Modern Forms Of False Christianity

Intro: The Bible often warns us of men preaching "another Jesus," "another spirit," and “another gospel.” Much is changing in the religious world about us. We must be rooted and grounded in biblical principles. There are at least seven extreme forms of Christianity that do not fit biblical patterns.

1. PSYCHOLOGICAL CHRISTIANITY

• Urges followers to always feel good about themselves.

• Seek religious solutions for various frustrations in life through the “healthy-wealthy-wise gospel.”

• "Give…give…give...Send in more money and you’ll get more back in blessings and wealth as I pray for you."

• Sin is a minor concern, if ever mentioned by them.

• God’s word can give peace to the troubled heart and mind, but not in the sense just noted (Phil. 4:6-7).

2. SOCIAL CHRISTIANITY

• There are always on-going parties, picnics, sports, get-together, field trips, and other similar costly activities.

• “Good time” religion that caters to those who love entertainment and pleasure more than spiritual things.

• This form of "Christianity" look a lot like a resort club or recreational facility rather than a local church!

• cf. the early Christians in Acts 2:42, 46-47.

3. POLITICAL CHRISTIANITY

• Campaigns, rallies, activism to clean up society & gov’t.

• Biblical Christianity was separate from the state.

• Yet, submissive (Rom. 13:1-7; I Tim. 2:1-3).

4. EMOTIONAL CHRISTIANITY

• Looks for experience with God through emotional basis

• Church atmosphere with costly lighting, special effects, visuals, instruments, etc. designed to prime emotions.

• Does not get its power & strength from God & Bible.

• Bible teaching alone is secondary, dull and inadequate.

• Many churches are 90% emotionally-oriented but with a dangerously low percentage of sound Bible teaching.

• Psa. 119:16, 105

5. NUMERICAL CHRISTIANITY

• Numbers and popularity is the name of their game!

• They pride in thousands of annual convert baptisms, their millions in membership, with the most number of churches spread worldwide. Is there always strength in numbers? Is the majority always right? (Matt. 7:13)

6. SACRAMENTAL CHRISTIANITY

• Loyalty to certain rites or ceremonies that are believed to give a soul a "passport" to salvation and heaven.

• The tradition, ritual, the vow, repeated prayers, the observance of special holy days that supposedly keep their passport to heaven up to date each year.

• These have "a form of godliness" but their religion is powerless and useless (II Tim. 3: 5; Tit. 1:16).

7. THEOLOGICAL CHRISTIANITY

• Intellectual conceit and arrogance with very little or no actual and practical application of Bible truths learned.

• Ever studying and researching theology but their lives are never changed by the doctrines they learned.

• They know where the verses are; can debate Bible subjects for hours; can discuss detailed doctrinal views but do not love God and His people (II Tim. 3:7).

Conclusion: True Christianity is – biblical, life-changing, gives peace of heart and mind. It is obedient to God and His word. We need to let God’s word shape us in the same way it did the early disciples. We need to be truthful and honest before God and allow Him to be real in our heart, soul, mind, and life. May our interest be not in what will only please ourselves, but in what will most please our Lord and Master. Biblical Christianity exalts the Saviour as it edifies the saints and evangelizes sinners. Let us be Christians of the New Testament pattern. Nothing more, nothing less!