6/31 Responses to Jefferson Bethke’s YouTube Video on Christian Foundations
There were many responses to the Video made by Jefferson Bethke. I have included a few comments that are relevant to our topic of Counterfeit Religious Church System as a challenge to Christianity.
“You might have guessed that I’m a fan—no “religion” can save anyone. This video is like the kid in class who says what everyone has wanted to say but were too afraid to say it. I was that kid as well, but I praise God that someone infinitely cooler and more talented has taken his gifts and shouted out the message of grace that Jesus proclaimed 2000 years ago: I will build my church, and all the powers of hellwill not conquer it (Matthew 16:18).
“Notice Jesus does not say “I will build a new religion,” because He fulfilled the requirement of a sinless life and paid the penalty for our imperfection at the cross. When He says “church” he obviously doesn’t mean big cathedrals or mega structures, He’s talking about you and me!
“ ‘Church’ here in the original language the Bible was written in is ecclesia – when meant “called out ones.” In other words, church people who have responded to the call of Jesus to give up our enslaving manmade ways of trying to earn salvation (read: religion) and receive eternal life by grace through faith.
“That’s why I hate religion, but love Jesus AND love the church…because the church is this grand collection of the tall and the small, the rich and the poor, and the happy and the grumpy who have bowed our knees and placed our trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. Here’s the way Bethke phrases it:
“Because if grace is water, then the church should be an ocean;
It’s not a museum for good people, it’s a hospital for the broken,
Which means I don’t have to hide my failure, I don’t have to hide my sin,
Because it doesn’t depend on me it depends on him.
“To many, the church is full of judgmental, hypocritical people that just want your money, which in a certain way could actually be seen as a “good” thing, because I can oftentimes be a judgmental, hypocritical person full of greed as well, so I feel right at home!
“….but the church is also a living, breathing body of believers who are united by the blood 
of our Savior and the hope of eternal life. We meet in buildings and houses to worship our Lord, hear His truth, break bread together and bless each other with our God-given spiritual gifts. None of those things I listed are done in an effort to earn favor with Jesus; they are a response of gratitude for the freedom from religious slavery that Jesus purchased at Calvary.
“So if you love the video but hate going to church, you have missed the point. You can’t hate religion but love Jesus and hate the church. You are a “called out one,” so respond to the call and get involved with your brothers and sisters in a local church. Show your gratitude for what Christ has done, because we need you!”
We invite you to add your comments to the posts as we go along. Agree? …or disagree? … What do you think?
Susanne Fengler, Blog Author
www.christianfoundations.jesus-treeoflife.info/blog
Tags: Response - Bethle's YouTube
Filed under: Challenges to the Christian Faith
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