Paul's Passing Thoughts

As Western Christians, what do we want to call ourselves? The assumption among evangelicals is that you are either Catholic or Protestant. There are Catholics, Protestants, and their denominational variances, and “cults.” This is the generally accepted motif due to the traditions of men and misinformation. If we understand a proper definition of each, a fourth category is needed. This is the silent identity crisis of Western Christianity; few of us know who we really are.

“Evangelicalism” sought to be that fourth option in the 18th and 19th centuries. The problem with that follows: the movement held fast to the basic premises of Protestantism. This middle of the road option sold big because of a fundamental en mass misconception of what the Protestant gospel states.

The fact is, you can scarcely slip a playing card in-between the gospels of Protestantism and Catholicism except for the fact that Catholics are more honest; they readily admit that justification is not a finished work and you need the church to help you finish the work. Luther and Calvin admitted that believers have to participate in the finishing of justification, but Calvin asserted that it is really not works salvation because God predetermines who is going to persevere and who isn’t. Wonderful.

However, this is all prefaced with a like caveat: Calvin’s “power of the keys.” Whatever the right pastors bind on earth will be bound in heaven. Being interpreted: if the church likes you, you’re probably going to make it. Have you ever wondered why religion is such a big business? Have you ever wondered why the church is preferred over justice? Clearly, Calvin believed in elder absolution in the exact same way that Catholics believe in priestly absolution. In no uncertain terms, Calvin stated that a perpetual forgiveness of sins needed to sustain justification can only be found in the institutional church.

Why does this surprise us? Luther and Calvin were Augustinians, and the three never repented of being Catholics. In fact, Catholics and Protestants both claim Augustine as the father of their orthodoxy. “Orthodoxy” is a more contemporary form of mythology. In ancient times, mythology was the catechism, creeds, and confessions of the first religion institutionalized by the kingdom of darkness: Spiritual Caste. Instead of ONE mediator between God and man, the enlightened are mediators of truth between God and the great unwashed unenlightened masses. The enlightened understand truth that the masses will never understand, but in order to guide them to the hereafter, they publish truth that can be understood by the unenlightened masses; ie., orthodoxy which is a more polished form of mythology. The latter is part and parcel with the earliest forms of Spiritual Caste. The former is historically attached to the Reformation. And from the very beginnings of civilization, Spiritual Caste is one and the same with state—the union of faith and force.

Cults were born with the advent of separation of church and state. Principles of cultism transcend all stripes of religion because cults replace the enforcement of orthodoxy by the state with mind control, manipulation, propaganda, and fear. Evangelical academia is the Catholic form of Popeism and a major tool of that propaganda. Cults are an 18th century phenomenon and the etymology of the word does not precede that era. Non-cults are Protestants that restrain themselves from their lust to control and be a mediator other than Christ; therefore, they are not cults, but cultism aways lingers in the Protestant heart.

A true and real fourth option must emerge. It will recognize that justification is a finished work and sanctification progresses separately. It will recognize that sanctification is powered by regeneration and not justification. Those who protest that some Protestants believe this should also insist that such people defer from calling themselves Protestants. Catholicism and Protestantism both are based on progressive justification.

An endeavor for the definition must come forth. This movement must reject Protestantism and all of its bastard children out of hand. It must recognize Protestantism for the false gospel that it is. It must throw out the Protestant baby with the bathwater. It must know that a “little leaven leavens the whole lump.” It must insist on individual responsibility regarding a relationship with the one mediator and reject the traditions of men. It must uphold the freedom of the individual to seek God on their own and reject religious collectivism. Though it recognizes the necessity of fellowship and unity in the truth, it will emphasize the individual and the gifts granted by God to every person born into the world. It will see every member as crucial to the functioning of the body.

This is where true revival for God’s glory will take place. This is where the fellowship of believers will see God working for themselves without a play by play interpretation by the spiritual elite. Yes, it is a call to fear God more than men.