Truth or Poop: Flushing Out the Myths of Christianity

Have you ever wondered why some people reject Christianity or feel like your own faith is on shaky ground? Maybe you've heard the whispers – that truth is just a feeling, or the Bible is a collection of bedtime stories. In a world that often preaches "your truth, my truth," how do we know what is true? Well, I invite you to do your own research on the validity of the Bible (and don't forget to check out my free printable journal "Faith, Love, and Dropping Truth Bombs” to help you on your way!) but in the meantime, here are some thoughts about commonly stated beliefs.

Misconception 1: Everyone Has Their Own Truth so Christianity Isn’t Truth

Today, people are bombarded with messages that truth is relative and that they can decide their own truths based on personal preferences or feelings. It sounds believable and freeing at first, doesn’t it?  

But actually, the truth isn't like your grandma's potluck dinner where you can politely skip the mystery casserole and load up on desserts. Nope, it's more like gravity – whether you're a ballerina or a klutz, it's gonna treat you the same when you trip over your own feet. Imagine trying to argue with gravity. "Sorry, Mr. Newton, I don't believe in your silly falling apple theory!" SPLAT. Gravity doesn't care about your disbelief; it's still gonna introduce your face to the ground.

Now, when someone pulls out the ol' "There is no truth" card, just ask them if that statement is true. Watch as their brain does the intellectual equivalent of a cat chasing its own tail. 

The idea of absolute truth isn't about being rigid or close-minded towards others; it's about seeking understanding, while aligning ourselves with God’s Word… which leads me to the next common misunderstanding about Christianity...

Misconception 2: Jesus Said Not to Judge

Ever heard someone say, “Jesus told us not to judge”? It’s one of those classic lines that gets tossed around, especially when someone’s trying to shut down a conversation. But Jesus wasn't handing out "Get Out of Judgment Free" cards. He was talking about not judging hypocritically, rather than abandoning judgment altogether. Everyone makes judgments – it’s part of life. The trick is to make them fairly and consistently… Basically like, "Hey, make sure your own house is clean before you start a dust-busting service." 

Misconception 3: Christians are Hypocrites and Church is a Place for Perfect People

Oh boy, if we needed to be perfect to be Christian, we'd all be in trouble! Christians are definitely not perfect people. We're just trying to follow a perfect Savior, and sometimes we trip over our own feet in the process, but hopefully, we learn to grow and do better – which isn’t hypocrisy, it’s being human!

As for church being a place for perfect people? Ha! If that were true, we'd all be hanging out in empty buildings every Sunday. In reality, no one's got it all together, which is why we all need Jesus! Church isn't about putting on your Sunday best and pretending life is all rainbows and unicorns. It is more like a spiritual emergency room – a place where the broken, the struggling, and the "hot mess express" crew (aka all of us) can come be real, support each other, and remember that we're all works in progress.

Misconception 4: Love Means Never Challenging or Disagreeing

Real love isn't about pretending everything is sunshine and rainbows. True love, the kind Jesus showed us, doesn't mean agreeing with everything others do or believe. In fact, real love often necessitates difficult conversations and standing up for what's right, even if it's uncomfortable. 

Jesus was the ultimate example of this. He didn't sugarcoat things. He spoke truth to the religious leaders of the time, even if it ruffled some feathers (or, ahem, toppled a few tables in the temple). Love, as he showed us, is about action, not just warm fuzzies. So, let's ditch the notion that love is just warm fuzzy feelings and unconditional approval, and rather strive to do what is best for others, even when the path is challenging.

Misconception 5: The Bible is Just Ancient Fanfiction

Now, I know some of you might be thinking, "But isn't the Bible just a collection of ancient fairy tales?" Let me tell you, that couldn’t be further from the truth. The Bible is a historical document with compelling and corroborating evidence from even non-Christians. 

For instance, the Jewish historian Josephus and the Roman historian Tacitus both wrote about Jesus and early Christianity in ways that support the biblical accounts. Josephus mentioned Jesus as a wise teacher who performed surprising feats and had a following. Tacitus confirmed that Jesus was executed under Pontius Pilate and that his followers faced severe persecution.

Moreover, the Bible includes some pretty embarrassing information about its heroes – details no one would invent if they were trying to create a religion to attract followers. Things like the disciples doubting Jesus even after His resurrection, or women being the first witnesses to the empty tomb (in a culture where women's testimonies weren't considered reliable in court). It'd be like me writing my life story and including that time I clogged the toilet at a dinner party. Who does that unless they're really committed to telling the truth?

Finally, let's talk about the resurrection. It’s the cornerstone of the Christian faith, and there are compelling arguments for its truth. The apostles went from being a bunch of fearful followers to bold witnesses of the resurrection. They must have witnessed something so earth-shattering that it led them to uproot their own lives with nothing like power or riches to gain but rather, face persecution, suffer imprisonment, and ultimately in many cases, death. How many people would be willing to go to this extreme for something that didn’t really happen?

Misconception 6: Getting Jesus’ Love Isn’t Like Earning a Scout Badge

Some people believe that they need to earn Jesus’ love to be saved through “being good enough” or doing a “bunch of stuff.” However, I am here to share some amazing news with you! Jesus loves you, full stop. No need to win the "Most Perfect Human" award. Just say "Yes" to His love, and boom – you're covered! Jesus and His love are not going to change based on “getting what you deserve.” All you actually need to do is declare Him as your Lord and His forgiveness will always surpass any mistakes you have made or will make.

So, the next time you chat with a friend or family member about your faith, ask them if they'd be willing to explore the truth of Christianity with an open heart and mind. After all, the truth doesn't care about our feelings or beliefs – it's just waiting for us to discover it. And that, my friends, is the beauty of a faith built on evidence, love, and the power of the resurrection. (*Post based on a sermon by Dr. Frank Turek.*)

Don’t forget to grab your FREE “Love, Faith, and Truth Bombs” Journal full of guided questions and reflections to help develop a deeper understanding of key concepts in this post and how these principles can be applied in your daily life!