DELIVERANCE
The history of the above-ground church since the fourth century AD has been recorded in all sorts of books, publications and pamphlets throughout the centuries.
A history often described from the point of view of the denomination to which the writer of that history belonged.
This history is therefore very colorful and makes it clear how certain traditions have arisen and evolved over time.
This applies to all facets of the development of the churches, including the hierarchy in the churches and the associated organizational structure.
A seemingly endless series of books that reveal how the churches have gained power over people from an early stage on and manipulated them with their doctrines in favor of those in power.
As mentioned earlier, this has nothing to do with Christ himself, but everything with the people who lived then and those who are living now.
Every person is responsible for himself.
” The history of the above-ground church since the fourth century AD has been recorded in a seemingly endless series of books that reveal how the churches have gained power over people from an early stage on and manipulated them with their doctrines in favor of those in power “
From this follows the legitimate question: why do I actually believe what I believe?
Is believing in Christ the same as following a tradition, whatever tradition?
Are the dogmas, the infinite set of ecclesiastical doctrines, the commandments and prohibitions, inspired by Christ Himself?
Can the texts of the Old and New Testaments be harmonized so that they reflect Christ?
Those who give a substantive answer to these questions will also have to live with that outcome.
In other words, he/she will have to choose consistently, at least if we take ourselves seriously.
For the writer of this personal piece, it has had far-reaching consequences in his thinking and acting.
The list below is a non-complete overview with regard to how Gerard thinks and acts where necessary.
Everyone can decide for himself whether this applies to him or not.
The starting point in this is to do good to and for the people in the world in which Christ has called us.
For example, doing good is really accepting each other as we are, male/female, straight/gay, Christian/Muslim, black/white, you name it.
Then we also have no judgment/conviction about being an escort lady or a prostitute, a bouncer or a pimp, a visitor of saunas or nudist camps, a visitor of a swing club or an owner of such clubs, a gigelo or a woman who enjoys him, visiting a church or visiting a mosque, about being a white collar criminal or a heavy criminal, to name a few.
” From this follows the legitimate question: why do I actually believe what I believe? The starting point in this is to do good to and for the people in the world in which Christ has called us. Then we are no longer narrow minded in our thinking and acting, but we realize who we are “
At most we can think and/or say “maybe good for you, but not for me”.
Then we have care and an eye for everything that lives, humans and animals.
Then we are no longer narrow minded in our thinking and acting, but we realize who we are; people of flesh and blood who have got to know Christ, but also know that they can hate and love as well, be jealous and envious, have sexual needs that can be satisfied because we are human, that we can kill and slay like any other person, abusing acquired power, priests abusing celibacy for their own enjoyment, etc.
Doing good starts with being honest and transparent about yourself.
Then it becomes a lot easier to see the other person in that same light.
Then we give space to the love and intentions of Christ.
Then we do not need oppressive traditions and dogmas to keep us in the mainly neurotic ecclesiastical rules.
Then we become truly free people who really dare to live because the healing power of Christ has found us.
Then we can enjoy our own body and the needs that that body has.
Then affection develops towards other people, no matter who they are.
Then we let go of our superiority over the other, even if he/she is not a Christian or white person.
Then we leave the pretensions of “Thou completely different; Thou has come to know Christ”, that Paul and the church are trying to impose on the Christian.
Then we see that this is a false sanctity, a created dogma that does not reflect the reality of our humanity in Christ.
Christians are no different, let alone completely different from non-Christians.
We are just people and the day-to-day practice in the churches and its believers makes this all too clearly visible.
Then we no longer have a problem making our apologies to people where we have done injustice, to whatever extent.
” Then we become truly free people who really dare to live because the healing power of Christ has found us. We are just people and the day-to-day practice in the churches and its believers makes this all too clearly visible “
Therefore Gerard offers his sincere apologies to Han Monster and Koos de Geest for abusing his authority and position in the Philadelphia congregation.
As evidenced by his opinion pieces and this personal piece, for him the value of any church whatsoever, has quite diminished, if not completely.
It is about the experience of Christ in his own inner life, to do good according to the Spirit of Christ and your own conscience.
The churches and their traditions and dogmas will unfortunately not change soon.
Whoever wants to remain there as a Christian makes a courageous choice, because doing good for God, man and animal will not be easy in the church.
Anyway, the world, the wide world, is the domain of Christ and thus also of his followers.
Of those who have been personally touched by the loving power of Christ.
Than Christians are able to move freely, in every country, in every city, on all work floors and enjoy any music, drinks or relaxation spaces.
So dare to live as Christ has told us, as truly free, happy people with an incredibly bright future.
After all, death has been conquered!
Now that is liberation day, being freed from the hopelessness of our naked existence, not being born to die, not being born to live under the yoke of whoever or whatever.
But to become a believer to enjoy earthly life to the fullest in the experience, in the certainty of knowing that eternal life has become your share in and through Christ Himself.
That experience of Christ, gives vitality, keeps us positive, full of courage on our eternal life path!
