A religion with billions of followers worldwide and a rich heritage of traditions and interpretations can have different beliefs regarding the Bible. Christianity is not a monolithic entity but has deep origins of practices, biblical perceptions, and a deep understanding of faith in God. In this blog, you will look at 10 common Christian practices that, when scrutinized, go against the teachings from the holy scripture of the Bible.
Judgmentalism
Judging others is perceived to be a core Christian practice, but the Bible states something different.
As a famous passage in Matthew 7:1-5 states, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you judge, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?” explains how as humans we tend to become hypocrites when we judge others harshly and ignore our own mistakes.
The verse emphasizes how we need to introspect and be humble. It emphasizes that you should follow the teachings of God, and he will be the ultimate judge of everybody’s actions. The teachings of Jesus focus on love, compassion, and forgiveness.
Excessive Wealth And Materialism
Acquiring material goods and wealth like the need for bigger houses, expensive cards, and the latest technology where we prioritize possessions over people is in contrast to the core Christian principle of generosity, the importance of spiritual life, and stewardship.
The Bible has numerous warnings stating the dangers of materialism and the love of money.
Timothy 6:9-11: “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evil. In their greed some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.”
Ultimately, the Bible encourages Christians to live a life focused on serving others. Material possessions are a dangerous distraction from leading a spiritual life; following the Bible’s teachings, one can fulfill their relationship with God.
Selective Interpretation
It is a prominent practice where Christians focus on and use specific Bible verses to support their actions while neglecting the ones that don’t. It is called “proof-texting,” which creates inconsistent messages that go against the Bible’s message of a holistic understanding.
For example, people might use passages that condemn homosexuality (Leviticus 18:22), but verses that promote love and acceptance (1 Corinthians 13:7) might receive less attention. The selective approach to these verses can create a distorted view of God’s message.
The Bible, however, emphasizes that it is a collection of writings that have been built upon each other, and isolated verses might not capture the whole meaning. Ignoring the connection of verses defies the overall significance of the scripture, thereby losing its richness and history.
Celebrating Easter Sunday
In Christianity, Easter Sunday celebrates commemoration and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter eggs, decorating eggs, and the Easter Bunny are some popular traditions associated with Easter. Eggs symbolize fertility and new life, whereas bunny symbolizes rebirth and springtime. However, in the Bible, there is no mention of eggs or bunnies, and some Christians believe that these additions distract others from the core message that Easter stands for.
The celebrations center more on non-religious activities like family gatherings and candy hunts. At the same time, Easter celebrations should prioritize religious worship and the importance of Jesus’ sacrifice. The Bible explains the importance of celebrating Christian holidays with reverence and sincerity.
Giving For Applause
Generosity is Christianity’s core value. Many Christians have a habit of openly displaying the acts of charity they are involved in. It can take place through different means, like sharing photos on social media of them volunteering, bragging in their circle about their acts of kindness, or publicly announcing their huge donations to charities or churches. Engaging in these generous acts is commendable, but the Bible warns them against making these acts a spectacle.
The verse in Matthew 6:1-4: “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
This explains how the teachings in the Bible condemn the acts of charity that are done with the motive of getting famous or recognized. God’s judgment is based on valid rewards and not on earthly recognitions. The generosity should result from true service and love to God and others, not an obligation to fulfill.
Infant Baptism
Infant baptism is a widely practiced tradition within Christianity. However, the Bible has a different meaning regarding baptism and does not apply to children. Many Christian denominations, like Lutherans, Catholics, and Methodists, practice infant baptism, where parents bring their newborn child to the church for baptism.
The act signifies the child’s inclusion in the Christian faith and God’s covenant. It also welcomes the child into the community and cleanses any original sin. However, there is no explicit mention of infant baptism in the Bible. Baptism generally involves adults making a conscious choice to follow Christ, and infants cannot make it.
Divisiveness
Christianity is a religion that emphasizes love, unity, and fellowship. However, during history, Christians have been divided on different interpretations of the Bible. Christianity has been categorized into multiple denominations, and every group has a distinct worship style and practice. The Bible might offer different perspectives and passages, but it emphasizes the unity in Christ. Christians have different opinions and beliefs on social issues like same-sex marriage, abortion, or euthanasia that cause congregation within the society. In the Bible passages like Corinthians 13:4-7 “Love is patient, love is kind and does not envy; love does not boast, it is not proud; it does not dishonor someone else, it does not seek its own advantage, it does not get angry, it does not keep record of wrongs; it does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” This describes that there should be love and respect even in disagreement. The Bible emphasizes the core message of love and belief in Jesus, and the division among Christians should not overshadow it.
Legalism
As per Christianity, strict adherence to rules and regulations is the key to salvation and spiritual growth. They believe that performing good works is the only way to earn salvation. However, the Bible emphasizes that salvation comes only from faith in Jesus Christ. Christians place excessive importance on performing rituals and ceremonies to establish the right relationship with God. However, the Bible outlines that the inward transformation the Holy Spirit brings supersedes the outward rituals. The teachings lay importance on leading life guided by God’s grace and following his commandments out of love and gratitude, not as a result of fear and pressure.
Idolatry
It is the worship of idols or false gods through admiring and believing in objects or concepts referred to as deities. It can involve physically worshiping idols, attributing divine power to them, and allowing it to take the place of God in one’s life. As mentioned in the Old and New Testaments, the Bible disapproves of this practice. Psalms 115:4-8 mocks idols, stating, “Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see; they have ears, but do not hear; they have noses, but do not smell; they have hands, but do not handle; they have feet, but do not walk; they do not breathe through their throats. Those who make them and all who trust in them will be like them!” It emphasizes God as the one and true. Placing attention on these idols diminishes God’s supremacy and significance.
Refusing Modern Medicine and Treatments
It is a misconception that many Christians believe in, and they reject modern medicine, relying solely on faith for healing themselves. They believe that seeking medical attention should always be accompanied by prayer for healing. The use of judgment and prayer helps in making healthcare decisions.
The Bible teaches us that one should seek medical attention when needed. The Parable of the Good Samaritan highlights the importance of practical attention to your body, including medical assistance.
It also teaches us that modern medicines and therapy could be valuable tools in healthcare that keep our mental and physical well-being in check. Skilled doctors and nurses are viewed as God’s instruments to bring humankind healing. While refusing modern medicine and therapy is not a mainstream practice, a small segment strictly follows it.