Spartan Christianity

As human beings, we are fallible and limited in our knowledge and understanding. Yet, in our daily lives, we often judge others for not knowing something, even when they have not been taught it. When it comes to matters of faith, religion, and the moral way to act, people of the world simply don’t know any better. Worldly individuals may be judged for their actions, without being given the opportunity to learn and grow.

A prime example of this is the issue of modest dressing in Christianity.

Many parents do not teach their children about modesty, yet the religious world judges kids who were not taught instead of taking the time to teach them these lessons. This approach is counterproductive and fails to acknowledge that individuals can only act on what they know.

Would you be mad at a two-year-old for not knowing how to complete multiplication problems? Of course not – the child can only do that which he/she knows.

Similarly, many people in the secular world use profane language, and are often judged harshly by the religious community. However, we must remember that these individuals may simply not know that the words they are using are wrong because they have not been taught. Rather than judging them, we should seek to educate and help them learn.

In fact, as responsible members of society, it is our duty to teach and educate others, rather than simply judge and condemn. This is particularly true when it comes to matters of faith and morality, where our actions can have a profound impact on the lives of others. And where the actions of others have an eternal impact on their own souls.

Of course, none of this is to excuse people of the world for the way they are acting. Sin is sin and God holds us to account for it.

But it is to say that we as Christians are the ones who bear the responsibility of helping people learn the truth so they can have those sins blotted out through the process of salvation. We cannot judge them if we are unwilling to teach them the truth. But if we teach them the truth, they reject it and continue to live their own lives, at that point they are subject to the judgement of God.

The Process of Salvation:

Hear the Word of God.

Believe it.

Repent of your wrong actions.

Confess Christ.

Be Baptized in water symbolizing Christ’s blood.

Live Faithfully.

Teaching others is not only important for their growth and development, but it is also critical to our own growth and development as individuals.

By helping others to learn and grow, we also gain a deeper understanding of the issues at hand and strengthen our own faith and convictions.

We cannot blame people for not knowing something, especially if they have not been taught it. They don’t know any better. Judging and condemning others for their lack of knowledge or understanding is unproductive. Instead, we must take the responsibility to teach and educate others, particularly in matters of faith and morality. By doing so, we not only help others to grow and develop, but we also strengthen our own faith and convictions.

The following are a few notes from a lesson I heard on 6/11/23.

The speaker defined a hypocrite as someone who says one thing and does another.

This statement misses a little bit of the point of what it truly means to be a hypocrite. The speaker gives multiple definitions of what a hypocrite is and I think this is useful. 

Practical Takeaway: Someone who says one thing and does another is an example of a person who simply fails. And simple failure is not the same as actively being a hypocrite. 

I think a more rounded definition of what a hypocrite is is a person who preaches one standard of behavior and then lives according to a completely separate standard of behavior.

A good example of this is a person who preaches about the danger of climate change and the importance of controlling greenhouse gases while still flying in their private jet, such as Senator Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. 

The speaker makes a comment that some people come forward to repent for the show of it.

This is very true. We’ve mentioned this a little bit in the problems with youth groups. Much of what happens that is called repentance at many hormone rallies is really just a show. People repent, they know they will get lots of support, hugs, and love from the rest of the group, but they do not actually try to change their behavior. 

That is an excellent example of repentance for show. And this is what many people are guilty of.

Later the speaker takes the time to define a functional atheist. A person who prays if no one else is on the other end of the prayer. I like this definition and find it very interesting. It is reminiscent of the Jordan Peterson line when asked about his belief in God where he says that “I act as if God exists, which I believe is the definition of belief”.

In our lives, we need to act as if God is listening, is aware, and is going to answer our prayers. Whether or not those are answered with an affirmative or negative is up to his discretion.

Near the middle of the lesson, the speaker makes the statement that “You cannot survive physically without God”. I did not find this to be a particularly compelling argument. Because many people live physically without God, so it would seem. Or perhaps it is true and this is one of the ideas conveyed by the passage stating “God sends rain on the just and on the unjust” [Matt 5:45]. 

The speaker states that prayer is an opportunity to “get the almighty God to act”. This is true and a powerful statement. How often do we waste the avenue of prayer even though we have the right, the privilege, and the ability to petition God for our needs? 

I have studied and observed the impact of television evangelism on the church and its followers – and it tends to be a disaster. While there are certainly some positive aspects of this medium, such as the ability to reach a wide audience with the gospel message, there are also significant drawbacks that must be considered.

One of the most concerning issues with television evangelism is the promotion of faulty theological doctrine.

Many of these programs rely on sensationalism and emotional appeals, rather than a careful and nuanced understanding of scripture. This can lead to a shallow understanding of the faith, and even outright heresy.

One of the best ways to stop people from using their heads is to get them to start using their feelings instead. And most people will gladly replace logical reasoning with emotionalism.

Who wants to sit around using their minds? Not many.

And when people are knee-deep in an emotional appeal, they are not in the frame of mind to question what they are being fed. they will swallow any idea hook line and sinker if a charismatic “theologian” presents it in an emotionally compelling way.

Furthermore, television evangelism often promotes a weak mindset among its followers.

It can give the impression that faith is something that can be easily gained through a simple prayer or momentary emotional experience, rather than a lifelong process of spiritual growth and discipline. This can lead to a lack of commitment and a superficial faith that is easily swayed by cultural trends and pressures.

People always want their lives to be changed in an instant.

But we know through the teachings found in the Bible that change is a slow process like a slow-growing tree. This is perhaps one of the reasons we find so many agricultural analogies in the bible. Not just because Christ was teaching an agrarian society, but also because Christ loves things that grow, even when they grow slowly.

If you cannot take a diet pill and lose 50 pounds in a month, you likely cannot change your spiritual state in an instant. Also because your spiritual state is dependent on your physical actions. It is through our physical actions that we demonstrate our spiritual state. We will never have actions that oppose who we are on the inside. Our actions are a reflection of our hearts [Matt 15].

Additionally, television evangelism can promote a liberal philosophy that undermines the seriousness of religion.

By reducing faith to a mere feel-good experience, these programs fail to address the complexities and challenges of the Christian life. This can lead to a distorted view of religion that is out of touch with reality, and ultimately undermines the credibility of the church.

Liberalism, when it is radical, or even when it is just a sapling, is a philosophy that is in opposition to God. It promotes the idea that your feelings are all that matter. Liberalism is the “Planet Fitness of Faith“. It says, “It does not matter if your lifestyle is incongruent with your Bible. Just live sincerely and God will accept you”. Who would be so bold to speak for God than those who bow to the altar of religious liberalism?

While television evangelism has the potential to reach a wide audience with the gospel message, it can also promote faulty theological doctrine, weak mindsets, liberal philosophy, and commercialization of religion.

The emotions in the heart are not all that matter. In fact, I continue to argue that they play a minor role in religion. Because you can have all the right emotions while having none of the right actions and be far removed from where you need to be as a person claiming to follow God.

First and foremost focus on action, then your desired emotions will follow you later.

As followers of Christ, we must be discerning in our consumption of media and seek out sources that promote a deep, thoughtful, and faithful engagement with the Christian faith. We must resist the temptation to reduce religion to a mere commodity or entertainment, and instead prioritize spiritual growth and discipleship.

Genesis 1:1 is a powerful verse that sets the stage for the entire Bible. It declares, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” This simple yet profound statement reveals that the universe is not a result of mere chance or coincidence, but rather it was intentionally created by a divine being. And as a result of being created, we have a divine purpose and responsibility in the way we act as men.

I believe that this verse also speaks to the importance of masculinity. In many cultures and religions, masculinity is often associated with creation and building. In fact, the Bible frequently portrays God as a powerful creator and builder, who uses his strength and wisdom to bring order and beauty to the world.

To create, to build is to demonstrate masculinity. And not the simple masculinity that can be understood as strength, courage, mastery, and honor [as Jack Donovan points out], but the masculinity that involves creating something. Though we do not create something from nothing like God did, we still create useful items of value starting from our thought and imagination.

This concept of creation and building is not limited to physical structures, but also extends to personal development. As men, we are called to create and build ourselves, to become the best versions of ourselves that we can be. This process requires strength, perseverance, and a willingness to confront and overcome obstacles.

But just as God’s creation in Genesis 1:1 was not a haphazard process, neither should our personal development be left to chance.

We must approach it with intentionality and purpose, setting goals and taking action to achieve them. This requires discipline.

Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses, and identify areas in which you can improve. Seek feedback from others and be open to constructive criticism. Once you have identified areas for improvement, set specific and measurable goals, and develop a plan of action to achieve them.

Genesis 1:1 offers profound insights into the nature of the universe and the importance of masculinity. As men, we are called to create and build, both in the physical world and in our personal lives. To do so requires intentionality and discipline. May we embrace this calling with courage and conviction, and may we strive to become the best versions of ourselves that we can be.