As subjects of the Kingdom, we are stationed in the world, and expected to represent the King to the world. In doing this, many of us choose to utilize social media–the most common of which is facebook. I find facebook very useful, but I also see dangers. One of those is being uncritical.
The word “critical” doesn’t sound good. It sounds negative–even mean spirited. Perhaps that is why so many fail to apply critical judgment. But that connotation is not the actual meaning of the word. To be critical is to apply sound judgment in questioning the truth and logic of what is being presented. Jesus was critical when he rejected the falsehoods and faulty logic of the Pharisees and Sadducee. Paul was critical when he shared the gospel with those who believed he couldn’t be right because his version of the gospel allowed for Gentiles to enter the Kingdom.
We need to be critical.
Let me illustrate with a few examples of assertions I have seen this week on facebook, either posted or reposted by Christians.
1. Christian love requires acceptance of peoples’ lifestyle. Yet Jesus, the embodiment of Christian love, accepted everyone, but openly condemned any behavior presented as sin in scripture. If we accept the false statement, we encourage and enable sin and self-destruction.
2. It is possible to be a Christian (i.e. “saved”) without being a disciple or following Jesus. Where is this in scripture? “Christian” is synonymous with “disciple” in scripture. One cannot be “Christian” without following Christ. If we accept this watered-down version of faith, we encourage people who have not responded to Jesus as he commanded to believe they have–and that they can continue to live as part of the world while claiming to follow Jesus.
3. All of the Apostles died for their faith. The historical support for this is virtually non-existent, not only in scripture, but in history. Scripture makes it clear God isn’t interested in our death, but our life (Romans 12:1-2).
4. And of course, in this period of political debate: America is a Christian country. Despite the obvious teaching in both the New and Old Testament regarding the foundation of the U.S., many persist in this falsehood. Consider: Most of the “founding fathers” were deists, not Christians–rejecting the authority of Christ in their lives. The country was founded with an assumption that slavery, genocide and greed were acceptable or even good. Not to mention the clear teaching in scripture that rebellion is sin. The continued confusion regarding America has encouraged generations to follow American civil religion instead of Christ.
Why is it important to be “critical” and understand these things? If we don’t, we undermine the one thing Jesus put us here for–to represent him to this world.
