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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Much Ado about Nothing (not about the play) (07/28/11)
After inviting to a biblical discussion a random sampling of the top ten denominational leaders from organized Christianity today and then listening as each answered the following series of questions, as a believer, you might find yourself unpleasantly surprised or maybe even worse. If you house a basic understanding of the Gospel that Christ preached, you might soon discover that you’re staring directly down the gifted, Eyet corrupted throat of the insanity that is Christianity today. Just ask pastors these types of questions, as you filter each answer through the pure Gospel that Christ preached:

Are Christians saved by grace through faith and not by works, lest any man should boast? Has Christ’s shed blood freed from the curse of the Law all those who simply place their faith and trust in Him by grace through faith? Is the blood of Christ potent enough to cleanse every believing soul from every sin - all past, present, and even future sins that a believer might commit? If you really want to get them riled up, just continue with this line of questioning:

Is it sound New Testament instruction to lure people to follow Christ through preaching a gospel based in prosperity? Is it a kingdom requirement that all born again Christians be water baptized? Must all born-again Christians “speak in tongues” in order for God’s power to be present in their lives? Should or shouldn’t musical instruments be played during Sunday morning worship services? Can you still be saved while battling a sinful personal habit or weakness?

Can one be gay or lesbian and also a committed Christian? Even if most straight Christians are convinced that homosexuality is a sin, isn’t Christ’s blood potent enough to cover the private bedrooms of sincere gay believers in as much as it does the bedrooms of the straight, but divorced mega church senior pastor? If Christ’s blood is that effective then why can’t a gifted but practicing gay preacher be as welcomed in God’s pulpits today as the churches that invite practicing, remarried clergy to preach? Doesn’t Scripture equally condemn homosexuality, divorce and adultery? Do you smell the stench of hypocrisy and discrimination yet?

And the most important question is this: Where can innocent, sincere, believing but sexually awakening adolescents entering adulthood, who are convinced that they might be gay, find grace, truth, most of all, understanding, clarity and charity amid this chaotic tower of Babel that has been erected by society, but mostly through the fear-driven rants of seemingly hypocritical, zealous and opportunistic Christian pulpits?

Where has the clarity of truth’s bright light gone? As it pertains to homosexuality, who’s spiritually right or wrong anymore? Those who promote pro-gay legislation? Or, collective Christian leadership, who continues in its highly arguable assertion that it is biologically impossible for anyone to be born with an innate tendency to eventually become gay? Both opposing views can’t be right--or can they?

As states like New York continue legalizing gay and lesbian marriages, does the overwhelming social acceptance of the gay community continue to somehow signify that mainstream Christian leadership has been defeated by persevering gay-rights groups because of ancient yet prevailing ignorance and carnal tradition? If you ask questions like these you mind find yourself elsewhere for the Light of Christ than among ravenous, yet camouflaged wolves in shepherds clothing.

As I continue my quest for God’s light beyond Christianity’s sea of religious confusion there is one thing I do know for certain. Love is patient. It never gives up. It cares for others more than for self. Love doesn’t strut. It doesn’t force itself on others. Love is kind. It overlooks wrong doings. It puts up with anything even if organized Christianity doesn’t. God doesn’t just talk love, God is Love. But organized Christian leadership today, especially as it pertains to how it has handled homosexuality, appears mind-numbingly lost.

From bullies to bishops, politicians to prophets and from Wall Street corporations to the organized church, it appears that humanity seems to forever misunderstand exactly who God is. God is Love and since Christ’s victory at Calvary, love, grace and faith have remained His calling cards. Anything else is only tangling cymbals, sounding brass. The church today is as Solomon coined it… It’s all vanity. It looks like Christ, it even sounds like Him, but in my humbled estimation, it’s much ado about nothing.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Mildred Sheldon
08/06/11
WHOA! I went back and reread your article. Profound and very deep thinking. Todays religion is vane and if compared to the time of Christ it smells to the highest part of heaven. People want to hear what makes them feel good not the truth of the Holy Living Word of God. Keep telling it like it is.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
08/11/11
This is a powerful, thought-provoking article.

Your first sentence was a little long. Readers are a fickle group you have to grab their attention right away lest they decide to stop reading. In this case it's a shame if people stopped reading because you really challenge one's beliefs.

Not everyone will answer the questions the same way. I sense you are searching for some answers yourself. I agree it does say in the Bible that sin is sin. Murder to many, is the worst sin possible but in God's eyes disobedience is disobedience. I give you tons of credit for having the courage to write such a piece!