The Changing Face of "Christianity"

Acceptable to God?

SUPPOSE you commission an artist to do a portrait of you. When he is finished, you are thrilled; the likeness is perfect. You think of your children, grandchildren and their grandchildren looking at the portrait with great pride.

Some generations later, however, one of your descendants feels that the receded hairline in the portrait is unflattering, so h has hair added. Another dislikes the shape of the nose, so he has that changed. Other "improvements" follow with succeeding generations, so that eventually the portrait bears little resemblance to you. If you knew this were to happen, how would you feel? No doubt indignant.

Sadly, the story of this portrait is, in essence, the store of the nominal Christians church. History shows that soon after the death of Christ's apostles, the official face of "Christianity" began to change, just as the Bible foretold. -Matthew 13:24-30, 37-43; Acts 20:30.

Of course, it is quite proper to apply Bible principles to various cultures and ages. It is an entirely different matter to change the Bible teachings to suit popular thinking. Yet, that is precisely what has happened. Consider, for example, the changes that have been made in a number of important areas.

Next time: The Church Embraces the State

Watchtower, 2000