Christians by any label, Evangelical being the dominant adjective, are supposed to be united in their belief that only those who believe the gospel — that Jesus Christ died on the cross for humanity's sins and rose from the dead three days later, offering a plan for personal salvation that must be accepted and lived — will be saved. Shocking as it sounds… not all who identify as born again Christians believe what the Bible clearly teaches.
Most Americans will readily identify as Christians, but they don't know much about theology. Further, they seem confused about the details of their faith and most cannot begin to explain what they believe to another person.
It would seem that contradictory and incompatible beliefs are acceptable for most people who consider themselves a Christian. Even those who identify as born-again often have some of the most distorted beliefs twisted into some of the worst theological errors.
Call these errors…lies and mistakes. What Christians are espousing as the basis for faith have distorted the nature and character of God, personal morality, and the concept of and compliance with God’s offer of salvation. There errors are many, but some are so egregious as to warrant exposure. Let me start with the most important belief… how a person acquires personal salvation.
Most American Christians, some 77 percent, believe that people must contribute to their own effort for personal salvation. About half - 52 percent, believe that good deeds help them earn a spot in heaven.
At the same time, 60 percent said Jesus Christ's death on the cross is the only sacrifice that could remove the penalty of their sin, with acceptance of God’s plan of salvation (Acts 2:38). This belief is much closer to Biblical truth… "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not the result of works, so that no one may boast,". (Ephesians 2:8-9).
If you want to confuse and confound a Christian, ask what they think of the passage at James 2 where we are told that "faith without deeds is dead.” You will most certainly hear that one must do good deeds to earn salvation. Except the Bible says clearly salvation cannot be earned by any amount of works or deeds. Romans 10:9 says… "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." It is faith and commitment, not works, that makes salvation possible. Works are indeed a part of a truth believing Christian, and said deeds are what fuels the continuation of The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) but it is not to gain salvation but an expression of one’s love and devotion to what God asks every Christian to do… tell someone about him… baptize them… and spend your time teaching and edifying anyone and everyone. True salvation is not an exchange program… works for a reward… its all about passion and love for Christ and all peoples. Few get that message and understanding.
All dogs go to heaven along with their masters, right? Wrong. Most Christians believe that a place described as heaven is where all people [not dogs] will ultimately be reunited with their loved ones. Maybe about half of American Christians could be considered aligned with the Biblical view that only those who trust in Jesus Christ, have embraced His free offer of salvation, living faithfully and obediently, will merit eternal salvation.
Americans have a real problem accepting the notion that they might be rejected by God, therefore unable to grasp the contradiction… either everyone goes to heaven or only those who believe in Jesus Christ will receive eternal life.
Maybe there is hope that some will comprehend salvation and eternal life, since the majority, about 84 percent, do believe in hell. The vast majority of so-called evangelicals hold to the Biblical view that hell is a place of eternal judgment, where God sends all people who do not personally trust in Jesus Christ. That said, there is still about 16 percent of Christians who either disagree with the concept of hell or were unsure. Wait and see I guess.
If you want to irritate a Christian, bring up the concept of sin. Sin seems to be a foreign concept to most Americans. Most confused Christians believe that most people are good by nature, even though everyone sins a little, or sometimes a lot. The majority of Christians disagreed that the smallest sin deserves eternal damnation. So, who’s right… man’s viewpoint or God?
Romans 3:22-23 explicitly declares that "there is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Christianity holds that only the perfect may enter heaven, and that even the slightest sin separates a person from God. Only the death and resurrection of Jesus can restore the relationship between a believer and God. That’s true, without “being in Christ” a person might be in serious jeopardy of having the future you expect.
Hell is so unfair as an eternal punishment for temporary sins. Christianity teaches that hell is the state of separation from God. Seen in terms of a relationship with a perfect God, even a little and let’s be honest here, willful sin, after all sin is as much a choice as what you plan for dinner. All sin without Christ as one’s mediator, prevents a relationship with God. The Bible can’t be any more clear on this subject. God is offended by sin in all forms big and small.
While most Americans don’t think sin deserves eternal damnation, they freely express the idea that it would be fair for God to show His wrath against sin. Can’t have it both ways folks. Perhaps preachers should spend more time trying to open their congregation's eyes to the consequences of sin by emphasizing the fairness of God's wrath, rather than the eternal damnation meted out for every sin. It’s all about attitude, your attitude towards God, Christ and all their promises.
One of the greatest distortions among Christians, is that all religions lead to God, are acceptable to Him. A majority of American Christians believe God accepts the worship of all religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
Almost half of surveyed born-again Christians think that God accepts all kinds of worship. The difficulty with this view is that these religions totally disagree on the nature of God. Christianity and some forms of Judaism sees God as one being with multiple persons: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Islam, by contrast, says that Allah is a monad — He is not multiple persons and He does not have a son.
Throughout the Old Testament, God showed Himself as a jealous God, ordering the destruction of idols and praising the kings who defiled pagan temples and false gods. No question that Jesus changes things while he lived among humanity. Judaism certainly changed. Israel, one people, were no longer the exclusive focus of God, all peoples were able to accept Christ. He also emphasized that worship must be rooted in a right relationship with God. He said it mattered less where people worship than that they worship God "in spirit and in truth."
Maybe the biggest of all theological distortions among so-call Christians is the idea that Jesus was created by God. Created maybe first, but a secondary being nonetheless.
While a vast majority of Americans agreed with the idea of the Trinity — that there is one true God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — more than half said that Jesus is the first and greatest being created by God.
A majority of Americans agreed with the orthodox view of the dual nature of Christ: that He was both divine and human during his time on earth. This is an important doctrine, because Jesus is the bridge to reunite God with mankind. If He is not fully human, He could not die for the sins of man. If He is not fully divine, he could not unite them with God Himself.
These distortions of faith and doctrine are laughable and tragic at the same time. Why? Laughable because they are just not based on even logical thinking. Tragic because lives depend on getting one’s belief in God right. Understanding the doctrines and foundations of faith correctly is essential to a relationship with God that can grow and flourish. Truth is the only avenue to the empowerment and indwelling Holy Spirit, who can guide and assist a believer in walking upright with God.
Next time… more untruths and distortions that many well meaning Christians are believing.
