Difference between revisions of "Cafeteria Christianity"

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Cafeteria Christianity is a non-scriptural colloquialism that refers to the practice of deciding for oneself which parts of the Bible to accept, as one might select certain foods in a cafeteria while rejecting others.^[1] This implies that the person is a Christian in name only and, while believing in a deity, does not adhere to scripture. Other terms include "salad-bar Christianity" and "cherry-picking Christianity." Cafeteria Christianity is an example of self-generated Christianity, i.e., "Christianity" developed to meet one's own demand profile.^[2] It is a form of confirmation bias.

This practice is particularly common in order to deny the existence of Hell and the necessity of faith for redemption. Matt. 7:1, "Judge not, that ye be not judged" is sometimes quoted out of context particularly often for this purpose. When read in context, this verse is part of a condemnation of hypocrisy, not judgment in general.^[3] Likewise, some selectively ignore passages which refute evolution, condemn abortion, make statements about the role of women that refute modern feminist dogmas, condemn homosexuality, adultery, and remarriage after an un-Biblical divorce, and conflict with other liberal views. Liberal Christians are also fond of citing Scripture selectively in order to rebuke only someone else's sins or to explain away the sins of liberal political allies.

However, cafeteria Christianity is not limited to the left side of the political spectrum; some conservative Christians are also fond of citing Scripture selectively in order to expose hypocrisy while explaining away the same issues in their own camp (such as criticizing the Catholic Church for covering up child molestation among its priests—arguing that the problem is due to the Church's prohibition against priests marrying—while ignoring similar cases involving married pastors or leaders within major Protestant churches or denominations). A notable example of "right-wing" cafeteria Christianity is the Westboro Baptist Church; their followers quote verses about God's judgment but ignore those about mercy.

If Christians do not take the entire Bible seriously, unbelievers may assume that they need not do so, either. Cafeteria Christians are often referred to as "carnal Christians". A cafeteria Christian can endanger the faith of others by spreading false doctrine as though it were genuine Christianity.^[4]

Bible teaching against cafeteria Christianity

Jesus said:

It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4 (KJV)

Note: "every word," not "some words." The counterargument of many cafeteria Christians is to assert, typically without evidence, that the word of the authors of certain parts of the Bible is not necessarily the word of God. However, absent evidence that a certain passage of the Bible is not God's Word (e.g., Paul's explicit statement that he is expressing a personal view), that counterargument is circular, as it assumes the propriety of cherry-picking the Bible in order to justify cherry-picking the Bible.

Few would argue, for example, with the statement: 'However, the bible cannot be interpreted literally, if this was the case then rebellious children would be killed: Deuteronomy 21:18-21. Or Jesus's word, "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple," Luke 14:26. Also, Women may not speak in church: Cor 14:33-36. The bible is not a collection of dogmatic and strict rules, it is a book where God reveals the true nature of Himself and a path of reconciliation with Him.^[5]

Serving in newness of spirit

Paul says,

Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.^[6]

Elsewhere Paul says:

You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.^[7]

Condemnation of carnality

Paul says in Romans 8:6-7:

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

See also

• Cafeteria Catholic
• Christian In Name Only
• Fast Food Christianity
• Fluffy bunny
• Liberal Christianity
• Situational ethics
• Casuistry
• Sophistry
• Specious reasoning
• Hypocrites
• Confirmation bias
• Schism
• Heresy
• Apostasy

References

1. ↑ "Cafeteria Christianity," from the Church of God - DFW
2. ↑ (2006) The Marketplace of Christianity. MIT Press. ISBN 9780262050821. 
3. ↑ Judging Others: A Closer Look at Matthew 7:1, from Crosswalk.com
4. ↑ How to Spot a Cafeteria Christian
5. ↑ http://www.conservapedia.com/Homosexuality
6. ↑ Romans 7:4=6
7. ↑ 2 Corinthians 3:2-6 (ESV)