Before we get too far along with the construction of the platform I aim to build here, I need to bring a little more context to who I am, what I offer, and what you can expect if you continue visiting cowsinthepews.com. As I’ve said before, I’m a Christian. That’s the only label we should rely upon to describe our standing with God. Yet, as I mentioned in my last post, “Christianity” today is like a multi-sided dice that leaves the individual gambling, as it were, with the very well-being of their soul. Sounds foreboding doesn’t it? “The well-being of your soul.” “Ewww, scary”… That’s kinda what it is, though. Roll the dice, pick the flavor of Christianity that suits you and do what that particular denomination does in recognition of, and worship of Jesus Christ and God.
As you can probably tell by now, I’m not a big fan of organized religion. I am, however, a big fan of freedom. People can “believe” in, that is to say, put their faith in whatever they choose. So, going forward please trust that the things I have to say here are never intended to suggest otherwise. The only other thing that I’d like you to understand about me is that I believe the King James Version of the bible is the inerrant word of God and can be understood exactly as He intended. You may or may not agree but, this get’s to the heart of what drives me to do what I do both on this site and in my book, Cows in the Pews and the Atheists Too. I aim to help people realize that the bible can be understood pretty much like any other book we read. All we have to do is pay attention to the context of whatever part of the word of God we’re reading and understand three things: Who’s doing the talking? Who’s he talking to? And, are you a Jew or a gentile? That’s it. Keep that in mind as we seek to understand what it means to be reconciled to God.
Consider again the II Corinthians 5:2 passage referenced in my last post:
II Corinthians 5: 20
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
Here’s the definition of the word reconcile from The American Dictionary of The English Language, by Noah Webster, 1828 Edition:
1. To conciliate anew; to call back into union and friendship the affections which have been alienated; to restore to friendship or favor after estrangement; as, to reconcile men or parties that have been at variance.
4. To adjust; to settle; as to reconcile differences or quarrels.
And the definition of reconciled:
Brought into friendship from a state of disagreement or enmity; made consistent; adjusted.
From II Corinthians 5:20: …be ye reconciled to God.
First question: who’s talking? Answer:
II Corinthians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
…unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:
Third question: Are the Corinthians and saints in all Achaia Jews or gentiles? Answer:
Gentiles!
II Corinthians 5: 16 – 21
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
So, IF we are in Christ, we are new creatures (more on this later), and have been given the “ministry” and “word of reconciliation”. In other words, we’ve been given the ministry of “restoring others to friendship or favor after estrangement ” and by extension, we are, as was the Apostle Paul, ambassadors for Christ.
It is in this capacity that I aim to build this platform. I’m not ordained. I’m not an apostle. I’m not claiming any “divine” revelation, any miraculous knowledge or understanding. I’m simply an ambassador and “new creature” in Christ reaching out to further the gospel of Jesus Christ as much as I am blessed by God to do so.
I must also offer this disclaimer, which I’ll probably need to state over and over:
As I said, it is not my intent to begrudge anyone their search. The United States of America is a free country. As such, we are free to believe what we want, observe or practice our faith the way we want to, and in no way, shape, or form, am I suggesting otherwise. I don’t hate anyone who attends “church”, I don’t hate the various Christian organizations doing what they believe to be the will of God. Nor do I think anyone is going to hell for being a part of organized religion.
What I do think is that many people are conditiond to believe that the ultimate expression of their faith in God is their church attendance. Churchgoing, as I call it, offers people the chance to do something for God. Through their attendance and participation to whatever degree, they can feel as though they’re part of Christianity. And to onlookers, it gives the appearance that they’re Christians. Again, not saying church attendance in and of itself is wrong per se, it’s more that it causes people to approach it as if churchgoing personifies their connectedness to Jesus Christ. While at the same time, seemingly never knowing or wanting to know if the doctrine taught in their church of choice is the truth as God intended. Suffice it to say, with 33,000 plus “Christian” denominations throughout the world, there are counterfeits.
As the title of my book and the address of my website suggests, the “problem” I have with organized denominational “worship” is the mindlessness it often engenders in its congregants. People are conditioned to not question the doctrine presented week in and week out. The system of worship constrains their members to stay within the framework of the service, allowing people to “practice” their religion without ever having to go beyond the form of worship put forth by most denominations. In other words, mooo.
Matthew 15: 7-9
Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
