a purer conversation...

Dumbing Christianity

It doesn't require a long and hard look to realize that Christianity, in comparison to its original setting, has been greatly dumbed down. This has become particularly evident in the 20th and 21st centuries. Biblical illiteracy is rampant (I myself am guilty of this) and the active pursuit of practical holiness is regularly brushed off by the thought, "Christ made us as holy as we need to be on the Cross." While this is true, as Colossians 2:9-15 explains, believers are still called to actively pursue living a holy life, that is, a life pleasing to God. There needs to be a balance, indeed, a balance that is often difficult to find. That is not, though, the purpose of this post.

Rather, the purpose of this post is to point towards one who is in a pursuit of holiness . . . practical, living holiness. He is not perfect, still human, and human like you and me, no doubt, but he pursues knowledge and wisdom in Christ. He teaches his students, in effect, to walk away from ignorance and instead learn with diligence the Word of God. In humility he would not stand up and point to himself as a model, so this post will point us to him instead. Dr. Ishwaran Mudliar is a man of faith, grace, and vigor. Hear a recent message of his here, listen to the heart of his message.

The message discusses true ministry vs false ministry and is centered on Malachi 2:1-9. Pastors, it is a wise warning for us to heed.

Thank God for men who stand out as an example, men who lead us away from the Dumbing Down of Christianity, yet lead us towards a pursuit of righteousness before God. It helps us to see mature believers, it helps us to see many of the Pauline commands fleshed out in practical life. I'm not "blowing wind up his skirt" as my father often says, just pointing out a good model for younger pastors and believers.

posted by Bryan Laramore @ 10:01 PM