Crazy Christians

"And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness." (Acts 26: 24, 25)

"Mad" is often translated from the Greek word "mania" and means madness, frenzy, or to display excessive or unreasonable enthusiasm.

It is also sometimes translated from the Greek word "mainomai," which means -

1) to be mad, to rave
a) of one who so speaks that he seems not to be in his right mind

"Beside thyself" or "out of our mind" is from the Greek word "existēmi" and means -

1) to throw out of position, displace
a) to amaze, to astonish, throw into wonderment
b) to be amazed, astounded
c) to be out of one's mind, besides one's self, insane

In the New Testament it is translated as "be amazed," and "be astonished," and "bewitch," and to "be beside (one's) self," and to "make astonished, wonder."

From the retort of the apostle, we see that to be "sober" is the opposite of being insane, or a maniac.

In the above verses, the apostle Paul was accused of being "mad," or "beside himself," or "out of his mind." He was accused of being religiously "crazy," of being a "kook" or "raving maniac."

The ridiculing and demeaning of Christians has been going on for a long time. It began first with Jesus, who was himself accused of being a "nut" or a "fruitcake," mentally speaking.

"There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings. And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?" (John 10: 19 - 21)

"The Jews answered him, "Aren't we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?" (John 8: 48 NIV)

Jesus was accused of being a "lunatick," of being "out of his mind." He was accused of being possessed of demons (devils). Unlike the Greek mind, the Jewish mind looked upon demon possession as causing mental illness and insanity. Certainly the New Testament accounts of demon possession show that insanity and lunacy were often the result of it. In being called a "Samaritan" Jesus was being called a "half-breed," or one of "low class."

"And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid." (Mark 5: 15 & Luke 8: 35 KJV)

This man who had a "legion" of demons possessing him was not made a genius by the experience, but was rather made "criminally insane," a real "loony." He was truly "beside himself," and "out of his mind," but after being saved by Jesus he is totally different. He is now docile and meek, and "in his right mind," and sane and sober once again.

"For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause." (II Corinthians 5: 13 KJV)

The accusation of Festus against Paul's sanity was one that was often made against Christ, Paul, and the other disciples. It is to be expected that the followers of Jesus will likewise be thought to be "morons," and "idiots," and psychologically "weak" individuals.

But, the opposite is the real case. Jesus was no mentally ill individual, nor was Paul, nor the other apostles and disciples. Rather, it was the one's who were saying these things against Christ and his followers who were the real spiritually insane. They who made these accusations thought they were the "strong" and that Christ and Christians were the "weak," the sickly and impotent members of society. But, it is the Christian who is mentally and spiritually "strong" and it is the worldling who rejects Christ who is the "weak" and who is morally "mad."

"If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?" (I Corinthians 14: 23)

Paul, in his retort, was vehement in affirming his sanity and the reasonableness of the Christian faith in Christ as the Messiah. Christians should try to show themselves sane and sober and thereby demonstrate the errors of the accusations. But, it will never stop the God and Christ haters from continuing to label all Christians as a "bunch of dummies."

Also, in these words to the Corinthians, Paul wants them to behave in their assemblies in a manner that does not justify the accusation! Sadly, some who call themselves Christians do act and talk like "loonies," being members of cults and apostate sects.

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (II Timothy 1: 7 KJV)

"Sound mind" is from the Greek word "sōphronismos" and means - soundness of mind, to moderation and self-control.

Rather than Christians receiving and developing an "insane" or "maniac" personality, or becoming "weak" and "sickly" in mind and thought, they are really the only sane ones in this world! They are the only ones who are mentally and spiritually healthy and "strong." Rather than being mentally intoxicated, and cloudy in their thinking and judgments, they are the only ones who are sober, clear-headed, and of a spiritually and morally "sound mind." Though they are often called "morons," they are really the only ones who really know what is going on in the world.

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world." (Titus 2: 11, 12 KJV)

God, through his grace and Spirit (John 6: 45) teaches his people. He is their Psychologist and Psychiatrist. He knows them better than they know themselves. He also knows the mind and hearts of all men. But, he teaches Christians how to be sober in their thinking and in the conduct of their lives. To be "sober" is to be mentally balanced and kept from extremism.

"We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world." (I Corinthians 4: 12 KJV)

When Paul says that he and other Christians had "become" both "scum" and "refuse" (garbage), he is alluding to the "labeling" of him and them by the ungodly and unrepentant world. For two thousand years now it has been the same. But, in actuality, as time will tell, it is the non-Christians, the ones who say these derogatory things about Christ and his followers, that are the true spiritual "filth" and "scum" of the earth, the real moral "garbage." And, God being not only a Psychologist, but also a disposer of "garbage," will one day, as he has promised, rid the world of all the real moral and spiritual "scum" and "refuse" of the ungodly world.

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake." (Matthew 5: 11 KJV)

Much of this evil speaking against Christians takes the form of accusations made against the "sanity" or "mental health" of such. Christians are viewed by the ungodly world as being weak-minded, or "morons." Interestingly, the word "fool" in the New Testament is translated from the Greek word that gives us our English word "moron." Who is the real "moron" however? Is it the one who believes in Christ or the one who does not?

"We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised." (I Corinthians 4: 10 KJV)

Paul was using a mild form of sarcasm here in his rebuke to the worldly thinking of some of the Corinthian Christians. Paul knows that it is the unbelieving wicked world that has labeled him a "moron" (fool) and called him "weak" in mind, and who "despised" and openly ridiculed him. In this sarcasm, he says, more or less, - "you all are still thinking and acting like the world," or "you all are still possessed of an un-Christian pyschology."

The really "strong willed" and "strong minded," are the Christians, the ones who have been divinely taught by God and his grace to think soberly and to have a sound mind. The Greek word for "weak" means "sickly" or "impotent," and is so translated in many passages. So, who are the really weak and sickly, spiritually speaking? Who are the potent and who are the impotent?

"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool (moron), that he may be wise." (I Corinthians 3: 18 KJV)

In other words - "Let him become a Christian, or believer in Jesus, the one whom the unbelieving world styles a moron." And, - "let those who think they are wise (gnostics) realize that they, without Christ, are the real morons or ignoramuses."

"For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ." (I Corinthians 2: 16 KJV)

Christians possess the "mind" or "thinking" of Christ, the Son of God. They develop a healthy mental and emotional psychology. They become strong in mind, learning how to think soberly and honestly. Just as the mind or psychology of Lord God is unfathomable, so is the psychology of the Christian not comprehended by the unbelieving and non-Christian world. Truly, in this area, "it takes one to know one."

"For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God." (I Corinthians 1: 22-24 KJV)

The world in rejecting the gospel message of Christ has made a judgment that basically says "Jesus was a nut." And, really, there is no other options but to say he was who he said he was, or else he was truly insane.

Friend, what is your judgment? Do you know Christ as the very Wisdom and Power of God or as a demon-possessed moron?