Difference between revisions of "Essay:Counter-cultural Christianity"

Revision as of 20:29, May 21, 2018

There are many examples in which Christians, at different times in history, have opposed anti-biblical cultural practices, and have often suffered, and even been martyred for it. Despite liberal claims that the western world has long had "Christianity" as its mainstream culture, there have been many un-biblical cultural practices that have been accepted in mainstream western society. Satan is the Prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2) even in cultures inspired by Christendom. Also, understand that not all world cultures are inspired by Christendom.

Examples

Bible

Prophets

Many of the prophets recorded in the Old Testament were persecuted for calling on Israel to follow God's commandments.

Jesus

During his life on Earth, Jesus staunchly opposed many anti-biblical practices that were going on in the land of Judea:

• Jesus gave very harsh words to the Pharisees who were corrupting Scripture such as: "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are." -Matthew 23:15

The Apostle Paul

Paul was one of the most significant authors of the New Testament. A Jew and a Roman Citizen, he once persecuted the Christians, but after repenting for his sins, became the most significant apostle of his time. Paul was imprisoned multiple times, and ultimately died in prison.

• Paul had many letters to churches who had compromised biblical truth to conform to the cultures around them (Ephesians, 1 and 2 Corinthians, etc.), a practice that churches are still falling into today.

The Reformation

• The Waldensians, Hussites, and early Protestants were all persecuted for diverging from Medieval Roman Catholic doctrines.

Martin Luther

Martin Luther was one of the most important leaders in Christian and German history. An Augustinian monk, priest, and professor of theology, he unintentionally launched the Protestant Reformation and founded the Lutheran Church.

• Luther was the first to break Roman Catholic unity on a large scale, ignoring the Great Schism. He was excommunicated for the 95 Theses he had written in 1517 as a direct challenge to Church practice. Furthermore, he had the backing of several German princes who resented the Italian domination of the Church.

• A tireless writer of tracts and hymns, Luther reshaped German religious culture by rejecting clerical celibacy and creating a new liturgy that emphasized congregational singing. His very popular hymns and his translation of the Bible into German helped to shape the German language.

Ulrich Zwingli

Ulrich Zwingli was the leader of the Protestant Reformation in Zürich, Switzerland and founder of Swiss Reformed Churches. Zwingli authored his 67 articles in response to abuses he found in the Catholic Church, and was a contemporary of Martin Luther.

• Zwingli spoke out against the common and popular practice of selling mercenary soldiers to foreign countries.

Biblical creationists

• Biblical creationists, such as Henry Morris, have faced much derision and opposition from both non-Christians and compromising Christians.