Saturday, May 10, 2014

Twisted American Christianity

THE TWISTED AMERICAN BRAND
of
CHRISIANITY

Wake up all you who claim to follow Jesus. If you live in America you have been deceived regardless of how pretty and orthodox your paper doctrines may be. Watch this video of a believer from Nigeria.

 

While we play games with Duck Dynasty and Chick-Fil-A and boycotts there are thousands of believers who live in utter danger because they believe in Jesus and thousands of others who will die for their faith. But the clever Americans have invented a brand of persecution which costs nothing and can be experienced in air conditioned homes while watching television and sipping on a latte. Yes, it’s that disgusting.

We know nothing of true Christianity. Nothing at all. We practice a shell, a façade, and a religious system which makes us feel self righteous because we can wrap our moral convictions around ourselves and cast stones on sinners of all stripes. The church rallies to save a nation while brothers and sisters worship with the sound of bullets. We build large and debt ridden buildings in order to make our “worship experience” as American as possible. We cut the ribbon provided by some secular institution and we praise God for His provision. And just what did God provide? Good credit so the world can lend you the money and thereby MAKE MONEY ON THE BACK OF THE CHURCH? Just what kind of lunacy is that?

And I saw this just last week:


American believers were outraged that these men might be denied a spot on a secular television station because they believed homosexuality is a sin. And wrapping ourselves in our moral phylacteries we suggested boycotting that particular station. That is what the power of God has come to in America. Boycotts. There are literally thousands of things we as believers should not watch or attend or support just because of their unhealthy spiritual affect, but we Americans need everyone to know we are boycotting something because we are so moral. Never mind Jesus said to not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing (do good things in secret) so we may please our Heavenly Father. We need people to see us as we parade our moral Americanism.

We must stand against the onslaught of the unsaved hordes. Oh yes, instead of living and sharing the gospel with them while looking beyond their sin and seeing their desperate need of Christ, we must speak out against them and enter the moral tug of war. And of course we might say the name of Jesus or speak His gospel to the same people who we are tugging against, but even a fool can see the unscriptural nature of such a construct. We might want to consider the cross in all of this. It is an epic disgrace to the very cause of Christ and His gospel! The church has succumbed to the sirens of this world. We have left the prayer closet and instead of denying ourselves for His sake we have become pro-active in attempting to maintain or recreate a moral cultural climate which appeals to us. In effect, we want less sinful sinners in our own neck of the woods. How self serving and what a fool’s errand that is.

The brand of Christianity which is now practiced in America is all wrong on many levels. From its support of war, to its patriotic spirit, to its capitalism, to its glorification of leaders, to its worldliness, to its hatred of sinners, to its Sunday “services”, and throughout the entire structure we see the handprints of man and not the desires of God. And we who are “orthodox” are every bit the participant in all of it although we remain smug because our doctrinal barns are quite full. While we treat the Scriptures as a study book by which we can organize its truths, we actively disobey it across the board. Just the Sermon on the Mount would be sufficient evidence of our spiritual treachery. Go ahead and fool yourself if you wish but the church has been captured by the spirit of this world. Believers are shot to death while in church and speak the blood of Jesus while the bullets shatter their craniums, but in America we pray for moral laws to be passed. We are fools and fools indeed.

But you cannot reason with most professing believers. They bristle at the very thought of any change. In fact they reject even the suggestion that they consider some change. And when you speak words like mine they run for cover back into the ecclesiastical forest of no return. I understand. To the natural man the things of God are foolishness. And yet even “moral” unbelievers and conservatives feel right at home joining with churches and believers on a variety of issues. Is that what our Lord told us? Did Jesus say that the world will love us and find us as allies? This kind of Christianity is a self serving sham and a mockery to the very Redeemer it claims to follow.

I do not write these things in hopes of the church by and large to repent. I write to strengthen my brethren who have already been awakened to this monstrosity generally called “Christianity” and also to water the seeds that have been sown in others. When you construct a system where leaders must protect their domain because the support for them and their families is at stake then compromise is inevitable. And the tepid spiritual commitments of the congregations are usually unchallenged because numbers are important and the leaders do not want anyone to leave unless they are causing trouble.

This is what we have. This is what we practice. And this is what we want. We want just enough Jesus to get us into heaven but not enough to cause real sacrifice or self denial or in many cases even inconvenience. And even in that accommodating atmosphere we still feel the need to “suffer persecution” and bellow loudly. Did you hear the tone on that Nigerian man’s voice? Was he outraged? Did he demand retribution? Was he circulating a petition?

Find a man who is living in earthly pleasures and having his needs and wants fulfilled. Have some astronomer tell that man that all he has is sitting right where an asteroid is about to fall. That man will convince himself that the information is erroneous and everyone else who is at risk will convince each other until almost no one moves. And so it is with the American brand of Christianity. We are way too comfortable and have way too many material blessings to even consider the notion that it is all wrong. And we have our fellow professing believers to assure us that radicals like me have just become unhinged and are dwelling in the land of self righteousness and all or nothing utopia.

I will openly admit to uncountable shortcomings and always being engaged in a battle against self righteousness. Those things are very true. However what I have written here is also very true. And you have heard it from the lips of a bone fide nobody.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Rick, look this over and if you don’t believe it should not be posted in the comments of your article, then please don’t. Thank you.

John 18:36 Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."
:37 Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."

Jesus said in Matthew 24:15 "Therefore when you see the 'ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him understand),

Jesus said in John 4:20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship."
:21 Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father.

And then Jesus said in John 4:24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

Jesus is to have preeminence in every aspect of our lives but yet the church in America has set up men, ministries, buildings and institutions as idols in their hearts. Is this maybe what Jesus was talking about when the end is near?

Jesus last commandments were “feed my sheep and follow Me”.

Joel

Cherie c. said...

A nobody I am, and a nobody I wish to remain. It is not about me, it's about the Lord. Less of me, more of Him. A goal I endeavor, a struggle I have. Self-righteousness is ever ready to bubble up. And so, struggle number two.

I fear God, and it's because of this fear that I do not sit back on my laurels and just coast. I can't! I have tried, and I fail miserably. I am never certain about my so called successes, and I am only certain in the cross and Jesus.

I know that my salvation is only one sin or disobedient thought away from being gone forever, and I tremble at the realization. I know the Word of God and my heart breaks for the walking dead. People consider me a bit off, but my hope is that Jesus thinks I am right where I should be. I hate the word I.

My joy is in the Lord and His Word. My other joy is in my brothers and sisters, who like me, struggle with staying on this narrow path. We are angry and dismayed at the visible church, and the false teachings abounding these days, but ever cognizant of the return of Jesus being near.

We cry for our brothers and sisters around the world in real persecution, and loathe that we live here in the lap of luxury. I grew up in a household with no money and many mouths to feed. With a parent that worked when he felt like it, and made sure he was well fed, and the rest of us were on our own. Another parent who worked what seemed night and day, and she never had time to spend with the children. Sometimes we didn't have food, and sometimes we didn't have electricity, and heat. But by the standards we see our brothers and sisters in the Lord living in, we were well off. But the difference was they have a faith like we should have but don't, and I am ashamed. In this country it is not enough to just live your life, and hopefully in the Lord. If you don't have a certain attitude, or common bond with the standards set up by those in authority, you're either mentally ill, or a traitor. It's okay to have a different lifestyle, but not okay to try to live a holy life. If you try to abstain from comment on the things of this world, you're considered an idiot.

Then, to top it all off, you see a church system that says it follows Jesus, but does all the things listed in the Word of God that says is the opposite of Jesus. And it is they that call you a hater if you say, "hey wait a minute" you didn't mention Jesus in your sermon", or women should not be pastors, etc. Or they tell you you don't have enough faith and that is why you struggle with pain and sickness.

And you're left wondering and wounded. Trying to figure it out, trying to understand, especially if you were part of the apostasy, what is going on. Then you remember what the Word of God says:

Galatians 2:4
And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

Cherie c. said...

I cannot speak for anyone other than myself, but seeing what is going on today only strengthens my faith in the Word and in Jesus who is the Word. He said these things would happen, and they have.

Matthew 24:25
Behold, I have told you before.

This video really hits me in my heart, and I am undone. I have no reason to complain, and I am so disgusted with myself. I was poor and hungry as a child, but still blessed. For me to think that I was in dire straits is a sin.

I am sure people will admonish me for not focusing on my blessings. I know I am blessed, I am breathing aren't I? But to have a faith like our brothers and sisters in the Lord who live daily in dire straits, that is true Christianity. All I can do is pray for them and support them the best way I know. That may mean actually stepping out in faith, and actually denying my self and esteeming others better than myself. Not good at it, but I will keep trying and hope it brings Glory to the Lord. Did I tell you I hate the word I? Yes, I guess I did. The worst word other than the word me in the whole of language. i like the word nobody. And I gladly take that identity, if I may Pastor Rick, with you.

your sister in Christ Jesus

Anonymous said...

Before I read any comments here, there is just one serious question I have for you Pastor Rick, as I was challenged by your thoughts...."Have you been thrown out of the synagogues/churches as of yet by the religious folks? For I believe your words throw diesel fuel into that burning lava of man's heart secretly churning to that final destructive erruption?

This Nigerian man's testimony is beyond humbling for it is most incomprehensible in my/our comfortable lifestyles.

In my time with our LORD last evening, truly, truly, the Words of our Savior come alive here forevermor "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For their is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, For theirs is the kingdom of neaven."

Oh how the Word of the LORD comes alive! I am so encouraged by this whole post/amazing testimony of God's mercy and grace, who can even begin to boast of the wonders of ourselves after this?

LORD have mercy.

Anonymous said...

John 10:18

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

The LORD doesn't think that His children are a nobody.

He invests a huge amount of time and effort in them.

A friend of the LORD is somebody who has a very special friend.

They are often regarded as nobodies by unsaved people but the LORD treasures them highly and they should see themselves as precious in His sight too!

Unknown said...

Amen Brother. Tell it like it is.

michael said...

Two things.

One, I don't see the video or a link to it? I've been to Nigeria many times. None of my visits were easy comfortable experiences. I've been to Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Guinea and Mali. None of my visits were pleasant but for the brethren there. Life is hard in most of Africa. Life is harsh and many days children go without the basics. But for all that, what breaks my heart being there is seeing the joy in the children in the face of the hopelessness that surrounds them.

The second thing is simply this:::>

1 Peter 4:14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory[fn] and of God rests upon you.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.
16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
18 And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"[fn]
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

Cherie c. said...

Anonymous said...

John 10:18

And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

The LORD doesn't think that His children are a nobody.

He invests a huge amount of time and effort in them.

A friend of the LORD is somebody who has a very special friend.

They are often regarded as nobodies by unsaved people but the LORD treasures them highly and they should see themselves as precious in His sight too!


As usual, if you're referring to my post, this comment is not unexpected. Actually, I might be inclined to worry if someone didn't post a comment that showed that my comment was again taken out of context. I was referring to my status as a human being, a sinner saved by Grace which would like to remain in the background, for a better lack of example, and have Jesus in front. A nobody meaning less of me and more of Jesus. It is utterly sad that I had to explain that to someone claiming to be a follower of Jesus. But as Pastor put it in a comment on a previous post, somethings I will just be silent about. This is the last time I will explain myself to those who do not know the Lord, because if they did, they would understand when I meant. If you think you are on par with the Lord, then you are deceived and you need to repent and be forgiven Satan looks to exalt himself above God, I do not. Just saying

your sister in Christ Jesus

Rick Frueh said...

Paul himself said he was the least of all saints and the offscouring of the earth. God doesn't spend much tim eith us because we are anything. He does it because He is everything. A man should not think more highly of himself than he ought. When we think we are precious to God because we are "somebody" we are not understanding the New Testament nor are we exhibiting the true humility necessary to be a disciple of Christ.

Mike W. said...

Amen! Brother Joel!

Yes, we are living in the days when we should proclaim as John the Baptist did:

"Behold, The Lamb of God!"

Annette said...

Thank-You for this post, Pastor Rick for it truly inspires me in my faith in Christ alone. My heart breaks for those young girls/families and will be praying in the Spirit for them.

Sisters in Christ, would you please join me in fervent prayer for those who are oppressed by the evil of this world?

It is in these posts that I feel, how dare we complain when the alter cloth isn't fitting the board just right. I cower ashamedly as we have it pretty nice, do we not?

O Merciful, Gracious Father, please hear our petitions and prayers to You for the hurting this day, in the Name of our LORD Jesus Christ. Amen.

Anonymous said...

As for some of the churches here in the United States…

Matthew 15:8 'THESE PEOPLE DRAW NEAR TO ME WITH THEIR MOUTH, AND HONOR ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR FROM ME.
:9 AND IN VAIN THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN.'"

Joel

Anonymous said...


Peace offering to Cherie c!

When you referred to yourself as a nobody I understood immediately what you meant.

My point is that we don't just write for ourself but for other people and that way of talking will confuse most non Christians.

Stay calm Cherie c. I am for you, not against you!

God bless you!

Anonymous said...

To multitudes of ungodly people Christians are regarded as scum and offscouring.

However in God's sight the very opposite is true. He loves us and esteems us as precious and even when we were sinners Lord Jesus Christ showed us how valuable we are in His sight by pouring out His soul unto death at Calvary on our behalf!

Rick Frueh said...

This thread is closed.

Anonymous said...

Self righteousness leads to spiritual blindness

Anonymous said...

American "Christianity" masks itself as Christian but in reality it is just smoke and mirrors.

Anonymous said...


Proverbs Chapter 3:1begins with these words:

My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

In Proverbs 3:3 we are commanded to bind God's commandments about our neck and write them upon the table of our heart!

Friends, the answers to our challenges is trusting and obeying what God commands us to do!

God bless you!

Anonymous said...

I sent this out to some I know. It is so true of what is going on in Christian circles. Yes, Americans think they suffer when someone calls them down for a Christian stand but they do not get shot or die for their beliefs. They once did but Christianity has become easy and well performed and too many churches are just that, a performance.GOD forbid if we break a ritual of songs, announcements and preaching. Where does The Holy Spirit have room to move in and amongst the church of today?
Our prayer meetings are not filled, they grow so weak and some do not pray and when they do it is about all our little needs and wants.Do we shed tears for those like the man who is on the video,the unsaved and those professing Christians who are living as the unsaved.
We see so many declaring salvation but live like they are pleasing Satan.
Thank you for this posting.
Because of Christ Precious Blood