Is Christianity a Threat to Civilization?

 

By Dale E. Smith, M.A., LCPC  

Alumnus of CTS 

Many non-religious people believe that Christianity poses a threat to civilization. That Christians are exclusive and claim to be morally better than others. That God, and Jesus if He exists at all, is impersonal, indifferent to or uninterested in the sufferings of humanity, perhaps even unjust and cruel because of the many crimes perpetrated by Christians or other religious faiths throughout history. This is of course, a generalization and bias in its assumptions. There is always danger in generalizing about anything when based upon some facts that are true, but disregarding other facts that are also true.

First of all, many Christians in fact, are some of the most emotionally damaged and needy persons on Earth even though some do not admit it. Jesus did not come to save the righteous, but the flawed (Sinners). The fact that religious people throughout history have committed some of the most heinous of crimes under the self-righteous idolatry of religious moral superiority does not negate the fact that much has also been done in Love toward others. The old adage, "You can't always judge the forest, simply by some of its trees" is true. The proponents for rejecting religion, and especially Christianity, fail to understand or consider the overwhelming positive influence that deeply religious individual people who truly follow as best they can Jesus' teachings have contributed to civilization. In many ways some non-religious persons place their philosophy of life and themselves on a moral pedestal as a false god in itself. They are just as capable or guilty of crimes against humanity and self-righteous arrogance as some marginal or fanatical Christians or other religious faiths have been.

During the past century many secular, humanistic and non-religious ideologies also have caused untold misery, death and destruction. Any honest look at human history will reveal that not only Christians but also non-Christians are both flawed in this respect when religious indifference or fanaticism have become the moral focus rather than the true Gospel of Christ.

In my counseling practice I have noticed one certain fact concerning all persons I talk with. Namely, that whatever their personal, moral, ethical, philosophical, religious, agnostic or atheistic beliefs may be, they invariably always have some need based upon self interest that deludes them into thinking and behaving contrary to their own individual moral values eventually. They are blind to the fact that their human nature is primarily focused upon themselves, their individually or collectively perceived identity and behaviors are resistant to the idea that there is in reality only one absolute morality which is dictated by God. Because of that, they believe that God and life is unfair, that all suffering is bad and to be avoided, and that if only they could change themselves or others in some way all would be well in our world. 

This is understandable considering that this misconception of individual freedom and the right of each individual to create one's own morality has been promoted since the dawn of human history. Even the religion of evolutionary theory is based almost entirely upon such assumptions, since it claims that man evolved and continues to evolve containing within his claimed good nature the inherent so called legitimate tendency of survival of the fittest and his right to self determination. If such assumptions are true, then how well has it worked out in the affairs of the actual perpetual discontentment of civilizations? I submit, not very well. Human history has proved consistently and repeatedly, either between individuals, within a family, community, kingdom, empire or nation the secular ideologies have also failed as much or more than the religious ones. Personal liberty is not dependent on freedom from absolute morality and individual choice, but rather upon a committed struggle of faith toward God's absolute spiritual values of right and wrong as the perfect ideology. Mankind cannot do this on their own. It has been and can only ever be exemplified by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the only perfect man and One and only true Son of God. The fact that we humans fail miserably in following such God given absolute and perfect truth in no way negates that truth is a fact and real. If there is any hope for mankind, it certainly cannot be available in our self-conceived or self-centered approaches as has been demonstrated throughout all human history. Why not? Because all material creation as we know it is in fact changing and moving toward decay and death, even the scientific experts agree to that. Sadly, many are yet unconvinced of that reality and falsely believe that man can and will save everything by shear human efforts alone. Thus, so many people believe only in themselves as god and act it out in a multitude of different ways and by different ideological names never realizing their self delusion or powerlessness over reality. 

The disturbing and unjustified idea promoted by some religionists as well as secularists that man can in some way create his own good (Whatever that definition of good he believes exists) if given enough effort or things derived from man's own knowledge, morality, values, ideologies or strength has proven ultimately false in light of actual human historical events. There remains then, only one inescapable truth in which an honest individual performing a rigorous historical and self appraisal can reveal, that being, that Jesus Christ is God and He alone has set the real standards for truth, reality, life and for how to exist correctly with God in our experience as beings. Furthermore, that He alone makes all things happen and quite in spite of us. Once we come to really know God's Grace, believe and accept God's free gift of salvation through His Son Jesus, receive The Holy Spirit from God, then and only then will we be really able to live in freedom of independence within the dependence on God. Then we are free to live as God intended, regardless of circumstances as we know them in this dying World. Then we are free to live eternally and have that Peace and forgiveness and unity beyond human understanding with God even though we fail often in our human efforts to grow towards His perfection. Then we are free to experience and witness what God is doing in and through us to make us become closer to Him and more like Him and because it pleases and glorifies Him. Then we are free to realize that what mankind can never do has already been done for us some two thousand years ago by God through Jesus Christ on Calvary's Cross. And finally then we will be free to know that we know that we are free because The Truth of God in Christ has set us free!

Why is Christianity Such an Easy Target for Ridicule and Attack?

Dear Gary,
 

"It seems to me that we Christians and our faith are constantly under attack. It just appears that it is OK to belittle Christians, and there are really no repercussions to those who perpetuate the onslaught. The media loves to do it, the political left finds pleasure in it, and of course the Muslims won't tolerate us. It appears as well that our own government is becoming increasingly secular despite the words "In God We Trust" that everyone carries around with them."

Christian persecution is not a new invention. It started with the agony that Christ himself had to endure and continues with all of the martyrs since. Biblically speaking, Christ told us that we would be persecuted for His name's sake. {Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.(Matt 5-11)}. This persecution comes in many forms. The assault on Christians in the United States may be somewhat different that those on the Coptic Christians in Egypt since the Arab Spring.

I have done my own analysis on this particular issue and wanted to share it with you. I think it boils down to this: God is love. {Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.(1 John 4:8)}. The believers in God love life and they embrace life for the joy it brings. This joy brings with it patience and kindness. {But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against these things there is no law.(Gal 5:22-23)}.

But you have to understand that the world in not patient. It is very impatient. And who did God give this world to for it's management? That's right, satan. {I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me.(John 14:30)}. God can take this world from satan and snuff him out in an instant. But he doesn't. Why? Because He wants you to overcome. {Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.(1 John 5:5)}.

The devil has come to steal and kill. The devil is very impatient. He does not like tolerance. He has made it so the world revolves around sin, and the wages of sin is death. {For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.(Rom 6:23)}. So this world is sinful in nature and wants to rob you of your joy and bring death. See the difference? Christ came to bring life and give it more abundantly. {The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.(John 10:10)}.

Many years ago I was an insurance agent and also sold investments such as mutual funds. In my training and licensure by the National Association of Security Dealers (NASD), I learned that by age sixty five, most people have about as much money as they did when they were sixteen. The onslaught of costs over a life time will leave the average person penniless. The world system is meant to keep you down. Its the devil's plan and he runs the show here on this earthly plane.

I understand that the poor will always be with us. {The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.(Matt 26:11)}, but I am talking about hard working people who toiled for a life time. But that is the way the world works. That's the way governments work. That is the way satan works. That is why as Christians you have to understand that you are in this world, but not of it. {If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.(John 15:19)}.

My conclusion is that God is love. Love brings life and life produces joy, patience and tolerance. The world brings sin. Sin develops hate which brings forth intolerance and death.

 

Any one in the public eye wouldn't think of saying something really provocative against the Muslims for fear they would be threatened or killed. They would probably be right! But no one is going to fear a lone wolf Christian going after them or a Christian group putting a bounty on someone via their website. You see, it is all about God who gives life and promotes love and satan who brings death by promoting hate.

 

In His Grip,

Dr. Gary Tryzbiak

Tuition Costs

Here is a New York Times article talking about the issues of tuition costs.  It makes us proud as CTS that we offer great rates for excellent education.  There is no sticker shock here like many are said to have within the typical higher education system.

 http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/04/opinion/reining-in-college-tuition.html?_r=1

Blogging Versus Doing a Research Paper

I found this article interesting, because he is honest about what the issues are with doing a blog instead of a research paper.  I agree with the students in their opinion regarding blogs.  I will let you read it, because if I state what I agree with it will give most of the article/blog away.


 http://www.insidehighered.com/blogs/peer-driven-learning-blogging-vs-term-paper

Online Education Transforming the Education Arena

The article is not specifically about CTS, but it definitely talks about our online school in general.  CTS strives to continually adapt and engineer a great online education experience.

http://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/articles/2011/04/20/online-education-may-transform-higher-ed

Academic Writing

Here is an interesting article on academic writing.  It talks about the need to use your academic advisors and at the same time not to be so hard on yourself when your papers are edited or graded.  We all struggle with writing academic papers and need a little guidance as we go.

 http://chronicle.com/article/Shame-in-Academic-Writing/128483/

The Accreditation Debate

The topic of accreditation is a very confusing one. The Department of Education or Education Department (ED) does not itself accredit institutions, per se. However there are approximately forty or so organizations that do that have ties to the Department.  Essentially, schools which are accredited are authorized to receive Title IV funding and offer student loans. This is really a big deal.  The Department of Education was created as a cabinet level position during the Carter Administration in 1979 and became operational in 1980. At that time there was a debate over the constitutionality of having a Federal platform such as this. 

According to the government website, the purpose of accreditation is to: 

"...ensure that education provided by institutions of higher education meets acceptable levels of quality. Accreditation in the United States involves non-governmental entities as well as governmental agencies." (US Department of Education)

However, there are a lot of disparities within the accrediting community and the schools themselves as related below:

"Accreditation does not provide automatic acceptance by an institution of credit earned at another institution, nor does it give assurance of acceptance of graduates by employers. Acceptance of credit or graduates is always the prerogative of the receiving institution or employer. For these reasons, besides ascertaining the accredited status of a school or program, students should take additional measures to determine, prior to enrollment, whether their educational goals will be met through attendance at a particular institution. Those measures should include inquiries to institutions to which transfer might be desired or to prospective employers."

To put things in a nutshell, if the government controls your funding, they control you.  That is one of the main reasons why many religious bible colleges and seminaries want no part of this process.  While again, many do.  Is it any wonder why the larger Christian schools are accredited?   Money talks.  

Now, I am not really going to bash the government or accreditation, but how do you think the educational system in America is doing?  Have we made any great strides since 1980?  Is the US at the top of the heap worldwide as it relates to education?  I think not. Did everyone, such as myself, who earned their degree prior to 1980 receive an inferior education?

Being an accredited school is a very expensive and time consuming proposition. So expensive in fact, that tuition needs to be raised so high to pay for this luxury.  Since costs get passed on to the students, in order to attend school, students MUST take on debt in the form of student loans. This is good for schools, accreditors, and lobbyists, not so good for graduates when you have to pay it back. 

Having said this, let me say that I think accreditation is good, just very expensive.  Colorado Theological Seminary (CTS) is actually an Affiliate of the Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), one of the accrediting bodies.  Let me make my obligatory disclaimer now:

Colorado Theological Seminary is proud to be an Affiliate Institution with The Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE). ABHE, formerly the Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges, is a Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and US Department of Education recognized accrediting group who serve CTS through their affiliate program. Affiliate Institutions are not accredited by the ABHE.

Colorado Theological Seminary is an Affiliate institution of the Association for Biblical Higher Education. As such, it participates in and contributes to collegial and professional development activities of the association. Affiliate status does not, however, constitute, imply, or presume ABHE accredited status at present or in the future.

Up until a couple of years ago CTS was accredited by a non-governmental agency and was an Affiliate of the ABHE.  The ABHE changed their policy and if an Affiliate, you could no longer belong nor associate with non-governmental accrediting agencies.  I was not happy about that, but decided that associating with the ABHE was a better strategic move.  We continue to prepare for the eventuality of going into Applicant status, although we are not in a race to get there.

This is another place where you need to examine your motives. Unless your denomination mandates that you go to an accredited school or you are planning on becoming a military chaplain (seems like everyone wants to), or you have some other compelling reason to go to an accredited school, then you may want to consider an unaccredited bible college or seminary with a good reputation and commensurate rigor to adequately prepare you for your ministry assignment.

My suggestion is not to run up a big debt if you don't have to.  The Barna Group states that the average church size is made up of fifty (50) parishioners in the United States.  Naturally there are larger churches, but will your church have enough money to pay your salary which will need to cover your monthly student loan payments for the next ten or twenty years?  Again, examine your motives for considering an “accredited” bible college or seminary.  For all intents and purposes, non-governmental accreditation is NOT considered accredited.  So beware of these claims.  Additionally, only accredited schools can have the .edu extension on their url.  However, some schools which had that extension, were grand-fathered in when that rule took effect.  So, just because a school’s address has the .edu extension DOES NOT validate their accreditation.

I hope this short treatise sheds a little more light on accreditation and how it should or should not play into your decision on where to receive your Christian education.  Again, I think it is a good idea to belong to an accreditation organization where there is some conformity and educational guidance.  But there are other organizational venues that can do the same thing for your seminary or bible college with way less expense.

Schools with memberships or certifications with the latter organizations may very well be the real value proposition.  For example, CTS is a Sustaining Member of the Florida Council of Private Colleges (FCPC). This is a great organization which has been fighting daily to keep Christian schools independent of governmental encroachment. This is the same organization that Moody Bible Institute belongs to. With the current political administration in power, it is very likely that there will be more infringement on Christian values and educational institutions by the non-profit and education czars.  If the political climate changes next year, you may very well find the Department of Education being dissolved along with departments like the EPA and the IRS.  If you watch the news you know this is a possibility.  

With the US Postal Service receiving a bail out of four billion dollars earlier in the year, and now still being ten billion underfunded, who knows what it will look like by year end. So, pay close attention to the "accreditation" issue. The accrediting apparatus of the US is likely to change in some form or fashion in the near future.