Charles Barkley: I’m Getting Real Tired of “Fake Christians”
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Wed, March 12, 2008
- Viewed 143
- (56) comments so far
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FOR YOUR INPUT: So… what do you think? How do you get around Barkley’s view that Chrisitans
Former NBA basketball player Charles Barkley has an opinon about everything (don't we all)... AND he has political aspirations. But he, for some reason sees Republicans as 'fake Christians'; and really takes a slap at Christians, who he said are the most judgemental people in the world. Watch part of this interview, then let's discuss what we can do when leveled with a charge like Charles'...
Comments
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Leonard on Wed, March 12, 2008
Todd, is there a reason you used a mug shot for Sir Charles? Just thought I’d ask.
I always find it interesting when regardless of their knowledge or understanding of scripture wants to use it but not abide by it.
This is what gives Christians a bad name and it is also what causes Sir Charles to be so mistaken in his thinking.
Todd Rhoades on Wed, March 12, 2008
no reason… it was the best picture I found with his face.
Nora on Wed, March 12, 2008
I noticed Charles said he was from Arizona. Perhaps he’s met Pastor Pees Standing Up, and that’s the reason for his bitterness?
On another note, while I disagree with Charles, I kind of respect the way he just says what he thinks without beating around the bush. It’s a refreshing trait in a politician.
Randy Ehle on Wed, March 12, 2008
First off, I don’t think we do “get around” Barkley’s accusations - regardless of his use (or misuse) of scripture. As with any generalization, there is a nugget of truth that we just have to recognize for what it is.
Second, I think Barkley’s going to need every one of the years between now and 2014 - when he “guarantees” he will run for governor of Alabama - to learn how to communicate. Sweeping, judgmental, hypocritical comments such as he made (ironically, about being judgmental and hypocritical!) will win him few allies in the political arena.
CS on Wed, March 12, 2008
For a while, Sir Charles had a point. There are plenty of people in the conservative Republican side of politics who use the moniker, “Christian,” but choose to do things contrary to Scripture. I was with him up to there. But, when Wolf Blitzer started questioning him about what he meant initially, that’s where the wheels came off.
“I’m for gay marriage… I’m pro-choice… they’re not supposed to judge other people, but they’re the most hypocritical judge of people we have in this country.” And, “They should read the part of the Bible where they’re not supposed to judge other people.”
First thing, isn’t it hypocritical to judge that some people are hypocritical when saying that people shouldn’t judge other people? Just calling that one out.
Second, this whole, “Thou shalt not judge,” thing has become the virtual 11th Commandment in the modern world. The worst sin a person can make at this moment is to say that something is true, false, certain, right, wrong, or to show any concrete value on any topic pertaining to the Christian faith.
It’s as if people read Matthew 7:1 and skip right over the following verse, which says, “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”
As Christians, we are supposed to judge things. John 7:24 says, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” 1 Corinthians 6:3 says, “Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?”
Now, God does have the ultimate judgment, and I would not dare put myself into His shoes. Yet, I can still, with Biblical authority, say if something is true or false, and make statements like, “If you choose to remain in sin for the rest of your life, and do not repent of your sins, you will go to Hell.”
So, no, Sir Charles, you are wrong here.
—
CS
Zach Nielsen on Wed, March 12, 2008
Sir Charles refutes himself here. He is telling Christians to not be judgmental, as he is judging all of us!
Self-refuting jibberish. Charles is a great basketball player. Won’t be a good politician, but people will love him because we always elect guys based on charisma. It’s just a huge popularity contest.
Peter Hamm on Wed, March 12, 2008
I feel the same way about every basketball player who ever lived.
http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/wink.gif
Kevin Bussey on Wed, March 12, 2008
I wouldn’t vote for Charles because he is an Auburn Graduate!
Roll Tide! http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/smile.gif
Geoff on Wed, March 12, 2008
I have to admit that I am not really a fan of Charles Barkley, but his comments on “fake Christians” resonated with me.
It may have been a tad to broad of a statement, but he nails it. Far to many people label themselves Christians, but don’t really live up to it in their daily life.
For me, I want to live every day like it’s Sunday. That means being real, authentic and full of the realization that living my life for Christ is often messy and hard to do. I don’t want people looking at me and calling me a “fake Christian”.
Love you blog, keep up the good work!
Mark on Fri, March 14, 2008
CS wrote:
“As Christians, we are supposed to judge things.”
This is why I don’t bother going to church any more and why the church in general is in decline.
Mark on Fri, March 14, 2008
Todd Rhoades wrote:
“Watch part of this interview, then let’s discuss what we can do when leveled with a charge like Charles’...”
There is no discussion required. If every Christian isn’t nodding his head and agreeing with Charles Barkley’s every word then those so called “Christians” are just helping him prove the point. Christians should be responding to Charles Barkley by re-affirming that, as Christians, they know they are hopelessly flawed and sinful to the point where a Christian can’t even save himself but must rely on God’s power for salvation.
Arguing with Charles Barkley exposes you for the fake Christian that you know you really are.
Leonard on Fri, March 14, 2008
Thanks Mark for the input but I think I will let the words of scripture and more directly Jesus be my guide over Sir Charles
CS on Fri, March 14, 2008
Mark:
“This is why I don’t bother going to church any more and why the church in general is in decline.”
Thank you for being honest. This is more than I have seen some people say about why they no longer go to church or are involved in ministry. I praise you for your candor and truthfulness.
That said, how do you deal with those verses that I provided?
—
CS
Mark on Sat, March 15, 2008
CS wrote:
“how do you deal with those verses that I provided?”
You lifted John 7:24 out of context. If you read all of John 7 you will see a story of how Jesus is speaking the truth to the people. In other words, God himself is speaking truth to the people and in response the self appointed religious elite of that day were plotting to kill him for it. Can you imagine the irony?? The religious elite of the day were planning to kill the very God they supposedly worshipped in the temple. Why? Because they had appointed themselves judge and jury of other people in direct violation of God’s instructions. John 7 is such a great story of how things can blow up in your face when you ignore God’s word and try to make yourself the judge of others.
If those who claim to be Christians can’t or won’t acknowledge that they themselves are far too mired in their own sin to be qualified to judge anyone else then they are not really Christians. They are something else.
If you think you are going to heaven just by calling yourself a Christian then you should read Matthew 7:21 again carefully.
Matthew 7 clearly commands you to clean up your own act and not waste time worrying about what your neighbor is doing.
Leonard on Sat, March 15, 2008
Actually Mark, if you read Matthew 7 carefully you will discover that the instruction is to start with yourself before moving on to your brother.
First, (implying a second) Take the log out of your eye…THEN (here is the second) you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brothers eye.
If you take 7:1 literally the word judge has such a broad meaning that you could say that a Christian should never be a judge in court, referee in a contest, forensic scientist or have an opinion… plus dozen’s of other ways it could be used.
Here in the overall context of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) Jesus has spent the last 2 chapters erasing and redrawing lines that had been drawn by religious elite. These were people who judged others to make themselves superior, to maintain control, to show their own righteousness. This is always wrong. The context here is not about opposing wrong or declaring something sinful.
Very often people use this verse now to say; “You can’t tell me I am doing wrong because the bible says not to judge.” This is not what Jesus nor is it what the bible teaches, even if Charles says it was.
That said, I agree that some Christian’s do exactly what Jesus said not to do. One reason Jesus said to start with ourselves is that by the time we seriously look at ourselves, we will hopefully have enough compassion to help someone else.
One final thought. Barkley in essence says… I do not believe in the standards of the bible but I want to hold you to them. (Ironically by violating them according to his own interpretation) So I will use a part of the message of the bible to put you down, call you names and ignore other parts of the bible and boldly declare by life and words I either do not believe that or don’t care about it.
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