From the Pastor’s Pen – September 2008

Dr. Phillip Newton, is pastor of Southwoods Baptist Church in Memphis & father of Kelly Moore (a former member) has stated seven characteristics of what he calls “cultural Christianity”. Look at these & see if you affirm biblical or culture Christianity. Cultural Christianity 1) is person centered, (self centered) while true Christianity is Christ-centered. Today we see church services that are often focused on personalities. There is little information given about the Lord. There is no real effort made to worship the ascended Lord Jesus Christ. People choose churches with a view of “how will my needs be met”. Does this or that church have something special for my particular group or for all the members of my family? Biblical Christianity seeks to serve Christ above all else. It does not seek to be served. 2) is concerned with feel-ing good. Efforts are made to keep things “lively”. Preach-ing that has substance is missing. The end goal of religion seems to be to make people feel better. Biblical Christianity is concerned with holiness. “Without holiness no one will see the Lord.” 3) is concerned with appearance before men. What will people in the community think of my actions? What will others in the church think? Biblical Christianity is concerned about taking a stand for the things of God approves. Am I just in the sight of God? Are my actions the product of the Holy Spirit’s work? Am I living my life with God’s motives undergirding what I do? “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test your-selves.” IICor. 13:5a 4) has an emphasis on activities. It is very easy to substitute the meetings of organizations with-in the local church for the real thing. Often they are merely hollow shells that deceive people into thinking that they are especially “holy” because they have given themselves to such activities. I have known people who claim that the Lord has called them to “full-time” Christian service & seem to wear that badge for all to see. Who hasn’t the Lord called to full time Christian service? Biblical Christianity has for its emphasis, faithful-ness & loving fellowship. It is not church activities but true love for Christ & obedience to Him that marks the true way. 5) uses the Bible & the church for selfish purposes. Often this becomes “let’s have a Bible Study” which when translated means let get together & say some shallow & sanctimonious things about what we think the Bible means. These studies usually ask the question “what does this means to you?” The end result is more social event that Bible study. Biblical Christianity studies the Bible to know God & to make Him known. The emphasis is on what God thinks not what I think. 6) consider a “Christian- tag” an authenticating mark. The reasoning is that if you call something “Christian” then it is Christian. We now have “Christian diets, sports, ballet, etc.” Biblical Christianity refuses to identify the world or the things of the world by the use of Christian terminology. 7) uses the Bible to prop-up an ungodly lifestyle. It is quick to go to Scripture in order to snatch a phrase or idea which is then used to justify disobedience. Biblical Christianity, on the other hand wants the Bible to expose anything un-Christlike in the believer’s lifestyle. What kind of Christian are you? There is only one that is truly saved.

Pastor Thomas Winn