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The Christian Contradiction of Labeled Boxes

Posted 11 months ago|10 comments|357 views
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There is a Christian contradiction that all the world seems to know about except Christians. Christianity is a repository of labeled boxes. Pick one , mainstream, evangelical, counterculture then look inside and pick another labeled box, then look inside and pick another labeled box. You can keep doing this until there is no more room for labeled boxes inside the labeled boxes and what you have left is a collection of empty labeled boxes that more or less show the direction a person's religious aspirations was supposed to take them but not necessarily where their faith took them. It is never to late to fill these labeled boxes with substance but don't be surprised if those that do fill them fill them with substance that doesn't match the labels.

Christians if aware of this don't let on. There is a popular Christian colloquialism found on stationary, tee shirts and bumper stickers that reads: "Christians are not perfect just forgiven." It seems to imply to the uninitiated " I can get away with sh*t because my dad's the mayor." But this implication doesn't seem to bother the hundreds of thousands of Christians, especially evangelicals who display this message in one way or another to the world! Why? Because dear reader, " I can get away with sh*t because my dad's the mayor." is the unspoken, unwritten tradition that is the foundation of the labeled boxes dilemma.

This obviously apparent excuse from obligation provides unlimited do over's. It excuses the lazy. It encourages the transgressor it even promotes the very sins the Christian religion condemns thus the Christian Contradiction. But why the boxes? Why do Christians compartmentalize? The myriad of varieties of religious variations that make up Christianity come in a dizzying ever splintering of previous permutations each represented by a box and a label. This tradition can be traced back to the great schism between the eastern and western Christian churches but more recently was expanded by then Great Reformation and even more recently The great awakening. But every time a "great" revelation is discovered you can be sure another split, another co9martment or another box will be pulled out and a label placed.

This seeming disintegration of Church unity only serves to solidify the belief that Christians need Christ and as such must continue to seek the truth further splintering beliefs that further serve to unify the Christian Contradiction of Labeled Boxes.
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COMMENTS
11 months ago: How do you feel you fit into this contradiction?

You seem to be putting down your brothers and sisters pretty consistently these days. Don't you think it would be better to be an encourager rather than a discourager? What is your objective of only pointing out deficiencies?

Pointing out problems is okay, but I challenge you to bring the community more solutions rather than complaining.
Out Of The Box
Out Of The Box
 Moderator
11 months ago: The main problem I see with religion is pride, which we all know goes before a fall (from grace).

Most religions are founded on a particular set of revelations, or epiphany, or "aha!" moment. Then human pride gets in there and they decide amongst themselves that their blessing, or puzzle piece if you will, is the end-all be-all.

In the end, when Christ comes to rule the Earth as Lord of Lords and King of Kings, all the churches that believe on his name will be united as one, and the endless speculation will be over and done. Got a question? Ask Jesus.
11 months ago: Huey,

I am no exception to the labeled box dilemma or the Christian contradiction I present before the general reading eye. In fact I am a product of it. Unlike you though I don't see a closer nit Christian community to protect. Instead I see a sea of human souls lost in an open sea called space. Our whole species is lost and adrift in this blue marble we call earth.

We Christians might very well hold the key to getting humanity back home but we have it boxed up, compartmentalized in our own little sectarian schisms. Where you and others think you are preaching the gospel by presenting a choice between heaven and hell wrapped up in Christian context and buzz words.

What is really being sold to the larger community of humans, the non Christians is sectarian mumbo jumbo. People are not listening. People don't listen because we are not letting them in. A community talks about its problems. When they don't then trust goes away.

As an example look at the predicament Catholic priests are facing with child abuse. The Catholic church hierarchy refuses to talk about it in public and so the common people loose their trust. And the local dioceses have to close churches because membership loss and lack of growth. That is not a coincidence.

Mine is a very blunt invitation to dialogue and it works. Do you not see supposedly non religious people post religious opinions as a result? Mine is a place where the truth hangs openly on the walls, the good, the bad, the ugly all with equal emphasis ready for an open forum discussion. That is who I am. If you doubt it just reread my profile introduction.
11 months ago: You really don't understand me. But that's okay. I'm a pretty complex individual and won't fit into any one's specific little category.

My objective is not to "protect" the Christian community but to build it up and do the work we've been called to do. To preserves what's left of what is good here and bring the love of God to those that are hurting and in need.

Problems are real and they need to be addressed and not just harangued. We are all either part of the problem or part of the solution Christian or not.

Also, I could care less about mumbo jumbo or religious catch phrases. I don't use them and you've cornered the market on those anyway!. I care about people. And the people I encounter in fact are listening and I thank God for that.

It's funny that you say we might hold the key, when Jesus says He has already given them to us.
11 months ago: I'm not going to push Huey. I too have a long list of people that I've encountered, Christian and non Christian and that is where I draw my information from, experience. We Christians are a self serving bunch for the most part. We just don't acknowledge it as such. We want to believe that we are the only ones who do good according to God's will. Heaven forbid that an unsaved person do good without expecting anything in return.
Where would that leave us, right? So we underhandedly go sabotaging the works of non Christians to make ourselves feel better. Do you think that it doesn't happen? I've seen it! I know you have seen it too! You can't try to hide sins Huey. If they are personal then confess them to God. If they are church wide sins we should confess them to the church but if it affects the whole planet well then use rant rave!
11 months ago: "We want to believe that we are the only ones who do good according to God's will."

You and others may feel that way, I certainly don't. There are quite a few secular organizations I partner with from time to time. They do some very good work too, I might add. I thank God that they pick up some of the slack.

Stop being so myopic where your brothers and sisters are concerned and give more encouragement than criticism. Personally I don't tolerate whiners regardless of what label they choose to wear.
11 months ago: So you my friend are perfect in Jesus and where there is flaws we are all to wink at them because you have been saved! Wonderful Huey, now that all the ills of all the gazillion Christian denominations have been solved through your own personal Christian experience then we and every other soul Christian or not should rest easy! Right?

Your predilect to close discussion on some of the most troubling parts of the Christian faith is precisely what non Christians need to excuse themselves from believing. You may find solace in silence but as any abuse center around the world whether it be for domestic violence or anti defamation or to fight racism or sexism they all will agree that silence kills! Why then, if you want me to keep silent does Isaiah 58:1 say, "Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins." Why? You don't have to answer that.
11 months ago: Prophets don't whine.
11 months ago: Perfect and Funny! Are you single? ;p
11 months ago: Out of the Box

Well said. We most likely will not have the answer to the questions we seek until we ask Jesus himself. Unfortunately some will perish with the sight of that great city the new Jerusalem being the last thing they see and never getting the answer to that question that so troubles the human soul. I don't tell people to wait. I tell them to seek. Seek while it is yet day and there is still light to see!

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