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Why All the Negative Reaction to Christianity? On January 4, 2010 Brit Hume appeared on the O’Reilly Factor. For those that may not know, Brit Hume is a retired news anchor and still does analysis for Fox News. Bill O’Reilly has a show called the “No Spin Zone” on the same network. A few days earlier Hume made comments about Tiger Woods and his problems with infidelity in his marriage. Brit made the following statements: “Buddhism does not offer the kind of redemption that Christianity offers.” and that “Christianity offers redemption and forgiveness. Jesus Christ offers Tiger Woods something that Tiger Woods badly needs.” At that point O’Reilly asked what kind of response Brit had received. Some folks were ok with his comments but others were upset with his words. It is at this point that O’Reilly asked the following question; “What do you think drives the negative comments about Christianity?” To which Hume replies: “It has always been a puzzling thing to me. The Bible even speaks about it. You speak the name Jesus Christ and all [I don’t mean to make a pun] but all h*ll breaks lose.” Brit Hume’s paraphrase is probably in reference to John 15.19, “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” This made me think why are so many people will tolerate almost any other religion except Christianity? One cannot argue that Christianity is not under assault today. Part of the reason is stated in John 15.20, “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.” The Jews did not accept Jesus because He was not the kind of Messiah they wanted. They wanted a physical kingdom and therefore a physical king. In John 6 the multitude came to “take Him by force to make Him king” verse 15. If Jesus had started to build up an army so as to take back the Land of Canaan the Jewish leaders would have gladly accepted Him. However, the kingdom of Jesus is spiritual in nature. “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here” (John 18.36). Another reason they reacted violently to Jesus was because He condemned man made religions. If Jesus said they could hold to their traditions and at the same time follow Him, they would have accepted Him. Human traditions that contradicted or added to God’s word is condemned in Matthew 15.8-9, as Jesus said they made the law of God of no effect by their traditions, verse 6. Later on the Apostle Paul wrote, “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of this world, and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2.8, emphasis mine, D.T.). Remember in John 15.19 Jesus said they would be persecuted because they were not of this world; Paul says they are to not abide by the principles of this world. People like their religion to conform to them and not the other way around. When John the Baptist told Herod and Herodias they were living in sin they responded in a negative way. Herod had John put in prison and Herodias tricked Herod to beheading John, Mark 6. When one preaches the Gospel and condemns sin some people will get angry. Yet another reason many get upset with Christianity is because they can. Jesus told Peter to put away his sword as the crowd came to arrest Him, Matthew 26.52. Throughout the Book of Acts we see the preaching of the Gospel. It is through preaching man is convicted and converted. “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them… But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized” (Acts 8.4-5, 12). The warfare of the Christian is spiritual and not physical. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10.3-5). The same cannot be said about some other religions and doctrines. No one can doubt that humanist use deceit, lies, and intimidation so as to discourage people from preaching or listening to the Gospel. I am convinced that many in our country no longer see Christians as people that are convicted by the Bible but as simply ignorant fools. In the Middle East the predominant religion is Islam. In those countries preaching the Gospel is forbidden and may result in the death of the preacher and converts. Even in our own country we have witnessed a number of so called “Honor killings” where a child of Muslim parents are converted but then killed by those parents. Yet Christians are often portrayed as intolerant and Muslims as misunderstood. Brit Hume said he was somewhat baffled by the reaction of people to the name of Jesus but he should not be and neither should we. I agree with Brit in one area. Christianity offers what Tiger Woods needs and this is redemption and forgiveness. Jesus died on the cross so as to redeem mankind. “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1.7a). It is only through His blood can we receive forgiveness, Acts 22.16. No other religion has the blood of Christ since Jesus’ church is purchased with His blood. “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made your overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20.28) There is only one church and one body, Ephesians 4.4. There is only one avenue of salvation and that is through Jesus. This applies to Tiger Woods and the rest of us. Dennis Tucker
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