Untitled Sermon (2)

INTRODUCTION

Many people dislike organized religion in general - not just Christianity.

Some people blame organized religion for most of history's killings.

It is also sometimes claimed that more people have been killed in the name of Christ than for any other reason.

Is this true, and is Christ or his teaching to blame?

1. Deaths Attributed to Christianity

Crusades and Inquisitions

The total number of deaths estimated to lie at the feet of humanity's poor practice of Christianity is approximately 17 million.

Ancient Wars in Old Testament

On what basis do we believe killings were attributed or authorized by God?

THE BIBLE

The Old Testament reveals God ordered Israel to attack and destroy certain peoples and cities.

In every such case, the people or city targeted for destruction had been rebuked by God hundreds of years before and urged to repent.

Genesis 15:16 ESV

And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”

Genesis

Leviticus 18:25 ESV

and the land became unclean, so that I punished its iniquity, and the land vomited out its inhabitants.

Lev 18

Deuteronomy 20:17 ESV

but you shall devote them to complete destruction, the Hittites and the Amorites, the Canaanites and the Perizzites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, as the Lord your God has commanded,

Revelation 2:21 ESV

I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.

Rev

D

2 Peter 3:9 ESV

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

The terrible killings of the Crusades, Inquisitions, and early Reformation periods are not outlined or even suggested in the Bible.

Revelation 2:21 ESV

I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.

Rev 2

The Bible never ordered the slaughter of Muslims, Jews, Protestant Christians, or Catholic Christians.

These deaths were carried out by fanatical and biblically illiterate people

Deaths Attributed to Non-Christianity

Hitler's Germany exterminated 6 million Jews and killed about 9 million Christians

Stalin purges in the Russian republics prior to and continuing after World War II killed roughly 40 to 60 million people

Mao's China 25 million killed or intentionally starved

Mussolini, ruler ships within Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Sudan, Iraq

Abortion

1,128,000,000

2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV

if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Romans 10:17 ESV

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Rom 10

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Heb 11:

Luke 13:5 ESV

No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

Luke 13:

Romans 10:10 ESV

For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Acts 2:38 ESV

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

2 Timothy 4:7 ESV

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.