False Dichotomies
(also known as Greek Thinking, Platonism or Dualism)

Greek thinking crept into the Church a long time ago with the help of early Christian thinkers and the evangelisation of the Roman Empire. The influence of these philosophies, particularly those of Plato, have taught the Church to compartmentalize life into the sacred and the secular.

• A church building is sacred; it is the House of the Lord.

  As discussed on the organized religion page, no building is any longer God's dwelling place. Rather, God has chosen to dwell in His new temple- His people. That makes Christians sacred- not buildings. The New Testament does not call for the establishment of special religious buildings. Instead of making a distinction between holy buildings and secular buildings, we must see a level field. If the whole earth belongs to Yahweh, then what difference does it make if we assemble in a chapel, in a public square, or in our neighbor's home as the New Testament Church did?

• Sunday is the sacred day of the week.

  There are two verses in the scriptures which imply that regular church meetings occured on Sunday (Acts 20:7, 1 Cor 16:2). It is also very likely that Yochanan (John) refers to Sunday as the "Master's Day" (Lord's Day) in Revelation 1:10, as others in the early Church did. This should be no surprise, since the Master (the Lord) resurrected on a Sunday. With that said, keep the following in mind:

  There is no command in scripture to meet on Sundays. It seems to me that meeting on Sundays was not important enough to be mentioned frequently, nor important enough for a command to be given concerning the practice.

  There is also no indication whatsoever that Sunday was to be a new Sabbath day, or any other type of holy day or day consecrated for worship or God's work. The New Testament teaches that Christians, under the New Covenant, are not required to keep the Sabbath day. The Christian doesn't need to esteem one day over the other (Rom 14:5, Col 2:16,17), but instead live a life of worship throughout the week. Christians should not assume that Sunday is any better a day to assemble and worship than is Monday, Wednesday, or Saturday (the true Sabbath being from Friday sundown to Saturday sundown.) Also consider that Sunday was most likely the first day of the work week, just as it is in Israel today.

  Furthermore, we might infer from Acts 20:7 and 1 Cor 11:20 that the principle purpose for Sunday meetings was to partake in the Master's Supper (Lord's Supper). Similarities between the Greek words found in the Bible for "Master's Supper" and "Master's Day" may support this.

  Sunday may have significance, but significance does not equal sacredness. The scriptures tell us to take up our cross daily (Luke 9:23), to daily encourage each other (Heb 3:13) and tells us about the Church's daily meetings for worship, evangelism and the breaking of bread (Acts 4:46,47) By being "Sunday Christians", or by wearing special clothing (our "Sunday best"), we only reinforce this false dichotomy.

• Saints and ministers are God's holy people.

  Also discussed on the organized religion page, is the unbiblical divide between the cleric and the layperson. Platonic thought only enforces this split between the sacred elite and the common Christian, giving most Christians the idea that they can live a secular, everyday lifestyle, and leave the religious stuff to the pros. The truth is that all Christians are seen by God as holy, are all expected to live spiritual and holy lifestyles, are all saints, and are all ministers.

• God wants Christians to have Christian jobs.

  Many Christians think that if they work for a non-Christian company, or under a non-Christian supervisor, they are working for the enemy. But Ephesians 6:5-8 tell us that we should do our work "as to the Lord" and not as to people. Almost any job can glorify God if it is done well and with a good attitude.

• God and the Devil battle each other for control.

  A common misconception in the Church today is that good and evil are two equally powerful forces that war against each other. A proper biblical understanding will reveal that God is in total control of everything. The devil and his fallen angels are limited, created beings; and have never stood any chance against an all-powerful, all-knowing and all-present Yahweh. The devil can't do anything without Yahweh's permission.

• Christians should isolate themselves from the world.

  Plato thought that the physical world was inferior to the world of ideas, and preferred an escape to the contemplative life. Unfortunately, Christians have set up their own communities in their search for holiness, instead of using their opportunity as earthly pilgrims to minister to the world around them. This is true regarding monasteries, as well as the Christian Ghetto. We are to be in the world, but not of it. In fact, Sha'ul (Paul) saw the world and non-Christians as inseparable from Christians (1 Cor 5:10).