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Featured New Study Suggests U.S. Christians Are More Like Pharisees Than Christ

Discussion in 'Other Christian Denominations' started by Crabtownboy, Jul 11, 2016.

  1. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
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    Being like a Pharisee has to do with attitude than beliefs. I contend that many Americans, especially fundamentalists are Pharisaical in attitude. I have believed this for quite a number of years, but had not researched it before. A person can be Fundamental without being Pharisaical.

    Here is supporting documentation:

    From:http://www.churchleaders.com/pastor...pharisees-than-christ-new-study-suggests.html

    In a new study, the Barna Group examined the extent to which Christians in the U.S. display the actions and attitudes of Jesus as opposed to the actions and attitudes of Pharisees. Researchers developed 20 agree/disagree statements and presented them to more than 1,000 study participants to determine how closely they resembled Christ or the Pharisees.

    Jesus-like actions included listening to others tell their story before witnessing, choosing to often spend time with non-Christians, and influencing multiple people to consider following Christ. Jesus-like attitudes included seeing God-given value in everyone and feeling compassion for those who do not know God. Pharisaical actions included telling people that God’s rules are paramount in their lives, avoiding spending time with homosexuals, and preferring to serve people who attend the church rather than those outside of it. Attitudes like the Pharisees included refusing to take responsibility for those who keep doing wrong, feeling grateful to be a Christian when observing others’ failures and flaws, and feeling it necessary to stand against those who are opposed to Christian values.

    The survey found that 51 percent those surveyed qualified as tending toward self-righteousness rather than Christlikeness. Just 14 percent represented the attitudes and actions consistent with those of Christ. About one-fifth of Christians surveyed (21 percent) are Christlike in attitude but like Pharisees in action. Evangelical Christians were slightly more likely (23 percent) to be Christ-like in attitude and action, but were also likely to be Pharisaical in attitude but Christlike in behavior.
     
  2. Darrell C

    Darrell C Well-Known Member
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    I would probably be much in agreement with this, though I would not limit to Fundamentalists, but Christians as a whole. The primary problem with the Pharisees was simply a carnal interpretation of the Word of God, and this is something that has never gone away. When we discuss issues like the Baptism with the Holy Ghost, Regeneration, and Salvation in Christ in general, the understanding of many is disheartening. Here's an exercise I suggest to anyone: the next ten Christians you talk to, ask then what it means to be Born Again. Then see how many can answer the question.

    But, let's give the Pharisees a little credit. They were diligent in their pursuit of the Word of God, and stood apart from the average person. Of course, availability of text, to which they had better access, is an issue, but, we still see Paul pointing out that in regards to what is supernatural he was a Pharisee (contrasted with the Sadducee).

    Paul states of himself that he was blameless, so would you think Paul denies this aspect of his pre-conversion life? An interesting question, if you ask me.


    God bless.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  3. Darrell C

    Darrell C Well-Known Member
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    I would also add that any study can achieve any desired result. And the primary result for a study like this is to vilify Christians as a whole.


    God bless.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  4. Adonia

    Adonia Well-Known Member
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    We all fall short of being the ultimate in Christlikeness, but that does not stop us from staying on the correct path of continually seeking holiness in our lives.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  5. blessedwife318

    blessedwife318 Well-Known Member
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    I found many of their definitions to be suspect, or even lacking. Jesus was loving but what definition of love are they using in this survey? The world's which means I embrace any and all actions of the one I love or Jesus who called out sin and made a difference in their lives. Remember Jesus did twice go into the temple to clean it with a whip.

    I also wonder about the statement I believe God is working in everyone's lIves. I somehow doubt they were thinking about how God worked in Pharaoh life, or in the lives of the rulers Babylon or Assyria. I have a feeling it was more along the lines of God has a wonderful plan for your life.

    Under Pharisees like attitude was the idea of calling out false Doctrine and Theology which Paul and Jude did.

    John the Baptist would be guilty of standing against those who oppose Chriatian ( in that day Jewish ) morals with his stand against Herod being with his sister in law.

    So I would have to second DC opinion that this survey was purposefully designed to make Christian look bad.

    Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
     
  6. Martin Marprelate

    Martin Marprelate Well-Known Member
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    John 3:2-3.
    Luke 23:8-9.
    Luke 6:66.
    Mark 10:42-48; Luke 13:5; John 5:14.
     
  7. Don

    Don Well-Known Member
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    I read the thread title and thought, that sounds like something CTB would post ... and guess what....
     
  8. Rob_BW

    Rob_BW Well-Known Member
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    Fleshing Out Christ-likeness
    To flesh out the objectives of the study, a nationwide, representative sample of Christians was asked to respond to 20 statements. They could rate their agreement on a four-point scale. The 10 research statements used to examineChrist-likeness include the following:

    Actions like Jesus:

    • I listen to others to learn their story before telling them about my faith.
    • In recent years, I have influenced multiple people to consider following Christ.
    • I regularly choose to have meals with people with very different faith or morals from me.
    • I try to discover the needs of non-Christians rather than waiting for them to come to me.
    • I am personally spending time with non-believers to help them follow Jesus.
    Attitudes like Jesus:

    • I see God-given value in every person, regardless of their past or present condition.
    • I believe God is for everyone.
    • I see God working in people’s lives, even when they are not following him.
    • It is more important to help people know God is for them than to make sure they know they are sinners.
    • I feel compassion for people who are not following God and doing immoral things.
    The 10 statements used to assess self-righteousness (like the Pharisees), included the following research items:

    Self-Righteous Actions:

    • I tell others the most important thing in my life is following God’s rules.
    • I don’t talk about my sins or struggles. That’s between me and God.
    • I try to avoid spending time with people who are openly gay or lesbian.
    • I like to point out those who do not have the right theology or doctrine.
    • I prefer to serve people who attend my church rather than those outside the church.
    Self-Righteous Attitudes:

    • I find it hard to be friends with people who seem to constantly do the wrong things.
    • It’s not my responsibility to help people who won’t help themselves.
    • I feel grateful to be a Christian when I see other people’s failures and flaws.
    • I believe we should stand against those who are opposed to Christian values.
    • People who follow God’s rules are better than those who do not.
     
  9. Yeshua1

    Yeshua1 Well-Known Member
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    [Basically, what they is stating is that many would want is to adopt a Christianity that states that God is all oving, but that he now has decided to no longer have and enforce moral standards, as they would want is to both "love the sinner and also condone his/her deeds"
     
  10. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    I differientate the true HS led Christian from the pack of false ones....there are very few of the former and a whole lot of the latter (and I was a false Christian for many years).
     
  11. Darrell C

    Darrell C Well-Known Member
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    The Pharisees thought they did too.

    But isn't it natural that we presume we are the ones...who have it right?


    I agree. Which is why it is critical to be sound in both Doctrine and Practice.


    So how do you know you still aren't? And I am not questioning that your are, EWF, just want to know why is it you think you can know that you are without question now a Christian. This is a point of some contention, so perhaps a little insight into why you have assurance might help.


    God bless.
     
  12. Darrell C

    Darrell C Well-Known Member
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    I would also ask how your statement is relevant to mine, The point is that studies can be manipulated to provide what is thought to be a credible source of insight into the Body of Christ. Who is deciding, in these studies, that the persons involved are actually Christians? Does that not bring the entire conclusion into question? I think we would both agree that attendance at a church does not necessarily show the attendee is a Christian.

    And again, if we look at the study, we see that it is, as usual, bearing a negative slant towards Christians, which ultimately bears upon the Name of Christ Himself.

    In this response, it is you doing he judging, and I ask, is that any more reliable than the study? Would you not have to visit every fellowship across the world, interview each person, and then draw conclusions we might consider credible and reasonable?

    Only God can do that.

    ;)


    God bless.
     
  13. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Very simply that I have a blessed assurance that I am a changed person after my encounter with the HS. I do not sin with impunity like I did prior to that encounter (I used to love to sin), I felt the shame of my sins, still do but I am a changed individual....now I walk with the HS, I understand why Christ died for Gods people & I know that by his grace that I am a saved individual. Those are the fruits born of my encounters with the HS.
     
  14. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    No but I have visited with allot of them in NJ where I live.....so I will limit my judgements to them.
     
  15. Darrell C

    Darrell C Well-Known Member
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    Okay, so you know you are saved by your experience.

    Why is your experience any different than those in the fellowships you frequently talk about?


    Please.

    You know everyone in every fellowship you have visited.

    And you are at liberty to judge them.


    Have you really convinced yourself of that?


    God bless.
     
  16. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Absolutely
     
  17. Darrell C

    Darrell C Well-Known Member
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    Sorry to hear that.


    God bless.
     
  18. Darrell C

    Darrell C Well-Known Member
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    God bless.
     
  19. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Yea.....the state of New Jersey is pretty Godless. This Sunday I visited a church that had two "Target Like" bathrooms for transgenders.......AGAIN IN A CHURCH (Non Denom) ....so should I join them & accept as normal a LGBT Lifestyle? Its sin Darrell but this entire church has embraced it. Next what.....Women pastors, abortions, say OK to drugs, blah, blah, blah.
     
  20. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    Darrell, In short peoples lives are changed by encounters with the HS. My life absolutely has been changed for the better.....to the point, I'm no longer an angry man, I love all but can be discerning to their telling me that they are saved.....when they do not change their behavior (and unfortunately are very un Christ Like).

    And this is why Ive had such a difficult time finding a church family......primarily because most people think they are saved but don't show any indication they really are. Most feel that by joining a church they are getting into heaven when they still live secular worldly life styles.

    But yes there are remnants....people who have given their lives to Him & are walking the walk & talking the talk. Those types I love with an exceeding life....they are the brethren, the fellow believers who are very much dedicated to loving & being the "Salt of the Earth & the Light of the World.'

    so I hope that answers your questions.
     
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