The Right-Hand of Fellowship
by Darrell Holmes
I was recently reading a blog on chron.com’s “Believe Out Loud” section where a debate about whether Satan is real was posed. An actual discussion is to take place between Mark Driscoll, pastor at Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Carlton Pearson who authored the book “the Gospel of Inclusion”, Deepak Chopra who is an alternative medicine expert, and Hookers for Jesus founder Annie Lobert. It will air on ABC’s Nightline program on March 26th. The ensuing discussion in the comments section was random and nonsensical as the inevitable debate about whether Christianity or religion as a whole are based in facts.
Truthfully, many Christians are unprepared to have an intelligent discussion about the factual truths from which their faith is based because they haven’t ever spent time studying the Bible from a historical standpoint nor do they spend much time reading at all. When presented with seemingly factual evidence of why their faith may be rooted in myth or hearsay they aren’t able to support their beliefs with either historical data or Biblical scripture that argues otherwise. I know because I’ve been in that situation myself before.
If you are Christian, what would you say or how would you present your argument? Is this a societal problem among Americans where we spend much less time reading in general or is this inherent among Christian believers?
March 30th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Darrell,
You posed a GREAT question. I have had an urge for the longest to spend more time studying the religions of the world. I feel this would open anyone’s mind to the constant struggle for truth that people have possessed since the beginning of time. Many religions, including Christianity, claim that their religion is the “truth.” OK, if so…what is wrong with exploring what is “false?”
As a Christian, I am aware that many pastors, churches, mentors, etc….use insecurity and intimidation to prevent research, exploration, and even recognition of other religions. And I have also had experience with people of other religions acting the SAME way towards me.
I believe that basic principles of Intercultural Communication competence would help the world citizens to understand each other’s religions and their own religion much better. At the root of this search for “truth,” most religions are based on LOVE…but as far as inter-religious discussion…it is usually done with HATE/INSECURTIY/DISDAIN/PERSECUTION. I’ve always found this to be interesting….
God Bless….
April 1st, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Eric, thanks. This discussion started on chron.com in their “Believe out Loud” section where I saw a poster suggest that Christ himself may’ve been the Anti-Christ. He used various Biblical passages for his “proof” basically saying that b/c Christ opposed the Mosaic law, was rebellious towards the Jewish/Roman establishment, there’s no mention of the Trinity in the Bible, and because he forced an extra step to a relationship with God not mentioned in the Old Testament…he must be the Anti-Christ. All his points ignore the fact that the Holy Spirit descended like a dove and God professed Jesus as His son during his baptism and that both John the Baptist and Christ are foretold during the Old Testament. Also, the holy standard set by Mosaic Law obviously required a level of holiness so stringent that no one could live up to it proven by what is written throughout the Bible. The people became slaves to practices out of fear and repitition. Many didn’t do God’s will out of love which Moses warned against. Last, Christ’s message didn’t oppose the Mosaic Law it extends it. Mosaic Law was absolute; if you stabbed someone’s eye out you lost your eye; end of story. Jesus proposed that you turn the other cheek. If someone blasphemed God they were to be stoned by the town members; Jesus gave all hope despite their past.
Many believe because of hope, some fear, some desperation, and some because they don’t see a better alternative. My faith has been strengthened because of the truth I have read through expository studying at my church, individual reading of the Bible, and supplemental study outside of Christianity.
What is truly interesting is how the Big 3 intersect and the similarities they share and not just how they differ and disagree.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:24 am
When it comes to discussions about faith and religion, I see them as two different things. Even within the Christian religion, you have different denominations that disagree with each other about what’s in the Bible. While I think you can form a good fact-based discussion around some of the differences we have, I don’t think you can argue faith. To me, it’s a waste of time because if I truly believe what I believe in my heart, a mere discussion will not change how I see things. At that point I can only state my belief and leave it at that.
I can only speak for myself when it comes to reading the Bible. I’ve found myself lacking in that area and I’ve taken steps to improve and do better. It’s important to take time to study the Bible as opposed to just reading it. It’s in that time that it comes to life and you find ways to use it in every day living. The Bible is a very interesting book when you take the time to study it. Add the history and study of customs in those days and you’ve got a lot of information to cover.
Here’s a link regarding this topic that I found on a site that I frequent pretty often. There are a lot of good questions/answers, but like always it’s important to verify them on your own.
http://www.gotquestions.org/tolerance-Christian.html
Great question and thanks for posing it to the readers.
December 10th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
My question to you expositors is :- have you ever encountered the tradition of “the right hand of fellowship” ? What is it ? and why do rational people believe that they can apply the scripture in Galatians to themselves as laypersons,even though the example is to the Apostle Paul from the Apostles Peter,John and James? and thirdly and most importantly why do some christians insist that their left hand is the “right hand of fellowship” ? I recently witnessed a pastor in our church who when upon being asked by a baptismal candidate if he could be baptised, responded by holding his left hand to the candidate and saying”do you except our right hand of fellowship?’ the candidate relied”I do ” and the pastor replied “then you may be baptised”. am I the only one to experience this type of thing or are their other people that have experienced pastors that have a left ‘right’ hand complex?