Christian Chaos -
Christians in America are said in the Pew Reports to be the predominant group in religious America
To find this answer, you first must determine who the Christians are. In this attempt begins the confusion. There are Catholics, Baptists, Lutheran, Methodist, Assembly of God, Presbyterian, non-denominational and more,
I’m sure. Each of these denominations teaches a slightly different interpretation of Christianity. Each has different rules, different settings, different views but all are based on the same book - The Holy Bible.
So we move to the book which holds the history, journey and beliefs of Christianity. As I consider where mine is, it occurs to me that in my home alone, we have 5 different interpretations of this book. But Crosswalk.com gives you a variety (30+) of interpretations. Where this sounds confusing, many of these have the same stories written in different English translations. Most will be the same, so the confusion is more minimal. Good! So we have the guidelines… check!
Now as Christians, we have probably been raised in a Christian environment. I have explored 4 Christian denominations in my life but know others who have delved into more. Over my lifetime I finally realized the full involvement of Christian life when I read the Bible. I was well into adulthood by then. So, Christianity requires some sense of involvement, as do most religions. The question becomes, how many ‘Christians’ have read the book. Writing down the names of 10 of my closest ‘Christian’ friends, I have come up with 3 out of 10 who have read the Bible, cover to cover (myself not included).
So just over 30% of Christians, I could speculate, have read the Bible and know the rights and wrongs, dos and don’ts of our cultural religion - 30%.
To summarize; we have many religions who believe many different things, and read many different Bible translations, if we have read the Bible at all. Could the confusion be any more notable than this?
Actually, yes! Throw in the pedophilia shuffle, the deafening silence when prayer was taken out of our school systems and the gluttonous, covetous behavior of our beloved Christ’s birthday celebration…. It radiates confusion, apathy and a sense of urgency that, in my opinion has shamed the name of Christianity. WWJD? What will YOU do? I call upon Christians, not free of sin but free to serve; not with ability but with availability. Those like many of us who want to do more but don’t know where to turn - there is a place for you. Pray,
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