5 Things Modern Christians Get Wrong or Don’t Do
List 1-5
Ever read those random articles that pop up once you open your browser? Some time back I opened mine and had this “21 Forgotten Bible Teachings Modern Christians Ignore” show up. I found it a bit lacking and most likely written by someone who isn’t even Christian. It had good engagement though so I thought I’d give it a try. Normally I try to steer clear of this to not sound like a Karen or something but that’s probably a mistake. Let me correct that now.
Now when reading keep in mind my strong Pentecostal bias. A list of things I deem not being done by Christendom is undoubtedly going to get under some people’s skin. Some points might seem like I’m painting negatively with a broad brush (and sometimes I am) but we all seek the perfection of life to make it to Heaven.
Speaking of Heaven, usually I think it bad taste to spew something akin to “YOU’RE ALL GOING TO HELL”, but I don’t intend to lie to you while others might consciously or unconsciously so let’s start with the biggest lie of modern Christianity.
1. There is no “Once Saved Always Saved”
The most perverse and toxic lie that spreads its claws into so many people’s lives is that one can get something for nothing. Another one that I’ll lump in under this umbrella is the argument that God won’t send people to Hell. All one has to be is “good” but the flaw with that is every man’s path is good in his own eyes (Proverbs 21:2), including dictators like Putin or Hitler. Hitting a bong and telling me Jesus himself told you different isn’t going to fly with me. Christians doing more drugs than druggies, and banging their brother’s wife for the 3rd time are nothing more than atheists with a Bible under their arm and should be called out for it. STOP IT.
Jesus himself used several parables of those being cast out for their transgressions against the master. One was the parable of the King’s Feast (Matthew 22:1-14) wherein those who refused to join or made excuses for coming were left out of the feast of the kingdom. Those who slew his messengers were crushed by his armies. This undoubtedly symbolizes the unchristian masses.
In the latter part of this parable the King saw a man without a wedding garment. This is for those who obeyed the kings call but disregarded him in something as trivial as uniform. He was cast out into outer darkness for his misdeed.
Ezekiel even taught along these lines saying: “But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.” (Ezekiel 18:24) So, both the Old and New Testament refute the common “Once Saved Always Saved”. They are lying to you, get out.
Another example is when Jesus spoke the parable of the evil farmers after throwing out the exchangers from the temple. (Matthew 21: 33-41) No doubt symbolizing how those who once served the master were prone to annihilation if they turn their back on Him. It’s also important to note that these husbandmen were in a sense tenants who wanted to live off the Lord’s dime/land. With this in mind it would seem-
2. God is a Capitalistic God & Apostolic/Christian Socialism is a Lie
Now one may be wondering, what is Apostolic Socialism compared to Christian Socialism? Apostolic Socialism was coined by cult-leader Jim Jones and Christian Socialism is a product of the Catholic Church.
Both abuse the Bible’s teachings on giving and charity. For example Jim Jones used the events in Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 4:32-35 to argue that Christians should give large sums to the church and live on a commune. The Christian Socialist model simply uses the monastery instead of the commune from what I gathered in my short cursory study.
Now before I continue, note that not all Christian Socialists are a Jim Jones type. There are two big reasons why I’m including this disclaimer—maybe three— 1), I’m Pentecostal and a sorta orthodox one at that and a critic could try to dismissively tie me to that movement. As I laid out here with research from the Jonestown Institute, Jones was far from a Conservative to say the least. 2) I actually loosely know about a guy who believes in this, and his name is Jared Brock, one of the top religious writers on Medium. He’s a true believer who vacationed to a communal society of the Bruderhof and while critical I do not hope to smear him. 3) I love “fiery but mostly cordial debate” and some of his claims ask profound questions and others I can’t help but disagree or disregard. That being said, I respect sincerity, sorta like PBD respects Bernie Sanders and I respect my moderate and left-leaning friends who I’ve met here during the “1st Kat War”, what I’m calling the censorship campaign a few months back. You can read Jared Brock here.
The events in Acts are the initial pouring out of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost, speaking in tounges as the Spirit gave them utterance and the joy and doctrine following it. Then the revival that followed Peter being dragged in front of the court for healing a lame man outside the temple. Christian socialists confuse the lack of details about what came after to assume that they “had all things common” into perpetuity. They did… until Acts 11 when Agabus prophesied about a great famine in the land. What followed was the several hundred-year-old Conservative stereotype of all socialist plans: it failed and those in Jerusalem were reduced to poverty.
From Biblehub.com: “For it is evident that it did not last long, since we find it nowhere else, nor even here a few years later. The truth is experience taught them that in the existing state of society Socialism would not work. Why? Just the sinfulness and selfishness of men. For society can only prosper if men's faculties are sharpened, and their energy and industry exerted to the utmost. And it is found that only competition can supply the motive which will induce men to do their best.”
Christian Socialists also argue that communal style societies are the most equitable and somewhat serve as their utopian example. As Jared Brock’s Bruderhof hosts called it: koinonia. The problem with these societies is that they are usually reliant upon a capitalist society. If, for example, early colonial settlers didn’t get more supplies from Europe death was on the horizon. One could go farther back and argue that they were militarily weak in the Dark Ages as the Vikings ravished their monasteries.
This could be a subject for much longer study but for the sake of brevity I will resort to a familiar example. Observe the words of the Governor of Plymouth, which was one of these communal style colonies at the time:
“The experience that was had in this common course and condition, tried sundry years, and that amongst the Godly and sober men, may well convince of the vanity and conceit of Plato’s and other ancients; -- that the taking away of property, and bringing into a common wealth, would make them happy and flourishing; as if they were wiser than God. For this community (so far as it was) was found to breed confusion and discontent, and retard much employment that would have been to their benefit and comfort.”
A Bruderhof website details one of their company’s 75-year history in which if it wasn’t for their business they would have faded away. So, it’s American capitalism that is the linchpin of modern communalism as I argued above. All the while they sell four pieces of wood for 5k (that is perhaps commercial playground equipment) while personal sets with more amenities are sold for half that.
Jesus himself said in the parable of the householder as he paid his workers: “Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?” —Matthew 20:15
Thusly, the Lord believes in several/private property. That’s not to say that God commands us to totally disregard the downtrodden. God is a God of just balances (Proverbs 16:11), and it is my opinion that those who sold all in Jerusalem got a little—shall we say—unbalanced in their joy. Or perhaps the famine was just much worse in that area. Nevertheless, Paul later went to the Corinthians and churches of Macedonia for aid. Saying:
8I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. 9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich. 10 And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. 11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have. 12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. 13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: 14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: 15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.
—2 Corinthians 8:8-15 (When he mentions the “as it is written” he is referring to Exodus 16:18. When God commanded them to gather an Omer of manna. Underlining what I argued concerning Proverbs 16:11)
In ancient Israel, the Law also commanded that one does not have one price for strangers and another for natives. “One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.” (Exodus 12:49) Yes, that also definitely means no DEI favoritism or—I suppose—tariffs.
3. Ancient Israel Had a Safety Net Though as Well
There are many instances of giving incorporated in the Bible. Perhaps even more in the Apocrypha, which I have only begun to read, which was included in the 1611 King James Bibles from 1611-1885 (the same period that my “western” is in). That’s a whole other topic though.
This safety net is articulated pretty much from beginning of the book of Ruth as workers were forbidden from picking up what was dropped from the field. So, Boaz told them to drop more for her not because he wanted some rando, lazy hag to work more but to let someone down-and-out help themselves. Neither were the corners to be completely gleaned. So, it could be argued that for aid the able bodied were to work for their benefits, no free phones and baby mommas.
“And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the LORD your God.“ —Leviticus 23:22
What about the disabled or old? For the old this was usually the family’s responsibility, the firstborn being the first line of defense. If not, it was to be charity that filled in the difference. BYU does as good job explaining why that is but a good point to mention here was that disabled persons were common in the Ancient World. Not because of some social contagion like we see today but because a chariot with bladed wheels might have made a pass at their legs for example or someone got their eyes torn out while a POW. BYU also provided a short list of Scriptures concerning the disabled: Leviticus 19:14, Deuteronomy 27:18, David with his heart of God in 2 Samuel 9:3–7, Job 29:14–15, Psalm 146:7–8, Proverbs 31:8–9, and more.
Some of tithes/taxes in the then theocratic society were meant to go to the poor, fatherless, and widows. No doubt put into separate accounts for that purpose, unlike American Social Security (Pew) that came out when 95% of seniors were self-supporting, or when corruption in Israel began to get involved. This was what was called the third tithe where it went solely to the poor. As I was looking this up the Windows Copilot (AI) presented a good little snippet I couldn’t refuse:
“Deuteronomy 14:28-29 provides instructions for the third tithe:
“At the end of every third year, you shall bring out the tithe of your produce of that year and store it within your gates.”
This tithe is specifically for the welfare of the needy.
It is a way to show compassion and care for those facing difficulties in life.”
P.S: Tithe means a tenth, the 1st goes to the government/ministry, the 2nd actually goes to the individual, and the 3rd to the poor. I haven’t been able to crack down whether or not God intended for a flat rate tax system (20-30%) or progressive seeing as the mode of measurement is usually farm animals. The way my pastor teaches it is that there’s two tithe’s one goes to the church and the other goes to missions. He just lets us keep the 2nd tithe while we pay the 1st and 3rd. That being said, by giving me funds you’re indirectly giving aid to missions in Africa, Brazil, Austria and other places far and wide.
According to current statistics, Christians give more to charity than all other religious groups at the moment. Their giving even went up during the pandemic. Jews, 0.2% of the world population according to Pew, take second place if you were wondering so they probably got us beat on a “per capita” basis I suppose? Even though Jesus said the poor will be with us always (Mark 14:7), at least we’re trying. A lot of money goes to helping children around the globe! Speaking of children-
4. Stop Touching Children
I’m sorry but not sorry Catholics, while you gave us universities in the 12th century, the Gregorian Calander, and honored women more than other places at the time (Mother Mary, Mary Magdalen, St. Hildegard of Bingen, Joan of Arc, etc.) you’ve had problems with catamites since the 14th century because your priests can’t pick up the Bible and read the first book where it says it’s not good for a man to dwell alone, so God made a woman for him to obey nature and replenish the Earth. Even though there are ongoing arguments for this, the Bible—which you canonized—is the freaking BIBLE. It’s a canon event that Peter “the first pope” was married, how else would Jesus heal his mother-in-law of the fever?! (Luke 4:38-40)
In 1531, Martin Luther claimed that Pope Leo X had vetoed a measure that cardinals should restrict the number of boys they kept for their pleasure, "otherwise it would have been spread throughout the world how openly and shamelessly the Pope and the cardinals in Rome practice sodomy."—Wikipedia, Accessed 3/3/2024
It’s not just you though. Protestants sometimes run into this, and Jim Jones was VERY sexually deviant. Perhaps the second, or the first-place abuser are the people who marry children to adults. Sure 500 mosques can denounce grooming in English and then in Arabic keep up the ancient practice of bacha bazi and then give the kids golden keys to go to war in the Iran-Iraq War, Syria and I’d bet Gaza as well! So freaking SPARE ME THE BALONEY. At least the West screwed them in one way not multiple, we’d never—let me take a guess—strap bombs on them. You also restored actual freaking chattel slavery so miss me with it’s only the West.
Granted, these atrocities are perpetuated by evil minorities as are all crimes. El Salvador’s crime plummeted after putting 1% of the population away. It’s not all black people or white or whoever. Just a few. So yeah, I’m coming down hard, but I know it’s not everyone in X group. If this upsets you, there’s a saying from where I come from: “whenever one throws a stone into a tree, the monkey that squeals is the one that gets hit”. Kinda ironic coming from the guy ranting, evil just makes me upset and if your pastor, imam or priest are doing that to your kids...GET. OUT.
To abuse my worthless transition technique one more time, speaking of evil—
5. STOP BEING TOLERANT OF EVIL
Jesus threw out exchangers with a whip. Our jelly spined society nowadays shrinks from the “negative messages” of how ropes are used when the only people putting on Texas Neck Ties are suicidal people. Several Kings found favor in God’s sight for expelling the Sodomites (1 Kings 15:12, 1 Kings 22:46, 2 Kings 23:7) so when the Pope can’t open his book long enough to see that, it makes me really wonder if he’s read it at all.
Now is the 1 Kings approach acceptable in modern society? No, (unless Allah tells you to throw them off buildings, then modern society is fine with it) I guess it could be supposed that Jesus was surrounded by Greeks or Romans as they practiced sodomy but he didn’t let it become his candy stick. In the Law it’s an abomination just like adultery and Jesus forgave the woman caught in the act as long as she sinned no more (John 8:3-7). This suggests repentance as John the Baptist preached and people turning from their evil ways just like everyone else.
Now one may say this is complicated but Paul did a great job laying down the balance of dealing with these issues. In 1 Corinthians the church had a case of a man sleeping with his father’s wife (this suggests that the father had two wives; if it was incest Paul would have said so) and he commanded them to kick him out lest his spirit corrupt the church.
“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father's wife. And you are proud! Shouldn't you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? Even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord. Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?“ 1 —Corinthians 5:1-6 NIV (I usually never use NIV but I made an exception for understanding.)
So do you really think God approves of Sodomites taking Pride all month for their actions when he didn’t even do so for Moses or Paul?
Thankfully our God is a God of balance however. In 2 Corinthians 2:5-7 Paul teaches that one ought to forgive people who repent and are trying to do good. Jesus said we ought to forgive our brothers 7 x 77 times.
One could boil it down to this, if one is a full blown unrepentant sinner of any stripe they have no business in a church. If a guest comes in with some bad habits and they are trying to change; forgive them. Even if they really hurt you.
And there ya have it. A controversial opinion of biblical proportion and origin. I could split the baby more but am curious about the response to this. Let me have it, let’s have fun.