Some people may grow up to be a “Christian” by association, be born into something, inherited the label but in reality never got to a point of a genuine encounter with Christ, entangled in living most of their lifetime doing meaningless rituals and good works thinking it would somehow make them be right with God even though they don’t know Christ. This is exemplified in Matthew 7:22-23,
“On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”
It is a sad reality that people think they’ve been a Christian, even claim to have been “born again” and such is the case of some apostates here on WP. Being born as a son/daughter of a missionary or pastor does not automatically guarantee the status of being a legitimate born again believer.
I had a classmate who was the son of a Methodist pastor whom I used to talk with on Atheism. It was quite head scratching for me since we’d normally expect the offspring of a spiritual leader to embrace God. Obviously, this only proves a genuine relationship with God is not inherent and acquired automatically through infant baptism (primarily in Catholicism) nor inherited, although early instruction is strongly advised to lay a foundation (Proverbs 22:6). Ultimately, a person’s claim to Christianity is only legitimate when he/she makes the deliberate choice exercising his/her free will to receive Christ as their personal Savior at some point in their lives.
Disillusionment with Christianity
People adopt the conventional theology forwarded by academics (the ones that sadly cause the intense schism in the body of Christ even today) who think they have gotten it all figured out, their ideas written in eloquence, exhibiting the semblance of true understanding but actually devoid of the Holy Spirit who leads people to the truth (see John 16:13). I’m not saying God didn’t use those people since God uses even heathens to accomplish his purpose (Cyrus, Balaam) but we are to remember Proverbs 3:5-7 tell us,
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.”
Because of the evident division and lack of cohesion in the body of Christ caused by people adopting these systematically laid out beliefs, disillusionment can be an unfortunate outcome. I arrived at this conclusion through my personal dealings with a friend who was a Jehovah’s Witness who eventually turned into an atheist and also from a recent encounter with someone else who is borderline agnostic/atheist, 2 different people, same outcome.
“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” You know this famously circulated quote?
This is echoed by the world and disillusioned Christian apostates who hold to the fallacy that once a person comes to a saving faith in Christ, they automatically become perfect and full of compassion -their definition being “compassionate” by not calling out sin for what it is. When people say that, it is a clear indication they are either oblivious of or have not taken into account the parts in Scripture where Jesus called the Pharisees “brood of vipers” in Matthew 12:34 and overturned the money changer’s tables (Matthew 21:12-13). This is the problem when people pick and choose what to believe from Scripture and form their own theology on that.
Evangelical Christians are imperfect just like everybody else. David whom God called, “a man after His own heart” at the exterior appeared that he miserably failed at keeping his house in order but God saw his heart. Look at the apostles, Jesus’ inner circle, who fell asleep and couldn’t even stay awake to pray (Matthew 26:40-41), Peter, being rebuked by Paul for his sectarian hypocrisy (Galatians 2:11-21). See? Even people who seek after God’s heart are not exempt from erring. God already knows the mistakes we make and even so, He still loves us. We just have to take the steps to make it right with Him so that we can be restored.
How come the people who expect so much from Christians easily excuse their own behaviors and claim Christians to be so judgmental when in fact, these same people are the ones who are judgmental toward Christians?
If we rely and cling tightly to our own intellect that makes provisions for our biases and pride to understand spiritual things, we deprive ourselves of the true knowledge and understanding that God gives freely to those who ask,
“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Luke 11:13
We Christians don’t claim to have all the answers. We just ask God. Have you tried doing so?
[Image: Search Engine result- Thanks to the Original Poster]
You nailed it with this quote-“How come the people who expect so much from Christians easily excuse their own behaviors and claim Christians to be so judgmental when in fact, these same people are the ones who are judgmental toward Christians?”
The world encourages free thinking as long as the thought doesn’t conflict with theirs, otherwise, you’re nothing but a crazo fundamentalist. Sound familiar?
My college experiences match your opening image–professors denying key doctrines while claiming a place in the true Church. That led to some interesting classroom discussions where I learned, under fire, the art of apologetics. J.,
Thank you for sharing your experience and taking the time to comment. As evidenced in recent events, the college classroom has become transmission belts for the godless and liberal agenda. I only had a brief experience on philosophy since I dropped out from higher learning. While it is certainly interesting to talk about things, our society sure has become more hostile to the Biblical worldview and I truly believe God spared me from the influence of college professors since I got saved after my 20’s.
I meant to say 21 rather. Young enough to still make the professor’s own thoughts my own.
Of course we cannot paint all college professors with the same brush. I teach world history for a two-year college two nights a week, and I am certainly not hostile toward the Biblical world view! J.
Agreed and of course. However, it is undeniable majority of the prestigious institutions clearly have liberal views, making no room for views opposing theirs which makes me question why most professing Christians come out of college disillusioned with Christianity- here, I’m not saying this happens to everybody but it is a common occurrence. While there are professors like you, you are certainly outnumbered.
Take a look at the link below for example. These are students but who’s inculcating the poison?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/liberal-but-not-tolerant-on-the-nations-college-campuses/2016/02/11/0f79e8e8-d101-11e5-88cd-753e80cd29ad_story.html?utm_term=.c9db68437766