Top Ten Heresies of the American Church

[Steve Kimes]

A heresy, according to I Timothy 6, is anything that stands against the teaching of the Christ. Soooo.... Here we go with the unspoken issues that seem to be most important in American churches:

1. Prejudice against the lower class
When Jesus says “blessed are you who are poor.”

2. Thinking salvation = comfort
When Jesus says, “Woe to you who are wealthy, for you have already received your comfort

3. That the only good leaders are seminary-educated leaders
When Jesus says, “The greatest among you shall be your slaves.”

4. Believing that the United States is or should be a Christian nation
When Jesus says, “The kingdom of God is near, repent and believe the gospel.”

5. Thinking that any political leader is a good Christian just because he uses evangelical language.
When Jesus says, “You shall know them by their fruits.”

6. Whole-hearted support of war
When Jesus’ command was to “love your enemies”

7. Supporting the unrestricted personal use of wealth
When Jesus’ command was to “sell your possessions and give to the poor.”

8. Believing that prayer is less effective than political or military action
When Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find.”

9. Accepting the current division of ethics in politics along liberal and conservative lines—adopting rather than questioning worldly morality
When Jesus said, “Call no man teacher, for your only Teacher will be the Messiah.”

10. That obeying Jesus is only for super-saints, like Mother Teresa, and that living like Jesus isn’t possible for any “normal” Christian.
When Jesus said, “Who is my mother or brother or sister? The one who hears the word of God and does it.”

[Elizabeth Baer]

So what are you doing to avoid falling into those traps? Any advice to the positive?

[Steve Kimes]

Okay, then, let's take them one by one:

1. In our churches we should seek to create classes, programs and welcoming techniques that are specifically geared to welcome the working poor and street folks. We should provde for them the same kinds of opportunities we provide the middle class.

2 We need to teach that Jesus says our lives will be miserable in some respects as Christians. We should seek to rejoice in our persecution and humiliation.

3. Churches and denominations should seek out leaders that are deeply spiritual, but not seminary trained. They should make it known that they are actively seeking candidates even without Western education, but with lay experience.

4. We should recognize that Jesus kingdom is a separate kingdom from all other nations of the world and seek to be kingdom-citizens. We should have discussions about what it means to be a kingdom-citizen as opposed to an American (or whatever) citizen.

5. We should never disparage a national leader, but we need to warn them when they act in ways that Jesus prohibits-- such as killing civilians. We should also never vote for anyone who believes in Jesus but in any way stands against Jesus' word.

6. The chuch should use prayer as a defense. We should be praying for peace of our nation, praying that our leaders would promote peace, and praying for the national enemies, that they too would seek peace.

7. We should sell our possessions and give to those in needy in our neighborhoods without morally judging them.

8. Same as number 6.

9. We should teach ethics according to the ethical outlines Jesus gave us.

10. We should have discussions about what it means to live out the life of Jesus in today's society.

Just keeping it brief. Any other ideas?

[Chuck Scott]

Wow Steve,
Looks like you have the beginnings of a manifesto. It is definitely a call to action..Maye each point can be expounded on.
Blessings,
Chuck

[Jack]

I like this and agree with it, but don`t you think suggestions 5 and 6 would be struck null by suggestion 4 (my question mark button isn`t working). I think concepts like our nation and our leaders have to and will become different with allegiance to the Kingdom of God, like you propose in suggestion 4. With respect.