Michael Youssef, in his book Blindsided, was writing about why the Arabian Peninsula was resistant to Christianity before the preaching of Mohammed. One of his points went like this,
“...Arabian Christianity in the seventh century was corrupted and distorted by Gnostic heresies and diversions over the nature of Christ. Some of these heresies taught that Jesus was a mere human being who achieved divinity through mystical knowledge. Though some Arab Christians revered the New Testament as God’s revealed Word, many embraced the Gnostic heresies, so that the ‘Christianity’ they practiced was weak and unbiblical. So the Christianity of Arabia had little appeal to the pagans in that region.” page 49It is nice to have my observations endorsed by someone who is much more familiar with the area than I am, but that is not what jumped out at me.
I saw a parallel between Arabia of the sixth century and America of the 21st century. The Christianity that was being lived and taught he calls “weak and unbiblical.” I think that same phrase could be used to describe what I see in the church of America today.
American churches are into being “user friendly” and not “Godly obedient.” They are more concerned about offending the visiting pagan than the eternal God. Paul said,
ROM 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.The modern church has dropped out the “do not” and made conformity a requirement.
If the church wants to impact the world, it will need to return to being the church.
Youssef, Michael. Blindsided. No City: Kobri, 2012.
homo unius libri
Amen.
ReplyDeletePray for revival.
ReplyDeleteGrace and peace.