Last Sunday the subject of Christian Hedonism and a book by John Piper came up. Actually our bible study class has selected this for their next study, and when I saw the title "Desiring God" I was excited about what we would learn. Then I saw what it was about...excuse me while I scream...why for a moment do our churches think that if we take a sin (hedonism) and attach the word "Christian" to it that it suddenly becomes okay?
I guess under that guise, we have seen so many attrocities...All in the "name of Christ".
Not really sure of what they were getting at (for I confess I had not opened my book to do my daily studies), I listened to these people try to put pieces together to justify putting their personal Happiness as the primary reason to worship God.
SO, once I got home I looked up the words
Christian: 1 a : one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ b (1) : disciple
Hedonism: 1 : the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the sole or chief good in life
2 : a way of life based on or suggesting the principles of hedonism
Based solely on the definitions, placing them together is an oxymoron. They cannot co-exist. You either put God first or yourself first...right? How can I put my happiness before God and still say it is well with my soul?
Jesus said to take up your cross and follow me...he did not add in "If it makes you happy". I could not think of one example of when MY LORD put himself and his fleshly desire above the will of the Father. I cannot find one example of the apostles teaching that my happiness should be the sole purpose to worship God.
Again, I will go to church, express my thoughts on this, and leave the class if they choose to study it. I will take a book for my to study while they entrench themselves in sinful teaching. Lord, give me the words that I should not dishonor you! Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment