‘Christians’ today are crucifying Christ afresh!
Forceful words to say? Yes, but they need to be said because they
are largely one hundred percent true. Indeed, this was recently
confirmed when I sought information from the main gentleman behind
ARAN (Animal Rights Action Network in Ireland). The delightful
spokesman for this respectable, militant and highly dignified animal
organisation confirmed it to me through the following words: ‘The
Church in Ireland is light years behind supporting any cause for the
animals. Many priests both bless hare coursing and hunting!’
Yes, and we know that this refers, basically, to Roman Catholicism,
though other less influential churches are also far from immune.
Indeed, the appalling thing about Catholicism is that its moral
priorities are so frequently topsy-turvy. For but one example of
these, they will denounce the use of contraceptives even in the most
poverty stricken of their countries; while at the same time fully
endorsing factors such as bull fights and the throwing out of goats
from church towers.
Indeed, if any major church has fallen in
to the kind of condemnation that contemporary Judaism did from Christ
Himself, then Catholicism has. I can hear again the words of our
precious Lord saying of modern day Catholicism - as he did of first
century Judaism - “Woe to you, ye blind leaders of the blind. You who
pick out for dissection mere gnats while you swallow camels whole!”
Yes, indeed, “you generation of vipers; who devour widows houses and
for a cover up offer long prayers; how can you possibly escape the
judgment of hell?”
Yes, “you whitened sepulchres!”, ‘nice and
white in appearance on the outside but, inwardly full of rotting
bones!’ I tell you, dear reader, such religious hypocrisy is as rife
today, within that major denomination, as it was in the temple and
synagogues of Jesus earthly ministry. Indeed, of that I have no doubt
whatsoever because I’ve been around long enough to have sampled a
great deal from all of the major Christian denominations within the
UK. I have discovered that they have been well and truly “weighed in
the balances and found wanting!” (Dan. 5:27)
Yes, and
Protestantism has no need to feel smug, for this also includes a large
brand of evangelical Protestantism which is frequently referred to as
‘Reformed!’ It is the outcome of sixteenth century Calvinism
which has many 20th century offshoots. One of which is expressed
through the various Plymouth Brethren branches; and another through a
more rigid Presbyterianism sometimes referred to as ‘Wee Free!’; and -
very sadly - even Ian Paisley of Ulster prominence, has followers who
support such a biblical fallacy, even though the dear man has mellowed
from it in more recent years.
Such a theology implies that so
pre-eminent is the sovereignty of Almighty God that human choice and
free will are a delusion. God is so supreme that He chooses whom He
wants for salvation – His Elect! – and all the rest of creation are
destined either for Hell or else annihilation. ‘Well, what an
appalling theology!’ For if this is really so, then - taken to its
logical conclusion! - humankind can have no free will and, therefore,
being unable to choose between good or evil can be no more than
comparable to a puppet in the Divine hand!. Consequently, being devoid
of choice one cannot do either good or evil! Yet, quite paradoxically,
such branches of Christendom who uphold such so-called sovereign-grace
theology are, often the most vociferous in praising good as well as
the most denunciatory in opposing evil!
The fact is that so
many Protestants who uphold belief in an infallible Bible are as
inconsistent as those of Catholicism who uphold belief in an
infallible Church! Catholicism’s ‘semper eadem’ is absolute nonsense
as Latin Christendom changes with the centuries, ‘though not as quick
as some feminists and others of today may want it to!’ And as for
Protestant Fundamentalism’s rigid and equal infallibility of a
collection of books termed the Bible, it is obvious – except to the
utterly blinkered! – that there are different forms of literary strata
from different ages, often placed side by side! But, even of more
importance, the pages convey evolving theories of how one interpreted
God’s dealings with His people; and what His chosen people believed of
Him in one age is frequently not what they thought of Him in a
succeeding one.
Indeed, equally as bad as the above
inconsistencies, is the deviousness of separating biblical history and
revelation in to various dispensations of time so as to imply that
what God actually required at one era is different from another! To
justify such juggling through quoting isolated texts – such as:
‘rightly dividing the word of truth!’ (2.Tim.2:15) - is nothing but a
sinister deviousness which does not hold up to scholarship worthy of
the name. Such ’juggling with scriptural passages’ is an insult to
true exegesis. Yet it is subtly used to imply that factors like animal
slaughter, full Sabbath observance, salvation through good works, etc:
- though necessary to those of past or future dispensations - are not
required of us today. Well, how very convenient! All we need to do is
identify ourselves as one of God’s chosen and predestined elect. Yes,
and then thank God that we are not hell bound reprobates like all the
outsiders!
Go on to
United in limiting God’s circle of
compassion
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