Re-killing Christ - Not Christians, It's the Churcherics

Tiffany Ranae in her article Re-killing Christ for the sake of Tradition makes some great points, and raises some questions that definitely need to be clarified. While there is much that I do agree with, there are also some major points that I would like to highlight and clarify.

First off, I would like to mention that Tiffany has remarkable insight. She has managed grasping the fundamental truths of Christianity way better than most Christians I know. However, insight into the bible does not necessarily mean that we understand the Christ. Again, this does not mean that Tiffany does not understand Christ. It just means what it says. Insight does not equal understanding of God. They are separate.

For the most part, I agree. Much of the world, including people professing to be Christians do not read the Bible, yet fervently claim support for it. However, there are those that do read it. For most church-goers, Jesus is a religious figure that they think of every Sunday, while for true Christians, He is the one who died for them and now is alive. I could go on about the differences, but they are rather obvious. So first we need to distinguish between the two and stop referring to church-goers who are otherwise hostile to Christ as Christians, and call them Churcherics.

Now, moving to the important parts. What is the cause of this massive deception. Why do we have seeming Christians telling everyone from the rooftops that they need to change and that homosexuality, abortion and such things CAN'T be legalized? Why is it that suddenly we have seeming Christians not saying that these blatant sins shouldn't be legal. We hear them saying that they can't be legal or else God will destroy America. I digress. Because the Bible says otherwise.

See, the root of all this mess is what I call the Christian pride. When a Christian starts thinking that he/she is better than the world of sinners because they are "believers" and the others aren't, you end up in a mess. The Bible teaches that we, as Christians, are scum of the world. The lowest of the lows. The ones hated and persecuted because of the name of Christ. Well, it's true for the most of the world, then why not America? The Bible says that believers everywhere are persecuted at all times, then why not in America? The truth is that believers are being persecuted in America, by the Churcherics.

It's these Churcherics who are dangerous institutions and are hostile to anything that opposes it, NOT Christians. The Churcherics believe that they have divine right to impose laws, or oppose laws and so on, NOT the Christians. The Churcherics act much like the pope, ruling instead of Christ, while the Christians are in the background quietly serving in the stead of Christ. The Churcherics are the ones looking to establish a Christian nation, the Christians are just trying to carry the gospels to the nations.

The Churcherics are yelling, the Christians are praying.

As such, with so many differences, it is wrong to place both of them in the same categories. As far the sin of Tiffany is concerned, I believe the Bible is clear enough about it. If the Holy Spirit convicts you and gives you the strength and grace to repent, awesome, if not, I'm not here to say anything about it. Neither can I forgive, nor can I convict. I can just pray.

Yes, Tiffany's rebukes regarding religion, though many-a-times crude for my taste (notice I said MY taste), have been on target. Religion is a big problem today, and always has been. It's an institution that runs on human emotions of pride and selfishness. And that's the way it will be until Christ's return. However, Christians should take heed and wake up! If someone who confesses to not 'know' Jesus can understand so much of the Bible, then why are the Christians still trying to memorize John 3:16. Move off the verses and start reading the Bible so that you may know the heart of God. I'm not saying verses are wrong or something. I'm just suggesting that maybe God wants you to know what His word says, and know Him more instead of being caught up in the verses.

In conclusion, Tiffany is right. Nothing has changed. Religion then, and now has been crucifying Jesus all over again, because the Churcherics cannot stand anyone who doesn't live up to their standard. However, it is essential that we learn to distinguish between the followers of Christ, and the Churcherics. At the same time, while we're on the subject of crucifying Christ all over again, something caught my attention. Tiffany refers to herself as an ex-Christian. If that is true, then I would like to point out that Tiffany too has crucified Christ all over again and put Him up on public shame. It's not me who said that, it's God's own word:

Heb 6:4-6: For it is impossible for those once having been enlightened, and having tasted of the heavenly gift, and becoming sharers of the Holy Spirit, and tasting the good Word of God, and the works of power of a coming age, and having fallen away, it is impossible for them again to renew to repentance, crucifying again for themselves the Son of God, and putting Him to open shame.