The Kingdom of God Has a Reality Check-Up Appointment

Erin Walker

Mr. Smith

BTS 3

February 16, 2016

The Kingdom of God Has a Reality Check-up Appointment

        Whether one is able to believe or to not believe in a religion that they are born into should be completely up to that person. In most cases, people are born into the religion that they either believe in or turn away from; completely not believing altogether or they convert to another religion. However, some are forced into a religion that’s not of their choice and there’s no backing out of it.

        The reader may be thinking of a cult, specifically Mormonism, with the last sentence, but one would be surprised to read how Christianity is one. As it’s depicted in the bible, unbelief perpetuates a diminishing desire to know and follow God just as belief will be a seed of faith that when nurtured grows into faithfulness in the kingdom.

        One has to realize that Christianity has many (but not entirely) devoted Christians who are too aggressive in their attempts to share their faith; of course, not including the times in history where people were forcibly converted. Yet despite this reason, the Bible does not support forced conversion and/or evangelism.

        First evidence of this is found when Jesus is sending out his disciples to preach the kingdom of God; he specifically asked them to immediately leave towns that did not welcome them. The disciples protested and wanted to punish the towns for such acts yet Jesus rebuked them.

        As secondary evidence, an overseer of a church is to be “respectable, honorable…not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome…must have a good reputation with outsiders…” In today’s world, it is difficult imagining someone being obnoxious or forceful with their beliefs to be with non-Christians and still meeting the qualifications of said descriptions. In fact, all Christians, whether they are a new believer or an “old-timer”, are called “to be peaceable and considerate…show[ing] true humility toward all men.”

        Another relatable example of someone forcing another into Christianity is when parents take their children to church. Indeed, at a young age, the child(ren) do not have an ability to think on their own yet and are shown one way of life; however, when the child(ren) grow into their teenage years, they are able to think for themselves, with a little guidance from an adult figure. In some situations, children are willing to attend church, being taught the joys of being a Christian yet are restricted from knowing the truth of what it’s like to become a “true believer”. As the children gradually increase in age, more of the truth is revealed and eventually are left with evidence of the true meaning of being a Christian. Then, as a teenager, they must choose the path of religion or to break away from it. In most cases, many will “break away”, having doubts on just about everything there is to Christianity. Others will completely severe their once-was faith, realizing the truth about Christianity. Usually, the ones whom have doubts about Christianity are guilt-tripped into staying associated with Christianity.