Those who follow my facebook are aware of my recent post on Anne Rice leaving Christianity or the Catholic Church that is…who knows. Anne Rice is a best-selling American author of gothic, erotic, and Christian-themed books.
The news article concerning Rice leaving Christianity may be somewhat misleading as Rice tries to explain that she isn’t giving up on Christ, but just the followers. It doesn’t come to much surprise from a Catholic with an “in and out” past. I must admit, I never followed her books and only listened a few times on radio stations or thru the news. The most troubling thing about her last post on facebook was just reading the comments from her fans. You had some not agree with her decision to ditch the followers of Christ, while others are praising her for her decision and go on to explain you don’t have to go to church to be a Christian…just do good things! My favorite comment of all is “Do what’s best for you, if it makes you feel good.” What they are commending is for someone to look deeper and deeper within themselves to gain inner experience of what is true and false. I would be interested in the outcome if that statement was given to Charles Manson or any other murderer outside of prison.
For those who do take the advice to “do what’s best for you, if it makes you feel good” is encouraging that person to further themselves from Christ. Christ tells us to stop looking to ourselves for answers! When we look to ourselves for truth, we are held captive to our own bondage. Christianity is quite simple…just sit, and receive His judgment and His grace. I love Mike Horton’s book, “Christless Christianity.” My Church had a study on this book and used his famous logo, “Don’t just do something…sit there!” This is a perfect way to explain how simple Christianity is. You don’t have to pile a list of “To Do” items, such as, not drinking or smoking, homeschooling kids, voting Republican, etc. Some of these items are from my own experience from my Mormon days as well as past experiences in churches I have witnessed or attended.
Why does there always have to be a “To Do List” to Christianity? It is rather simple to fall into this as the “Christian Way.” My first experience stepping inside a Christian Church was rather refreshing coming from a Mormon background. I just sat and listened to God’s Word being preached. For the very first time in my life, I was being feed His Word and didn’t have to do a thing but receive His grace. I am thankful that the very first Church was Christ-centered in their worship. Many churches use morals or politics to feed their congregants as this is new and relevant to our generation. As Christians, we need to look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
I couldn’t end this blog without recommending Mike Horton’s book, “Christless Christianity.” You can visit the website at www.christlesschristianity.org.
“Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!” (Isa. 6:5).
