“Whatever” Christianity by Marsha West

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11642631.post-1164185796382176182006-11-22T16:46:00.000+08:002006-11-22T23:56:46.263+08:00“Whatever” Christianity by Marsha West<blockquote>So, if the Bible isn’t a Christian’s authority, what is? Short answer: Anything he or she wants it to be. You sort of make up your religion as you go along. Does this strike a cord? Christianity has become a blend of religious beliefs. Add a pinch of modern psychology, a dash of Buddhism, a teaspoonful of Catholic mysticism, a cup of New Age spirituality, mix well, and voila! You’ve cooked up a batch of New Age Christianity. … Those who practice pragmatic Christianity believe that today’s churches must be relevant. The Church has to adjust to our modern culture. In order to recruit the unsaved, Christianity must rid itself of its antiquated dogma and doctrines. The Church must become “inclusive,” “non-judgmental,” and “tolerant.” To accomplish this, the atmosphere in churches should be warm and inviting and its members must be friendly. </blockquote><a href="http://www.theconservativevoice.com/profile/2693/Marsha-West.html">Marsha West</a> has written a two-part commentary titled “Whatever” Christianity that laments the theological relativism commonly seen in many Christians. To these post-modern Christians, even outright heresy becomes acceptable. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGEmlPjgjVI"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3067/953/320/meCHURCH.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>In her commentary, West singles out people like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_H._Schuller">Robert Schuller</a> who “is more concerned with people’s “self-esteem” than with their eternal souls” and “bases his theology on what people want to hear rather than on God’s Word”; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Warren">Rick Warren</a> who welcomes Roman Catholics, Mormons and Jews into his pastor-training programs because he thinks the core essentials of Christianity are non-essentials; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._Peter_Wagner">C. Peter Wagner</a> who claims that the ministries of the prophets and apostles have been restored; and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_McLaren">Brian McLaren</a> who requires a moratorium to determine his stand on sodomy. In the light of this post-modern theological epidemic that has already crept into the Church, what should be our response? West believes that we “must become skilled at recognizing heresy and false teaching within the Church.” It is our duty as followers of Christ to hold on to His teachings and “remain within the pale of orthodoxy.” Articles: <a href="http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/20166.html">"Whatever" Christianity</a> (14/11/2006) <a href="http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/20401.html">"Whatever" Christianity (Part 2)</a> (18/11/2006)beowulfhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05157229724513921193noreply@blogger.com