INCENTIVE CHRISTIANITY.
Good evening, all. Wishing you a wonderful evening and hoping you've been doing great.
I was motivated to study the Crusades after hearing a story about them years ago. What sparked my interest was realizing that critics of Christianity often cite the Crusades as a way to discredit the faith. I wanted to understand the historical context and complexities of the Crusades, rather than relying on simplistic or misinformed narratives.
The Crusades began during a period of significant expansion by the Seljuk Turks, who had conquered much of modern-day Turkey and were threatening Constantinople. In response, Pope Urban II called upon Catholics to launch a military campaign against the Muslim expansionists. The initial goal was to reclaim the Holy Land, but the idea gained little traction until the introduction of incentives, which motivated people to join the cause.
The Catholic Church introduced incentives to mobilize support for the Crusades. Participation guaranteed forgiveness of sins and a spot in heaven. Crusaders were also granted indulgences, reducing their time in purgatory. Through persuasive sermons, death in battle was framed as a form of martyrdom, ensuring direct entry into heaven.
Additionally, crusaders were promised land, wealth, and treasure in the Holy Land, as well as the honor of being seen as heroes and defenders of the faith. For a more comprehensive understanding, I encourage you to read further on the subject.
As a student of history, I've noticed unsettling parallels between the past and our current Christian landscape. It appears that a watered-down Gospel has infiltrated our churches and lives as believers. This "IKEA Gospel" requires us to "assemble" our own salvation by working to earn God's grace, rather than embracing it as a free gift. Let me elaborate.
I've noticed a concerning trend in some sermons, where well-intentioned preachers present spiritual disciplines as a means to achieve a higher status with God. For instance, they may emphasize holiness and sanctification as a way to attain spiritual heights or gain favor with God. However, isn't sanctification actually about conforming to the character of Christ and living out our daily lives in obedience to Him, rather than just a means to an end? Isn't it ultimately about the salvation and transformation of our souls?
Prayer is often presented as a means to achieve a spiritual high, with the goal of gaining power, having visions, or attaining a new level of spiritual glory. While these experiences may occur as a result of prayer, they're not the ultimate purpose. Prayer isn't a tool to get somewhere or achieve something; it's about communing with God, deepening our relationship with Him, and surrendering to His will.
Fasting, too, has been misrepresented as a means to attain spiritual power and glory. However, its primary purpose is inward transformation, not outward gain. By emphasizing incentives, we inadvertently create unrealistic expectations for believers. When these promises aren't fulfilled, many become disillusioned and may even abandon their faith. Conversely, those who do experience breakthroughs can become prideful, believing they've earned God's favor. The overemphasis on incentives has led us astray, distracting us from the true purpose of spiritual disciplines.
In today's Christian culture, people often feel disappointed or unfulfilled if they don't experience visions or dramatic encounters with God after praying for just an hour. But the true goal of prayer is intimacy and fellowship with God's Spirit, not just seeking supernatural experiences. Those experiences are meant to draw us deeper into communion with Him.
You know I’ve not found in my few years of study where Jesus promised what we are promising to people in the scriptures (if you find please show me) won’t it mean we are doing something wrong then? If the people of other religion promises people weird things in the name of their religion, what then is our difference?
I hope I'm not being misunderstood, but this mindset can lead to legalism and actually drive people away from genuine faith. Ironically, some individuals may have been more content and sincere in their lives before becoming Christians, only to become disillusioned and rigid in their beliefs.
My heartfelt plea is that we teach people to pursue spiritual disciplines like prayer, fasting, and giving solely because of their love for the Lord, not because of promised rewards or incentives. There's a more effective way to guide believers, one that fosters a deep longing for God's presence, not just His blessings. I yearn to see Christians become "Christian hedonists," seeking God for who He is, not just what He can provide, there is truly a place where we can get satisfied with Jesus alone.
