Misguided Faith? (Updated from 6/22/2015)

 

"Many truths of Scripture are being distorted by a philosophy that places experience and emotions above the inerrant Word of God. That philosophy is called mysticism. 

Because mystics rely on subjective, private, spiritual experiences for guidance and wisdom, they diminish the authority of Scripture. Vision and spiritual encounters become more important than the truths found in God's Word."

-- Arthur L. Johnson (1988)

 

Consider the line from the quote, above: "Because mystics rely on subjective, private, spiritual experiences for guidance and wisdom, they diminish the authority of Scripture."

Mystics?  Scripture is rife with examples of miracles, visions, and spiritual encounters. Yet, many continue to rely on "mystic clergy" for guidance.  Why not?  Many people have been spoon-fed stories of the burning bush, angelic visitations, healing the sick, making wine from water, walking on water, and the never-ending baskets of fish and loaves... for centuries.   My readers might think I am questioning the validity of Mr. Johnson's statement. On the contrary, I feel it holds much truth.

Unfortunately, I also think it also applies to our own religious leaders who have perverted scripture for their control of the faithful.  But, there's nothing new in that, is there?  We are, after all, just innocent lambs being led to the slaughter, right?  We certainly can't think for ourselves any more than we can worship God without an intermediary.  I can't wait for everyone to show up at the pearly gates and have Saint Peter tell us all to go back and try life again.  And, this time, think for ourselves.  Is thinking for ourselves so time-consuming and confusing when it comes to our faith, that we must have a "weekly meeting" just to stay on track?  How sad is this?

When did "faith" become so misguided?  Well, for the majority of us, when bigotry is all you've known, you grow into a bigot.  When socialism is all you've known, you grow into a socialist.  When a cult, religious sect, or spiritual lifestyle is all you've known, chances are you grow to embrace it.  We do this because we grow up having faith. Faith that we are being told is the truth.  But, heaven forbid, what if it's not the truth?  What if those people we rely on for guidance are just as misguided as we are?  What if they are handing out glasses of poisoned Kool-Aid to the faithful?   

"Faith is merely trusting in whatever you "believe" to be true... even if you believe a lie.  Some lies are obvious and some are quite convincing.  The Bible tells us that the god of this world, Satan the Devil, "DECEIVES THE WHOLE WORLD!"  Deception is "the practice of misleading; deliberately causing someone to believe something that isn't true."

-- Anonymous

There was no name on the quote, below, so we will have to call them "Anonymous," as well. Let us take a quick recap of biblical history, the "Pastor Tony" way (seat-of-the-pants theology):

"Lots of Old Testament conversations with angels, burning bushes, floods, turning to salt for looking when you were told not to, walls falling to the tune of trumpets, etc, etc. 

The Christ comes online with an immaculate conception.  Enter some healing the sick, yadda, yadda, yadda. 

We are to believe Christ knew there was a traitor, knew he would be denied three times, and knew he would have to die in order to salvage the mess that was mankind. 

He is crucified on the mount, storm clouds, rising from the dead, and was later talking to the faithful before ascension to heaven. 

For the next two thousand years we are blessed with more subjective, private, spiritual experiences for guidance and wisdom.  For the next two thousand years have we enjoyed the fruits of His sacrifice?  How were we supposed to, when we were left with the very man that denied him three times to be our first pope?"  

It seems everything that has transpired, since His sacrifice, evidences more that "the god of this world, Satan the Devil, "DECEIVES THE WHOLE WORLD!" Deception is "the practice of misleading; deliberately causing someone to believe something that isn't true."  And haven't our churches done a marvelous job of that? You know... the churches we were never told to build... because, we were all supposed to minister the Word? 

And, there is the praying we were supposed to do in private, for God alone to witness? How many people died during the Inquisition? Do you know? And how about all those sacrificed in the Crusades on the word of a Pope, who couldn't bear the thought of losing. And a Christendom, more steeped in politics, money, and ego, than in faith. Our lack of religious tolerance, as a species, has been costly, all for some egomaniac's desire for us to prove faith.

We were asked to do one simple thing. We were asked to put our faith in the God of heaven, the creator of everything.  We were not told to have faith in scripture, but, rather, in God's word.  Not in our "interpretation," but, to do nothing more than we were told; not to interpret anymore into it than was intended.  We were not supposed to listen to anyone else except God.  Evil is placed among us for a reason.  Rejecting evil is the test we must pass.  The deception that surrounds our every waking moment is the clutter we must ignore.  The test is not hard to pass.  It was never intended to be.  And faith? 

Stop listening to the clutter.  Stop trying to make sense of all the background noise.  Tune everything else out and listen only to your heart.  Don't interpret what you already know to be truth.  Pay attention only to that which was said by God and the Christ.  Try to simply look at the forest and see the damned trees!

"Jesus turned to Peter and said, "Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God's."

-- Matthew 16:23

A bishop is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight.  Who entrusted him?  God?  I didn't get that memo.  Apostles were the supreme power, delegating to the bishops.  I'm an idiot. I thought the "supreme power" was God?  I suppose this was why most attention was given to the more educated and respected converts.  Hell, even now we know you can't save the poor from themselves, right?

A minister is authorized by the church to teach beliefs.  Beliefs?  Not truths?  Well, it makes sense that you wouldn't trust, as Latin defines a minister, a servant or attendant, with the truth.

So where does that leave the lowly pastor?  "Pastor" is derived from the Latin for "shepherd."  It is the "pastor's calling" to tend the flock and gently guide them to green pastures.  Who, of all these assigned to "lead," us is truly worthy?

"Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding."

-- Jeremiah 3:15

"I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding." Not absolve you of sin, so you can go sin again, and not do the job of getting you into heaven, which was clearly laid at their feet. How will any of this feed you knowledge and understanding to assist you on your path to enlightenment? How will any of this, impress your own personal relationship with God?

So, is your faith misguided? Only you can answer that question. Try to remember that God knows what truth is in your heart. Is it your truth, or the minister's truth that he feeds you each Sunday? Is it "real" truth, or is it the priest's passing the basket for this week's "tithing? (Don't forget to give till it hurts. Are you feeding the poor, or putting a new roof on the church God never asked for? You might check on that.)

Faith wasn't intended to be that hard.  Faith is opening your heart to let God inside. That's it.

“God will not look you over for medals, degrees, or diplomas, but for scars.”

-- Elbert Hubbard

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch - it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either view any more right or wrong than the other. Opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form their own opinions, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint.

I fervently hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning those opinions offered. After twenty-three years of military intelligence, I believe that engaging each other in this manner, and in this arena, is a way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience... and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. Following his service career, he spent 17 years working with the premier and world-renowned Western Institutional Review Board, helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. He also served 8 years on the Board of Directors for the Angela J. Bowen Foundation.

Ordained in 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As a weapon for his war on intolerance, he chose the pen. He wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's personal, spiritual path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony at: tolerantpastor@gmail.com