Why is the true gospel so offensive to the world?

[Dave...]

Jesus said it would divide families. It was the reason He was nailed to the cross. Paul was beaten, flogged stoned and ran out of town, then killed. All for this same gospel.

Why was/is the true gospel so offensive to the world?

 

[Shinto]

Well, for the Roman's at least it was the case that their religion was intimately interwoven with their government. They thought that if someone rejected their religion then they were also prone to reject the laws and betray the empire. Jesus was a potential leader of a rebellion against the Romans. The Jewish Zealots would have embraced him if he was.

A lot of the persecution of heretics in the Middle Ages was on this basis. Heretics had a way of mobilizing the common folk against the lords and clergy. They were persecuted for political and commercial reasons because they were a threat to those interests.

I think in general the more religion is bound up in political and commercial interests, the more it is exploited and twisted, usually to the harm of honest believers.

 

[Dave...]

A lot of the persecution of heretics in the Middle Ages was on this basis. Heretics had a way of mobilizing the common folk against the lords and clergy. They were persecuted for political and commercial reasons because they were a threat to those interests.

They are doing a good job of that today also. But it's got to go beyond politics. Even when people understand the true Gospel, they are offended.

I think the true Gospel really strips a person down to nothing, hence, "deny self". This is probably one of the most offensive things for people to deal with. Even people who claim to be Christians today sneer at election, which is part of the gospel. What's left for them to boast about? Nothing. That's got to be a major stumbling block for a lot of people, no?

Dave

 

[Drew]

Even people who claim to be Christians today sneer at election, which is part of the gospel.

I do not want to derail this thread but, based on some past discussion we have had, I do not see "election" (at least as I understand this term) to be "part of gospel". It is, at best, a highly debatable doctrine. Is this essentially the issue that you discussed at:

http://www.christianforums.net/viewtopi ... sc&start=0

?

If so, interested readers can go there and judge the quality of argument on both sides of this matter.

 

[Loren Michael]

I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.

-M.K. Gandhi

sorry for being trite.

 

[Gary]

I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.

-M.K. Gandhi

... says a man who slept naked with two young girls in his bed
... says a man who rejected his own children because they wanted to marry and would not follow his example

:o

 

[Loren Michael]

I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.

-M.K. Gandhi

... says a man who slept naked with two young girls in his bed
... says a man who rejected his own children because they wanted to marry and would not follow his example

:o

yeah, i don't really like gandhi either. he also rejected the notion of giving his wife life-saving penicillin when she was dying of pneumonia.

that wasn't the point, though.

 

[Soma-Sight]

O great another Gandhi blast......

Jesus said it would divide families. It was the reason He was nailed to the cross. Paul was beaten, flogged stoned and ran out of town, then killed. All for this same gospel.

Why was/is the true gospel so offensive to the world?

The reason the Gospel offends so many is because it isnt preached in the Spirit of Love that it was intended for.....

Religious people tend to build walls and moats....

Not bridges and roads.....

 

[Drew]

The reason the Gospel offends so many is because it isnt preached in the Spirit of Love that it was intended for.....

There is definitely an element of truth in what you say. However, even if the gospel is preached in a loving manner, it will offend some because of the claims it makes about, and the demands it makes of, the hearer.

 

[Loren Michael]

The reason the Gospel offends so many is because it isnt preached in the Spirit of Love that it was intended for.....

There is definitely an element of truth in what you say. However, even if the gospel is preached in a loving manner, it will offend some because of the claims it makes about, and the demands it makes of, the hearer.

if demands are presented as such, then you are very correct. however, in following soma-sight's comment, if it's presented as a path, then you can fall into it naturally as you walk along it.

 

[Dave...]

Be careful of the "you don't have love" trap. While in some instances this can be true, for the most part weak minded Christians who are ashamed of the true Gospel use this as an excuse to avoid the truth and deceive themselves and others into a more comfortable place. This is the deception of the modern churches.

Would you guys agree that to try to rewrite the Gospel, which is no less than being ashamed of the Gospel, is a result of the offense of the true Gospel?

Dave

 

[Dave...]

if demands are presented as such, then you are very correct. however, in following soma-sight's comment, if it's presented as a path, then you can fall into it naturally as you walk along it.

Jesus offered a choice. A take it or leave it. Deny self, pick up your cross and follow Him, those that don't do this are not worthy of Him. It was meant to be a hard choice, one that seperates a person from being a lover of themself, that's why Jesus said...

Luke 14:28-30 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it--
Lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,

Luke 14:27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

How offensive is this offer? Many never do come to terms with it. They deceive themselves and create an idol out of half truths and their flesh put together. People will seek, and think they are saved, but fall short because they wouldn't deny self.

Luke 13:23-24 Then one said to Him, "Lord, are there few who are saved?" And He said to them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

Luke 14:33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.


Dave

 

[Vic C.]

O great another Gandhi blast......

The reason the Gospel offends so many is because it isnt preached in the Spirit of Love that it was intended for.....

Religious people tend to build walls and moats....

Not bridges and roads.....

I guess one blast deserves another, heh Soma? :-?

Anyways, The Gospel of John says you are wrong anyway...

John 1:5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 1:10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

 

[Soma-Sight]

I guess one blast deserves another, heh Soma?

Anyways, The Gospel of John says you are wrong anyway...

I think you forgot about the children vic.....

THEY know...

Matthew 11:25

At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

Matthew 19:13
[ The Little Children and Jesus ] Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

Matthew 19:14
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Mark 10:14
When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Luke 10:21
At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.



I agree that stingy fundamentalist adults do not recognize the Light of Love like a child can and DOES.....

 

[Dave...]

Soma, what does "children" mean?

 

[John the Baptist]

Jesus said it would divide families. It was the reason He was nailed to the cross. Paul was beaten, flogged stoned and ran out of town, then killed. All for this same gospel.

Why was/is the true gospel so offensive to the world?

*******
John here:
The Gospel is Eternal with an Eternal Covenant. They cannot be separated & are CONDITIONAL! And who wants Gods LAW?? See Daniel 7:25 And the world is at satans command Matthew 4:9-10. Christ tells us that His kingdom is not of this world. They are at war against each other. Yet, we need to see the way that it is! One uses all evil & force, while the Godhead could use none of this. GOD IS LOVE, He says: "IF YE LOVE ME KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS." And who in this world loves this command??? So a change must take place!!

No one can be saved & have eternal life (from this world) unless they are Born Again. Then and only then he or she has only the starting point to love Christ.

Now: Who desires to give up their will to God?? But few! :
So, the battle rages on, huh? Ephesians 6:12! Read Genesis 6:3 & Acts 9:5

But the battle is just about over. And most will be of the false worldy gospel because they 'desire' & 'freely have choosen' it. Genesis 4:7 Whatever!!