The Disturbing Nature of Christianity
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Chapter 1 - Why It Took So Long “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matt. 7:13-14) If these words are in fact true (I am certain they are) they are the most disturbing words ever spoken in the history of the world. What is also disturbing is that these words didn’t trouble me deeply for much of my Christian life. It has only been in the last five or six years that I began to feel the full impact of Christ’s teaching. I must stress though, if the above words of Christ do not trouble you in the least, you need to face the “trilemma”. Either you are so brain damaged that you are incapable of understanding Jesus’ words. Or you are so self-centered and uncaring that you have no concern or compassion for your fellow man. Or you do not believe the words of Christ to be true. If the first two options do not apply to you then the third does.
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About the Book
The Disturbing Nature of Christianity challenges the reader to look at the central truths of Christianity with unflinching honesty. Excerpts from The Disturbing Nature of Christianity: The message of the Bible is clear. The great majority of humanity (including that humanity we personally know) will be offended and reject the salvation offered by God the Father through His Son. Do you find that truth disturbing? If so you are experiencing a natural consequence of taking Jesus’ teaching seriously. Jesus told us that if you are a Christian you are in a tiny minority. And as we have seen in our study the true Christian is in a minority even in conservative evangelical churches. In his classic book The Cost of Discipleship, the world-renowned theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer explains Christ’s teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. The following is teaching I never heard from any pulpit or any Bible teacher in my 35 years as a Christian. (Concerning Matthew 7:13-14) “A little band of men, the followers of Christ, are separated from the rest of the world. The disciples are few in number, and will always be few. The saying of Jesus forestalls all exaggerated hopes of success. Never let a disciple of Jesus pin his hopes on large numbers. The only comfort the disciples have in face of this prospect is the promise of life and eternal fellowship with Jesus.” (p. 211) (Concerning Matthew 10) “The Messengers of Jesus will be hated to the end of time. They will be blamed for all the divisions, which rend cities and homes. Jesus and his disciples will be condemned on all sides for undermining family life, and for leading the nation astray, they will be called crazy fanatics and disturbers of the peace…” (p. 239)
About the Author
Lance Clippinger is the author of The Offer: Examining the Role of the Nation of Israel in the First and Second Comings of Jesus Christ. He received his Masters of Divinity from Talbot School of Theology. He has pastored two churches for a total of 13 years. He currently resides with his wife in Mason, Ohio.