Tis the season

[Evangelical]

Originally Posted by Igzy

You were okay up to this point. But, as is your tendency, you made a specious leap of logic.

Christianity is simply the set of teachings which correspond to the biblical truth of the true God. It is not a separate belief system. It is simply the faith put into words. Your leap is invalid. You almost seem to enjoy making this kind of ridiculous fork, either because you think it makes you look smart or because you are testing whether people can see how dumb it is. Anyway, it's terrible thinking.

And, of course, since you made a gross error in logic, the rest of your post beginning with the above is rank blah blah. Which also is typical of your writings. You go well for a little while and then you run the car right through the fence and over the cliff. The resulting wreck is usually spectacular and often entertaining. Like one of those movies where a car flies off a mountain and explodes midair without even hitting anything.

God hates Christianity according to countmeworthy when they said:
"Christianity is a religion and don't forget God hates religion."

God hates religion because it is an idol. What's your definition of an idol then? Is not an idol anything that replaces God?

Religion is an idol whenever we feel that God approves of us for what we do or believe rather than for whom we trust in.

[Cal]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

God hates Christianity according to countmeworthy when they said:
"Christianity is a religion and don't forget God hates religion."

God hates religion because it is an idol. What's your definition of an idol then? Is not an idol anything that replaces God?

Religion is an idol whenever we feel that God approves of us for what we do or believe rather than for whom we trust in.

Yes, an idol is anything that replaces God. But as far as I know, no one worships Christianity.

Christianity is a broad term than includes the articles of the Christian faith and beliefs, the history of the Church, and the believers involved.

No one worships those things.

Yes, if you think something other than God saves you then that is idolatry. But revering the Christian faith, church and history is not worship.

Besides, that wasn't your point anyway. Your point was another cheap attempt to discredit "Christianity" which to you is anything other than the LCM.

BTW, by your logic LCM beliefs and Witness Lee's teachings can be viewed as religion as well. And judging by the way you fall all over yourself cheerleading and defending them, I'd say it's far more likely that you are guilty of religious idolatry.

Case in point: There is a whole crazy faction in China that basically worships Witness Lee. Haven't seen any that worship Billy Graham, Rick Warren or any other mainstream Christian. Just Lee. Why do you think that is?

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Igzy

Yes, an idol is anything that replaces God. But as far as I know, no one worships Christianity.

Besides, that wasn't your point anyway. Your point was another cheap attempt to discredit "Christianity" which to you is anything other than the LCM.

Call me old school, but this whole thing about labeling anything that "occupies your heart" or "replaces God" as an idol is just a machine gun in the hands of exclusive teachers like Lee. Years ago, due to this extremist teaching, an LC brother close to me felt that holding and kissing his newborn son could become an idol. Sounds a little out of control, don't you think? For Javertical to call all of Christianity an idol sounds to me like the howls of a deranged man.

That's why I like to stick to the scriptures, and what they say about idols:

Psalm 115.4-8: Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like to them; so is every one that trusts in them.

Revel 9.20: The rest of the people who survived these plagues did not repent from their evil actions or stop worshiping demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see, hear, or walk.

I think it's wise to use the scripture to interpret the scripture. The use of "idols" in this thread goes way beyond what is written. For Javertical to apply it to all Christianity is kind of like strapping on a vest bomb, you are just blowing yourself up along with others.

[Evangelical]

Originally Posted by Igzy

Yes, an idol is anything that replaces God. But as far as I know, no one worships Christianity.

You obviously are not familiar with the cult of TV evangelists. Don't think cult-worship only happens in China. There are primitive forms of idol worship there are also more sophisticated forms in the USA (tv evangelists enticing people through the idol of television).

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

You obviously are not familiar with the cult of TV evangelists. Don't think cult-worship only happens in China. There are primitive forms of idol worship there are also more sophisticated forms in the USA (tv evangelists enticing people through the idol of television).

So if a minister preaches the Gospel on TV, he is now part of a cult?

I just love the way you sling accusations around cyber space.

If TV is an idol, how much more computers. Perhaps you might want to consider your cyber ways.

[Evangelical]

Originally Posted by Ohio

So if a minister preaches the Gospel on TV, he is now part of a cult? I just love the way you sling accusations around cyber space. If TV is an idol, how much more computers. Perhaps you might want to consider your cyber ways.

TV evangelists have a cult following and people all too willing to give give give by being tricked into believing that God will bless them if they do.

[Cal]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

TV evangelists have a cult following and people all too willing to give give give by being tricked into believing that God will bless them if they do.

Is that anything like buy buy buy the ministry books?

[Evangelical]

Originally Posted by Igzy

Is that anything like buy buy buy the ministry books?

I suppose it is. But at least you get a book. When you give to TV preachers you get nothing expect a "promise" via the television of expected 1000-fold blessing. If you rub your hands on the television you can also feel the "Holy Spirit", it feels like electricity the preacher says. Actually it is static electricity.

[Ohio]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

TV evangelists have a cult following and people all too willing to give give give by being tricked into believing that God will bless them if they do.

So it is cultic to point out your similarity to the JW, but it's not cultic to call all those who watch TV evangelists a cult.

[countmeworthy]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

God hates Christianity according to countmeworthy when they said:
"Christianity is a religion and don't forget God hates religion."

God hates religion because it is an idol. What's your definition of an idol then? Is not an idol anything that replaces God?

Religion is an idol whenever we feel that God approves of us for what we do or believe rather than for whom we trust in.

I confess I cringe when I hear people say 'he or she or I converted to Christianity. NONE OF US converted our hearts to the religion of Christianity. We converted our hearts to Christ Jesus.

The problem we ex LCrs have Evangelical is that the LC/LSM has become a religion. And if you say and agree God hates religion then you have to arrive to the conclusion that while the LC / LSM does believe in the God of the bible, the GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, in JESUS CHRIST as Lord, Savior and King and His Cleansing Blood of all our sins, in the Life Giving, the Spirit of Truth and LOVE, Who is equal to the Father and the Word (the Son), the LC/LSM has become another denomination..

You might argue with me and all of us here. Just remember we were all there. Our experiences are different and yet the same. That doesn't mean we were not taught TRUTH under Lee, Nee and whoever shoulders they stood on. We are not arguing that.

What I notice and it's no different from many other denominations I have frequented is this attitude: The pastor said so. It must be true. Lee said so. It must be true.

Hmmm... tick-tock

[Evangelical]

Originally Posted by countmeworthy

I confess I cringe when I hear people say 'he or she or I converted to Christianity. NONE OF US converted our hearts to the religion of Christianity. We converted our hearts to Christ Jesus...

You left the LC but it is good that you still believe that God hates religion. This is obviously something God has revealed to you personally as He has with me. Others who have left the LC and rejected this truth probably saw it as just another Leeism and did not have the personal revelation. As you can see, a number of people have rejected that belief.