Works for El Diablo
In my fledgling studies of Christian theology and its impact on American society, I’ve learned quite a few things; one of them being that it is correct to say that you are Christian if you act like a Christian. In other words, deeds are paramount to rhetoric. I find it weak if not completely abhorrent to proclaim the Gospel of Christ and to just stop there. I am quite sure that Jesus, even after the fairy tales inflated his own works, called to people of God to act in accordance with God; to live peacefully and treat others with compassion. Apparently Cal Thomas is of the opposite philosophy:
The first description of Satan [in the Bible] is that he is “subtle.” (Genesis 3:1) Another translation says “crafty.” Satan tempts to do what seems good. Liberal churches have long believed in a doctrine of salvation through works, as if helping the poor was the chief responsibility of government and an end in itself, rather than a means for individuals to communicate the love of God to poor people.
Let me get this straight. If a church is doing great things for the poor (i.e. soup kitchens, shelters, etc…) they’re merely a showing a subtle, crafty, temptuous* illusion? In truth this same church is actually working abreast Satan?
Concluding, should I follow the doctrine of evil simply because there’s a guarantee of no foul play? Vote for Bush! Bring on the apocalypse!…
* I know temptuous technically isn’t a word, but try and convince me you don’t know exactly what it means.
Right. I am continually amazed by those amongst the Christian right, or amongst the Neo-Cons, works are of no consequence. I’ve said this before, but just in case the fair readers of this page missed it or forgot: just because you think you are “saved” does not mean in any way that you are absolved of any responsibility towards yourselves, the people of this world, or the world itself. In fact, wouldn’t make some sort of sense to want to prove that you do understand what it means to be “saved” by working the acts of Jesus as he did when he lived? He specifically said this because it is mentioned more than anything else in any of the Gospels. The notion of being saved did not come from Jesus himself, but, rather, it came from the scribes of the Gospels who took oral stories and injected their own social, religious, and political philosphies within. Jesus never, ever said “worship me.” That came as a function of deification some years after His death.
This is one point of Chritianity I never understood.
If someone proclaims oneself as Christian and he/she believes wholeheartedly in heaven or some divine variation of “peace comes with good deeds after death.” Then what the hell is he/she doing living out a 9-5 mundane evil corporate job? Join the Peace Corps for Christ’s sake (literally)!
Why go through life worring about the petty nuances of trivial materialistic Jones(ism)? Get out there, become a missionary, save the poor, do somthing that has MEANING!
That’s my rant…
Exactly! I agree 100% with you. I don’t understand this either except for the vicious overtones of selfishness present in the thought of deciding, for yourself, mind you, that you have no responsibility toward anything once you’re part of the “in-crowd.” I’ve learned (with the help of some Buddhist education) that life is not a waiting game for the end. Life is a conduit for performing good works while you’re alive. Your average Christian may want to think that they should do these things in order to get into Heaven. This is fine. Do your good works as a function of getting into a better afterlife. But, to me, Jesus said a lot about doing what you can for the poor, the destitute, and those cast aside but He also walked His talk. There’s an important lesson in that. Are you a true Christian if you say simply that you feel bad for the poor and don’t do a single thing about it? Even donating food to shelters or to your church to disseminate amongst the needy is something. Joining the Peace Corps isn’t for everyone, but it is surely a demonstration if putting your words to work.