I had no idea that self righteousness was addressed so directly in the Bible. Goes to show how much I paid attention in Bible study as a kid.π
This post speaks to such an important issue. Christians are losing members in droves these days with so many people leaving the faith (myself included) over these exact issues. There's just too much performative religiousness and judgment of others for my taste. Me and my beliefs don't feel welcome in most Christian spaces.π
William, thank you for boldly writing about this.ππ½ i wholeheartedly agree that a little humility would go a long way.
Thank you so much for responding to my letter. When one reads the gospels, it shows that Jesus saved his strongest condemnation for the religious leaders of the day. The establishment that not only was self-righteous but very oppressive. The scary thing is what those same leaders did to Jesus.
My purpose here is to introduce people to Jesus or have them revisit him. Read his words and come to your own conclusion. The sermon on the mount was some of the most beautiful words ever spoken.
I love this letter, the humility, the honesty, the condemnation of self-righteousness, the fallibility of the church -- all of it! Of course we know that the church is full of broken people just like anywhere else. But so often I see behavior from the Christian community that turns more people away than brings them into the grace and love of God. As a follower of Jesus, this saddens my heart as I want everyone to know the beautiful relationship that comes from surrender and acceptance and is the opposite of rules and condemnation. I'm blessed by this post today.
Thanks for posting this. I can relate to so much of what you said. I grew up in an evangelical church, community and it carried over at home too. So much judgement. So many don'ts No rock music only Christian music, Halloween is evil don't celebrate, self-righteousess, fire and brimstone I could go on and on.
I'm probably more closer to your Dad's age and lived through the televangelist era enough said
Your post was so well written and honest. Thanks you!
Like I said in the letter, we focus on things that are not nearly as important as having a healthy relationship with people. The question is why. I guess because it's easier to focus on things like that rather than focusing on letting people see Jesus in us.
Sorry for the late reply. My grandkids have been here all week. My wife and I always joke about KISS. I was a teenager when they were popular, and our parents blew a gasket over them. All it did was make us listen more. Now if they would've given us freedom and talked with us about it in a respectful way maybe we would've listened.
I'm one for open discussion with a teenager and then let them decide when it comes to music. I like the idea of round table discussions too!
That was really well written and well thought out!
Yes, most Christians today, it seems, are :FULL of legalism, and self righteous judgment and condemnation. They bait people in then make a rock pile on top of them. Many on the Right look at others as "condemned" if they have needs and need help! They have to measure up like in strong military style by how "wrong" the others are. Most can't live up to that. Now I am for "the rules" that will HELP! But Jesus had compassion for living LIFE in this fallen world. He came to us because He understood. I'm a strong Christian but holier than thou's who are looking to hurt others and do anything but help and accept them are indeed a burden at this time, to make people think they aren't worth living. Policy wise, I am a Republican but compassion wise, I want to be the Christian Jesus wants us to be. Throwing rocks on people until they make it a grave and then a shrine to ego, is not okay, because many needy people just need some love and help! They don't know and haven't lived the same lifestyle. I really appreciate this post! Because it can become a cult of doctrine shutting out the people who need it - or HIM - the most! He died, so people could live! You LEARN life with Love.
I'm so sorry it's taken so long to respond. My grandkids have been here all week. Thank you so much for your response and I agree with you. A few years back there was a new book that came out called "The Next Christians." The theme of the book is that we need to restore the world by making relationships with people first and foremost. We Can't have a meaningful impact on the world without love. Christianity is not about force feeding but through loving persuasion. Even if people aren't interested, we still love them right?
βThe social skills of a pitbull with rabiesβ. Wow. That one had me going.
I love your essays William. I also love how you and atom reveal the depth of your relationship here.
I was a vacation Bible school girl and a Christian summer camp girl as a child. I loved the storytelling of the Bible, and didnβt like the righteousness and preaching nature of the teachers sharing those stories with me.
You see, my parents raised me to think for myself. I didnβt like being told what things meant. I wanted to work it out for myself. And that led to me leaving the church at a young age.
I was 10. The Sunday school teacher taught one week that God is in everything and everyone. Because God created the world, He put his love and energy into everyone and everything. I liked that concept. The next week, the same teacher told us students to repeat after her and say that we love God first, our neighbors second, and ourselves last. I didnβt appreciate the contradiction. I thought that if God was in everything and everyone, I could love everything and everyone the same. Love is love. It didnβt need to be ordered in a hierarchy. I said as much and got promptly kicked out of class and told I was a sinner and I would go to Hell if I kept believing like that.
We never went back to that church after that.
Several months later the pastor called my mom and asked why their weekly tithe check had stopped. She said he didnβt even ask her is she was okay or why she hadnβt been to church in months.
I think you nailed it here when you say the Christians are pissing people off by getting all righteous and perfectionistic and not leading with love and compassion.
I think the Beatles had it right. Love is all you need. And if you really believe, God gives love in all creation. Love is in everything.
Yes, a pit bull with rabies. Those types that are in the church (not all are like that, I'll talk about those in upcoming letters) have no idea the damage they're causing. Like you being kicked out of class. That's something you'll never forget. I just shake my head in disbelief.
Again, the proper thing would've been for your teacher to sit down with you and have a discussion. If you disagree over a topic then you disagree. We as a church can agree to disagree. Our kids come in all shapes and sizes and not all of them are going to continue in the church. Look at me and Tom for example. If you have ever read his article where he's really struggling with the existence of God, you'll see it's something he's put a lot of time and energy into thinking about.
Would I like for Tom to be a theist? Of course. But I'm not going to lose my son by brow beating him every chance I get. If he's ever convinced it has to come from inside. We can talk about it and have discussions, but I have to respect his viewpoint.
I was told I was under Satan's attack when I went to the pastors wife and told her I was depressed. I'm in my mid 50s now and just recently I relized how abusive and horrible that was. It was the 80s and I was a teen. Mental health care has changed. It was still abusive and I needed help and compassion. It was nothing wrong that I did
My story is similar to yours. I had very bad OCD and my church had no clue about how to help me. It was a very small, very narrow, very legalistic atmosphere. I suffered with this problem for over 13 years. It was a living hell. Once we left, I saw a Dr and got the help I needed. I attacked my mental problems on many fronts. I didn't neglect the spiritual aspect, but neither did I neglect the physical either, the church I go to now has people that have real education in this area, and they are open to treating the physical aspect as well.
Thanks again for sharing your experience here with us. It's something that's little talked about. At my age I'm still trying to make sense of it all. I'm glad you found a church home that shows gods true love and acceptance.
Thanks for stepping out and being vulnerable with us William!
I recently listened to a sermon by Francis Chan where he talked about how the Church seems to call it good enough for 1 hour a week in a building, and how he cannot find anywhere in scripture where this is what "church" is meant to be.
We are set apart to be an image of His grace, and I often wonder if I am an image of Him when things get tough!
Everyone is welcome at His table...I have learned that I need to be the best image I can be of Him (not perfect of course) and let the SOVEREIGN God do what He does in me and others without my human-ness getting in the way of who is "in or out" or who is "welcome or not."
I love everything that you just said. Yes, we are all welcome. The world is looking at us for help. We are in a very real sense representatives for Jesus. We need to remember that. We need to give people the whole ball of wax. I know that includes the bible but it also entails so much more.
"They do ALL their deeds to be SEEN BY OTHERS."
I had no idea that self righteousness was addressed so directly in the Bible. Goes to show how much I paid attention in Bible study as a kid.π
This post speaks to such an important issue. Christians are losing members in droves these days with so many people leaving the faith (myself included) over these exact issues. There's just too much performative religiousness and judgment of others for my taste. Me and my beliefs don't feel welcome in most Christian spaces.π
William, thank you for boldly writing about this.ππ½ i wholeheartedly agree that a little humility would go a long way.
Hello Dr.April,
Thank you so much for responding to my letter. When one reads the gospels, it shows that Jesus saved his strongest condemnation for the religious leaders of the day. The establishment that not only was self-righteous but very oppressive. The scary thing is what those same leaders did to Jesus.
My purpose here is to introduce people to Jesus or have them revisit him. Read his words and come to your own conclusion. The sermon on the mount was some of the most beautiful words ever spoken.
William, this is just beautiful and easy to understand. You have an amazing way with words.
Hello Glenna,
Thank you so much as you do too! I still have more to say on this topic!
I canβt wait to read it.
I love this letter, the humility, the honesty, the condemnation of self-righteousness, the fallibility of the church -- all of it! Of course we know that the church is full of broken people just like anywhere else. But so often I see behavior from the Christian community that turns more people away than brings them into the grace and love of God. As a follower of Jesus, this saddens my heart as I want everyone to know the beautiful relationship that comes from surrender and acceptance and is the opposite of rules and condemnation. I'm blessed by this post today.
Hello Cathey'
Thank you so much and I'm glad you were blessed. The relationship is truly what it's all about.
Thanks for posting this. I can relate to so much of what you said. I grew up in an evangelical church, community and it carried over at home too. So much judgement. So many don'ts No rock music only Christian music, Halloween is evil don't celebrate, self-righteousess, fire and brimstone I could go on and on.
I'm probably more closer to your Dad's age and lived through the televangelist era enough said
Your post was so well written and honest. Thanks you!
Hello Jane,
Like I said in the letter, we focus on things that are not nearly as important as having a healthy relationship with people. The question is why. I guess because it's easier to focus on things like that rather than focusing on letting people see Jesus in us.
Hello Jane,
Sorry for the late reply. My grandkids have been here all week. My wife and I always joke about KISS. I was a teenager when they were popular, and our parents blew a gasket over them. All it did was make us listen more. Now if they would've given us freedom and talked with us about it in a respectful way maybe we would've listened.
I'm one for open discussion with a teenager and then let them decide when it comes to music. I like the idea of round table discussions too!
Thanks so much William. I mean our church gave us the lyrics of the song and backward masking tapes. What do you think we did with them π€¦ββοΈ
Hello Jane,
You threw it in the garbage correct?
LOL LOL LOL
FELICES Y GRACIAS CHRISTIANS
FELICES Y GRACIAS
That was really well written and well thought out!
Yes, most Christians today, it seems, are :FULL of legalism, and self righteous judgment and condemnation. They bait people in then make a rock pile on top of them. Many on the Right look at others as "condemned" if they have needs and need help! They have to measure up like in strong military style by how "wrong" the others are. Most can't live up to that. Now I am for "the rules" that will HELP! But Jesus had compassion for living LIFE in this fallen world. He came to us because He understood. I'm a strong Christian but holier than thou's who are looking to hurt others and do anything but help and accept them are indeed a burden at this time, to make people think they aren't worth living. Policy wise, I am a Republican but compassion wise, I want to be the Christian Jesus wants us to be. Throwing rocks on people until they make it a grave and then a shrine to ego, is not okay, because many needy people just need some love and help! They don't know and haven't lived the same lifestyle. I really appreciate this post! Because it can become a cult of doctrine shutting out the people who need it - or HIM - the most! He died, so people could live! You LEARN life with Love.
Hello Pam,
I'm so sorry it's taken so long to respond. My grandkids have been here all week. Thank you so much for your response and I agree with you. A few years back there was a new book that came out called "The Next Christians." The theme of the book is that we need to restore the world by making relationships with people first and foremost. We Can't have a meaningful impact on the world without love. Christianity is not about force feeding but through loving persuasion. Even if people aren't interested, we still love them right?
βThe social skills of a pitbull with rabiesβ. Wow. That one had me going.
I love your essays William. I also love how you and atom reveal the depth of your relationship here.
I was a vacation Bible school girl and a Christian summer camp girl as a child. I loved the storytelling of the Bible, and didnβt like the righteousness and preaching nature of the teachers sharing those stories with me.
You see, my parents raised me to think for myself. I didnβt like being told what things meant. I wanted to work it out for myself. And that led to me leaving the church at a young age.
I was 10. The Sunday school teacher taught one week that God is in everything and everyone. Because God created the world, He put his love and energy into everyone and everything. I liked that concept. The next week, the same teacher told us students to repeat after her and say that we love God first, our neighbors second, and ourselves last. I didnβt appreciate the contradiction. I thought that if God was in everything and everyone, I could love everything and everyone the same. Love is love. It didnβt need to be ordered in a hierarchy. I said as much and got promptly kicked out of class and told I was a sinner and I would go to Hell if I kept believing like that.
We never went back to that church after that.
Several months later the pastor called my mom and asked why their weekly tithe check had stopped. She said he didnβt even ask her is she was okay or why she hadnβt been to church in months.
I think you nailed it here when you say the Christians are pissing people off by getting all righteous and perfectionistic and not leading with love and compassion.
I think the Beatles had it right. Love is all you need. And if you really believe, God gives love in all creation. Love is in everything.
Lead with love.
Love is love ππ½
Hello Teri.
Thank you so much for your kind words.
Yes, a pit bull with rabies. Those types that are in the church (not all are like that, I'll talk about those in upcoming letters) have no idea the damage they're causing. Like you being kicked out of class. That's something you'll never forget. I just shake my head in disbelief.
Again, the proper thing would've been for your teacher to sit down with you and have a discussion. If you disagree over a topic then you disagree. We as a church can agree to disagree. Our kids come in all shapes and sizes and not all of them are going to continue in the church. Look at me and Tom for example. If you have ever read his article where he's really struggling with the existence of God, you'll see it's something he's put a lot of time and energy into thinking about.
Would I like for Tom to be a theist? Of course. But I'm not going to lose my son by brow beating him every chance I get. If he's ever convinced it has to come from inside. We can talk about it and have discussions, but I have to respect his viewpoint.
I was told I was under Satan's attack when I went to the pastors wife and told her I was depressed. I'm in my mid 50s now and just recently I relized how abusive and horrible that was. It was the 80s and I was a teen. Mental health care has changed. It was still abusive and I needed help and compassion. It was nothing wrong that I did
Hello again Jane,
My story is similar to yours. I had very bad OCD and my church had no clue about how to help me. It was a very small, very narrow, very legalistic atmosphere. I suffered with this problem for over 13 years. It was a living hell. Once we left, I saw a Dr and got the help I needed. I attacked my mental problems on many fronts. I didn't neglect the spiritual aspect, but neither did I neglect the physical either, the church I go to now has people that have real education in this area, and they are open to treating the physical aspect as well.
Thanks again for sharing your experience here with us. It's something that's little talked about. At my age I'm still trying to make sense of it all. I'm glad you found a church home that shows gods true love and acceptance.
Thanks for stepping out and being vulnerable with us William!
I recently listened to a sermon by Francis Chan where he talked about how the Church seems to call it good enough for 1 hour a week in a building, and how he cannot find anywhere in scripture where this is what "church" is meant to be.
We are set apart to be an image of His grace, and I often wonder if I am an image of Him when things get tough!
Everyone is welcome at His table...I have learned that I need to be the best image I can be of Him (not perfect of course) and let the SOVEREIGN God do what He does in me and others without my human-ness getting in the way of who is "in or out" or who is "welcome or not."
Hello Jordan,
I love everything that you just said. Yes, we are all welcome. The world is looking at us for help. We are in a very real sense representatives for Jesus. We need to remember that. We need to give people the whole ball of wax. I know that includes the bible but it also entails so much more.
Amen! π