Difference between revisions of "Cafeteria Christianity"
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| − | '''Cafeteria Christianity''' refers to the practice of deciding for oneself which parts of the [[Bible]] to accept, as one might select certain foods in a cafeteria while rejecting others | + | '''Cafeteria Christianity''' refers to the practice of deciding for oneself which parts of the [[Bible]] to accept, as one might select certain foods in a cafeteria while rejecting others.<ref>[http://www.churchofgoddfw.com/monthly/cafeteria.html "Cafeteria Christianity," from the Church of God - DFW]</ref> This implies that the person is a [[Christian]] in name only and, while believing in a deity, does not adhere to any particular creed of Christianity - perfering to decide for themself how to express their faith. Other terms include "salad-bar Christianity" and "[[cherry picking|cherry-picking]] Christianity." |
| − | This practice is particularly common among [[Liberal Christianity|liberal]] denominations, which cite only those passages which show Christ's forgiveness and mercy, but not His justice, in order to deny the existence of [[Hell]] and the necessity of [[faith]] for redemption. | + | This practice is particularly common among [[Liberal Christianity|liberal]] denominations, which cite only those passages which show Christ's forgiveness and mercy, but not His justice, in order to deny the existence of [[Hell]] and the necessity of [[faith]] for redemption. Matt. 7:1, "Judge not, that ye be not judged" is quoted out of context particularly often for this purpose. Likewise, they selectively ignore passages which refute [[evolution]], condemn [[abortion]], make statements about the role of [[women]] that refute modern [[feminism|feminist]] dogmas, and conflict with other liberal views. Liberal Christians are also fond of citing Scripture selectively in order to rebuke [[Hypocrisy|only someone else's sins]]. |
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| + | However, cafeteria Christianity is not limited to the left side of the political spectrum. There are examples of people who profess to be conservative Christians, and who are later found to have ignored Biblical scripture in their own lives, such as those who have committed adultery, or who have participated in a homosexual lifestyle. | ||
==Bible teaching against cafeteria Christianity== | ==Bible teaching against cafeteria Christianity== | ||
Revision as of 16:03, September 12, 2011
Cafeteria Christianity refers to the practice of deciding for oneself which parts of the Bible to accept, as one might select certain foods in a cafeteria while rejecting others.[1] This implies that the person is a Christian in name only and, while believing in a deity, does not adhere to any particular creed of Christianity - perfering to decide for themself how to express their faith. Other terms include "salad-bar Christianity" and "cherry-picking Christianity."
This practice is particularly common among liberal denominations, which cite only those passages which show Christ's forgiveness and mercy, but not His justice, in order to deny the existence of Hell and the necessity of faith for redemption. Matt. 7:1, "Judge not, that ye be not judged" is quoted out of context particularly often for this purpose. Likewise, they selectively ignore passages which refute evolution, condemn abortion, make statements about the role of women that refute modern feminist dogmas, and conflict with other liberal views. Liberal Christians are also fond of citing Scripture selectively in order to rebuke only someone else's sins.
However, cafeteria Christianity is not limited to the left side of the political spectrum. There are examples of people who profess to be conservative Christians, and who are later found to have ignored Biblical scripture in their own lives, such as those who have committed adultery, or who have participated in a homosexual lifestyle.
Bible teaching against cafeteria Christianity
The Bible quotes Jesus as saying:
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4 (KJV)
Note: "every word," not "some words." The counterargument of many cafeteria Christians is that the word of the authors of certain parts of the Bible is not necessarily the word of God.