Charismatic True?

Dear Victorious,

I read your post yesterday on true religions and you don't seem to address charismatic Christianity. Where do the charismatics fall in the realm of true religions?

Mary Lynn - Boulder, CO

Dear Mary Lynn,

I didn't comment on charismatics because I don't consider them a religion. There can be more charismatic sects of just about any Christian religion. For that matter, I'm guessing you could have charismatic sects of other religions too! The Bible doesn't specifically address charismatics any more than it does Methodists or Baptists. So just like a religion, we shouldn't view the style of worship as being any more representative of the truth. It is not.

Ironically, the Bible is replete with examples of worship that would definitely be considered as charismatic in today's modern culture. Speaking in tongues, performing miracles of healing, spirited singing and dancing are all Biblical. The New Testament church was full of such things. Even in the Old Testament, there are several examples that point to what we might consider charismatic behavior. (King David, for example, was chastised for "acting foolish" in his worship.)

But here's the thing about charismatic worship. It must be Spirit-led. If it isn't ... it is not true.

True Religion

Dear Victorious,

Of all the world's religions, which one do you think is the most true?

Marty Z. - Chester, WV

Dear Marty,

I assume by the way you've asked the question that you've concluded that none of them are totally true. So which are the most true? Quite honestly, I haven't found any religion that I think has a corner on truth.

I'm personally more able to favor the more open Protestant religions that aren't steeped in liturgy and symbolism. In my mind, those would include Southern Baptist, Church of God and so forth.

I like Episcopal, Methodist and Presbyterian too, but am reluctant to recommend them. I believe their liturgy and symbolism are too confusing to people. In other words, people get caught up in the liturgy or the ceremony and symbolism --- at the expense of the actual truth and a real relationship with God. Like the Catholics, religions with robes, candles and lots of religious words and ceremonies can easily find their followers outsourcing their relationship with Christ to the man (or woman) in the pulpit. This is clearly wrong.

There may be some merit in some of the more contemporary non-denominational churches that are Bible-based. The issue I have with them is that they are frequently led by pastors who aren't submitted to anyone or under the authority of anyone. This is clearly wrong.

Ultimately, religion is not what we should focus on. God's Word says we are to get into communities of other believers (churches) and yet we are to test everything that we're taught there (against His Word). Anyone who is a true Christ-follower must, in my mind, read his or her Bible and educate themselves. Then you participate in the community of believers that you are most comfortable with and which best represents your understanding of the truth.

Porn Addiction

Dear Victorious,

Do you really believe there can be such a thing as an addiction to pornography? Aren't addictions really biological and chemical-based?

Doubting Thomas

Dear Doubting,

You could research the definition of addiction and find controversy. There are multiple views about what addiction is. Quite honestly, I'm not a professional - so I am not even qualified to wade into that debate. However, I see basic human behaviors and I think that God reveals some truth to me about those behaviors. (Some of them have been my own!)

In our society, we get conditioned by the things we are exposed to. Things we think are wrong will not seem so wrong if we are continually exposed to them. Such is the case with pornography. It starts out subtle, and then creeps up on us and becomes hard core without our ever really realizing it. Lines we thought we wouldn't cross seem to disappear.

At the same time, we tend to believe lies. In other words, things that aren't true become real in our minds. Even if we know intellectually that they aren't true, we somehow find the emotional desire to want them to be true. Such is the case with pornography. It makes a promise - which of course it never, ever delivers on. And yet we want - for whatever reason - to believe that it will.

You might consider the fact that these two phenomenon aren't limited to pornography. They're characteristic of many things in our culture, our society and our lives that get an inappropriate role in our lives. TV shows, shopping, Internet, video games, gambling and other vices all behave the same way. A little gambling won't hurt anyone. Shopping just makes me feel better. And of course none of these things are biological or chemical-based.

I don't know if they are true addictions are not. But then maybe true addictions that are chemical based should be treated as if they are as bad as they really are - and for the liars that they really are.

Wife's Affair

Dear Victorious,

I have been married for 13 years. We met in college and I knew she was the one for me. I've always been faithful and always loved her. I found out last year that she had an affair behind my back when I was in the service about four years ago. She of course apologized, says she loves me and wants us "to have a good marriage." I have tried, but I just cannot seem to get past what she has done to me. I feel so violated. I don't think I can ever forgive her. How can she expect me to get past this - as if it never happened?

Wounded in West Virginia

Dear Wounded,

I am profoundly sorry that happened to you. How can she expect you to get past this? It makes sense that she would move to the highest level of hope she can have. I understand you are wounded. But if you're reading my blog I will assume that you profess to be a Christian - a Christ follower. And if that is the case, then God's Word is your guide in this (and every other) situation.

God's Word says that the man is to love his wife as Christ loves His church. Jesus loves us sacrificially. He takes the punishment for us. He gives up His rights for us. He suffers for us. But most often He is offended by us. He is wounded by us. The Bible says that our sin "grieves the Holy Spirit." Make no mistake, Jesus is deeply wounded by our choices. He suffers every day because of them - even now. And yet He chooses to forgive us.

You may not have the human capacity to forgive your wife. But you must agree to love her as Christ loves you. That means you will choose forgiveness over bitterness and resentment. You can not focus on your woundedness. You take those wounds to the foot of the cross. Pray and ask God to take your pain, your hurt and your disappointment. Agree with God that forgiveness is appropriate. Ask God to help you forgive your wife. Look for the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit to work that forgiveness in you.

Of course, it goes without saying that you should have first determined that your wife was indeed sorry for the deed (versus sorry for you finding out). If she truly is repentant, then this forgiveness is your choice. And it is what you must choose - or you can not call yourself a follower of Christ. After all, true followers of Christ do what He does.

Enough Money?

Dear Victorious,

How much money do people really need to be happy?

A. R. - Salt Lake City

Dear A.R.,

You ask a good question. The first assumption might be that we never really have enough money to be happy - and that most of us will always want more. While that may be the case sometimes, I do not believe it is the case for most people. Rather I believe most people would like enough money not to have to worry about anything. Most people would like enough money to be able to indulge their basic passions. Most people would like enough money to be able to pursue just a few of their dreams. If we can accomplish these things, then I believe we have enough money and are happy.

If you'll notice the above explanation - I don't believe the specific amount of money one needs to be happy is determined by a number. Rather it is determined by a met need or want. When the need or want is met, then the money is enough. Conversely, for those who don't focus on their real needs or wants, money becomes the end goal all by itself. It is that person who is singularly focused on money that never has enough to be happy.

American Idol

Dear Victorious,

What do you think of "American Idol," the TV show? Simon Cowell is so nasty. Why would sane, rational people subject themselves to such degradation and humiliation?

Fan (but disgusted)

Dear Fan,

Quite honestly, I like the show. I similarly like "America's Got Talent." Shows like these give us an opportunity to see fresh faces and fresh acts. They're not choreographed like some machine. They don't leave me with that feeling that I've just been duped, like I get when I watch someone like Michael Jackson or Brittney Spears.

Yes, Simon is nasty. Biblically, he is quite guilty of violating the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself. I don't get the impression that Simon uses the Bible as his guide though. The bottom line is that the contestants know about Simon's nastiness when they decide to try out for the show. So I can only conclude that they've decided the chance at stardom, and the opportunity for national exposure are worth the degradation and humiliation they are likely to experience.

It reminds me of an old tale of people who would be challenged to do something for money. Usually the challenge was something ridiculous - like walk down main street naked. But for most people, there was a price point. I think that is probably true of most of us. Certainly not Biblical. Not anything to be proud of. But if we're honest, there is some price at which we'll be willing to put up with almost anything. And such a reality results in shows like "American Idol."

Evil President

Dear Victorious,

My sister-in-law says that President Obama is evil. She says he could even be the Antichrist. I didn't vote for him, but honestly, how can I respond to such nonsense?

Republican

Dear Republican,

I've heard others make similar analogies. They usually do so when we find a public leader with a smooth style. I'm not sure what motivates them. But my Bible tells me that the Holy Spirit will give me discernment. In other words, when I am confronted with the Antichrist, I won't have to wonder if it's really him. I'll know for sure! That such people, even so-called Christians would label someone this way really smacks of ignorance at best. At worst, it calls their own character into question.

You don't have to have voted for President Obama to defend him. As Christians, we are called to submit to and respect the authority of our leaders. God's Word tells us that no one leads a government unless God allows it. So as Christians, we are definitely called to submit to and respect the authority of President Obama - whether or not we voted for him.

That's one of the odd things about democracy that people seem to miss --- when things don't go your way, you still have to cooperate because they went the way of the popular majority. Sometimes I wonder if people don't confuse democracy and think it's something like a "me-mocracy!"

If your sister-in-law is a Christian, tell her it's hard to see the Christ in her when she spews such venom about others. Ask her to speak only what the Holy Spirit prayerfully leads her to speak. And if she doesn't cooperate, stop listening to her!