Machen Chapter 7

     This week talks about something that I think about often. As a brotherhood in Christ, it is something that is often misperceived. There is difference to how the world perceives Christian brotherhood and how Christians should look at it. There is a deeper level when the body of Christ and the Holy Spirit are involved. It is a game changer. We are redeemed through and by Christ, whereas those who do not believe in God are not. Since there is that difference, we cannot just say we are all one brotherhood. That is a life defining feature, one that separates us. That does not mean that we do not love them, or hate them, but we have an obligation to our brothers and sisters in Christ within the church that we do not have towards them. On the other hand, we have an obligation to spread the Gospel to those who do not believe.

    An important thing that often gets misconstrued with brotherhood and the body of Christ is that we should just accept people’s sins within the church. We should let them do what they want if it makes them happy. That is so wrong and deceiving to those who believe in Christ and even to those who do not. That portrays God in a false way and leads us as Christians to a life filled with sin. Machen mentions the Golden Rule. That is something that is often used by liberals to ignore sins by other Christians. It is a plague that is going to keep hurting the church until we understand what the church is truly supposed to be.

    Within this falsity, the church is dishonoring the Lord. On page 135 Machen says, “The church of today has been unfaithful to her Lord by admitting great companies of non-Christian persons, not only into her membership, but into her teaching agencies. You can look around to the mega churches of the world and see some LGBTQ pastors and other teachers who are engulfed in their sins. I nor Machen are saying that pastors are perfect, but that does not mean that a true pastor would be lovingly accepted and wanting to be living in their sins. It is something that is being affirmed by certain churches and many Christians. It is a sad truth right now, and only the actual truth will bring light to this issue. Machen presents two questions on page 138, that are both longer but the basic gist of them is do you believe completely in everything within the Bible. If so, then you may be a pastor. If there is something that you do not believe in, then you might want to reconsider where and what you are teaching, because you are not qualified.

    I hope that this can be seen by people in the Church and that Christians step up to the plate. Our churches need to be stronger and more grounded in the Word of God. It is scary what liberal thinking is doing to the church, but God is greater, and we need not to worry.