Promises as a Christian
Obviously, we all know about:
But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes†be “Yes,†and your “No,†“No,†lest you fall into judgment.
This is something that so often concerns me about contempory Christian music, we see ourselves as too faithful, and promise to follow God forever and ever with our whole hearts. What I am wondering is when stating our intentions in the knowledge of God’s sustaining power becomes rashly swearing.
But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.
I would appreciate everyone’s input on this, so long as it is based in the scriptures.
What day of the week is it? Here is a link to a post on my brother in-law’s blog. It deals with “Christian” as a noun or adjective. http://omnivoredigest.blogspot.com/2006/10/spooky-word-of-day-christian.html
Cool, but, what’s that got to do with anything? Everyone knows what the adjective is referring to (stuff created by Christians for Christian purposes). No, it’s not ideal, but it’s much easier than saying any alternatives. Whether or not the music represents the Bible well is another issue, but calling it ‘rock created by Christians’, is just long winded and strange.
But perhaps I’d change my mind after reading Against Christianity.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot…and it’s still baffling me to some extent so I appologise if this is really confusing!
As Christians we know that it is wrong to take the name of the Lord “in vain” and I was wondering if we could be at times guilty of this with some songs that we sing (I know that wasn’t the original point)
“vain” is taken from the Latin word “vÄnus”, meaning empty. Not only could it be suggested that when singing certain songs could we be making false promises, could we also be using the Lord’s name in vain? If vain is taken from a word meaning empty, then I would say I am at least guilty of this sometimes. I’ve been guilty of singing along to “Christian” songs, without even considering the words that I am singing. I may deep down really mean them, but this almost seems irrelavent. if I am not singing them whole-heartedly, then surely there is a huge element of emptiness…am I then taking the Lords name in vain?
It’s really made me realise that when I come to worship the Lord…I HAVE to do it whole-heartedly, and if I don’t mean the words that i’m singing, then I really shouldn’t be saying them!
Sorry to beat around the bush here Peter…!
Em
I’ve replied to this once (I feel like a right pest now!) but…along these lines, I made the mistake of agreeing to go and see Delirious last night in Manchester with the church youth group, and we left very early because we came to the conclusion that the majority of people there were worshipping the band and not God (not literally WORSHIPPING the band, but they were so obsessed with the band, that the fact they were singing about God was no longer relavent). I couldn’t stand being there because I just got such a horrible feeling about it, and it felt so insincere…probably more so because i’d been thinking of what you had originally stated. Just thought that i’d add that
Em
Here’s the tacky end of the line for commercial Christianity.