CALLER: Yes. Could I ask another question, not related to this issue?
RUSH: By all means, since you’re here.
CALLER: Yes, sir. I used to live down in Cape. I had met your dad on a couple occasions, and wondered if you have any knowledge about how your grandfather became a Christian. The reason I’m asking that is I knew that way back in the twenties and thirties when your grandfather was in that area, they had Billy Sunday revivals in Cape Girardeau, and you know Billy Sunday was kind of the predecessor of Billy Graham today.
RUSH: Yeah?
CALLER: I wondered if you knew anything about how he became a Christian?
RUSH: Born that way.
CALLER: (laughs)
RUSH: No, no. Born and raised a Christian.
CALLER: Yeah.
RUSH: He was a Methodist through and through, was a standing member of the Centenary United Methodist Church. He was on the board for many, many years, great fundraiser and donor to the church and so forth, so I don’t remember him saying anything about Billy Sunday and whatever influence that Billy Sunday might have had on him. But I know that he was born into Christianity. He was just like I was, our whole family was born into Christianity. (link)
A part of me believes that this is simple ignorance, and another part of me believes that this legitimizes the attacks on the President for being a secret Muslim.
HT.
September 17th, 2009 8:40 am
OK.
Now let’s just take this apart like an onion.
First of all, you are not “born into” Christianity.
You may have the blessing of being raised by Christian parents who take you to church and expose you to the truth. But you are NOT a Christian unless you confess your sins, believe that Jesus died for those sins, ask Him to forgive you of those sins and then ask Him to dwell with you in your heart.
Anyone who says they were “born into” Christianity has fallen prey to the Enemy’s smokescreen and is in for a horrific shock after they die. This is why we do everything we can to present to people: You must ask Him to be yours and for you to be His. There is no other way around it.
What Rush describes here is a spiritual resume.
Paul had a spiritual resume. He admonished those who pointed to theirs and made it clear that there is only one way to get to God — through Jesus Christ.
Romans 4 is a good illustration of the point.
September 17th, 2009 8:48 am
[...] about Rush Limbaugh as of September 17, 2009 Born ‘into’ Christianity – thechurchofjesuschrist.us 09/17/2009 CALLER: Yes. Could I ask another question, not related [...]
September 17th, 2009 9:01 am
It is so important that people understand this! Being “good” and “doing good things” is not the ticket to God. He does not want a performing robot. He wants a child who loves Him. All that is needed is loving Him. That’s all He asks. But without that love, there is no relationship — as in any relationship!
I hope that readers who catch this blog today will allow this truth to sink deep into their hearts.
Confess your sins and ask Him to dwell with you. Bam. That’s it.
September 17th, 2009 9:32 am
Heidi said it perfectly. Rush, sadly, doesn’t understand the gospel. You aren’t “born into it”, but the gospel is about repentance and believing in Christ.
September 17th, 2009 10:43 am
Nobody is “born” a Christian. That is part of the teachings Calvinism, which is a false religion.
God wants people to believe in Him, realize they are completely LOST without the shed blood of Yeshua HaMashiach, receive God’s Son inside of them to WORK THROUGH THEM (our works are supposed to be dead while we REST from our own works and live through Christ), forgive others so that Christ’s shep blood can forgive us of our our sins, and follow God in hot pursuit the rest of our lives. If we fall down, as long as we have NOT blaspemed the Holy Spirit of God, it seems God will forgive us and bring us to repentance and forgiveness.
The time will be coming shortly when those who seek to save their lives will lose their lives AND souls, while those who give their lives for the sake of Christ shall gain their lives – including reaping eternal life.
Thanks for listening,
777denny
September 17th, 2009 10:47 am
No, Denny, it is not a teaching of Calvinism – which is not a religion in of itself. Calvinism teaches, and indeed, much of the West has taught that we are predestined – but only according to God’s Will, not that we are born into it. While that is a matter of interpretation, it is different than being a Christian because your parents, or grandparents were Christians. Instead, it is on an individual basis – which everyone, except for Mr. Limbaugh, seems to agree.
September 17th, 2009 11:37 am
If it where only that simple, we would not have to worry about our loved ones,,,
September 17th, 2009 12:21 pm
It simply amazes me how ignorant some Christians can be about Calvinism? One can sit in any Church almost and simply play church or just not know the Lord. The issue is both the heart and doctrine, proper.
Fr. R.
September 17th, 2009 12:47 pm
That’s a very good point about being a Muslim.
There has been talk that Pres. Obama is afraid to release his Super-Duper-Special-Even-Birthers-Will-Believe-It birth certificate because it will reveal that he used to be a Muslim. That’s kind of stupid, since he shouldn’t be blamed for anything written down at birth.
But that’s a great point.
September 17th, 2009 1:08 pm
Not sure how Obama got into this? If he had lied, don’t ya think the press would know, least Fox News? In the UK the issue would have to be debated..lol That is a joke (mine) Don’t you think that America has to come grips with the Muslim faith somehow? I know in England their Mosques out number the Anglican Churches now. And some have taken over older Christian buildings. I sure don’t like Islam theologically, but somehow we must learn to deal with them, yes? Can a Christian and a Muslim really dialogue? I know it is hard with me, and I am an Anglican priest. How does one witness to a Muslim? And if he is a British citizen, or American? This is no easy task for the Church now. Remember, real Christianity is always going to offend!
Sorry to move off the blog issue.
Fr. R.
September 17th, 2009 1:35 pm
Joel,
I see, thanks. Even if we was once a Muslim, he is a Christian now right? Maybe not the kind of Christian the far right wants. But as you stated, what kind of Christian was your Abe Lincoln? Don’t get me wrong, Obama is not my choice, I would have voted for McCain (if American). But once President, its done. In the Royal Marines it went this way, you salute the rank, not the person! No real and balanced Christian can or should hate people. Yes the old, hate the sin, but not the sinner or person still applies.
Fr. R.
September 17th, 2009 1:55 pm
hmmm.. how do I put this…..
I would disagree and agree with all of you.
I disagree that people are not born into Christianity. Millions are born into Christianity. These people are born to parents where one or both are followers of Christ. They grow up in a family where there is at least the semblance of following Christ. Christianity is a collection of people – some of whom are justified and some who are not. For many people, it is a social club.There are many children born to people who trust Christ. They are sanctified by their parents (if those parents are saved). If only one parent has faith in Christ, then the other spouse is also sanctified (1 Corinthians 7:14). So, in that sense, yes people are born into Christianity.
This does not mean these people are truly followers of Christ. This does not mean they are saved and will go to heaven, and in that regard, I would agree with you.
Lots of people claim Christ but are not saved (Matthew 7:21-23).
The difference between being born a citizen of a country and born as a Christian is that being a Christian is not simply being part of a church body, whereas being a citizen of a country is.
For some all being a Christian will ever be is being a member of a club, and that’s sad. Its sad because of what the BIble and so many of you have said concerning the need for faith. To go to heaven, you must repent and turn to God in faith. This faith must be true faith, not simply an idea or even an agreement with someone else – it must be evidenced. Only with faith in Christ as being sent by God to suffer and die for our sins will someone be saved and so be able to enter heaven upon physical death.
But yes, people are born and bred as Christians. This does not mean they love God, or even know Him. It does not mean they are saved. Each must decide for himself/herself. The faith must be the person’s own faith, not that of their parents.
September 17th, 2009 2:00 pm
wb,
I would agree with you, as to the nature of the Christian Covenant of Grace. But real faith cannot be hidden, true Christian works and what regeneration has done will come forth. Thank God for the Christian home also!
Fr. R.
September 17th, 2009 2:09 pm
Sadly fallen, sinful, human nature can sit in the front row of the Church (even the best) and miss the grace of God! “The heart is deceitful above all things..” (Jer. 17:9)
Fr. R.
September 17th, 2009 3:26 pm
Fr. Robert,
Again, I agree with you. If there is faith, there WILL be evidence.
September 17th, 2009 3:40 pm
WB’s comment mirrors that of a lot of Jewish people. They are born Jewish — i.e., part of that particular group of people. They call themselves Jewish. But few believe.
I can see how you would follow that train of thought on the Christianity issue. The only hangup with it is that people really do think they are a “Christian” when in fact they are anything but. “Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord will enter the Kingdom of Heaven,” Jesus says in Matthew. Unfortunately, if we don’t set these people straight on their misconceptions, they will fall into that category. It’s up to us to love them and tell them, even if they reject us or become angry with us.
September 17th, 2009 4:04 pm
Heidi,
Personally, I think the local Church should indeed proclaim the Gospel. But in the end, we are judged by who we are, and thus what we have become, by grace. As I John says, “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and truth.” (1 John.3:18) How we state, and the manner in which we give it, i.e. the Gospel is as important as the nature of the truth itself. The work must be Christ’s!
Fr. R.
September 17th, 2009 5:07 pm
Agree up to a point. Jesus also tells us to go into all the world and proclaim the Message of His salvation. Too many times in brick-and-mortar American churches, people conveniently forget that. They’re not even willing to invite others to church much less tell them about how to get to know Jesus. We have to be willing to share so that they can partake of the banquet, too.
September 17th, 2009 5:17 pm
Another Amen from me also Heidi, would that the fire for people and their souls burned more in the Body of Christ! To be Christ to each other, and to each soul God lets us touch! Holy work and ground!
Fr. R.
September 17th, 2009 7:12 pm
Poly, BTW, now the replies are going to the right comment (in-line). good work.
September 17th, 2009 8:53 am
Amen, Heidi.
Further note the ‘works’ which the grandfather did. While this is admirable, this does not make a Christian.
September 17th, 2009 12:54 pm
Deb, how often I agree with you.
September 17th, 2009 12:55 pm
Fr. Robert, while I may not agree with all the tenants of Calvinism, I can understand the ‘heart of the doctrine’, but people often go one – myself included – on what they know, and not the facts.
September 17th, 2009 1:56 pm
Fr. Robert,
I agree with you – its easy to be sitting in a pew and not be loving God.
September 17th, 2009 1:22 pm
Fr. Robert, there is a political notion that the President is a Muslim – and that somehow it is on his birth certificate, and this is promoted by those on the Far Right. So, as I postulated, it seems to me that this goes hand in hand with Rushbo’s statements here.
September 17th, 2009 3:28 pm
Wb, while I see you point, and would concur that people can be born into Tradition called Christianity, or Islam or Judaism, etc…. I believe that that analogy is not compared to what Rush is talking about.
September 17th, 2009 5:08 pm
Amen, Heidi, Amen! We must not forget our commission!
September 17th, 2009 7:08 pm
Amen Heidi, on everything you wrote.
September 17th, 2009 7:11 pm
Polycarp,
I think you are correct in that the caller was speaking of how/when did Rush’s grandfather come to Christ. But I disagree with you about what Rush (whom I dislike) was speaking of. Rush has made it clear he’s no theologian (he said so in the transcript you linked to. I think its obvious that Rush did not realize what the caller was asking and he meant that his grandfather was born into a Christian family. It may be Rush has no idea what it means to be a follower of Christ, who knows?
September 17th, 2009 7:28 pm
Wb, I’ll take you understanding with hope that someone could email Rush and help him out on this.
September 17th, 2009 7:29 pm
Originally, this theme didn’t support threaded comments – so I had to rig it a bit. Not all the kinks are worked out! Contrary to popular opinion, I am not perfect. Like maybe 97%
September 17th, 2009 8:24 pm
I’d like someone to lead him to Christ, because what I have seen of him does not seem Christian. And if he IS saved, then I’d like someone to disciple him.