Just because a church doesn't agree with you on every detail doesn't make them heretic. There are some basics that are crucial. But, there are other things that are up for interpretation...where it's not clear what exactly the Bible means. Even the early, early churches mentioned in the Bible didn't all agree on everything. Looking at the same set of words. Trying to interpret it literally, there was disagreement.
You find a church where you agree with what they believe for the most part so that you don't get in the way. But, you also realize that we're a part of the church to participate in a larger body of Christ. That body is there to Glorify God. Not one denomination or another. That body is there to teach each other, build each other up, and try to reach out to the community around us. You have the humility to realize that maybe the way you understand some things in the Bible is correct. Maybe there are some places where those other folks are right. We'll all know someday when we get to Heaven, but that day isn't here yet. So, a healthy debate is fine. Tearing each other down is not because it just gets in the way of more important things.
Making blanket statements on a board like this that every large church or every non-denominational church is evil does not glorify God. It may prevent someone from trying visiting a church that could have been a good influence on their lives. It makes Christians look petty to non-Christians. It's a turn-off to non-Christians and it doesn't do anything to further the Kingdom. Frankly, it reinforces why a lot of them resent Christians.
People don't need to coming onto a public forum like this and make blanket statements about and entire size or type of church unless you've visited them all and know what they all (each individual church) teach. Especially when we all KNOW there are non-Christians on here.
Sorry for the rant. I went to a church, when I was very little, where people assumed that any church where the people didn't look and act just like then and have the same music they sang were evil because clearly Jesus read the King James Bible and sang "Just as I am" and "Amazing Grace" with one organ and one piano every Sunday and said thou shalt do the same for all time and eternity yourself.
Frankly the best thing for my faith to bring it to life was to get the heck out of that environment.
So, I guess it's sort of a pet peve of mine.
You find a church where you agree with what they believe for the most part so that you don't get in the way. But, you also realize that we're a part of the church to participate in a larger body of Christ. That body is there to Glorify God. Not one denomination or another. That body is there to teach each other, build each other up, and try to reach out to the community around us. You have the humility to realize that maybe the way you understand some things in the Bible is correct. Maybe there are some places where those other folks are right. We'll all know someday when we get to Heaven, but that day isn't here yet. So, a healthy debate is fine. Tearing each other down is not because it just gets in the way of more important things.
Making blanket statements on a board like this that every large church or every non-denominational church is evil does not glorify God. It may prevent someone from trying visiting a church that could have been a good influence on their lives. It makes Christians look petty to non-Christians. It's a turn-off to non-Christians and it doesn't do anything to further the Kingdom. Frankly, it reinforces why a lot of them resent Christians.
People don't need to coming onto a public forum like this and make blanket statements about and entire size or type of church unless you've visited them all and know what they all (each individual church) teach. Especially when we all KNOW there are non-Christians on here.
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Very well and wonderfully put. Thanks.
Your thoughts are exactly why I've hit the back button when ready to post on these threads. Thanks for saying it.
Very well said and the Bible does tell us to avoid getting involved in stupid controversies. Paul to Titus Chapter 3.
Hey, I understand. There is always the temptation to swing the opposite direction and clamp down too tightly on everyone. That's our choice here in this smallish town, many churches, all pretty mediocre as far as doctrine goes, in different levels of infatuation with 'church growth' philosophy, and then one or two very separatist churches. We have to drive about a half hour to find a Biblical church. Which makes participation during the week difficult.
Unfortunately, some non-Christians have more discernment and insight than believers.