Compromising Christianity through
Culturization and Counterfeit Conversions
Conformity
A major problem with current Christianity is that we are used to the culture of the world and, in many ways, acquire it instead of separating from it (2 Cor 6:17). We try to bind ourselves and our activities with the spiritually blind, and then we let them lead us away from the Biblical light (2 Cor 6:14-15). We relinquish the truths of God and neglect true spiritual worship through a mindless conformity with the world (Rom 12:1-2).
Culturization versus Conversion
Many incorrectly assume culture is amoral and grossly underestimate the danger of closing our eyes to the evil of absorbing the culture (2 Cor 7:1; 6:16). Many fail to understand that when the Word of God is truly implanted into a person's life, the truth necessarily changes that person's culture, which includes but is not limited to dress, music, recreation, friends, relationships, associations, involvements, loyalties, commitments, goals, and preferences (1 Cor 5:15, 17). Many fail to realize the gospel changes the culture of all who accept it. However, the Word of God directs us to preach to the world, not become pals with it. The Word of God tells us to be separate from the world (2 Cor 6:14-17; 7:1), not joined to it.
Many mission agencies follow a 'hands-off' approach to various aspects of mission churches, saying that these are areas of culture which are amoral. However, some missionaries then import these forms into churches in their home country as they claim these 'amoral' cultural forms are actually the correct (moral) way to 'do church' - and then reinterpret Scripture so that it agrees with the new 'tradition.'
Some believers and churches put 'spiritual' programs ahead of giving honor to God and following His Word. These programs include attempts to increase church membership, to make 'worship' creative and entertaining, to be popular with the world, and to produce 'decisions.' They boast in large numbers in an attempt to justify that what they are doing is good, but they first have to ignore what Scripture says about their methods and their priorities.
Also, many confuse repentance with group initiation and compliance. They fail to understand salvation necessarily includes repentance and conversion. Consequently, the gospel is being altered to fit the quickly-growing syncretism of a contemporary religion. Unwisely, many are throwing away essencial parts of the gospel of Christ in a desire to make it harmonize with culture. However, instead of leaving that which is valuable and indispensable to drown in the immoral environment, we need to keep that which corresponds to the true gospel while throwing out the filth of the world.
Conversions in Brazil
Brazil, like many other nations, is commonly characterized as having religions that are formed by filling their doctrinal plate with a spoonful from many of the dishes of religious ideas that are available on the buffet. This, of course, also incudes the major religion of the country. Sadly, in using the currently common evangelistic methods in Brazil, the eager evangelists encourage potential proselytes to stay at the buffet table for yet another addition in their personal works-based religion. One such new dish is called "Say This Prayer." Partaking of this religious morsel produces a pleasurable sensation for a brief time. However, the result is likely to dull the new 'convert' to his still present need for salvation. Following the instructions of the evangelist, he trusts in the prayer, his decision, the experience, and/or Jesus 'living in his heart' - not in Jesus and His work of atonement. Instead of trusting in one's prayer, a person needs to reject all self-effort and self-worth concerning how a person can be saved. Each person must trust in Jesus alone. One must reject membership at the self-serve restaurant and trust only in that which is provided by God for salvation, which is the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is of crucial importance that we, who present the good news to others, impress upon them that salvation is received only through belief. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
One evangelist who was converted to Christ from Catholicism advises those who evangelize to not ask Catholics to repeat a prayer for salvation. He warns against this, because repeating prayers is a part of Catholic practice. The prayer becomes just another religious exercise in one's self-efforts to make it to heaven. But, of course, the most important reason for not leading a person to say a prayer to be saved, is that salvation by a prayer is not Biblical. Salvation is only by Jesus through faith.
One fundamental problem in the current scene of evangelism is that some of the 'evangelists' (soul-winners, missionaries) are not born-again. They have never repented of their sins (and their self-willed life) and believed in Jesus (in His person and His work of salvation). They think they are saved because they have 'said the prayer' and 'asked Jesus into their heart.' Their diligence at evangelism, combined with their church attendance and other religious activities, is largely an effort to convince themselves they are saved. They 'know' they are saved because they can recall a spiritual experience when they said the prayer. They can even tell you about changes in how they live their life (in what they do) since 'saying that prayer.' But they are not open to examine the Scripture (Acts 17:11-12) to see what it actually says about evangelism and salvation. They are content with taking a few Scriptural phrases out of context. When encouraged to check the Scriptures and see what God says concerning 'salvation through prayer,' they may even express anger and/or reject the person. They are unwilling to come to the light and let it show the truth concerning themselves and salvation (Jn 3:19-21).
What about you, the reader, are you willing to check what the Scripture teaches concerning how a person is saved, or are you willing to entrust the salvation of 'your' 'converts' as being under the protection of 'a prayer?' Or do you desire that, as God's converts, they entrust their salvation to Jesus?
"Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you - unless indeed you fail the test?" 2 Cor 13:5
And what about your salvation, are you willing to bank your eternity on some action you have done, such as 'a prayer?' Do not be mislead, salvation is not by a prayer and Jesus (faith in your work plus Jesus' work). Salvation is only by Jesus.
Conclusion
Christianity is in desperate need of reform. As believers, we must insist on following only Biblical instructions and principles as individuals and as the believing church - while rejecting all that comes from (the culture of) the world. In other words, we must be the church; we must employ Scripture to cleanse and change culture rather than being changed and corrupted by culture.
"Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate," says the Lord. ..." 2 Cor 6:17
"Do all things without grumbling or disputing; that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, ..." Phil. 2:14-16
To read more about Biblical principles for evangelism, read the article entitled, "A Theological Basis of Evangelism".
To read more about 'saying a prayer' and 'asking Jesus into your heart', go to "A Discussion of Evangelism".
