This past week I have had a rather uncomfortable and rather negative encounter with a fellow Christian who is in authority at our local church.
Without going into details, I have been reprimanded for watching Eddie Murphy, Raw, standup comedy routine. If you haven't seen it and you don't know what its about click here for a mini summary. The content is very Adult content with crude language. The problems they had with my choice of entertainment is listed here with the scripture to back up their points:
Scripture: James 3:11 “Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?”
EGW/ Others: By beholding we become changed - (from various complilations- Christian Cliche)
Scripture: Phillipians 4:8 - "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:5 - Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.
But if the watchman sees the enemy coming and doesn’t sound the alarm to warn the people, he is responsible for their captivity. They will die in their sins, but I will hold the watchman responsible for their deaths.’
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
The questions I have are:
2) When is a Christian gone to far in relaying thier personal beliefs to someone they feel is doing wrong? Are they ever justified? WHERE IS THAT LINE?!?
3) Is cursing a sin? or being crude sinful?
I’m not really sure how I feel about Christians pointing out other Christian's perceived sins? I’m personally don't see a situation where I would tell someone what I thought about their "sins" unless they asked me my opinion, or if we were very close and taking such liberties would not be attributed to nosiness. One exception to my listed theory is if the "sin" was putting their life or someone else’s life in immediate danger. And I definitely don't want to violate the Biblical warning by Jesus regarding judging others:
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
My thoughts are that this person had no place to get on your case about a movie that you allegedly watched (your status may have been hijacked). I mean, you shouldn't even have to write this blog. And in my opinion, most people who give you shit about shit have too much shit in their shit to even worry about your shit (that was the greatest sentence ever...lol). Check out what I thought about bitchassness (shout out to @iamdiddy) over here: http://t3flon.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteGod has loves us. He wants the best for us and has given us rules to follow. Over time, His people have strayed away for him. Some went one direction to that of total defiance of God's law while others make an equidistant trip towards conservative narcissism. In this case we have the latter. I have noticed that insecure people tend to hold fast to something because they do not have the strength to stand alone and to make "simple" judgments. The catholic church is an example of this insecurity when it preyed on the ignorance of the public and wielded its own needs into the interpretation of the scripture. Last time I checked the U.N. did not look favorably upon interpreters who have a political stake in relaying information to from powerful people to influential politicians. Also, I think God chose spiritually lead men who had upright standings when he inspired the biblical texts. Not men with agendas. I believe if the contrary is present, "they" call this a conflict of interest. It comforts many to live a life of hardship and pressure because it offers a sense of purpose. Without this, the insecurity takes hold.
ReplyDeleteSo! How is this rambling pertinent? Just goes to show that blindly following rules is unnecessary and at times wrong. To truly be in proper standing, one needs to understand the intent of the law, the purpose as it was initially intended, before the tainting from vile hands. We as Adventists believe the Bible and only the Bible and that should be sufficient. Sometimes, people feel the need to control, therefore they "expand" and "explain" the texts. This type of exogenesis revelation is wrong and should be utterly abandoned by those of public figure, if not eradicated by all.
I believe, and please correct me if necessary, that God wants us to live a well balanced healthy lifestyle. If your actions are not a detriment to your spiritual growth or those around you, then how can your actions be out of line? The only way a person can judge improper actions is by the negative effects. Granted, there are some things that should be held in discretion. Adult material perhaps. Adult material is everywhere: the news, in music, in comedy, and in the Bible.
All these examples are soap opera worthy for primetime. (They are too intense for daytime). Trust.
Genesis 18:16-33, Genesis 19:1-29,
Genesis 19:30-38)
Judges 19
2 Samuel 11-12
2 Kings 21
So we have the luxury of looking at situations, the crude biblical tales shown above and the comedic styles of Eddie Murphy. True the purpose for the biblical tales where to show the journey of men coming and going in Christ. However that does not make these stories any more acceptable for children. So how are we judging what is sinful to watch? Are we looking at the pure content and not the context, then that would mean the Bible is wrong. Then we must look at the context. Neither option shows a sinful intent. Ok next option is the effects it has on people, both instances can have negative effects if the maturity of the audience is not adequate, such as children. (There are cases for both events where exposure had negative effects).
I think it would be foolish to give this content a simple pass just because it is in the Bible, not matter how mature the content may be. If the argument is that we need to guard our eyes and ears from things that will harm us mentally, emotionally, and spiritually? Sure. Now this is not an advocate for the continuous use of Adult material, because I believe a lot of adult material does have negative effects as well as the prolonged use. But in regards to this particular stand-up, I have yet to find sufficient BIBLICAL grounds as to how this could be classified as “sinful.” Last time I check laughing alone is not enough to be considered to be a transgression (or separation) of the God’s law.
There is no one way to be a Christian, but it seems as though there is only one way to be an Adventists? (Of which I do not support)
In regards to jurisdiction, you need to have evidence of an action that causes an improper behavior change. Also, the person who files the charges must be in good and impartial standing, if not then there is an agenda afoot. God doesn’t like our agendas, because if he did then He would have already planned it. With that said, connect the dots.