TOP 10 CHRISTIANITY MYTHS
E X P O S E D ! ! !
The first five are myths that Christians themselved believe; if you are a non-Christian, you may want to start reading at #6 (myths people believe about Christians.)
I am not a theologian. I believe what I present here, but it should be checked out against the Bible or with your Pastor.
Myths Christians Believe:
1. Sins have Sizes
There are lots of ways to describe sin: wrong, disobedient, and painful to God.
There are also ways that you can't describe sin: big, little, major, minor, unimportant.
Some Christians can describe what they believe is the 'worst' sin. It may be homosexuality, abortion, murder (of the post-born), divorce, or any of the so-called 'biggies'. But many of these same people are casual about co-workers who have pre-marital or even extra-marital sex. Some of them speed on the highway, some tell little white lies. Folks, a sin's a sin. White lies rank up there with murder as far as God is concerned. Sounds crazy, I know.
But there is one fact that often gets missed, or conveniently forgotten: Sins have one other thing in common: They can be forgiven. They can be paid for by the blood of Christ. No one is beyond redemption.
2. The Devil and Demons don't really exist, at least not anymore
Okay, let's think about this. You're a Christian, so it's a pretty fair assumption that you believe in God. But you don't think the Devil is real? That's like believing in up without down.
In the movie The Usual Suspects, Kevin Spacey says,"The greatest lie the devil ever told was convincing the world he doesn't exist." He isn't nearly as effective with people who are on their guard against him, so he denies his own existence.
And then there are some who believe angels walk among us, but not demons? Where's the logic there?
The devil can masquerade as an angel of light. Truth be told, he is an angel of light (with a big ego problem.) Some of these 'new-age angels', spirit guides, inner voices etc. are more likely demonic than angelic. And this may be off topic but let me point out: The basis of the New Age movement, the belief that says "we are all God and God is all of us" is in fact in the Bible. You'll find it in Genesis chapter 3, where the serpent is talking to Eve.
3. Non-Christians should act like Christians do
Okay, so most people look at the above sentence and think, "well, duh." But the fact is many Christians still expect non-Christians to 'behave'.
Then they try to change the behaviors of their non-Christian friends.That's not your job; that's God's job. Your job is only to bring them closer to God so he can start working. In the meantime, live as an example of what being Godly should be (among other things, don't be critical.)
4. The Great Commission applies only to people with the gift of evangelism
Not everyone is called to be a pastor. Fewer are called to the mission field. I myself get knots in my stomach just thinking of going door-to-door.
But Jesus didn't say, "Peter, go forth unto all the world and make disciples." He was talking to everybody.
And you don't have to be a preacher, missionary, or the guy who stands on street corners and passes out tracts. Those people are doing their part; you have yours to do.
One easy way is called friendship evangelism. It means that not all your friends are people from church. It means you find friends in the day to day world (Don't just make friends only to tell them about God; not only is that phony (and they know it) but having non-church friends is good for you, too. Keeps you from losing touch.) And you don't beat the Bible over their heads. All you have to do is not act like you did before you were saved when you're with them. Don't be afraid to say what you believe when the subject comes up. The great shepherd isn't looking for a sheepish flock. Don't be anxious, God will provide the opportunity when both of you are ready. Just trust Him.
5. If I'm having a hard time financially, God doesn't expect me to tithe
If you haven't heard this before you may be amazed at how simple it is.
A tithe is a giving back to God what is His. Furthermore, the church or some pastor didn't come up with the figure of 10% arbitrarily, or based on what the church budget needed one year. The word tithe is actually the Hebrew word for 'tenth', plain and simple. That's what God asked for.
Now a point from basic math: 10% of a smaller figure is also smaller. Therefore, you don't have to give as much when you're getting less.But God still expects you to remember Him.
If you don't think you can live on the remaining 90%, only one argument will ever convince you: Trust God and try it.
Myths Non-Christians Believe:
6. Christians all think they're perfect and that they never sin
Actually I don't know a single Christian who thinks this. If you ask a Christian they will tell you right up front that they are a sinner. It's kind of like Alcoholics Anonymous: the first thing you have to admit when you join up is that you do sin.
What Christians do believe is that their sins are forgiven; and that is a different matter. But sometimes they use the word 'sinless' to describe this state, and that leads to confusion. A better way would be "sinful, but sinless in the eyes of God because Christ has paid the price for my sins."
7. Christians don't have fun
Oh, wait. Just give me a minute to stop laughing...
Anyone who believes this hasn't been talking to the right Christians (or more often than not: any Christians.) You don't have to be somber to be saved.
Of course, some people mean certain things when they say 'fun'. I'll hit the two biggest concerns.
Booze. First off, some people claim Christians are hypocrites if they don't drink because Jesus drank wine. Yes, but did he ever get drunk? The issue in the Bible is not drinking, but drunkenness. Some Christians do in fact drink; they just don't get drunk.
So why don't all Christians drink in moderation? For some, it still may be considered a sin because the body is regarded as a temple of God; and things that are unhealthy to the body are disrespectful to God. This is the same argument that says drugs and smoking are also sins. It also touches on the other major 'fun', according to the world:
Sex. Well, if Christians didn't have sex we'd have died out long ago. Christians believe sex is a gift from God, and it is intended to be enjoyed! It is designed to be between a man and a woman within the bounds of marriage. And despite some people's ideas, monogamy is not monotony. Speaking as someone who has been on both sides, having just one partner is infinitely better. You can relax more, and the intimacy improves like you wouldn't believe.
The Screwtape Lettersis a classic and entertaining story by C. S. Lewis, and highly recommended reading, in my opinion. It tells the story of one demon's struggle to keep a woman away from God. In the letters, the chief demon has to admit that (despite hard work and much research) they have been unsuccessful in creating any new pleasure. They have only been able to distort some of the pleasures that God created.
8. The church just wants my money
OK, Churches do need a lot of money. Buildings must be paid for and maintained, staff has to live, and money is sent to missionaries in foreign lands and to needy people locally.
But churches get their money from their members, the believers who support them (see #5). If you go to a church as a guest, their main concern is you, not your wallet. Later, if you become a member, you'llwant to support the church.
9. Jesus was just a really nice guy
This one's been around since the first Christmas. If you haven't read the Gospels, (I say try Luke first) start there. Jesus did some things that no mere human could do.
Now for some, this isn't good enough, they don't believe the Bible is accurate in the first place. I'm not going to debate that point here. There are several books available on the validity of the New Testament based on non-Christian historical documents, and I can give you the titles if you want. These histories admit to the miracles, they just don't try to explain them. They also verify many times, places and people; which confirms the accuracy of the Bible as a historical document.
Then there is the view of the Jehovah's Witnesses (who are non-Christian, by the way). They believe Jesus was not human, but an angelic being. There are (at least) two passages of scripture (even in their own 'unique' translation of the Bible) that deny this. The first is in Revelation, when John drops down in worship in the presence of an angel, and the angel basically says, "Hey, knock it off. Worship is for God and God alone. I worship God like you do, don't worship me."
The second passage is when Jesus heals a man born blind. When the man returns with his sight restored, he falls down at Jesus' feet and worships Him. Jesus doesn't stop him. Therefore, Either he's God or he's a blasphemous human (and the rest of His story proves he's not that), but he's not an angel.
10. After what I've done in my life, God wouldn't want anything to do with me
If you believe this, you've missed what God is all about. God is Love. God is not critisism, God is not condemnation, God is not like anyone you know.
Remember that God is the Creator. He made you, and it hurts Him that you are separated from Him because of sin. That's why Jesus came to earth, to provide a way to clear away the sin so that you and God can be reunited. There is just no sin that God won't forgive if you ask. He wants you back, and He is waiting for you to turn to Him. Just ask.
