When Christianity Drifts Away from Christ

As a scholar and a fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, Thomas Linacre was well versed in both Greek and Latin, but he lived before the Reformation, when the Bible was restricted to the clergy. So he had never read it in depth.

One day a friend who was a priest gave him a copy of the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and he studied them in full and in the original language for the first time.

Linacre thought for a while, and then handed them back to the priest with the remark, "Either these are not the Gospels, or we are not Christians."

This story raises so many pertinent questions—one of which is...
How is it possible for Christianity to morph into something so unlike Christ?

 Here's a thought.

[Note: The true story of Thomas Linacre above was taken from Os Guinness' book, Renaissance: The Power of the Gospel However Dark the Times.]

 Other Related Posts:
* The Rebranding of Jesus
* Remaking Jesus in our image
* The Disciplemaking Genius of Jesus


Get Cup O' Joe with Bill in your Email Inbox!
Let me encourage you and make you think 1-2x a week with a virtual Cup O' Joe with Bill in your email inbox. 
1. Go here and submit your email.
2. Go to your email and click the Feedburner confirmation link.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Disciplemaking Genius of Jesus training experiences 2023

Image
There’s a lot of talk about disciplemaking these days. But what does disciplemaking  really  look like for you in your everyday, real life? That's what we'll explore together. Bring your Bible, some friends, and your sense of humor. What? With a focus on Jesus, we'll explore how to be a disciple—who makes disciples—who make more disciples. Session 1 Be a Disciple (D1) Everything in life will try to pull you off the simplicity of following Jesus together with others. Session 2 Who Makes Disciples (D2) Following Jesus isn’t a subject to be mastered, but an infectious way of life that is lived together and shared with others. Session 3 Who Make More Disciples (D3) If those we disciple don’t make more disciples, then we haven’t made disciples like Jesus. When? 8 AM to 12:30 PM (light lunch included) Where? * Saturday morning, January 28th, 2023, at CrossPoint Church, Morton, IL * Saturday morning, February 4th, Harvest Time Bible Church, Rock Falls, IL * S
Read more

What God Is Doing—Summer Ministry Fun 2022

Image
"Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness."  —Psalms 115:1  At  Lifest in Oshkosh, WI . We did   this interactive disciplemaking training experience  at Lifest. Hanging out with the legendary Bob Lenz at Lifest. When your longtime friends from NE spend the night at the Allison Hotel. Preaching in the morning services at The Encounter in East Peoria, IL—with Pastor Tracey Pfeiffer. Join us for this training experience ! Some of our disciplemaking friends, their families, and some of our neighbors gathered for TIME TOGETHER for brats, root beer floats, and  disciplemaking friendships . Pastor Dan Johnston of CrossPoint Church preaches through The Disciplemaking Genius of Jesus on Sunday mornings. You're invited to join us for disciplemaking training on Saturday morning, September 17 in Morton, IL, or on Saturday morning, October 1 in Gifford, IL. Contact me and I'll let you know details. Our friend, C
Read more

The Elvis Church: Has Your Church Left the Building?

Image
  If video doesn't appear, go here . Don't know where to start? Start here... 1. If you're still wondering: What does disciplemaking look like in the church ? 2. A true short story: What if the church joined its people on mission ? 3.  This IS the plan.  (short video) 4.  Explore how Jesus did it—and continues to do it . 5.  Explore bringing THIS training experience to your ministry and church . Let me encourage you and make you think every Monday !
Read more