Is Christianity a culture?

[jasonc]

In my area which is a depressed area where blue collar jobs are far and in between I see many that have not much, but yet give to help others. Look at the women who gave her last in scripture. God honored her more than those who had much, but gave so little. God doesn't always lead one to give to another as many that are poor and help others have never even heard the Gospel preached to them for they refuse to hear, but they share the little they do have. We had to close the doors of the last Church I attended for lack of funds as we rented a place and could not afford the rent or utilities anymore. Does that mean God abandoned us in our hour of need, no, we started a small house Bible study lead by our Pastor, but unfortunately with him having to go back to work and with others work schedules we ended the Bible study, but we still help those in need.

I understand what you are saying but here, the wealthy that could give wont and in America its a crime in a lot of areas to be homeless.

 

[YosefHayim]

It is a manifestation, and a body free from condemnation.

 

[for_his_glory]

I understand what you are saying but here, the wealthy that could give wont and in America its a crime in a lot of areas to be homeless.

Pretty much the same here to. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Some people are homeless by choice and some are homeless by circumstances and those are the ones who need our help. Many that are homeless that are looking for jobs need an address in order to even obtain one, but how can you have an address if you are living on the streets. My husband and I were involved a few years back with the local prison ministry and those who truly gave their lives to the Lord we would provide living arrangements in our own home in order for them to have an address to parole to and then we would help them find jobs. If more Christians would just get out of their comfort zones of giving and give themselves to help others this world would be such a better place for those who are in need of help.

 

[jasonc]

Pretty much the same here to. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Some people are homeless by choice and some are homeless by circumstances and those are the ones who need our help. Many that are homeless that are looking for jobs need an address in order to even obtain one, but how can you have an address if you are living on the streets. My husband and I were involved a few years back with the local prison ministry and those who truly gave their lives to the Lord we would provide living arrangements in our own home in order for them to have an address to parole to and then we would help them find jobs. If more Christians would just get out of their comfort zones of giving and give themselves to help others this world would be such a better place for those who are in need of help.

it would be that case here. we have billionaires. three of them that I know of. Christians that make min wage? working the 30k a year all can do something but its not a lot. yes god can use it all but if the billionaires were to give...

 

[Edward]

it would be that case here. we have billionaires. three of them that I know of. Christians that make min wage? working the 30k a year all can do something but its not a lot. yes god can use it all but if the billionaires were to give...

That's true, if the billionaires would help out, no one would be homeless and we'd need no welfare system. The thing is though, is that us bottom of the barrel Christians making 30K per year or whatever would give anyway, it would still make a difference, perhaps even more of a difference than if the billionaires gave. (Remember the little old poor woman who gave two cents in scripture, and was said to have given more than the others who gave more?). Yeah, it's like that.

It's not whether or not we can afford to help, it's whether or not that we realize that...freely we have been given, so we should freely give. We can't afford not to give! Us, in the body must help regardless of our own personal circumstances, and do it with cheerful heart and in total faith that we will be ok. The Lord takes care of His own. We are to take care of our own.

Somewhere...(In Psalms?) it says that helping the poor is like loaning money unto the Lord. We KNOW that the Lord will repay. SO don't be afraid to give to help the poor.

There's a member on this board which shall remain nameless, that gave away his rent money. He was already a little behind and if he didn't pay within like two more days I think it was, that a lot of extra fees would kick in. The Lord blessed him with work or money, I forget. But he had the money to make the payment on time before the extra late fees would be assessed, and then the Lord impressed upon him to give it all to a brother who needed help. His wife said no way, we pay our rent. Our brother listened to the Lord instead of his wife... and gave the money away that he had just received.

The very next morning, he received a windfall of income. He was able to help his brother in Christ, obey the Lord, and make his payment on time after all. I totally believe this brothers testimony of this. This is how the Lord works. He wants to see our faith in Him unto the end no matter the circumstance. And he will continue to take care of us too. This has been my experience.

 

[jasonc]

That's true, if the billionaires would help out, no one would be homeless and we'd need no welfare system. The thing is though, is that us bottom of the barrel Christians making 30K per year or whatever would give anyway, it would still make a difference, perhaps even more of a difference than if the billionaires gave. (Remember the little old poor woman who gave two cents in scripture, and was said to have given more than the others who gave more?). Yeah, it's like that.

It's not whether or not we can afford to help, it's whether or not that we realize that...freely we have been given, so we should freely give. We can't afford not to give! Us, in the body must help regardless of our own personal circumstances, and do it with cheerful heart and in total faith that we will be ok. The Lord takes care of His own. We are to take care of our own.

Somewhere...(In Psalms?) it says that helping the poor is like loaning money unto the Lord. We KNOW that the Lord will repay. SO don't be afraid to give to help the poor.

There's a member on this board which shall remain nameless, that gave away his rent money. He was already a little behind and if he didn't pay within like two more days I think it was, that a lot of extra fees would kick in. The Lord blessed him with work or money, I forget. But he had the money to make the payment on time before the extra late fees would be assessed, and then the Lord impressed upon him to give it all to a brother who needed help. His wife said no way, we pay our rent. Our brother listened to the Lord instead of his wife... and gave the money away that he had just received.

The very next morning, he received a windfall of income. He was able to help his brother in Christ, obey the Lord, and make his payment on time after all. I totally believe this brothers testimony of this. This is how the Lord works. He wants to see our faith in Him unto the end no matter the circumstance. And he will continue to take care of us too. This has been my experience.

the widow was spoken of because she gave from her heart. reality is that the poor will NOT go away. jesus did said that. the poor ye shall have with YOU ALWAYS, BUT NOT ME.

MY POINT was that if those that are saved were rich and not caught into that level of prosperity as a billionaire they could bless a lot. some do but its not that common. remember just because one is saved doesn't mean he will tithe or give. seen it and been guilty of it. it also means just because one gives the church might squander it. seen that in part.

 

[Edward]

the widow was spoken of because she gave from her heart. reality is that the poor will NOT go away. jesus did said that. the poor ye shall have with YOU ALWAYS, BUT NOT ME.

MY POINT was that if those that are saved were rich and not caught into that level of prosperity as a billionaire they could bless a lot. some do but its not that common. remember just because one is saved doesn't mean he will tithe or give. seen it and been guilty of it. it also means just because one gives the church might squander it. seen that in part.

Sure. I've seen it and am guilty of it too. But I'm learning better as time goes on. That the church might squander it is one of the biggest rationalizations that people use. My wife used that one all the time. The way around it? Give to the poor directly, on the street. Oh yeah, he might use it to get drunk on instead of buy food and essentials. So what. It's our responsibility to help. Once we give, then it is between them and God if they misuse it. Once we realize that, then we can feel better about giving it to the Church again.

 

[for_his_glory]

I always did like the idea of the original when Church had nothing to do with State as the Disciples went from town to town and established Gods true Church by teaching the people and then those who were taught were anointed from God to continue in their town and the assembly grew strong. Yes, there was persecution and many of the meetings had to be hidden from the eyes of the Government, but they were true worshipers of God in all love and humility towards each other. A family (not blood relatives) needs to help it's family so that the assembly can grow even stronger in faith which is Christ Jesus.

 

[jasonc]

I always did like the idea of the original when Church had nothing to do with State as the Disciples went from town to town and established Gods true Church by teaching the people and then those who were taught were anointed from God to continue in their town and the assembly grew strong. Yes, there was persecution and many of the meetings had to be hidden from the eyes of the Government, but they were true worshipers of God in all love and humility towards each other. A family (not blood relatives) needs to help it's family so that the assembly can grow even stronger in faith which is Christ Jesus.

I prefer minimal as possible state interference however most churches here for some reason own land and rent homes. or also day care. I understand also schools. some of that has to be looked over. I know when I worked as a janitor per state law I had to be fingerprinted. not a big deal for me. I have no record and it didn't cost me

 

[LoveOnDisplayNetwork]

I think if you look at the first time the term Christians was used it was defining the disciples as being like Christ. Their ways, their lifestyle, their speech. I would call that a culture. Today's usage of Christians which is vastly different would probably fall under a sub culture.

 

[for_his_glory]

I prefer minimal as possible state interference however most churches here for some reason own land and rent homes. or also day care. I understand also schools. some of that has to be looked over. I know when I worked as a janitor per state law I had to be fingerprinted. not a big deal for me. I have no record and it didn't cost me

Matthew 22:21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

Kinda says it all!!!

 

[jasonc]

Matthew 22:21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

Kinda says it all!!!

so a church shouldn't have to pay electric bills to the government owned electric munis? what about building codes? fire codes?

 

[for_his_glory]

so a church shouldn't have to pay electric bills to the government owned electric munis? what about building codes? fire codes?

where did I say that, I said give to the government what they are due and to God what He is due. It's only natural that a Church pays utilities and taxes especially if they own the property and if renting they have to pay the utilities, but not property taxes.

 

[jasonc]

where did I say that, I said give to the government what they are due and to God what He is due. It's only natural that a Church pays utilities and taxes especially if they own the property and if renting they have to pay the utilities, but not property taxes.

so when I rented and if I had kids. the government by that fact I didn't really pay property taxes shouldn't allow my child to school? you pay the land owner but he charges you for the place for its ad valorem. if Im going to rent my home at the least I will collect the payment I must make. why would I rent my home as low as some house that is 60 or more years old and at the same rate when the owners don't pay on those and collect what market?

you said that by implication. the irs thing which they worded it don't like but since churches do have maintance men full time. I have seen them on the catholic church as they have a school. must then pay the irs. so what is the problem with the irs law outside of the tax exemption that you don't like? churches here do have full time staff that teach kids in their schools.

 

[for_his_glory]

I have no problem with a Church or Church school having to pay utilities and taxes or even having a paid staff. That is why Jesus said render unto Caesar what is due him. Christianity as a culture can only be in the sense of a Spiritual culture meaning that of having the mindset of Christ following His doctrines, rules of obedience and submissiveness and most importantly having that Spiritual rebirth. Willie T said Christianity is not a religion, but a belief. Beliefs that veer off from what the original was (Christ) then it becomes a culture of a socially acceptable practice of man made conduct of codes and practices, rules and regulations that become governed not only by the church, but the government also.

 

[jasonc]

I have no problem with a Church or Church school having to pay utilities and taxes or even having a paid staff. That is why Jesus said render unto Caesar what is due him. Christianity as a culture can only be in the sense of a Spiritual culture meaning that of having the mindset of Christ following His doctrines, rules of obedience and submissiveness and most importantly having that Spiritual rebirth. Willie T said Christianity is not a religion, but a belief. Beliefs that veer off from what the original was (Christ) then it becomes a culture of a socially acceptable practice of man made conduct of codes and practices, rules and regulations that become governed not only by the church, but the government also.

well it will if lived out become a social code. what on earth is the commands by paul toward Corinth and also Jesus' statements about removing a sinner from the body all about? the jews had and have what is called beth din. the romans didn't marry people the church did and others.

 

[for_his_glory]

well it will if lived out become a social code. what on earth is the commands by paul toward Corinth and also Jesus' statements about removing a sinner from the body all about? the jews had and have what is called beth din. the romans didn't marry people the church did and others.

Sorry Jason, not sure what you are talking about here and what is beth din as I never heard of that.

 

[jasonc]

Sorry Jason, not sure what you are talking about here and what is beth din as I never heard of that.

beth din is the jewish idea of a religious court that decides on suits and disputes and divorces in the jewish community. jews everwhere to include the united states do this. there are beth din centers in Miami, New York. Chicago.
pauls statements to the church about not being concerned about what the world does as far as legal matters is similar. in that he would tell Christian not to sue each other in the roman legal system and also to take problems to each other and for the church to settle matter internaly. its not a coicidience that he did that.

 

[for_his_glory]

beth din is the jewish idea of a religious court that decides on suits and disputes and divorces in the jewish community. jews everwhere to include the united states do this. there are beth din centers in Miami, New York. Chicago.
pauls statements to the church about not being concerned about what the world does as far as legal matters is similar. in that he would tell Christian not to sue each other in the roman legal system and also to take problems to each other and for the church to settle matter internaly. its not a coicidience that he did that.

God in His spoken word has given us instruction in prayers and blessings, love and brotherhood, the poor and unfortunate, treatment of the Gentiles, Marriage, divorce and family, forbidden sexual relations, business practices, employees and servants, vows, oaths, swearing, Court and Judicial procedures, injuries and damages, property and property rights, Criminal laws, prophecy, idolatry and all its practices. It's when a Church allows itself to get involved with, as you said a Roman legal system, then the Church is no longer governed by that of Gods established government, but of mans government rules and regulations.

 

[jasonc]

God in His spoken word has given us instruction in prayers and blessings, love and brotherhood, the poor and unfortunate, treatment of the Gentiles, Marriage, divorce and family, forbidden sexual relations, business practices, employees and servants, vows, oaths, swearing, Court and Judicial procedures, injuries and damages, property and property rights, Criminal laws, prophecy, idolatry and all its practices. It's when a Church allows itself to get involved with, as you said a Roman legal system, then the Church is no longer governed by that of Gods established government, but of mans government rules and regulations.

ok so when we go to work. we set aside our values? ie the world says lie. so we aren't in the church, we lie? I know don't mean that but if in say isreal. the church that is allowed to marry and divorce wont then what? there are functions that are to be found in romans 13 that our government was based upon. ie the church did its thing, the government had a role of containing evil. surely you don't suggest that the church execute evil. im not sure how are the jews go with beth din. but somethings cant be based on the church doing it. the problem with beth din and sharia and our version is mass confusion and classes of laws that will shred any society/nation.