Editor's Note: Much of the content of this post came from an article written by Vivian Bricker for Christianity.com
An ideology is a system of ideas and ideals, especially one which forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy. There are many ideologies in Christianity and some of them can be dangerous to our witness as the body of Christ. Christianity is the truth of Jesus, however, mankind has polluted and caused many deadly ideologies to emerge. Here are four of them that have the potential to do severe damage to our Christian witness,
Politics
Many Christians have mixed their faith with their politics. We often see it from the pulpit and at meetings and conferences. We need to be very careful that we maintain the separation of church and state. By that I mean is the separation of the institutions of organized religion (Christianity is not a religion it is a relationship with Jesus) and state.
Many Christians can become impetuous and act without thinking when talking about politics. Some Christians actually treat politics as their religion itself and in doing so, place politics above God.
As Christians, it is important for us to not make politics an idol in our lives because nothing is more important than God. Politics might mean a lot to many people, but it should never mean more to someone than God.
If you are more passionate about your political party than you are passionate about God, you have a problem. Politics can mean a great deal to you, but never let it become more important than God.
Christians argue that Christians should allow their faith to influence their country, but most of the time, it is the worldly system of the country that is influencing the Christians.
Forcing Someone to Accept Christ
Jesus gave us a task and that was to deliver the good news to all people.
Matthew 28:18-20 NIV [18] Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
A core belief of Christianity is to accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord, because we know that Jesus is the only way a person can receive the forgiveness of their sin and salvation.
John 14:6 NIV [6] Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Acts 4:12 NIV [12] Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
But we should never force someone to believe in Jesus.
Christian nationalism or Christian socialism would try to push this ideology onto someone, yet this isn't what God wants. God didn't create us as robots to do as He says. Rather, He created us to fully accept Him on our own. Each person has to make their own decision that they will freely accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Nobody should be forced to become a Christian because being a Christian is a free choice. .
It could be extremely misleading if someone thought they were a Christian simply because of their political views and later found out that they were never a Christian because they were forced into Christianity.
A person is a Christian because they have placed faith in Jesus. Believing in Jesus should not come out of fear or obligation to your country. Instead, it should come from a heart of pure love for the Lord. While many may think it would be a good thing to force all people to become Christians, it is extremely dangerous. Think of how many people would live their lives thinking they were Christians only to find out they were never real believers in the first place.
Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV [8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— [9] not by works, so that no one can boast.
Romans 10:9-10 NIV [9] If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
An ideology is a system of ideas and ideals, especially one which forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy. There are many ideologies in Christianity and some of them can be dangerous to our witness as the body of Christ. Christianity is the truth of Jesus, however, mankind has polluted and caused many deadly ideologies to emerge. Here are four of them that have the potential to do severe damage to our Christian witness,
Politics
Many Christians have mixed their faith with their politics. We often see it from the pulpit and at meetings and conferences. We need to be very careful that we maintain the separation of church and state. By that I mean is the separation of the institutions of organized religion (Christianity is not a religion it is a relationship with Jesus) and state.
Many Christians can become impetuous and act without thinking when talking about politics. Some Christians actually treat politics as their religion itself and in doing so, place politics above God.
As Christians, it is important for us to not make politics an idol in our lives because nothing is more important than God. Politics might mean a lot to many people, but it should never mean more to someone than God.
If you are more passionate about your political party than you are passionate about God, you have a problem. Politics can mean a great deal to you, but never let it become more important than God.
Christians argue that Christians should allow their faith to influence their country, but most of the time, it is the worldly system of the country that is influencing the Christians.
Forcing Someone to Accept Christ
Jesus gave us a task and that was to deliver the good news to all people.
Matthew 28:18-20 NIV [18] Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
A core belief of Christianity is to accept Jesus as your Savior and Lord, because we know that Jesus is the only way a person can receive the forgiveness of their sin and salvation.
John 14:6 NIV [6] Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Acts 4:12 NIV [12] Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
But we should never force someone to believe in Jesus.
Christian nationalism or Christian socialism would try to push this ideology onto someone, yet this isn't what God wants. God didn't create us as robots to do as He says. Rather, He created us to fully accept Him on our own. Each person has to make their own decision that they will freely accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Nobody should be forced to become a Christian because being a Christian is a free choice. .
It could be extremely misleading if someone thought they were a Christian simply because of their political views and later found out that they were never a Christian because they were forced into Christianity.
A person is a Christian because they have placed faith in Jesus. Believing in Jesus should not come out of fear or obligation to your country. Instead, it should come from a heart of pure love for the Lord. While many may think it would be a good thing to force all people to become Christians, it is extremely dangerous. Think of how many people would live their lives thinking they were Christians only to find out they were never real believers in the first place.
Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV [8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— [9] not by works, so that no one can boast.
Romans 10:9-10 NIV [9] If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Obsession with Marriage
While marriage is a beautiful thing and should be treated as such, many Christians make it an idol. Some go to the extreme to claim a person isn't living in the full will of God unless they are married. Yet again, marriage is a good thing until it becomes an obsession.
This ideology within Christianity can make many Christians feel empty, lost, or alone if they never get married or remain single.
This ideology also affects the outside world as it causes unbelievers to believe that they are worthless or not good enough to be Christians unless they are married.
Rather than stressing marriage, we need to share the love of Christ. We need to help those outside and inside the church know of their value and worth in the eyes of God.
Since the Bible tells us this, we know that it is true. God doesn't make mistakes, and He didn't make one when He created you. Whether you are married or not, God wants to have a personal relationship with you.
A personal relationship with Christ means you are forgiven of your sins, given eternal life, and redeemed. While marriage is also an intimate relationship, a relationship with God is far more glorious.
Marriage ends once we die; however, our relationship with God endures forever. You will still know your spouse in heaven; however, your relationship won't be the same any longer.
Matthew 22:30 ERV [30] At the time when people rise from death, there will be no marriage. People will not be married to each other. Everyone will be like the angels in heaven.
While you should enjoy your marriage in this earthly life, you also need to focus on your eternal relationship with God, which lasts forever.
Damaging Jesus' Name
A fourth danger of ideologies in Christianity is the matter of it damaging Jesus' name. Through all of the ideologies listed above as well as more, you can see how much damage it can cause to Jesus' name.
Rather than giving Him the praise He deserves, it associates negative things with His name. Many people falsely see Christianity as racist, homophobic, and full of hate.
The Bible is not racist, as God loves all people.
Galatians 3:26-29 NIV [26] So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, [27] for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. [28] There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [29] If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
In fact, Jesus says He came to earth to die for the entire world. He didn't say He only died for a certain type of people, but rather that He came to die for the sins of the world.
John 3:16-17 NIV [16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
There is absolutely no need for racism as it goes directly against the Bible because we are all equal at the foot of the cross. Racism is a result of sin that goes against God's good design of different ethnicities.
In the same way, the Bible is not homophobic, nor is it full of hate. The Bible warns against homosexuality as being a sin; however, God never tells us to hate those struggling with homosexuality.
We should allow the gospel to do the convicting and simply share the gospel with them and point them to Christ. We have no right to judge anyone.
Matthew 7:1-5 NIV [1] “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. [2] For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. [3] “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? [4] How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? [5] You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Only God will judge people–not us. There is also no room for hate in the lives of Christianity because God wants us to love all people just as He loves us.
1 John 4:16-21 NIV [16] And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. [17] This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. [18] There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. [19] We love because he first loved us. [20] Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. [21] And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
Sadly, many people outside the church believe Christianity is a religion of judgment and hate. As Christians, it is up to us to change the conversation in this area and help bring glory back to Jesus' name.
While marriage is a beautiful thing and should be treated as such, many Christians make it an idol. Some go to the extreme to claim a person isn't living in the full will of God unless they are married. Yet again, marriage is a good thing until it becomes an obsession.
This ideology within Christianity can make many Christians feel empty, lost, or alone if they never get married or remain single.
This ideology also affects the outside world as it causes unbelievers to believe that they are worthless or not good enough to be Christians unless they are married.
Rather than stressing marriage, we need to share the love of Christ. We need to help those outside and inside the church know of their value and worth in the eyes of God.
Since the Bible tells us this, we know that it is true. God doesn't make mistakes, and He didn't make one when He created you. Whether you are married or not, God wants to have a personal relationship with you.
A personal relationship with Christ means you are forgiven of your sins, given eternal life, and redeemed. While marriage is also an intimate relationship, a relationship with God is far more glorious.
Marriage ends once we die; however, our relationship with God endures forever. You will still know your spouse in heaven; however, your relationship won't be the same any longer.
Matthew 22:30 ERV [30] At the time when people rise from death, there will be no marriage. People will not be married to each other. Everyone will be like the angels in heaven.
While you should enjoy your marriage in this earthly life, you also need to focus on your eternal relationship with God, which lasts forever.
Damaging Jesus' Name
A fourth danger of ideologies in Christianity is the matter of it damaging Jesus' name. Through all of the ideologies listed above as well as more, you can see how much damage it can cause to Jesus' name.
Rather than giving Him the praise He deserves, it associates negative things with His name. Many people falsely see Christianity as racist, homophobic, and full of hate.
The Bible is not racist, as God loves all people.
Galatians 3:26-29 NIV [26] So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, [27] for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. [28] There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [29] If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
In fact, Jesus says He came to earth to die for the entire world. He didn't say He only died for a certain type of people, but rather that He came to die for the sins of the world.
John 3:16-17 NIV [16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
There is absolutely no need for racism as it goes directly against the Bible because we are all equal at the foot of the cross. Racism is a result of sin that goes against God's good design of different ethnicities.
In the same way, the Bible is not homophobic, nor is it full of hate. The Bible warns against homosexuality as being a sin; however, God never tells us to hate those struggling with homosexuality.
We should allow the gospel to do the convicting and simply share the gospel with them and point them to Christ. We have no right to judge anyone.
Matthew 7:1-5 NIV [1] “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. [2] For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. [3] “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? [4] How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? [5] You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Only God will judge people–not us. There is also no room for hate in the lives of Christianity because God wants us to love all people just as He loves us.
1 John 4:16-21 NIV [16] And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. [17] This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. [18] There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. [19] We love because he first loved us. [20] Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. [21] And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
Sadly, many people outside the church believe Christianity is a religion of judgment and hate. As Christians, it is up to us to change the conversation in this area and help bring glory back to Jesus' name.
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