Madam: “Girl, you must not anyhow give your hand-phone number to a stranger”
Vxxxxxx: “It ok ma. He is an adult…. And a christian”
This was the reaction of a girl I met while learning how to build sandcastle today at East Coast beach. Apparently, there is a general perception among the public that Christians are nice people. Or rather, they should be nice. The following is a case study for considerations.
Crusades in Europe during 1095-1291 were initiated in the name of Christendom. Originally, the wars were meant to capture and, in subsequent wars, to recapture the Holy Land, which is the present day Jerusalem. However, instead of respecting the founder of their scared beliefs, the Christians apparently treated the Jews with hostility. For example:
‘On the way to Jerusalem, crusaders vented their wrath on victims close at hand. Jews in Rouen who refused baptism were murdered.’
[1]One may argue that bloodlust was common during the days of medieval days and that such actions are of ‘no big deal’. However, I would like to introduce the un-expectable case, the Muslims, in fact, treated the Jews humanely during their rein in the Holy Land! Thus, it speaks a lot about our ‘testimony’ as a Christian which we talked about today.
Even in today, Christians are not the best ‘breed’ of people walking on this planet. Instances where Christians and preachers committed major crimes are reported throughout the world. Also, there are cases where Christians abuse the name of their religion to achieve certain objectives. Such actions make Christians today no better than those in the past.
So, is Christian really that heavenly as most people stereotypically expects? No! Christians are human as well! They have the possibility to commit any mistakes as any one else! In fact, being a Christian is not about observing a set of dos and don’t!
In Paul’s writings to the Christian in Galatians, he emphasized that ‘all who rely on observing the law are under a curse’ (Galatians 3:10). Why? You may ask. It is because ‘Christ redeemed [them] from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for [them],…so that by faith [they] might receive the promise of the Spirit.’ (Galatians 3:10, 14) Thus, Christians were ‘no longer under the supervision of the [moral/spiritual] law’ mentioned earlier in the bible.
However, if that is the case, then why must Christians do good? To be a testimony? Surely not!
True Christians learn to do the ‘right thing’ because they have a perspective shift. They learn to do the right thing because of their disassociation to the wrong things because they were made righteous under grace!
Relating back to the opening, it is thus easy for anyone who considers themselves Christians to abuse this GRACE that comes so freely (writer is guilty as well). It is thus easier to misuse the name of Christianity to satisfy one’s own selfish agendas, although doing so might result in undesirable consequences. Limitations in human minds, however, do not allow one to consider the latter before doing so! Therefore, this MAY allow Christians to superficially believe that they will be easily forgiven for their crimes, increasing the likelihood of them committing mistakes morally.
Also, consider this: does one need any credential to call themselves Christian? No of cause! After all the mouth belong to individuals, where they have the rights to say anything they want, even as the ‘king of the world’. Therefore, saying that he/she is a Christian does not necessarily mean that they are one!
On top of that, it has been well established that going to church and doing all the godly things does not make one a Christian. One can never know if he/she is a real Christian except for God Himself. Hence, the only way to discern accurately if another person is a real Christian is when God tells you so (cannot rule out this possibility, since all things are possible in the supernatural realm).
In summary, any strangers who claimed to be a Christian do not necessarily meant that they can be trusted as they may not really be one. If they are, there is also likelihood that he/she may break that ‘credibility as a Christian’…. If there is anyway…..
Reference:
[1] Schmidt, Sager, Carney, Muller, Zanca, Jackson, Mayhill, Burke (2005). Patterns of Religion, Second Edition. Pg 318.
Additional readings:
Jonathan Elukin. Christians and Jews in Medieval Europe: A New Synthesis. Trinity College-Hartford Connecticut, Department of History. Retrieved on 3rd November 2007 from
http://www.trincoll.edu/comm/facresearch/pplelukin.html
My little brother, ops, I mean younger brother, has just turned 15! So decided to give him the highlight today!
And Austin has a unique preference for his clothing combinations - uni-colour... Heres's some example:
Blue & blue
Yellow & yellow
He is the one who brings colours to the family, without him at home, the house is so quiet....
Some of us had to come early to prepare the sand!
And our end result....
Anyway, we truly make a great team, and this group is indeed one of the best groups which I have been in so far..
Heres are some of our photos taken during the practicals, will miss the days:
Oh ya, forget to mention: She's the 'horse rider' who rides me around occasionally.. Very attention seeking riding in campus- everyone looking at you, but fun.. By the way, she is considered my 'Mon-Wed only' friend because I can only reach her only on these days for the 1st few weeks I know her.. Hmm.. Wonder where was she rotting on other days... (Lets hope she don't read this.. If not, Please visit my funeral!) 
