Don't always believe what you read in Newsweek...

If you haven't seen this Newsweek article yet, it might be of interest to you. What is not surprising though is the mis-characterization of the central tenants of the Christian Faith. Here is a paragraph from the article:

"Roughly put, the Christian narrative is the story of humankind as chronicled in the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament—the drama of creation, fall and redemption. The orthodox tend to try to live their lives in accordance with the general behavioral principles of the Bible (or at least the principles they find there of which they approve) and anticipate the ultimate judgment of God—a judgment that could well determine whether they spend eternity in heaven or in hell."

Lets take a look at this paragraph phrase by phrase:

• "Christian narrative is the story of humankind as chronicled in the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament" Actually the Bible is much more about God and his reaching out to us, then it is about human experience itself. It just so happens that the best way to show the glory and grace of our Lord is to set it in contrast to the misery and selfishness that humans manifest, and that Jesus ultimately rescues us from.
• "the drama of creation, fall and redemption" I actually do agree with this statement. The traversal of humanity across this chain is truly dramatic. Not just flippantly dramatic. It is a story that we can all identify with. In fact that drama is one of the reasons why I love the Bible show much. It clearly shows me who I am.
• "The orthodox tend to try to live their lives in accordance with the general behavioral principles of the Bible" This sentence makes me chuckle, and then feel really sorry for the author. He has it exactly backwards. It turns out that the truly orthodox are actually living their lives in worship of God the Father for His great mercy, God the Son for His sacrifice, and God the Spirit for His comfort and support. It just so happens that in response to our worship of the Lord we desire to love Him by obeying His commandments. The former drives the latter, not the other way around.
• "(or at least the principles they find there of which they approve)" Again this saddens me, that the author would betray his own understanding of orthodoxy as that which the people get to decide on, instead of that which is ultimately, and objectively true. The Bible is the truth, and when read in context, there is only one proper interpretation of any given scripture. The interpretation that God and the original author intended. Scripture doesn't depend on my ability to understand or interpret. It is for me to seek the truth held within, not to place my opinions on top of.
• "and anticipate the ultimate judgment of God" This is a strange way to think of things. I'm not saying that God doesn't Judge. He does. I'm glad that He does. I want their to be justice for wrongs done on this Earth. But I don't sit around waiting for His Judgment. I actively work, to prepare for His second Coming!
• "a judgment that could well determine whether they spend eternity in heaven or in hell." The truly orthodox, have no fear of judgment. They know exactly where they are going. If they trust in Jesus' propitiating sacrifice on the cross, then God has demonstrated His willingness to accept that sacrifice through His rising of Christ's from the Dead. That's why Easter is such a big deal. It proves that God accepted the sacrifice. It secures for us that same resurrected body that Jesus displayed to the disciples and now has at the right hand of the Father.

I pray that this Easter finds you secure in the knowledge of your salvation if you know the Lord, and if you don't that you would seek Him while He may yet be found.