I just started working my way back through the book of Romans by the apostle Paul. It is a rich letter and appears as if it could have been written today. I'd like to share 3 myths I observed that Christians believe and should change.
Myth 1: We are too bold with the gospel.
Paul writes in Romans 1:14-16 "I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."
He was under obligation to all people to share the gospel. For those he knew best (Jews) and those he was called (Greeks). Today, there is a myth in Christianity that says, "Christians are too bold with the gospel. Just a bunch of Bible thumpers." This is a myth, if not a lie. The problem is not an overabundance of proselytization, but the quenching of it. We are all evangelists. Some are evangelists for movies, others TV shows, others their favorite restaurants, or the cheapest place to get a margarita. We all evangelize something. But as Christians we have, generally, abandoned our mission as Christians. That is to share the gospel (make disciples) and develop them into fully devoted Christ followers (teaching them to obey all Jesus has commanded (Matthew 28:19-20).
Myth 2: True atheists exist.
Paul writes in Romans 1: 18-20 "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth [l]in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident [m]within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power, and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse."
I know this myth will offend some. Others it will encourage. Others will not care. That's fine. But Paul points out an important truth. Everyone who has ever lived has experienced the hand of God through creation. They have seen evidence of His existence. Yet, they suppress that truth. They choose to deny it. (If you want to read some other articles I've written on cosmology or teleology, click the previous links).
But think about this seriously. If atheists truly believed what they profess to believe, why do they go around with so much anger and vehement apologetics towards His non-existence? I don't believe in the flying spaghetti monster, but I don't go through my life hating him.
Myth 3: Nominal Christianity has no consequences.
Paul writes in Romans 1:21-23 "For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures."
Though Paul is talking about those the non-believing world as a whole, I saw a myth emerge. That is that nominal Christianity has nonconsequences. I have watched a good many people profess to be wise by compromising in their beliefs only to really become convoluted fools. As Paul continues, "Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever" (Romans 1:24-25).
Yes, whom God loves He disciplines (Hebrews 12:6). But He also is not a master of puppets. He allows free-will creatures to be free. We all who love someone cannot make them do good or what's right. They have a choice to make. We can try to control them and force their hands. But even if they do our will, their hearts are still broken. They will only try again.
Nominal Christianity is a slippery slope which results in trading truth (the Bible) for a lie (the ways of the world). Many Christians today take their advice, hope, and motivation from Oprah, Ellen, Fifty Shades of Grey, or Google rather than God, the Bible and Christian counselors.
And in case you think I'm over-dramatic, read the rest of Romans 1:
"For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.
And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them" (26-32).
Paul puts forward a clear progression of paradigm shifts: heterosexuality to homosexuality, righteousness to unrighteousness, encouragers to gossipers, from humble to arrogant, from honest to untrustworthy, and so on. And then Paul says, "They not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them." If this isn't a perfect picture of the dangers of nominal Christianity, I don't know what is.
In secret when we fall away from God, His teaching, and Jesus' lordship we compromise and slip. We secretly begin to think, entertain, and then engage in compromise of faith (alcohol abuse, the entertainment we consume, sex outside of marriage, affairs, unbiblical divorce, etc.). But then it moves from the private life to the endorsement of it publicly. And this is what we have seen in waves.
What's the point of all this? What do we do with these myths?
First, I am thankful to recognize the relevance and the authority of Scripture. It hasn't changed since God had it inspired on paper. It speaks to all people at all times with all authority. Embrace this.
Second, destroy the myth and create new paradigms. Go and do natural outreach and do not be ashamed of the gospel. Identify your natural outreach fields and go and scatter seed. Engage with people and show them Christ's love, share hope in the telling of your story and of the good news, and invite them to experience life with you in your Christian community. Everyone in their deepest soul knows there's a God. Therefore there's an opportunity to engage in spiritual conversation. And of course, reject the nominal life. Paul was a bond-servant of Christ. Paul was willingly sold to the Lordship of Jesus. Will you do the same? If so, be ready to experience a life full of purpose, fulfillment, and growth.
Question: Which myth do you struggle with the most? What can you do destroy it daily?
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