Pastor Steve's thoughts

I had the Matthew and Luke passages in mind... but I'll have to read the others... thanks Steve.

Dusty and Courtney.
I enjoyed reading your thoughts. I'm sure a discussion about hypocrisy could take us hours. After all...all of us are guilty!

I think it's easier to see hypocrisy in others than to see it in ourselves. Any way, I thought I would list out all references to the word hypocrisy in the New Testament.

Here they are

hupokrisis (hypocrisy)
Matthew 23:28
Mark 12:15
Luke 12:1
Gal 2:13
1 tim. 4:2
Jas 5:12 usually translated condemn
1 Pet 2:1

hupokritees (hypocrites)
Mat 6:2, 5, 16 Mat 7:5 Mat 15:7 16:3 , 22:18, 23:13, 14,15, 23, 25, 27, 29
Matt 24:51,
Mark 7:6,
Lu 6:42, 11:44, 12:56, 13:15

It's amazing that most of the references are in the gospels. a good study method is to read every passage (in contex!) and come up with some observations.
Steve

I wanted to comment on this, because it hits home big time for me. I was thinking this through, how I want to be loving the way God wants me to, and am seemingly incapable at times. So I asked the question of the theology group, and after a long conversation, I think we came to a very sound conclusion...

I don't think we (Christians) should be hypocrites on any level... it seems like Jesus was clear about how bad it is. Our belief system should be that we are in need of mercy, and because of our sinful condition in this life we are dependant on God's mercy... we find ourselves doing unloving, impatient, unkind things all the time. Unfortuately, we have sin in us and for whatever reason God has decided to save perfection for Heaven.

If what we are promoting as Christians is that we ARE broken people TRYING to do good, but depending on God's mercy, well then there's no hypocrisy in living a life including failure, but sprinkled with righteousness. Because there's no acting or pretending going on.

Thoughts?

Where is everybody?

Anyway, I like that "Functional Hypocrisy" phrase. It is a leveling title. I'll found two cents in my pocket. It won't buy me anything so I'll drop it off here... We could add a third reason the world calls Christians hypocrites- the church is full of human beings who have a high standard.
I know I've used the term in regards to the church. It just rolls off the tongue so nice and smooth, and thankfully since it's done in regards to other people I can be 100% accurate.
Humor and sarcasm aside: I think reason number two could be accurate, but to point that out seems like an insecure reaction also, doesn't it? I mean, that is not really our business is it? (for the sake of argument and discussion) What does knowing that, or thinking we may know that do in helping us love someone else. From personal experience, when members of the church explain the motives of others, especially inner motives that involve a person's spiritual and psychological state, we can end up sounding arrogant and foolish, which is off-putting and does not foster a relationship. I would consider the non-church communities statements of hypocrisy to be our checks and balances.
Obviously there is a fine line that can be crossed as we are told that people will be offended by the truth. That is a reality of the Gospel. The "other" fine line is when we hide our rationalized and offensive behavior behind declarations of others "insecurity". (Again, this is for the sake of discussion, not to call Steve-O out)
To mention it 20 times in the Gospel means it was a hot issue. A problem for the ages.