The Criterium

In one of Reverend Donald Sensing’s posts regarding CBS and NBC, the two networks have refused to run ads by the United Church of Christ which purports to make homosexuals feel welcome in their churches.

The broadcasting corporations’ rationale for the refusals is confusing, but, conversely, revealing; betraying a common misconception of what it means to be a Christian.

In a written statement to the church, CBS, a unit of Viacom, said the fact that the Bush administration had proposed a constitutional amendment to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman made the advertisement "unacceptable for broadcast."

NBC said the ad violated a long-standing policy of the network not to allow commercials that dealt with issues of public controversy. NBC is part of NBC Universal, which is 80 percent owned by General Electric Co. ., with the rest owned by Vivendi Universal.

Somehow, the Bush Administration’s support of the FMA proposal—and general disapproval of same sex marriage--has become synonymous with Christians allegedly wishing to bar homosexuals from attending church services. (No doubt, President Bush's public Christianity is somehow mixed into this stew of odd reasoning.) How did that happen?

My pastor says that we don't have to change to come to his church. (Heck, I even saw two guys kiss other in greeting there. No tongue action or anything, but it was in a manner that I would reserve for my close friends of the opposite sex.) My pastor preaches that we don’t have to prove our righteousness to men in order to “present ourselves before the altar,” hungry for the word of God; that righteousness comes solely through faith. When you sit down for Christian services, are you sitting next to someone who is engaging in or has engaged in homosexual acts? Maybe. Likely, the following week, you’ll sit next to someone who has committed adultery. Or fornication. Or some larceny. Or someone who has lied that week. And on and on and on.

Many critics (and adherents) of Christianity seem to be under the impression that in order to be a *good* Christian, one must never sin again or even think about it; that total absence of sin is what is required to wear the appellation “Christian.”

I submit that the Owner’s Manual needs to be reviewed a little more thoroughly.

For we maintain that a man is justified [made righteous] by faith apart from observing the law. (Romans 3:28; NIV)

I, too, have been guilty of misunderstanding the criteria of what makes a good Christian by citing James’ (2:20) assertion that “that faith without deeds is useless.” (Many commentators claim that James didn’t get it either.) And that’s where the misunderstand lies. Too many churches require that a prospective parishioner show formal proof of his/her acceptance of Jesus Christ as personal savior; not just once, with baptism, or communion or even an “altar call,” but day in and day out. “Show us your works,” many of them say, as if Christians automatically stop doing wrong things and having bad thoughts as soon as the faith in Jesus Christ kicks in. Conversely, if a so-called Christian is outed: fornicating, lying or even having a little too much wine, it’s proof that he/she “isn’t really a Christian.” Again, the Specs need to be reviewed. The only thing required to be a Christian is faith.

How does one get this illusive faith? That’s a pretty simple proposition, as well.

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17; NIV)

Or reading it. Not once, but over and over again.

As far as I’ve ever been able to tell, homosexuals don’t have to stop being homosexuals in order to attend church, accept Jesus Christ as savior, or read a Bible. However, it seem to me that what some homosexuals want is to have their desires sanctioned from the pulpit and have the verses in the Bible twisted so that such desires are no longer deemed as sin. Certainly, all other types of sinners (read: everyone else) would like this special dispensation for their own individual brands of biblically-proscribed activity, as well. But what does a given Christian denomination become if it gives this? Not Christian.

However, as any real Christian church will not ask you to prove that you’re not still lying, or swindling, or dishonoring your parents, it certainly wouldn’t ask you to prove that you’re not having homosexual sex. Or thinking about it. And if one does, you should get yourself away from that charlatan-led operation as soon as possible.

It seems to me that, for those who are hungry for the biblical Word, the only job is to read it, study it and listen to those who are more learned regarding its language, history and theology. After that, it’s up to the individual to accept it, and let the hearing of the Word change you.

Or to reject it and go on about one's business.

(All Bible quotes come from The Bible Gateway)

Comments

[antonio]

Who really is a christian? That's the real question we should be asking. Cuz it's true the church can't twist the bible into condoning homosexuality (in fact the bible prescribes death for it-no, I'm not confusing the bible with the Koran). But before digressing....who amongst us are really Christians? President Bush? He called Christ his favorite philosopher..despite the fact that he executed a murderess who found Christ and accepted him. This woman renounced her despicable actions. Even Pat Robertson wanted her to live. And Bush put her lights out. But before saying that that's the law and the punishment fit the crime, Bush was documented to have mocked her plea for mercy. Would Jesus have done that?? The one who preached forgiveness? People have got to know this whole "faith talk" from Bush is just a ploy...a very successful one too, to push a more capitalist agenda of tax cuts for the wealthy and government deregulation. Heck if the GOP practiced what they preach Rush wouldn't have been thrice devorced and hooked on drugs, Reagan wouldn't have been divorced, Cheney's daughter would have been disowned , Barbara and Jenna wouldn't be lying to get into a bar, Ann Coulter woudl be married and preparing sandwiches for her kiddies and Noelle Bush would be in a Florida prison for having illegal drugs.

[Michael]

Yep

I have a friend just like that. She just loves to point out people who are Christian and are not perfect and use that as an excuse to put down Christians in general and Christianity in particular.

She gets positively orgasmic.

[Masked Menace©]

Ain't it nice to make a point about how "show me your works" to "prove you're a Christian" is the wrong approach only to have someone come out and openly do it in the comments?

If a hypocrite is standing between you and God, the hypocrite is one step closer to God than you are.

[antonio]

Never said that a hypocrite is standing between me and God. And I never was putting down Christianity..just pointing out how these guys use it for political gain....I dont know why its so offensive to point out that instead of droning on how Bush is a man of faith and all that crap

[baldilocks]

No one said you were "putting Christianity down," antonio. What you *are* doing is making the assumption that Christianity is about works. That's what I'm saying that it's *not* about.

[FH]

"What you *are* doing is making the assumption that Christianity is about works. That's what I'm saying that it's *not* about."

True. Christianity is about the Golden Rule. Love G-d with your whole heart, your whole mind and your whole soul, and love your neighbor as yourself.

[KevLord]

People get Christ and works confused all the time. Accepting Christ does not make you a Christian. It is the prerequisite though. Only after accepting him does works become important. People know you as a Christians by your works. It is the difference between salvation which is by grace and conversion which occurs after growing in grace and knowledge of the Lord. No one, not even Christians are perfect but you shouldn't fault them if they try to do good works and occaisionally fail. I will take that person over one who does not try at all.

[Masked Menace©]

Accepting Christ does not make you a Christian. - Posted by Kevlord

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the free gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. - Ephesians 2:8-9

Accepting Christ is the only critierion for being a Christian. Works are a result of salvation, not the cause of it.

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” - Luke 23:42-43

The thief had no time to do works to earn salvation as he was nailed to a cross for the short remainder of his life. No baptism, no nothing, yet he was still saved by his faith and acceptance of Christ.

[David R. Block]

Preach it, sister!

[FH]

Good rebuttal there Menace.

Christians have long argued over the path to salvation. The only agreement that is universal seems to be that whatever the path, it is really, really hard.

[FH]

Menace, one should not forget, however, that there are verses which do not fully agree with your position:

In those days John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea
(and) saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" t was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he said: "A voice of one crying out in the desert 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.'" John wore clothing made of camel's hair and had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River as they acknowledged their sins. When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance. And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you, God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."

Matthew 3:1-12

[rex]

Don't forget what the Esteemed book of birdism preaches "he who accepts tonto's eagle as supreme will see eagle paradise"

[Roast Mistress]

I don't know any Christian church which denies homosexuals access to the church. The pulpit maybe. Ordination maybe. Most definitely want the gay in the pew. Churches would be empty if specific sins were singled out. (OK, everyone who views pornography on the net stay home; gambling? don't go to church; nag your husband? stay home, etc.) The TV execs probably don't know enough about churches to even make a decision on this kind of advertising.

[Masked Menace©]

Well FH, The problem with that scripture as a defense of salvation by works is: "Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance".

It wasn't the good fruit that earned salvation (spared the ax), it was repentance (rejection of sin and acceptance of Christ). The good fruit was just the evidence.

If A leads to B then a lack of B suggests a possible lack of A. Where we must really be careful is that your works may not be my works. Some are called to the pulpit to talk to many at a time, others are called to talk to one person. Some are called to go into the wilderness, some are called to send others into the wilderness. Just because someone doesn't do the works you expect doesn't mean they don't have faith. That's the mistake antonio makes.