To an ever questioning…
So I wonder…why so much diversity in the church? Is there actually a right or wrong way to follow Jesus Christ? How are the Alliance churches better than the independent churches? How are the Baptists worse than the Lutherans? If we have accepted Jesus into our hearts, we end up in the same place, don’t we? To me it seems pointless and stupid for two Christians to have a verbal battle on the subject of predestination when there are souls out there that have yet to be won, and yet we’re so wrapped up in what’s happening in the politics of “Christianity” that the true reason behind our following Christ has been forgotten. Um, herro? Try Matthew 28:19-20…we’re called to go out into the world and make disciples of all nations. Not “a few nations”, ALL. That pretty much means everyone.
And we fight amongst ourselves over who’s the better church or who’s the better pastor or who’s a better “Christian” speaker or who’s saved more people than anyone else? No wonder so many people find “Christianity” so appalling.
I don’t know about you, but I’d prefer my generation to be the one without holds or barriers, a generation that moves out regardless of the crap. I want to be a dangerous fellow…not to mankind, but to the evil that drives mankind. I want the demons to cringe when we come around. Church politics be hanged; there is a vast number of people out there that are facing eternal damnation, and that number needs to change in our favor.
Or we could sit around in our comfy church pews and nod like zombies as the pastor drones on…we could go home and sit in our computer chairs…we could get into heated debates about what really happens in the life after…we could become lukewarm, complacent, and disgusting in the eyes of the Lord.
No way.
The Reverend 
Good post Cory. I totally agree.
Predestination is irrelevant since we don’t know who God has chosen. So we have to love EVERYONE.
I like how you compared Christians to zombies, for so many it is very true. For me it is true far to often.
Mousepad said this on June 8, 2007 at 5:18 pm |
One question. How do you convert people if you don’t know exactly what you believe?
Jahothanan said this on June 9, 2007 at 8:39 am |
There is a certain amount of importance in inter-Christian ‘debating’ concerning doctrine; that is, those issues that drive the core of our faith. It is true that when it comes to redemption, our arguments about eschatology and the sacraments will mean little…but for us to argue amongst ourselves sharpens our own beliefs. Peter tells us to have an answer–and while he primarily intended that answer for the non-Christian, we should also be able to give an answer for the things that aren’t so ‘important’ (eternally speaking).
Further, some issues I believe are crucial to know. The creation/evolution debate has been shown to divide Christians because one way or the other, one’s view on origins will influence one’s beliefs on the accuracy and infallibility of the Bible and so on. My point is that these issues often are deeper than they may seem.
However, I agree that to focus on such arguments is foolish, and also that in almost NO situation is it appropriate or wise to argue in the same way with someone outside the faith. Believer-to-believer is different, because we both are in a position to understand the doctrinal issues we talk about, whereas with a non-Christian it is liable only to confuse and drive away.
The whole church politics thing is just a result of the fact that the church is made of humans. Thus it is by nature retarded.
Jesta said this on June 9, 2007 at 8:42 am |
Oh, and I meant to say that it is something like intellectual working out when we talk about the small stuff. We can use Christians of opposing views to understand better what we believe and strengthen those beliefs, so that when and if we do get asked a question by an unbeliever, we can “be prepared”.
And…the Church is still kinda retarded. XD
Jesta said this on June 9, 2007 at 8:46 am |
That was a good reply Jesta. I coudln’t have said it better myself. Thanks for the comment. I have some scriptures to add to the discussion:
“But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.” -Rom 6:17
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple” -Rom 16:17-18
Jahothanan said this on June 9, 2007 at 8:54 am |
I see both of your points, and I agree to a degree…the point I’m trying to get across is the superfluous obsession that many Christians have with “winning” debates and being better speakers and having “better” churches. It’s almost like a contest.
And while I think Paul was referring more to the non-believers that surrounded the church of the olden days in your second verse, Jaho, I would like to point out that if we indeed were to cut away those who caused divisions within the church…we’ve pretty much already done that with our mass-multiple denominations.
And what is this doctrine that he refers to, and why aren’t more people following it if it is indeed the way to go? I don’t think we disagree on this, though I’d like to know what you think.
Father Cory said this on June 9, 2007 at 9:06 am |
Actually Cory, Paul was talking about the church, because he was dealing with a “debate” that had taken place within the church.
I agree with you Cory that there is a lot of petty squabbling in the church, but there are some doctrines that are important because with out them, one is in apostasy. The doctrines that I think Paul was talking about (and the doctrines we need to be concerned with) are those presented in Scripture. Most of the denominations formed in the 20th century exist because the church leadership as a whole decided that the Bible did not need to be followed anymore. If you want to reunite the church, Scripture has become the standard by which people live.
Now with that said, there are two thousand years of history behind us and there has been a lot of study of scripture throughout that time. There is no need to recreate the doctrines and theology that has already been developed by scholars. Be sure that for your own sake that everything is Scripturally based, but don’t be afraid to use past church theologians as authorities. Otherwise it is my own illogical mind that I have to rely on, which is not the smartest thing to do.
The church has used its authority abominably, but God has stilled placed that authority over us and we need to at least respect it.
Jahothanan said this on June 9, 2007 at 9:32 am |