Are Christians More Like Jesus or More Like the Pharisees?

Barna Group ^ | April 30, 2013

[DaveMSmith]

One of the common critiques leveled at present-day Christianity is that it’s a religion full of hypocritical people. A new Barna Group study examines the degree to which this perception may be accurate. The study explores how well Christians seem to emulate the actions and attitudes of Jesus in their interactions with others.

The research project was directed by David Kinnaman, president of Barna Group, in conjunction with John Burke, author of Mud and the Masterpiece, a book exploring the attitudes and actions of Jesus in all of his encounters.

Assessing Christlikeness
In this nationwide study of self-identified Christians, the goal was to determine whether Christians have the actions and attitude of Jesus as they interact with others or if they are more akin to the beliefs and behaviors of Pharisees, the self-righteous sect of religious leaders described in the New Testament.

In order to assess this, Barna researchers presented a series of 20 agree-or-disagree statements. Five actions and five attitudes that seem to best encapsulate the actions and attitudes of Jesus Christ during his ministry on earth. The researchers did the same for the Pharisees (10 total statements, five reflecting behaviors and five examining attitudes).

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The findings reveal that most self-identified Christians in the U.S. are characterized by having the attitudes and actions researchers identified as Pharisaical. Just over half of the nation’s Christians—using the broadest definition of those who call themselves Christians—qualify for this category (51%). They tend to have attitudes and actions that are characterized by self-righteousness.

[1010RD]

Christianity is a religion that expects fundamental change in people. We become disciples and the Master’s expectation is mastery.

[RegulatorCountry]

Paul was the instrument of God for a good half of the New Testament. So, of course scripture attributed to Paul is relied upon quite frequently. Is it red letter scripture, meaning the words of Jesus Christ himself? No.

You’ll find nothing but validation, confirmation and reinforcement of those Red letter words from Paul, though. He was a great teacher and a great Christian who knew sin, knew it well, having sinned greatly against believers of Jesus Christ before his encounter on the road to Damascus.

One of the most eloquent, thrilling passages in the New Testament to me comes from Paul How anyone can read I Corinthians 15 and fail to be moved and inspired is beyond me.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+15&version=KJV