Ex-FoxNews pundit Bill O’Reilly often made two highly arrogant and falsely
authoritative comments. First that he had done more for Christianity than anyone in the country,
and second that “Christianity is a Philosophy.”
Whether you like or hate either him or that network, neither of these is true, especially the latter.
Here’s why.
“Philosophy” is defined as theories held
by people as to understanding higher wisdom and truth. It is an attitude that once
attained gives enlightenment that others do not have that elevates one to a exalted
level of consciousness, wisdom or living.
“Religion” likewise is similar in that it is
also a system of not only beliefs and/or enlightenment, but even more so - personal efforts to
please a god or gods. As practiced around the world, exercise of a religion may strictly
honor a special diet, certain animals, idols, types of clothing, praying a certain way or
a certain number of times or in a particular direction, making sacrifices either of oneself
in denial or of an animal or performing a ritual. Like servants trying to win approval of
their master through various actions and works, they hope that by their good doing to earn
their way into a state of acceptance or perfection to please a higher power.
Christianity on the other hand is neither a philosophy
nor a religion. It is not a system of works based on do’s and dont’s.
The Bible story in a nutshell is of humans falling way and becoming separated from the
creator through sin, wondering away from God, and God reaching out in love to his lost sheep,
forgiving them of their sins, and bringing them back to a close and personal relationship to Him.
Now if you’ve read this far, you might scoff at this, and this is understandable because
you may have experienced seeing “Christians” strictly following or advocating dictates
like no dancing, drinking, smoking and so forth, laying guilt and/or condemnation on others,
or seemingly practicing rituals (e.g. Sunday church, Easter, Christmas, etc.) or other such things.
But these things are not what constitute, what the famous author C.S. Lewis called
“Mere Christianity” when he wrote, “ You cannot make men good by law.”
That is, it is not what we do (or don’t do) that brings us into relationship with Him,
but letting the Saviour FIND you, FORGIVE you, and FELLOWSHIP with you and become a FRIEND of God!
So how do you do that? The Bible says,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
John 1:9
(and)
“If you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart
that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Romans 10:9
As Paul wrote in Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him:
for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him.”
Christianity is NOT a “Philosophy!” Christ
wants a RELATIONSHIP with YOU. Will you seek him today?
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