The author Dostoevsky in the Brothers Karamazov had a section where the Spanish head of the church during the Inquisition has Christ brought before him and tells Christ why he will have to kill him as if he does return, it would destroy both his power and that of the church. He explains why the church is better than the teaching of Christ as their doctrine is complete and not open to question. If you are a religious person, it is well worth watching as a study of word vs deed and the weakness inherent in all of us. The man who plays Jesus does not speak and his only act is to kiss the cardinal. But that was his only act towards Judas as well. The video is 25 minutes long, the kiss is at 24 minutes, If you watch it from 20 min to the end, you will get sense of it, but it is well worth watching and thinking about, Revelations indicates that in the last days we will not know whom to believe. The whole thing makes a mockery of Romans 10: 9 - 10 and try's to promote the idea of gate keepers on earth who can grant you the keys to heaven and that only thru them can you achieve eternal life. The cardinal knows that isn't true, but it is necessary for his power. He in fact becomes an agent of the devil. This discussion draws it together in better words than I can. 8. The Church in the Last Days (2 Timothy 3:1-9) | Bible.org
The Catholic church is the biggest scam in the history of man, that they are their own sovereign, and claim to hold the keys to heaven says all you need to understand! They demand absolute adherence to THEIR doctrine which they created for their own purpose and gain, using their ideals of Christianity for their own needs and control! Look at how much MONEY they take in, look at how many folks follow their brand with out question, illuminating! At the end of all things, I do not need a church, nor man's explanation and understanding of Gods teachings or that of Christ to KNOW GOD, I am my own church, and my understanding is at least Equal to any other human, but no less, and I absolutely refuse to be Judged by any man, nor held to any standards above Man! I absolutely deny the church's legitimacy, it's hold over man, and it's false influence over society! While I understand the need people feel to connect with their self and their need to understand their relationship with God, but then allowing a man to tell them the word of God, try to explain their understanding of the word, NOPE!
I don’t often respond in this section because of a general anti-Catholic vibe here, but to say that Catholics follow without questioning is total rubbish.
Jesus’ Kind of Intense Warning to Christian Leaders that Really Applies to all Christians- With minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance – 1st Peter 1:13-14 NIV Last year I did a deep dive into the book of Matthew. I had read Matthew before, many times, but I had never really studied the book. Luke and Mark were more my jam. I learned a lot. I also developed a deep respect for the author. As I dug deeper, I was repeatedly struck by the fact that Matthew’s brain worked very differently from mine. Matthew’s brain was a well-ordered machine. My brain is more like a series of random, jumbled-up tunnels. His ability to organize information was genius, mine is middling at best. Sigh. Perhaps, the most surprising aspect of the book of Matthew was the clear warnings the book gives concerning Christian leadership in the years prior to Jesus’ return. It won’t be pretty. According to Jesus (Matthew 24:45-51) there will be good servants (leaders) who care and feed Jesus’ other servants (church people). The good overseers (Christian leaders) will be richly rewarded for their faithfulness (45-47). However. There will also be a lot of really bad leaders who develop serious doubts (either consciously or subconsciously) concerning when or if Jesus will return in bodily form (verse 48). This crisis of belief will affect their leadership in detrimental ways. Specifically, these leaders will become egocentric. Their leadership platform will become a means of gaining money and attention. These leaders will mistreat those they are tasked with feeding and caring for spiritually. Truth-be-told, the world is already seeing some of Jesus predictions being played out. Narcissism in church leadership is running wild. A large number of regular, everyday Christians have left their churches because they have experienced church hurt at the hands of self-absorbed leadership. Many have yet to return to any church. Abusive, sinful and hypocritical Christian leaders are so common very few people even bother getting worked up over their antics anymore. Sigh. I believe this passage is specifically talking about pastoral leadership in the endish times. Subsequently. It is imperative Christians stop enabling self-absorption and personal kingdom building in church leadership. Everything everyone does in church should be about building God’s Kingdom here on earth not monuments to human awesomeness (Matthew 6:9-10). Christians do the kingdom of God serious injury when they stay in churches where the leadership is obviously abusive, hopelessly self-focused or indifferent to people. The quality of the preaching should not be the number one consideration when choosing a church, the character of the people in the pulpit should be. Public speaking (which is what preaching is) is simply a skill anyone with operational vocal cords can develop. A person can be an excellent speaker and a terrible person/leader. This true even if they hold the title of “pastor”. Additionally, most Christians lead someone, so this passage applies to most Christians at least to some degree. How Christians lead matters. A lot. Human beings who don’t know God or who don’t know Him very well judge God by the behavior and overall character of His people. This means a church, a home, or Christian organization will turn people off to God if the character of the leadership (parents, pastor’s, leaders) is bad. Leaders can help halt the losses Christianity has experienced the last couple of decades by electing to view leadership the way Jesus viewed leadership. Jesus literally had all the authority in the universe (Matthew 26:53, Matthew 28:18, Luke 4:36) and yet He didn’t get hung up on it. When He did play the “authority card” it was always about someone else’s needs, not His own privileges, popularity or authority. We see this see this demonstrated beautifully in His dealings with the money changers (Matthew 21:12-13). Jesus was outraged. However, He wasn’t about mad because He was being slighted or disrespected, even though He was, it was literally HIS temple they were defiling. Jesus’ concern was for the people who were being marginalized by the moneychangers (mostly gentiles and women). Concern for who we’re leading, rather than our own popularity or authority should always be our north star. This means self-promotion, getting hung up on honor or becoming overly attached to the perks of leadership is a serious no-no for any Christian leader. Please understand, it is GOOD for Christians to give respect and honor to those who lead them and to one another. We should go out of our way to out-honor each other in Christian communities (Romans 12:10, Romans 13:7, 1st Timothy 5:17, 1st Peter 2:17). Just as teachers and leaders will be judged for how they lead, followers will also be judged by God for the level of cooperation and respect they give to those tasked with leading them (Hebrews 13:7, Hebrews 13:17). Nonetheless, it is highly inappropriate for Christians (leaders or not) to demand honor. Practically speaking this means we see those we lead as equals and treat them with even greater dignity than we expect for ourselves. Attitude is everything. The best Christian leaders have the mindset of managers. They believe deep in their hearts they answer to Jesus (the owner) for everything they do and say (James 3:1). Embracing this reality is the only to keep a human being’s worst inclinations at bay. One last thing. Matthew 25:45-51 isn’t JUST about leadership. It also tells us (in a roundabout way) that there are serious real-time consequences of not believing in and/or anticipating the return of Jesus. Christians who expect the return of Jesus are protected from falling into patterns of greed, selfishness and self-glorification. Belief in the return of Jesus is the best protective medicine. Jesus’ Kind of Intense Warning to Christian Leaders that Really Applies to all Christians- | Crossmap Blogs
All very good posts. I believe in God, in Jesus and his teachings but I simply no longer believe in religions; however, I do see the benefit of churches and how they can assist the community, everyone helping each other...if they decide to do so. I see the bible as a book of wisdom and experience on how to live one's life to be acceptable in God's eyes and I do try to follow it. I tried religion a number of times, the last was being baptized as Russian Orthodox as I thought surely it wouldn't be tainted but its support of the Ukraine invasion and war - well - I am done with it even though my wife makes a very good argument. So, I asked her, 'Why does the church support the war?" She swears it's about survival for if the church was to go against Putin the church would not survive nor its followers, and her words are back up by Russian history as proof. "Surely the people could stop their government?" Her reply was simply, "No. With what guns? Failure to comply means the complete destruction of you and your entire family." I believe her but I also think the Russian Orthodox hierarchy, especially its head (Patriarch Kirill) are corrupted by Putin's support. There is the rub because history is full of stories about corrupted religions as proof. One last thing, in America religion exists side-by-side with government but they're separate. In Russia, religion exists under the government. It's more a tool for control of the people which is why Putin supports it...as long as it supports him. The other thing, Americans can never give up our 2nd Amendment - never - die first if we must but to surrender it is to place ourselves and families totally at the mercy of others that might not respect or care about our needs, wants or wishes, even our lives. In truth, it is a form of slavery, exactly what they have in Russia, complying out of total fear of their government and we came very, very close to having the same here. EDIT: BTW very good video! John Gielgud is brilliant!
Some very well thought replies. Thank you for sharing and the Bible is going to have to get yet another work out. Goes back to the early American religion. In the end it does not matter if the church leadership is corrupt because Christ has given you a way to reach Heaven by belief and not thru the church rites.
Matthew 7;21,22,23, Jesus said, "Not every one that says to me Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven." The next time Jesus comes will be as judge. Calling Jesus "Lord," when it is not so in a person's life is a lie. God is not obligated to honor a lie. Knowing and practicing the power of Jesus name does no certify one's relationship. Obedience to the Father via the Holy Spirit Only Jesus provides in those choosing Jesus' direction, can provide God's direction, God's tutelage. From the beginning God taught Adam, but he disregarded God's instruction and chose his impatient desire for knowledge, rather than trusting God. Much like you and me. Jesus said, "I only do what My Heavenly Father tells me." This is the level of faith/walk we belong.
1 John 4 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. I am reminded of the Jim Jones, Tammy Fay/Jim Bakker type hucksters that claim to be profits.....(Ok, prophets)
have noticed the name it and claim it types saying God or Jesus will give you what you want... they join and when it doesn't happen they leave disgruntled... IIRC the books says you will be given what you NEED, and that will often be there BEFORE you need it... NOT what you want... in his infinite wisdom God knows what is... and provides for his children... it should also be noted that to whom much is given much is expected... and it does warn against the wolves in sheep's clothing coming among us... greed, control, lust, etc... they mislead their congregations... as has already been said "Not every one that says to me Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven." 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 (14) And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. (15) Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
When Jesus taught the disciples to pray He ended the prayer with "Thy will be done" not "my" will be done.
IMHO it is wise to end every prayer with "thy will be done in Jesus name Amen" but that's just my opinion so... mainly because in my view if God wants a thing to be or not be that is what will happen... it is rare for God to change things just for us... yet he will do so... just gotta ask the right way...
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. New International Version 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
To call Jesus "Lord" when He has no Lordship in you is a lie. How do you suppose a lie is dealt with?
I find that I must often remind people that the helping hand of the Lord is screwed onto the end of their own arm.....
while I agree with DKR I have also seen his work with people around me... ways were made through some of em when there SEEMED no way... think Ben Franklin said it best when he said he saw the finger of God in things happening around him...
I often use the phrase "a Finger of God moment" to explain otherwise inexplicable things - short of miracles.
