Only one real reason why one would reject Self Reflection - cuz they fear the honest answers to questions asked...

In his latest episode of his ChristiTutionalist Politics podcast show, Joseph M. Lenard discusses listener feedback and comments on a previous episode where he appeared as a guest on Trudy Bierman’s show. He reads out verbatim the comments he and others posted on that YouTube video, interspersed with his own thoughts and responses. The comments touch on topics like self-reflection, dealing with tough questions about one’s faith and beliefs, and distinguishing between true Christianity and what Dennis Quiad calls ‘Churchianity’ (robotic ritual building attendance but really devoid of being a meaningful Christ follower after exiting its property).

 

Lenard emphasizes the importance of honest self-reflection and being willing to admit when one is wrong or has made a mistake. He argues that many people avoid tough self-examination because deep down they know the answers would be ‘inconvenient’ and reveal that they do not live up to the standards they profess. He sees this as a form of hubris and hypocrisy. Throughout the episode, Lenard maintains a mix of serious discussion and humorous asides, explaining that he has different personalities or modes he displays in different contexts. He frequently jokes about being ‘Jokester Joe’ (on/with Savaged Unfiltered show) but also stresses the need to tackle difficult topics with biblical teachings as his basis on his own CTP show.

 

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The intersection of faith and self-reflection remains one of the most challenging aspects of modern Christianity. While many profess deep religious convictions, the willingness to honestly examine one’s adherence to these principles often reveals uncomfortable truths. The distinction between genuine faith and what Dennis Quaid aptly termed ‘churchianity’ emerges as a critical point of discussion in understanding how religious institutions sometimes drift from their foundational purposes into becoming mere social clubs.

Self-reflection serves as the cornerstone of authentic spiritual growth, yet it’s precisely this introspective practice that many actively avoid. The tendency to deflect uncomfortable questions rather than engage in honest self-examination often stems from an awareness that our actions may not align with our professed beliefs. This avoidance mechanism, rooted in what can be identified as spiritual hubris, manifests as attacks on those who dare to raise challenging questions about faith and practice.

The concept of different personas and their role in authentic Christian living deserves careful consideration. While maintaining different modes of expression (we are all Human, we have feelings, we have ‘moods’ though CTP asks listeners to use logic, reason, common-sense, we cannot allow our feelings to always rule our heads) in various contexts – from the humorous to the serious – doesn’t diminish one’s faith, it does require careful navigation to ensure authenticity remains intact. The ability to joke and maintain a light heart while addressing serious matters of faith demonstrates a mature understanding that Christianity needn’t be characterized by rigid solemnity.

Modern church culture often struggles with the balance between maintaining traditional religious practices and authentic spiritual growth. The emergence of what many observers characterize as ‘humanist clubs’ masquerading as churches points to a deeper issue within contemporary Christianity. These institutions, while maintaining the external trappings of religious organizations, sometimes fail to engage with the full scope of biblical teaching, instead offering a more palatable but potentially less transformative version of faith.

The recognition of human frailty plays a crucial role in authentic Christian practice. The acknowledgment that we all make mistakes and occasionally fail to live up to our professed standards shouldn’t lead to despair or denial, but rather to honest self-assessment and growth. This understanding forms the foundation for genuine spiritual development, allowing for both accountability and grace in our religious journey.

Biblical literacy and contextual understanding emerge as critical factors in distinguishing between authentic faith and superficial religious observance. The tendency to cherry-pick comfortable passages while avoiding challenging ones creates a distorted version of Christianity that lacks the depth and transformative power of the complete message. This selective approach to scripture often results in what might be termed ‘convenience Christianity’ – a version of faith that adapts to our preferences rather than challenging us to genuine transformation.

The role of community feedback in spiritual growth cannot be overstated, yet it must be approached with both wisdom and humility. When others point out potential inconsistencies in our faith practice, the natural tendency toward defensive responses must be balanced against the possibility that such observations might contain valuable insights for our spiritual development. This dynamic interaction between individual faith and community accountability helps maintain authentic religious practice.

The historical context of American religious freedom and its relationship to constitutional principles provides essential background for understanding contemporary Christian practice. The early American experience, particularly the lessons learned from the Bradford Colony and the Mayflower Compact, offers valuable insights into the relationship between religious conviction and practical governance. These historical examples demonstrate how religious principles can inform civic life while avoiding the pitfalls of both theocracy and secular humanism.

The celebration of religious holidays presents an interesting case study in how Christians navigate cultural diversity while maintaining their own faith traditions. The question of how to respond to inclusive holiday greetings reveals much about our understanding of Christian humility and our ability to engage respectfully with a pluralistic society. This seemingly simple issue actually touches on deeper questions of how authentic faith expresses itself in everyday social interactions.

Leadership within religious communities carries unique responsibilities regarding self-reflection and accountability. Those who assume positions of spiritual authority must demonstrate not only knowledge of religious principles but also a willingness to engage in honest self-examination and admit when they’ve made mistakes. This combination of leadership and humility provides a model for how faith communities can maintain both strong convictions and genuine openness to growth and correction.

The role of social media and modern communication in religious discourse presents both opportunities and challenges for authentic faith expression. While these platforms allow for broader sharing of religious perspectives, they also require careful consideration of how to maintain meaningful dialogue about serious spiritual matters in potentially superficial virtual spaces. The challenge lies in using these tools to foster genuine spiritual growth while avoiding the temptation to reduce faith to sound bites and shallow engagements.

 

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Unlock Your Potential for Personal Growth! In our latest episode, we dive deep into the importance of self-reflection and confronting our own frailties. Discover practical strategies for embracing vulnerability and overcoming the temptation of hubris. Join us as we explore the power of asking tough questions and the role of faith in cultivating a growth mindset. Don’t miss this insightful discussion!

 

S2EListenerFeedbackDec2024 before audio version edits 41m 10s…
S2EListenerFeedbackDec2024 SHOW NOTES ( listen (Mon. Dec. 9 2024 and thereafter) at: 
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2210487/episodes/16250811-ctp-s2elistenerfeedbackdec2024-listener-feedback-dec-2024 )… 
ChristiTutionalist Politics (S2EListenerFeedbackDec2024) “Listener Feedback – Dec. 2024″
Thank you all to those that tune-in and especially those that provided Feedback. This Listener Feedback is NOT in response to a specific CTP episode but instead I was on with Trudy Beerman (PSI-TV) and that YouTube Video ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnN4swWrMnI ) garnered some comments so I wanted to share them and my responses.
Reach out to CTP/Joe at: https://JosephMLenard.us/contact  
Listen, Like, Share, Subscribe, help grow the Show!
BTS/SP Video first dropped: https://dai.ly/k42ThoYiFUpuZ8C1z9U  (available 4 other Video Channel (BitChute, Brighteon, Rumble, YouTube) outlets)   
Transcript Bonus: NO TRANSCRIPT CREATED 
(S2EListenerFeedbackDec2024 Audio: 40m 36s, Mon Dec 9 2024)

 

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