gospel (and that is essentially what the atonement is) then how did you ever come to salvation. Most folks go to church for 20 years and have a scad idea of why Jesus died on the cross. Typically I'll get the parroted answers they have learned or heard from their pastor such as "Oh my sins are paid for" or "I ask Jesus into my heart". As Paul stated "I preach nothing but Christ Crucified!"