Methods and Systems

When we see Christianity as a method of cleaning up world systems, we are not seeing the full potential of our faith. At its root, seeing Christianity as a means to reform the world stems from seeing Christianity as a means to build better independent self. The result of this view is the attempt at “Christianizing” world systems. This is folly. The world system is diametrically opposed to the plan, purpose and nature of God: “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” Contrary to popular Christian belief there are far ore aspects to “friendship with the world” than sitting in the bar or cheating on your income tax.

We demonstrate friendship toward the world when we adopt the systems and methods of the world. When we set up “Christian political action committees” or practice “Christian psychology” we are befriending the world. We display friendship with the world by forming any manner of Christian organizations modeled after the world’s pattern. When we run our fellowships like social clubs or corporations we are similarly befriending the world. When we try to “Christianize” the world’s ways of doing things and understanding things we are trying to put a mantle of respectability on systems that have already failed. Christians show the worst example of this error when we modify the message of Christ (and/or the practice of this message) to make it more acceptable to the unbelieving world. When you stand on the truth you cannot move off that point without moving toward falsehood. It is not the responsibility of the followers of Christ to make the Lord palatable to the unbelieving world.

Rich