A Richer Walk

Matthew 13:24–28a (KJV 1900)

24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares [poisonous weeds that look like wheat-rw] among the wheat, and went his way. 26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this.

Christianity-ism: “…negative unchristian religious practices expressed in the language of Christianity. The basis of Christianity-ism consists of making Christianity itself the object of faith rather than the expression of faith in God’s solution to man’s problem of human unrighteousness and God’s revealed wrath on mankind” [That answer being faith in Jesus Christ-rw] Christianity-ism in essence is a subtle form of idol-worship-the idol being institutional Christianity, and the form often being associated with racism”

Ellis, Carl E. Jr, Beyond Liberation, The Gospel in the Black American Experience, InterVarsity, 1983 p.199

“This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence — economic, political, even spiritual — is felt in every city, every State house, every office of the Federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society. [emphasis-rw]

In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.

We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes.”

Eisenhower Farewell Address to the Nation, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, January 17, 1961

An American Species of Christianity

There is a species of Christianity [Christianity-ism] which is designed to complement and enable the secular aspirations of America rather than to promote the interests of Christ. It ostensibly possesses a Christian Theology, but it is a camouflage. It resembles the church of Christ described in scripture but it is not. The exoteric doctrine of American Christianity-ism is theologically orthodox, however, its actual practices [orthopraxy] are based upon an esoteric theology that is based upon imperialism, white supremacy and secularism. Christianity is the idol which stands as the public symbol that hides this secret truth, only it’s not so secret anymore.

Therefore this blog is not about true Christians or the true church of Jesus Christ. This document is not aimed at the true believer who has actually believed upon Christ for the forgiveness of sin, was changed within as a consequence of spiritual conversion and is now experiencing a fallible but ever advancing growth into Christ’s image. This isn’t about you.

Christianity-ism is a large and widespread religion in America, but it is not all encompassing. God has promised that the gates of hell would not prevail against the true church, Christ is pledged to build His church and protect it. But this is not His church.

American Christianity-ism is not theological liberalism. It identifies with the reformation principles and is rightly understood, at least superficially, as a conservative theological system. However its theology is stored in documents and upon hard-drives, it does not inspire the priorities and aspirations of its apparent adherents, which are dictated by strictly earthly principles. These Christians plan to inherit the earth today and by any means necessary. The tares were not wheat, they only looked like wheat. Their true identity as tares was only revealed when they bore fruit.

Orthodoxy vs. Orthopraxy

Christianity-ism has a flexible theology. Because its doctrinal pronouncements are not doctrinal convictions, it is able to be conformed to the secular needs of the time. Many of the conservative scholars and pastors during the age of American slavery adhered to Christianity-ism and were the main justifiers of a system of slavery far worse than anything reported or allowed by scripture. If we were to disregard the scholarly production of men who were slave holders, slavery defenders or promoters of black inferiority, there would be very little of American biblical scholarship before 1950 that we could use. This is true even while these years represent some of the greatest production of quality theological literature. Christianity-ism was flexible enough that slavery defenders could go to church on Sunday, savagely rape and beat slaves on Monday and sign the Declaration of Independence on Thursday.

Throughout the 20th century and into the 21st, the conservative evangelicals and the fundamentalists have supported every military adventure of the United States, attacking the patriotism of anyone brave enough to question the wisdom of American involvement in these conflicts, branding them as “traitors to our boys overseas,” knowing full well that these people had sons also. This is one of the very developments that President Eisenhower warned against. So did President Kennedy.

Christianity-ism is a system which, because of its underlying beliefs, condones violence and bigotry while for the most part denying their effects upon people and the world. Christianity-ism promotes systematic injustice in the name of law and order, just so long that the injustice is applied according to a dual tiered system that works against minorities and foreigners. Although their political candidates market themselves as opposed to abortion, soon to be the last remaining major evangelical sin, everyone knows that this is simply cover for the true agenda of imperialism, white supremacy and secularism.

The Deity Behind the Idol of Christianity-ism

The American version of Christianity-ism would cease to exist if required to live by its stated doctrine rather than its actual practice. Christianity-ism operates on the basis of force rather than faith. Rather than adhering to the message of the scriptures which promote hard work, charity and faith, Christianity-ism prays with one eye open, watching over the loot of unjust wars and a carefully interlocked social system that guarantees racial privilege from cradle to grave.

Christianity-ism is a system that cannot afford to acknowledge but a limited number of sins, about which they make a lot of noise without holding either themselves or government, the actual Deity behind the idol, accountable for them. It is government that is the force behind imperial expansion, government that maintains and refines systems of social inequality and government that legislates and enforces secularism. Christianity-ism places its faith in government to deliver the Kingdom of God upon the earth.

The continued virulent support of President Trump by these Christians is one indicator that these accusations are in fact true. Having made his positions crystal clear on issues such as race/ethnicity, women, homosexuality, war for profit, and concern for the law of the land , it may be possible that these Christians are more behind him today [February 2017] than before he was elected. A real Christian might have voted for President Trump, but he is not exulting in praise to God over his choice.

What Is A Christian?

The bible teaches that the true Christian is spiritually transformed by the new birth. A real believer receives Christ’s nature and begins a process of spiritual growth in which he or she gradually becomes more like Christ. If they were a bigot before salvation, then afterwards they intentionally grow out of that attitude. A true Christian does not maintain a lifestyle of justifying and evangelizing injustice and related evils. A true believer can see injustice in their own home town and not only where the church is sending ministry teams.

It is the responsibility of true Christians to name Christianity-ism as evil and not allow its practitioners to hide themselves like tares in the midst of the true church. Christianity-ism obscures the gospel and causes Christ to look like the Enabler of evil. The servants of the landowner in Matthew 13 did not uproot the tares, but they did alert their master to them and the tares were identified as poisonous imitations planted by an enemy. Just as you would stand against any evil, the evil of Christianity-ism must be exposed and condemned, for the sake of our nation, and the name of Christ. God will not allow this kind of abomination to continue unchecked forever, let’s get ahead of this and save ourselves and our nation from divine judgment.

Matthew 13:24–28a (KJV 1900)

24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this.