The Witness of the Church

Jesus promised that He would build His Church - He is described as the head of His body of believers, and has a distinct purpose for His people, united in faith and in truth, loving one another and loving the world around us.  The display of God's truth, carried out in love, can be compelling in changing lives and changing our culture.  And, how greatly we need it.  The Bible recounts an exchange between Jesus and His disciples in Matthew 16 (ESV):
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am? ”
16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. ”
17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

A recent article at The Christian Post highlighted a conversation between popular podcast host Joe Rogan and his guest about...church.  It stated in an article from October 26:

Podcaster Joe Rogan said during a recent podcast that he enjoys going to church and pushed back against "self-professed intelligent people" who dismiss the Bible as myth.

During the Wednesday episode of "The Joe Rogan Experience" with guest Konstantin Kisin, a Russian-British political commentator who said he "loves" going to church, Rogan said he feels the same and finds it encouraging when he is with Christians who are working to better understand the Bible.

Of course, this is the same Joe Rogan who, in an interview with actor Matthew McConaughey, said, according to Faithwire, that posting the 10 Commandments in schools could open the door to Sharia law.  Faithwire said that McConaughey "...argued the 10 Commandments, found in Exodus 20, are a good guide for moral truth, regardless of cultural trends or circumstances..."  The actor is quoted as saying: “Does anyone have a better suggestion than the 10 Commandments to get a child’s mind going, ‘Oh, just those 10 things? If I look at that and aim that direction, I feel like I can’t go wrong...'"  The article went on to say:

It should be noted that, while Rogan took issue with the Texas law bringing the 10 Commandments to public schools, he did praise the timelessness of the biblical tenets as “pretty legit.”

“Are there any in there that don’t hold up today?” he asked rhetorically. “No, I think they’re pretty legit.”

Rogan added, “If you think about it, they’re pretty legit and they’re 2,000 years old. They kind of nailed it.”

But, I contend the Word won't return void - perhaps Rogan is legitimately seeking truth, or just trying to carry on a conversation.  He says he attends church, and said, according to The Christian Post, "It's a bunch of people that are going to try to make their lives better, trying to be a better person," adding, "I mean, for me — at least the place that I go to — they read and analyze passages in the Bible. I'm really interested in what these people were trying to say, because I don't think it's nothing."

And, to follow-up on that word "legit" he used to describe the Ten Commandments, Rogan also attributed legitimacy to the teachings of the Bible and the reality of the sacrifice of Jesus, stating in this passage:

"I hear that among self-professed intelligent people, like it's a fairy tale," he said. "I don't know that's true. I think I think there's more to it. I think it's history, but I think it's a confusing history. It's a confusing history because it was a long time ago, and it's people telling things in an oral tradition and writing things down in a language that you don't understand, in the context of a culture that you don't understand."

Explaining that he believes "there's something to it," Rogan went on to say that Christianity is "the most fascinating" of the world's religions because it centers on the person of Jesus Christ.

And, that person gave His life, which is intriguing to Rogan, who said:  "[He] didn't even protest," he said. "Died on the cross, supposedly for our sins. It's a fascinating story. What does it represent, though? That's the real thing. What was that? What happened? Who was Jesus Christ, if it was a human being. What was that? That's wild."

Not quite there yet - but there does seem to be an openness, at least a willingness to discuss deeper spiritual truth.  Again, you can't know what's in a man's heart, but, again, you can rely on the promise of God that His Word will not return void.  Hopefully, he's attending a church where the Word of God is regarded as authoritative and infallible.

All in all, church attendance is important.  Hebrews 10 tells us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together.  The early Church changed the world out of a position of commonality and unity.  And, unity can provide a powerful statement to the world around us - no wonder the devil wants to keep us separated and at odds with each other.  We need to coalesce, but not just for the sake of fellowship or social activities, but to grow in the Lord and to unify around His principles and embrace His truth.  

Because the world needs more than a social church, a social gospel - we need to experience and display life-changing truth.  To embrace a Savior who died for our sins, who has transformed our hearts, and calls us to radical obedience and sacrifical love.  That's what will impact the world. There are worldviews and ideologies that reject God and disregard His truth.  We are called and empowered to show people a better way - the Way.