Phariseeism in the Modern Church
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That is an interesting distinction ... I think you are saying that simply accepting a creed or "Statement of Faith" of some church does not save us ... it is a personal, heart-felt faith that unites us with Christ.
stevesonthebay
Active Member
I think the idea of phariseeism is so great today that not only are many churhes engaging in such preaching but so are the NGO's they work with. These churches now ally with secular NGO's and even government reps to promote a social good according to a world kingdom and not Gods kingdom.
Social justice activism and the shaming and condemnation of exclusion. At the expense of Gods kingdom.
This was the exact same idea with the pharisees. They formulated a power structure using religious laws and regulations according to a world kingdom.
But the church should know better. The most obvious sign I think is that we cannot say there is much difference between the world and todays church.
When you start seeing the same ideas in the church as in what society believes is truth then I think Christ is not there. When these ideas create divisions between people then Christ is not there.
I think Christ church is quiet and humble and is not shouting and agitating and condemning or politicising social issues. But like the poor widow they simply give what they have. They give of themselves like Christ did. That the world is blind to this and even ridecules this.
Social justice activism and the shaming and condemnation of exclusion. At the expense of Gods kingdom.
This was the exact same idea with the pharisees. They formulated a power structure using religious laws and regulations according to a world kingdom.
But the church should know better. The most obvious sign I think is that we cannot say there is much difference between the world and todays church.
When you start seeing the same ideas in the church as in what society believes is truth then I think Christ is not there. When these ideas create divisions between people then Christ is not there.
I think Christ church is quiet and humble and is not shouting and agitating and condemning or politicising social issues. But like the poor widow they simply give what they have. They give of themselves like Christ did. That the world is blind to this and even ridecules this.
Amen and welcome to the thread. I think more people realize nowadays that Jesus is a loving and forgiving Person. But they don't get when and how He is such. And the more one preaches holiness, the more people react in a more liberal way.
God is merciful but He is also hard on those who claim to do things in His name. Holiness is for the church...and doing righteousness is the minimum standard for all mankind.
I believe that good and acceptable overlap in meaning because they do. You can look it up yourself:
εὐάρεστος (euarestos) – usually translated "pleasing," "well-pleasing," or "acceptable."
- It literally conveys the idea of giving pleasure, being pleasing to someone, or meeting with approval.
- When the object is God, it often means "acceptable because it pleases God."
- Examples:
- Romans 12:1 – "present your bodies... holy, acceptable to God."
- Ephesians 5:10 – "finding out what is pleasing to the Lord."
Well, I am not the judge and as such, I can't rule in their favor or against them. In my opinion, I see people making judgements on both sides. Jesus is the way, truth and the life, no one gets to the Father unless He allows it. I will not sit in a seat that is only His.
So the Greek word dektos G1184 is used in Acts 10:35. The meaning is "accepted, acceptable." It doesn't say anything about being pleasing.
"But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."
(I'm sorry, I don't know how to attach a file, I only have a screen shot of G1184 and if I share it, it's huge...so I leave it to you to look it up.)
I do see, however, how you would see "acceptable" and "pleasing" as interchangeable as per the greek word you used. It's just that Acts 10:35 doesn't use the Greek word that you posted.
δεκτός (dektos, Strong’s G1184) can legitimately carry the idea of both “acceptable” and “pleasing/favorably received,” although “pleasing” is usually an explanation of the sense rather than the most direct one-word translation.
The core idea is something that is received favorably, accepted, welcomed, or approved. It comes from δέχομαι (dechomai), “to receive.” Lexicons give meanings such as “acceptable,” “accepted,” “favorable,” and “welcome.”
“Acceptable” = something that is approved of or favorably received.
“Pleasing” = something that produces a favorable response or is agreeable.
So, semantically:
The meanings can overlap. This leaves the possibilities open. However, I will not debate it any further. Everyone will just see what they want to see anyway. I will rather move on to righteousness/holiness as that is at the core of the dispute. I am currently doing a study on the differences and similarities.
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