The Challenge (Pt 2)

I haven’t even talked about my other parent at all either, Christian fundamentalism. But I think I’ll save it for later. I will say this, I find that in most cases, they are against each other, just like real quarrelling parents! I actually want to talk about something a little more personal, more relevant to you as a reader. It’s nice to sometimes talk about philosophy and political ramifications of the word “God”, but I find it more interesting when the subject is a little closer to the vest. My greatest flaw is a result of my greatest fear (OK, that was probably over-dramatic, and actually, not the truth. My biggest fear is spiders. Ugh, beastly things with those 30 eyes and stuff. Anyway, it's not as cool to say my fourth greatest fear, so this is all artistic license! My mission: to rip up every license I have!). My fear? Being called a hypocrite. And my flaw? I’m too laid back. Much as I hate using French, nevertheless this word best describes me, I’m too laissez-faire. (*Pardon my French*) (Why is it that all the hard-to-describe words in English can best be described often in one-word by other languages? Just take a look at zee Germans. They have hundreds of good words like Schadenfreude and Zeitgeist.) And I realize this is not a good thing. And I’m not defending myself or placing the blame on my cultural background. This is something I need to work on, but it’s hard after living and believing it for so long as I have.

What is the impetus for this self-realization? Well, I’m glad you asked that. Otherwise, this would have been a very short article but luckily it’s not (Hey! I can hear your groans, back there!), During one fellowship study, we were talking about the mission-work and the need for everyone to hear the Gospel. The Bible Study leader at the time, had one interesting question. “What do you think happens to people who never hear the Gospel and die?” I like how it’s worded as “you think” because that implies there’s no wrong answer, everyone has an equally valid point (there’s that word again… Equality!). But, there is a right and a wrong answer. Naturally, mine is right, and every other differing one is wrong :P Ok, I’m not that Biblically-knowledgeable to make such a bold statement, I’m kidding! But, not completely kidding, there are wrong answers, but as to the right answer, I don’t know. Only God knows and contrary to popular belief, I ain’t Him.

Whenever I come to a dilemma such as this, I always like to consider the Catholic belief (so I know to believe in the opposite. Ha ha, I kid again! Please don’t spam me!). What do they say? Well, they believe in 3 areas in the afterlife. There is Heaven and Hell (same as most fundamentalists) and then there’s a third “gray area” called Purgatory. It’s kinda like an eternal waiting room at the Doctor’s office (which incidentally is what it feels like in Real Life!) It’s a place for people to “work off” their sins. Usually it’s the place where people who’ve never heard of Jesus, or who have died before Jesus was born end up. Taken to the extreme, Catholics further believe that indulgences, paid for, naturally, by the living relatives, can expedite the process into Heaven, much like our own Presidential Elections. (Ha ha, does my wit know no bounds?!)

I’m sorry to say it, but this is wrong. Why? Because of what Paul said. “Faith Alone”. “Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.” (Rom 4:4-5). What this means is indulgences don’t work, there is no waiting room for people to “work off their sins”. God’s Grace is sufficient for salvation, and Man’s Faith in Him is credited towards that. (see also Eph 2:8-10, Gal 2:16)

And others in my sharing group put forth their opinions and views of what happens to the unsaved. It’s interesting to see them try to work in “fairness and justice” with Bible verses that plainly don’t seem like very just words. But this too is not the point of my article (I know, you guys are probably shouting at the monitor, “So what is your stupid point?” You should yell a little louder, I didn’t quite catch that) The point of it was, in my heart of hearts, I knew that what they were saying was wrong. Even the person who believed in purgatory. And do you know what I did? Absolutely nothing. I just nodded and said, “That’s a very interesting opinion. Try not to share it with others” Ok, I didn’t say the italicized part, but I was thinking it!

By not saying anything, I sinned. I’m like Peter Parker who lets the thief run out with the money in Spiderman The Movie. Through my inaction, I caused others to think the wrong belief. That doing good works will save them. It’s a wrong teaching that should be nipped in the bud. And Paul preaches out against it as well. When we see false teaching or arguments that go against the Bible, it is our duty to say something, to rebuke it. If the early church let everything slide, let Gnosticism in, we would have a vastly different religion today, one that would be totally different than what Jesus had intended. So, when you see or hear someone say some wrong Christian idea, rebuke them! Go up to them and say, “I rebuke you!” and then take out your glove and slap their face. Why? Because not only is it fun to see their expression, but also it is our Duty.