A recent press release by Changing the Face of Christianity titled “Christian Non-Profit Fighting to Save Christianity from Self-Destruction” has generated lots of interest on several news and blog sites. In the press release, we talk about why people are leaving the Christian faith, based on sound independent research. We highlight our mission to reverse Christian intolerance, Christian hypocrisy, Christian homophobia, Christian judgmentalism, and other negative Christian stereotypes, by helping Christians to be more like Jesus Christ.
One news site in particular has generated many comments about our organization that we want to address here.
www.ChristianPost.com picked up the press release. Visit the page and read the visitor comments. I welcome your comments here too.
Here are some of the statements that are being made and our response:
- You are softpeddling and condoning sin, and discouraging Christians from speaking the truth about sin.
- No where on our site or in our content do we discourage speaking the truth or calling sin what it is…sin. People misinterpret our suggestion that HOW you speak the truth to those living in sin is just as important as the actual words of truth. Have you ever tried to tell someone the truth, unsolicited? How did that work for you? Failure. It fails because before you can speak truth into someone’s lives, they must believe you care about them. Otherwise, it just goes in one ear and out the other. Wasted breath. The goal is to be in relationship with someone, caring and loving them, until you earn the right to speak into their lives. They will ask YOU what you think…and that’s the time to share the truth. Because only then will it be heard. We aren’t preaching a new age, emergent church, everything is ok mentality. We are preaching DOING WHAT WORKS!
No where on our site or in our content do we discourage speaking the truth or calling sin what it is…sin.
- We get a lot of heat for speaking out about homophobia. That word is hard to define. But for this comment, let’s just assume it means treating homosexuals as worse sinners than ourselves. I have no problem whatsoever with anyone speaking out against homosexuality as a sin. Where we go wrong, is when we become so laser focused on that one sin (that we don’t commit ourselves), that it’s as if we are excusing all the other sins WE DO commit. That’s why outsiders see us as hypocrites. We say, look at homosexuality…that’s sin (correct). and then we go have an affair, beat our children, envy our neighbor, hold grudges, hold hate in our hearts for another man, ignore God in our life, and wake up the next morning and say “homosexuality is a sin”. Do you see the point I’m making? Focus on all sin, equal time, and make sure we are working on our own sin…instead of solely focusing on someone else’s. The Bible is clear that we should speak the truth about sin. It’s also clear from the Bible that we are to focus on our own sin before blasting someone else for theirs. You want the truth? Look in the mirror…and face it.
Where we go wrong, is when we become so laser focused on homosexual sin (that we don’t commit ourselves), that it’s as if we are excusing all the other sins WE DO commit. That’s why outsiders see us as hypocrites.
- Your approach is not Biblical.
- We invite you to read the Bible yourself…
- John 8:7 (NIV) If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.
John 8:7 (NIV) If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.
- Matthew 7:1-5 (NIV) 1 Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 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? 4 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? 5 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.
- 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (NIV) 9 I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people–10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
- James 2:13 (NIV) 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!
- 1 Peter 2:1 (NIV) Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
- 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 “Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly–mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?”
James 2:13 (NIV) 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!
- Verses for further study: Psalms 75:7, Isaiah 3:13-14, John 5:22, 1 Corinthians 5:1-3, 1 Corinthians 11:31-32, Acts 11:1-3, Matthew 13:36-43, Matthew 13:47-50, Romans 2:12-16, Romans 14:10-13, Rom 13:9-10, Gal 5:16-17, Gal 5:19-21, John 8:7,11, James 1:20, James 3:10-12, Luke 12:1, 1 Thessalonians 5:22, Matthew 7:3-5, John 8:7-11, Luke 13:15, Matthew 23:24, Job 20:5, Hebrews 6:1, Titus 1:16, James 2:14-24
We are open for input, criticism, and polite dialogue on any and all topics related to Christianity, Christian culture, our mission or methods. Why? Because that is also biblical. God encourages us to be teachable and seek wise Biblical council. We continue to do so, because we are not perfect and just like every Christian out there. We still have a lot to learn, and welcome your input. We also encourage you to open your heart and mind to God’s will, and join us in our mission to reverse negative Christian stereotypes, and yes…continue to speak the truth, in love.