Getting Back to the Basics of Christianity.

So far this has been a really bad millennium for Christianity. The established church has been put to a very serious spiritual test in Bush's war on terrorism, and it has largely failed. In America, the "religious right" claimed back in 2000 that God appointed George Bush to be president, and that he would lead our nation into a Christian utopia. That's what he promised, after all, and since Bush publicly (and regularly) confessed that Jesus was his Lord and Savior, that meant to them that he wouldn't lie.

Right from the start, a huge chunk of voters and heavy-hitting evangelical ministers lined themselves faithfully behind Bush, and vowed to support him through thick and thin, come what may. In the past year or so, some have started to reconsider that vow, but most have just buried themselves in their political trenches, seeing reasonable arguments as attacks. They refuse to face reality, and are still defiantly on the wrong course. Bush regularly held conferences with high ranking ministers all throughout his presidency. He calmed down on the religious rhetoric significantly in his second term, but still played the faith card when he thought it would be useful. For instance, he had Homeland Security devise a plan for ministers to preach on Romans 13, and encourage their congregations to obey the government if martial law were declared.

Bush and the Religious right were thick as thieves. And yet the past eight years have been some of the most scandalous, corrupt, and merciless years in our nations history. Billions of people outside of the evangelical "fold" have suffered tremendously because of the horrible mismanagement, and devious fixation on vengeance that has led America until very recently. The whole world is now suffering some of the consequences that were lined up by this bad, foolish leadership. What's more, there's a greater price to pay ahead of us if we don't slam on the brakes and really start to take our planet and our behavior seriously. And what has happened is not simply George Bush's fault. The blame belongs to all of the "yes" men who surrounded him during his rule, all of those who could have spoken up, but didn't. This includes many of the most influential spiritual leaders in America. How could this have happened? I know that the course we took over the past eight years has run completely contrary to the basic principles of Christianity...How do I know this? Because I read the Bible, and it spells these things out over and over again. But yet, supposed "Christians" have been setting this course in action, and holding all of the power as we went astray. Are we in the twilight zone?

The "church" of the Bible is a very different creature from what we see on almost every street corner in some towns. In the early days of the church, the Holy Spirit and great blessings of God flowed through all. Everybody worked together, providing for the needs of one another. People remembered that heavenly treasures mattered so much more than any wealth on earth. Many rich people who converted also went on to give all of their possessions to the poor, and the poor were honored. It's all in the book of Acts. Nowadays, with the gospel of prosperity, many Christians truly see their possessions as blessings from God, and many of them hate the idea of their taxes being used on welfare for the poor. Plus the Holy Ghost is mostly a legend.

If you are not a Christian, I can understand why, and I believe Jesus would understand why as well. He knew there would be a lot of people who believe they know him, but don't at all. Jesus has become little more than hell insurance to millions. Christianity was always meant to be much more than what we're selling it as. A recent poll showed that the number of Americans who call themselves "Christian" is down 5%. What's more, while the number of Evangelical Christians is rising, the number of denominational, (or traditional) Christians is dropping off significantly. Why is this? What's the difference between the two?

Traditional Christianity is less emotionally appealing than the evangelical brand, but yet it's more enriching; it is not as politically charged (or in some cases, has stood in opposition to the Bush trajectory); it requires much more personal involvement, and provides far fewer easy answers (at the same time, it is weighed down by age). Evangelicalism draws people by their heart strings, promises to give them great musical entertainment each week, joke-strewn sermons full of spiritual milk, (or worse, the "gospel of Prosperity"). Church has become a great social activity, a well integrated part of the modern world. That's exactly why it's in serious trouble.

Paul and the apostles knew that if they, and future generations weren't careful, they would lose their anointing, and become harmless to their enemies. That's why the Bible has many warnings, and quotes like, "Do not conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds". They knew what human nature would lead to, and here we are, just under 2000 years after the death of Christ, the natural result of human nature and faith. The history of the church is a blood-soaked embarrassment, and the recent power enjoyed by several Christian leaders of America has only led the world to the brink of collapse and destruction (through either warfare, the economy, or the environment...take your pick).

Those who follow Christ are in a really bad situation right now, or so it would seem. The wonderful truth is that there is a spiritual awakening taking place in certain people, even as the wheels start to fall off of the Babylonian (or world) system. God is composing events, completely engaged and involved in the world, yet still operating behind the scenes. This awakening is in some ways still underground, because the kingdom of God has not yet been established. But that time is coming, and nothing will stop it.

If the millions of people who practice the cheap, selfish, heartless version of evangelical Christianity call themselves "believers", then the awakened Christians would be "followers" of Christ. James tells us that faith without works is dead, and that is true. If you believe, and yet do not follow the commands, instructions, and guidance of Jesus, you are still in your sins. The "believers" are the established Christian power. They are very similar to the kingdom of Saul. But God's chosen followers are like the anointed David: underground, renegade, but blessed of God, and destined to enter Zion. I will be writing more about that specific comparison sometime soon, but in the meanwhile, I recommend reading 1 and 2 Samuel. There are patterns throughout scriptures: all peices of the same puzzle, working together to form a marvelous big picture.

The basics of Christianity are simple, including but not limited to the following:

Love your neighbor, Love God and follow his instructions (no matter what). Be merciful, generous, kind and selfless. (That's a very hefty burden in modern America). Seek out the kingdom of God: try to find out what it is, what it will be, and how it's supposed to come about. Remember that there can be no real rest for the world until the kingdom comes, and believe that God will use all who hope to be used to bring it about. Remember it is never the power of the person that makes a miracle, but the power of the God behind that person. Read the Bible for yourself, don't take anyone's word for it. Remember we are all on trial right now, so don't be a harsh judge. Thank God.