Most Christians are idolators

[Hitch]

How many times?

You mean you've sold all given the money to the poor and reverted back to wealth accumulation ?

 

[Adullam]

QUOTE=Hitch;598882]You mean you've sold all given the money to the poor and reverted back to wealth accumulation ?[/QUOTE]

A single man only has himself to care for. A family man must see to the needs of his wife and children.

Even a heathen cares for his own family.

A Christian shares what he has with others. His house is not just his own, but it is open to the brethren as well. So a disciple holds things in common not counting his things as only his own.

Act 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
Act 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
Act 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Act 2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

 

[persecuted]

I agree with the original post on this thread. I was watching Billy Graham one day and he being more "liberal of the world" than actual Christian tried to give this clever speech about how "racism is the biggest sin". Knowing that the word "racism" doesn't even appear in the bible but wanting to twist the bible towards present day liberalism he went on a rant saying racism was a form of idolatry as it was all about "worshipping" skin color. I laughed because I know that by the same measure Billy Graham and about a billion "good" modern day Christians are also idolaters. Why? Just look at all of the celebrations of "diversity" and "multiculturalism" that these people make. Just because they replaced white with "multi-color" doesn't make it any less of a form of celebrating skin color over God. Haven't been able to take Billy Graham seriously ever since.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

No idols are sacred to begin with. Now stop trying to circumvent the question and / or subtly trying entrapment, and answer my original question. Although I rather have the answer from the OP.

I'll even answer my own question by scripture. The answer is definitely, positively NO.

Let's look at a definition:

Allegiance: The loyalty that citizens owe to their country (or subjects to their sovereign)

What's the opposite of loyalty? Unfaithfulness.

Unfaithfulness in what? Unfaithfulness in believing (or supporting) what God has said:

I will make of thee a great nation

I think the issue going on here is that people are confusing allegiance with WORSHIP and the idea of the HEADSHIP. I give my allegiance to my wife, but I don't worship her. I'm sorry some people can't distinguish the two --- not my problem, but for those of us who support our country, don't make it into a problem. (Those who disagree are free to move out--- that's the greatness of the USA)

Those who disagree are free to express what they believe instead---that is the greatness of the USA.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

Sure we are aliens in this world....I believe that. I certainly don't view this world as my real home, and most all the Christians that I've met, don't either. Almost all Christians that I've met even view and describe death as "going home".

But nonetheless, while we are here, we are still to be obedient and "Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor."

I don't see the conflict between the two. As Tim PA pointed out, we also need to show our spouse our love and allegiance...this does not mean that we do not have God as our first love.

Yes, we are in this world, not of it. But, while we are in this world, we are to follow the laws and be loyal citizens of the nation that God put us in, for the rulers are His ministers. (It's helpful to remember that Paul was a citizen of none other than Rome.)

I'm not sure if Paul loved Rome or felt patriotic towards it...If I were put in a way-back machine and dumped there, I certainly wouldn't, but I would still be obedient to show fear and honor to it as long as I was there. But, I view America as having been blessed by God (though sadly we seem to be letting go of that blessing) and I do praise and thank God for allowing me to live here. For me, it's no chore to obey Romans 13:7, I can do so joyfully and that is a blessing from God.

When one looks at it this way, it's almost more of a slap to God to be unpatriotic, if one is living in a nation where one can so freely live out our faith and follow God's commands to preach the word and share the Gospel.

A slap in the face to God to be unpatriotic?
Do you have Scripture to back this up?
Or just your biased opinion?

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

The OP is based on the word "most" and that can never be answered accurately.
But people don't have any problems taking sides with issues such as patriotism.
It is neither here nor there.
As Christians, we are to put God first and all these other things become trivial.
I will not add to this unless someone answers my posts.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

A slap in the face to God to be unpatriotic?
Do you have Scripture to back this up?
Or just your biased opinion?

Whenever anyone suggests the connection between undying, faithful, unconditional patriotism to America and having the appropriate attitude toward God about being in America, I think of how a Christian would have related to the Roman Empire in the first and second centuries.

I don't believe I have to go beyond Romans 13 to show my gratitude to God for what I can and do enjoy in these United States. The United States is just like ancient Rome--there's a lot of good things right about it, but it hardly represents and defends the truths of God. Even our enemies who don't know God can see that. Like the pagan nations around Israel, many of the nations of the world outside of us are virtuous compared to us and what we allow in our country. Prove me wrong if anyone doesn't agree with me. And you can start with Miley Cyrus.

 

[Edward]

I have seen some turn the bible into an idol and worship it more than the Lord. The way they do this is to take certain scriptures they like and hold them up above all others and build their doctrine around it. We are to take the bible as a whole and consider every single verse, using it as a guide to God and then to relationship with God and worship Him, not the bible.

Idolism comes from degrees. Following the law of the land or even being patriotic is not idolism, unless ones goes overboard with it. Righteousness indignation can be a dangerous thing if not kept in check. You can render unto Ceaser what is Ceaser's without being of the world or embracing it. You can be patriotic without fighting the Government. You can love your wife without worshiping her. You can even have a good relationship with Christ without fighting the world about absolutely everything. Degrees, brothers and sisters.

 

[iLOVE]

Imho I truly believe that Christians should not separate the tares from the wheat. The scripture says, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus". Philippians 1:6 NASB