Five of the Worse Ideas in Church History’s

“Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” George Santayana

Speaking of the wandering Jews in the wilderness and the things they went through, Paul makes this observation in I Corinthians 10:11, Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Can similar lessons be learned from church history? Answer: Yes

As a Christian, what would you do if you were made the king of the world?

Bad Idea #1: The Welding of Church and State In 313 AD Emperor Constantine made Christianity legal by passing the “Act of Toleration.” In 380 AD Eastern Roman Emperor Theodosius declared Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire which lead ultimately to the Roman Church setting up the kingdom here and now.

For the first three centuries, the State did not tolerate the Christian Church. They were considered enemies of the State and hence persecuted. After 380 AD, the church started taking over every political and social office which had been controlled by pagan priests and State Administration.

As a result… The Papacy became dominate Religion became primarily outward expression False teaching The Bible was taken out of the people’s hands Religious freedom was not tolerated Persecuted other Christians who would not bow in submission

Listen to what our Lord says to Pilate just prior to the crucifixion… Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting, that I might not be delivered up to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm." John 18:36

Confusion: There is a different model than Old Testament Israel Old Testament Israel was a theocracy The New Testament Church is a living organism made up of believers who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 12:13). Christ is the head of His Church. There are no political ties, geographical boundaries, or racial requirements.

Mistake: God never intended for the church to be in charge politically Lesson: The church’s role is better as prophet than king. John the Baptist models this…

Luke 3:7-14 John told the Jews not to depend on being a Jew for salvation Tax-gathers not to take more than ordered Soldiers not to take money by force, falsely accuse, and be content with your wages

You will never find a verse like this “And as the church continues to grow and expand, Christians are to seize their governments and rule in My Name.” II Acts 12:15 Rather… "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. “ Matthew 28:19-20

To conclude: the church's role in politics is to be there visibly in the context of political policy formulation. The church has to be prophetic, speaking for God. The church has to herald the ethical values that enrich a nation. The church has to be bold and forthright, constructive and innovative. The church has to be "salt and light" in what is so often a corrupt environment, to bring light and health.

Bad Idea #2: The Crusades From 1096 to 1289, the European church launched a military campaign to recover the Holy Land from the Muslims.

The Crusades: 1096 to 1289 Beginning in the 11th century, the people of western Europe launched a series of armed expeditions, or Crusades, to the East and Constantinople. The reason for the Crusades is relatively clear: the West wanted to free the Holy Lands from Islamic influence. The first of early Crusades were part of a religious revivalism. The initiative was taken by popes and supported by religious enthusiasm and therefore the Crusades demonstrated papal leadership as well as popular religious beliefs. They were also an indication of the growing self-awareness and self-confidence of Europe in general.

In Pope Urban II gave a speech in support of the crusades and said… “God himself will lead them, for they will be doing His work. There will be absolution and remission of sins for all who die in the service of Christ. Here they are poor and miserable sinners; there they will be rich and happy. Let none hesitate; they must march next summer. God wills it!”

Mistake : God never instructed the church to conquer the Holy Land Lesson: Make sure you are following God’s goals and not pursuing man’s or your own false goals.

It would no longer be about location, but rather the condition of the heart The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. "Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall you worship the Father. "You worship that which you do not know; we worship that which we know, for salvation is from the Jews. "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.“ John 4:19-24

(A Song of Ascents, of Solomon.) Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain. Psalm 127:1 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may have cause to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. Philippians 2:16 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1Timothy 1:5

What does the Lord desire for us to be focused on? Evangelism "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. " Matthew 28:19-20 Edification but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, Ephesians 4:15 Ministry This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27

We must make sure that we are not engaged in a wrong crusade… Being busy for the kingdom rather than being than being intimate with the Lord Being against something rather than for the Lord Changing the outside of people and not their hearts

How does our church stack up in its purposes?

YLFC Purposes "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. " Matthew 28:19-20

…not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near. Hebrews 10:25

And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. II Timothy 2:2

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; Ephesians 4:11-12

And He said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' "This is the great and foremost commandment. "The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' "On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets." Matthew 22:37-40