[proxy_user]

The Catholics can have authoritative teachings because they have Apostolic Succession. The Pope is the heir of the Apostles in a direct line, and what he says is the official doctrine.

But if you believe in the priesthood of all believers and justification through faith alone, it's kind of hard to keep out heretics, particularly antinominians.

[faloi]

I didn't realize there was a movement to take down the cross. I've moved around a bit, and been shocked to see some "churches" with no cross or religious trappings at all. I think the article makes a valid point, it's time for more denominations to stand for what they believe in. The moral relativism that's creeping into Churches is frightening. I'm not above there being some changes as time goes on, but there need to be boundaries. Some things just are, and always will be, wrong.

[tx_eggman]

Good luck Adam, many good men have tried. To this day the wheat and tares are still growing together in the same field.

[Grim]

Once you get rid of the people who deny the basics of the Faith ... we have to get together and talk, really dialogue about issues, determine what matters and what doesn't.

There you go. Brilliant idea. Get rid of the people who disagree with you and then discuss the issues you have in common.

Perhaps we can burn a few heretics at the stake, too. That'll help.

[SaltyJoe]

I'm Catholic, and I love Protestant Conservatives who have kept un-Catholic "Catholic" Politicians out of the White House. Thank for upholding Christian values! God Bless you.

[Jibaholic]

We don't need to take the Catholic approach when our approach is superior. No one is going to feel the Holy Spirit in a Church that teaches that Jesus was a swell guy but not the only path to God. This is why the mainline Protestant Churches are declining while the evangelical Churches are thriving.

[Honorary Serb]

My Serbian Orthodox priest said that any "church" that does not teach the Resurrection should be called a CLUB, not a church.

By the way, I am an ELCA Lutheran who attends a Serbian Orthodox church once a month. And I am fed up with what's happening to the ELCA due to the depredations of feminazis, "gays", and revisionists.

[redgolum]

Kind of agree.

We all have some house cleaning to do.

[Vic3O3]

ping for an interesting read--perhaps we should copy it to Bryant?

[lexington minuteman 1775]

You might want to check out a new book by some guy named RUTZ it's called "Megashift"He has research indicating huge growth in churches in third world countries that is basically off the radar because it does not come under the umbrella of any "recognized" Christian mission groups. Inotherwards these are indiginous church planters who are being very sucessful. And the only Bible they know is a very simple understanding of the New Testament just like the church in the Book of Acts. Since they have not been to seminary or effected by what German theologians etc. have been saying about literarary criticism, etc. They just preach Jesus saves. Rutz says this group will eventually outnumber mainline Christians. I wonder if that 51% of Methodist will see them coming?
Kind of exciting development methinks!

[af_vet_1981]

Methodist-51%

The Methodists seem to have reached a majority consensus.

[Ua Ruairc of Bréifne]

Hey, why not get all those truths down in one place? Then people could memorize it and then we would know who was in the Church or not. It could include the resurrection, both Christ's and at the end of time. What a great idea...

The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.

Who, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.

And I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

[k2blader]

It's time for churches to challenge ministers with simple questions of basic truth such as, "Do you believe in the resurrection?" If the answer is no, you have no business being a minister or lay leader of a Christian denomination.

Definitely. It's actually difficult for me to imagine a person claiming to be a Christian answering "No" to this question. I guess they are out there though..

[LiteKeeper]

Try this on for size

[Criminal Number 18F]

As a New England Episcopalian, I'm a bit surprized to read that only 31% don't believe in the Resurrection -- based on my experience with Massachusetts so-called "pastors," I'd say over half don't believe in Jesus, even to the extent that Muslims do (and Muslims hold that He was a prophet, but only a man).

I would say 31% are overtly atheistic or agnostic. So why are they there, if they have no faith? Being a priest is a pretty good job, I guess.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F