![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dminlgp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/dogma.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nReading these three books on Secularity can place the thought in one’s conscience to take a bath. How Christians considered themselves clean because they were washed by the blood of Jesus but misused God\u2019s purpose by disregarding those not of the believers\u2019 family as unclean. The Pharisee\u2019s were known for their righteous ways.\u00a0 There has been a separation among God’s people as to who is unclean, i.e., lepers, blood issues.<\/p>\n
In an interview on his book, How (Not) to be Secular,<\/em> James Smith stated \u201cExplaining exclusive humanism was the replacement of human desires for religious beliefs.\u201d[1]<\/a> Erdozain made several references to secular humanism. One unique point was the civil rights movement (moving from Jim Crow laws). In the 60\u2019s, unique individuals went up against the laws of inequality with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speaking against it behind the pulpit. His response to his accusers \u201cSilence was the greatest secularism of all.\u201d (2, Kindle) The American church did not want to be governed by the government; therefore, the legislation provides a separation of State and Church. Isn\u2019t it ironic that now the Evangelical Christians want to own the government? Now the current America administration permits the Preacher to promote political forums from behind the pulpit. Have they not heard, preachers have been preaching political forums from the pulpit for years under the means of scripture that wisely not direct the congregation to vote for a particular person but wisely does. \u00a0Erdozain, reveals Charles Taylor in his book, Secular Age, believes \u201csecularization happens when religious discipline creates a secular order\u201d (4, kindle) I believe we are experiencing this now at our current times.<\/p>\n Erdozain, wrote the \u201cchange in belief extends from one\u2019s experience in your \u2018religious roots.’ He focused on two points: the positive content of dissent, including conscience and the negative stimulus of dogma, persecution, and theologically induced fear. With Luther, he was trained in the nominalist tradition which emphasized the power and inscrutability of the divine character to a frightening degree. The nominalist God was untethered by human logic, free to do as he wished.\u201d (12, kindle) \u201cMysticism helped Luther to shift theology form intellect and discourse to heart and experience\u201d (14, kindle) \u201cLuther established a system of \u201cecclesiastical visitations\u2019 which used secular authority to enforce church attendance.\u201d (31, kindle) \u00a0He points out that Luther, \u201cis the prophet of conscience, he stood against papal authority and religious tradition.\u201d (6, kindle) Luther recognized and acknowledged his weaknesses and fear which drew him stronger in faith which ultimately served to subdue the restless conscience.\u201d (11, kindle) \u00a0Conscience \u201cdescribes an aspect of a human being’s self-awareness. It is part of a person’s internal rational capacity and is not, an audience room for the voice of God or of the devil. Conscience is a critical inner awareness that bears witness to the norms and values we recognize and apply. The conscience deals include the values to which we are exposed during life’s journey. The witness of conscience makes its presence known by inducing mental anguish and feelings of guilt when we violate the values we recognize and apply. Conscience also provides a sense of pleasure when we reflect on conformity to our value system.\u201d [2]<\/a>\u00a0 One of the criteria for a deacon in the church is, according to Timothy 3:9, holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. This scripture expresses that our conscience connects us to our faith. We as Christians should analyze our conscience daily to ensure that we are walking in the ways of God. Apostle Paul says, in Acts 23:1, “earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”<\/p>\n Erdozain discussed \u201cdamnable doctrine.\u201d (208, kindle) These doctrines resulted in: people being turned off by a religion (God) that threatens to kill them; Darwin challenging the history of the world described in the Old Testament, and Marx saying \u201cChristian cultures are not Christian enough. Secularization was an accusation before it was an aspiration.\u201d (260, kindle) Erdozain drew attention to Marx\u2019s egalitarian slogan \u201cFrom each according to his ability, to each according to his needs!, similarity to a passage in Acts.” (259, kindle)\u00a0 Acts 2:44-45 says, \u201dAnd all those who had believed [a]were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.” His slogan, \u201cthe first part of the principle\u2014from each according to their ability\u2014means that all members of society will have the right and the actual opportunity to develop their talents and abilities to the utmost and to use their talents to produce goods and services for the benefit of society. The second part, –each according to his needs–, explains what citizens will receive from society in return for their labor, and that will be nothing less than complete satisfaction of their material and cultural needs.\u201d [3]<\/a> Today, there are still damnable doctrines converted from traditions. Preachers are weaving their interpretations, taught discernment, traditional beliefs in their sermons, teachings, leadership, and relationships. These past few years God has me on a journey of purging. He is teaching me in discerning his truths from church inherited traditions. The new movement of today’s modern churches is doing just that in some sense. They are moving from church traditions to openness of God’s love and not the damnable doctrine of hell. Some traditional preachers see it as not having a doctrine, but they are so far from the truth and are responding in fear of the unknown. When Jesus spoke to the people, he spoke more on loving one another and the kingdom of heaven.<\/p>\n Are you among the conscience of truth or tradition?<\/p>\n [1]<\/a> Taylor, Justin. An Interview with James K. A. Smith on How (Not) to be Secular Age and How to Read Charles Taylor, The Gospel Coalition, accessed January 10, 2018, https:\/\/www.thegospelcoalition.org\/blogs\/justin-taylor\/an-interview-with-james-k-a-smith-on-how-not-to-be-secular-and-how-to-read-charles-taylor\/.<\/p>\n