I had this thought the other day. I think that it may have come to me while I was finishing Surprised By Joy. I really cannot remember. I think that so many Christians, including myself, view Christianity as merely a competing world religion. When looking at the many other deities and religions of the world, we as Christians can develop a mindset that sets Biblical Christianity at the same level as religions such as Catholicism, Islam, Hinduism, etc… Furthermore, these religions operate outside the sphere and influence of Christianity, and vice versa. Christianity operates within its own realm; and all these others, including Christianity, within the world system as a whole. (When I say Christianity, I mean those who love and obey Jesus Christ as the Son of God, Lord and King.)
I hope that what tried to explain here is clear, The thought that I had reminded me that this world, this universe, operates within the sphere of Christianity, not the other. The very essence of the universe is present because Christianity exits. Other religions exists because of man’s treason and rebellion against the Lord and God of Christianity. Therefore any form of religion, even agnosticism and atheism, are elements that operate under the umbrella of truth which lies at the core of Christianity. They are not equally competing and opposing forces that are vying for there place in the universe. There is not a separate existence apart from Christianity. They exist because God exists; and, therefore, Christianity exists.
This may seem like a mess of obvious and scattered thoughts. But, the reason that this is so significant to me is because I so many times think and behave as though I have an option to operate either within or without the umbrella of Christianity. I am often very aware of my righteous standing before God and my life predestined to Christlikeness. But, at times I pursue idols of the heart (Calvin called our hearts “idol factories”) thinking that I somehow escaped out from under the umbrella of God. We cannot operate outside of the truth of God and the existence of Christianity. Again, idols are idols, Islam is subservient, and atheism is rebellion, etc., because the world is Christian.
Please share any thoughts.
this is “grace at work”
Greetings! Found your post via Google Blogsearch…
You wrote; “Biblical Christianity at the same level as religions such as Catholicism, Islam, Hinduism, etc… Furthermore, these religions operate outside the sphere and influence of Christianity, and vice versa.”
You seem to have the concept that the Catholic Church is not a part of Christianity. Nothing can be further from the truth.
The words “Catholic Church” are a modern English translation of the Greek “ekklesia kath olos” in Acts 9:31.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%209:31;&version=69;
You are correct that Christ’s church is universal or catholic. Jesus dies for all – Christians, Muslims, atheists.
AS you are found of Calvin, you might read some early Christian writers on Calvin College’s CCEL site:
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/richardson/fathers.viii.i.iii.html
I would start with the Didache above, Justin the martyr’s First Apology, and Cyril of Jerusalem.
God bless…
Timothy
July 9th, 2007
You made two statements I would comment on.
First, “(When I say Christianity, I mean those who love and obey Jesus Christ as the Son of God, Lord and King.)” I find that some of the other religions make a similar claim in which they feel they qualify as part of ‘Christianity’. From your statements and knowing more of your position about this (other posts and discussions) I believe your position on Christianity is the pure position of Acts 11:26 where believers in the resurrected Christ who spoke of His Lordship with their lives and mouths without any ecclesiastical system and heirarchy built up to promote or (as is often the case whether admitted or not) pervert the congregation (‘church’) Christ said He would build (not the apostles or other disciples). The holiness of God and the vicarious death of Jesus Christ and the bodily resurrection of the Son of God (Jesus Christ and the Son of God being one in the same) and the purity of the congregation of Jesus Christ are the very essence of ‘Christianity’ of the ‘world being Christian’.
The follow up on that moves directly to the other statement, “There is not a separate existence apart from Christianity. They exist because God exists; and, therefore, Christianity exists.” I believe that your statement that ‘The World Is Christian’ is summed up as the Supremacy of Christ being the Creator
is stated in Colossians 1:15-20 (15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. ESV)
Richard
July 12th, 2007
Timothy:
Thank you for your comment. I feel privileged to think that you a passer-by/browser would take the time to read my post and comment.
I will first say that I understand the definition of the catholic church i.e.universal church. However, the Catholic church (the official Roman Catholic assembly) historically has gradually and now drastically taken steps further and further away from the authority of Scripture. This deviation has most predominately affected the truth of the Gospel of Christ. A “church” that places its authority over the authority of the Word of God to the point of contradiction at its core must be understood as teaching another Gospel. Therefore, according to Paul (an inspired church father), it is accursed and not of the body of Christ.
It is true that many of the church fathers, even fathers of the Catholic church believed in the truth of the Gospel of Christ. But the Catholic church today as a whole has refused, added to, or perverted the pure teaching of the Gospel. According to the Word of God they cannot be considered brothers in Christ.
This is my quick answer. If we cannot agree on what I have stated so far, I feel that we would not come to a reasonable and biblical understanding of the other matters that you have mentioned. I would definitely welcome further discussion on the basis of the authority of the Word of God.
ricky
July 12th, 2007