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Religious Fervor: What’s the Cause
Written by Peter Youngren on February 23, 2009Religious fervor is not new. Pope Urban II gave a stirring appeal at the Council of Clermont in 1095 AD. With the theme “Deus vult,” which means “God wills it,” he rallied people to go to war against the Islamic “infidels” that occupied Jerusalem. Young men from across Europe responded in a cause they believed to be from God. Parents viewed it as a privilege to see one of their sons dedicated to this “holy” crusade. Regrettably their cause was not to bring the word of reconciliation, but conflict and war.
Urban promised, “All who die by the way, whether by land or by sea, or in battle against the pagans, shall have immediate remission of sins. This I grant them through the power of God with which I am invested.” We do well to remember that the exhibition of religious fervor does not necessarily mean that God is involved, or that we are involved in a holy cause. Just because people are willing to lay down their lives does not mean they are responding to a holy stirring by Jesus Christ.
Today the “Christian” right battles the “Christian” left and vice versa. Everywhere we look there is conflict: Muslims and Christians, Russians and Chechnyans, India and Pakistan, Jews and Palestinians, Christians against the world, and Christians against one another. And everyone believes God is on their side. In fact, almost every warring faction invokes the name of God.
Do you have religious fervor? Does God agree with you? Is He against those who differ with you? I don’t care to comment on the inner workings of various religions, but as far as the Christian faith is concerned, it seems we have forgotten that the one thing we are to be zealous about, and even fight for is the Gospel. Paul battled to the point of openly rebuking his fellow apostle, Simon Peter, when the truth of the gospel was threatened (Gal. 2). Legalism was making inroads in Galatia and taking away the freedom that people had experienced through the grace of Jesus. To Paul this was cause for a battle.
I’ve noticed a lot of misdirected religious fervor. Christians are urged to take political stands. In fact, according to some, it seems political change has become the savior. If we could only make our country “Christian” and adopt a “Christian” morality then everything would be alright. Whenever a new moral low is reached, we are told that this, if anything is going to rally Christians. My friend Dr. T.L. Osborn visited our church a few years ago and said, “moral teaching can at best make you a Pharisee, and Pharisee is a self-righteous hypocrite.” I agree. Morality doesn’t save; Jesus saves. Paul had religious fervor to the point of being willing to give up his own salvation if only his countrymen could understand that righteousness comes not by self-effort but by the grace of Jesus. His passion was the word of reconciliation. It should be ours.
Urban II rallied people to murder and slaughter in the name of Christ, saying, “God wills it.” If the cause that stirs you is not to give the word of reconciliation of what Christ has done, ask yourself if it’s worth your fervor. Save your passion for the only cause that is worth being passionate about.
Your thoughts? -Peter
William
I don’t believe that the bible is completely accurate book but the overall message is a good one. it tries to teach people to love one another and cherish life. Nothing wrong with that.
Phil VT
Hey Geoff,
I have a couple of your posts on the blogs here - glad to see you are visiting the site and reading something other than athiestic propoganda. Keep it up 
Beena Thomas
~ Oakville
Just recently I got an e.mail regarding the atheists Ads on TTC buses wanting me to protest & sign the petition against it.. It was mentioned towards the end that it is our christian DUTY to do so. Is it really so??? If it were my old self all my christian friends in my e.mail contacts would have been forwarded that mail but all it could muster from me is a chuckle this time.
A fresh revelation of the cross freed me from defending Jesus & what he means to me. Our Lord expects us to BE a witness which means allowing him to be so big in you that whosoever comes in contact with you in your lifetime meets him & his life giving Spirit in you & not YOUR SELF. All this so called christian battle is being fought in the flesh & all who think we are defending HIM are unfortunately deceived. Only religion feels the need to defend. As far as he is concerned the battle is OVER & VICTORY has been won at the cross..Halleluyah!!! Lets shout about this victory from roof tops & go to the ends of the earth with THIS GOOOOOD news.
Jesus was zealous as shown in the episode when he overturned the tables of money exchangers & other vendors in the temple premises but the point to be noted is that it was directed against so called pharisees who were coverting his fathers house into a den of robbers & not against people who were hungry for him. Are we zealous about our self righteousness & touting our faith to cause divisions or should we be passionate about getting people to have a relationship with him who alone makes us RIGHTEOUS. That is the million dollar question!!!!!!
Hagere
Hello Pastor Peter:
My issue is ONLY with arrogant, Centimonial, self-righteous & pious Chrstiains.
When they’re feeling they are doing well spritually, they are proud and arrogant. When they feeling that they have fallen short of God’s standard, they’re mean & misrable.
They have a doctorine called ” Keeping short account with God” They also insist that we confesss our sins every night before we go to bed inorder to keep ” Clear conscious with God also they use 1 1:9 as “forgivness soap”. These are the only people I have problem with in this world becasue their making life difficult for people
I don’t have problem with people who have different political opinions than mine, I don’t have probelm with atheist, agnostics or other groups of people in society Other than legalstic Christains
God bless Pastor
Pamela
~ London
The fervor that really works is when an individual sets his/her ideal in Jesus who said “I am the light of the world: he who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Having set that ideal in Him, then the only alternative is to live it. This requires faith that God is, and His promises are true, that He will never leave us or forsake us. It requires courage to live our life in accordance with His principles, irregardless of the consequences in our life. And over the course of a lifetime following Jesus and desiring His will to be done in and through us, He gradually transforms us to be like Him. This is character. No one can take that away from you. This makes your life, no matter what position you are in, a great success and a testament to Christ who dwells in you.
Davy Rantucci
~ Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada
You Guys are Awesome!!!!
kohryn
~ Seoul, South Korea
Your teachins mean much to the christins hear in korea.
Thanks you for helpin us wher we dont git much like this
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Comments:
Geoff
~ earth
sins sins sins sins sins sins sins. i hear this everywhere. you people are so obsessed w/ trying to convince yourselves that you’re somehow better than other lifeforms around you (animals spefically). so you make these idealistic lifestyle that you think only humans can live up to. have fun w/ casting aways your sins or whatever. while you’re doing that, i’m living in mine and damn happy about it.