Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: anncoulteriscool
The reviewer repeatedly makes the point that church is a quality vs. quantity issue; that quantity in fact, doesn't matter at all. This is foolishness. It may sound good, but to think that God would say "I'd rather have a "pure" church of 30 Christians rather than a "less-than-perfect" church of 15,000 Christians; and the other 14,970 people can go to hell." (literally), is absurd.

If he is talking about a "church" that is not preaching the gospel at all, but is simply scratching the itches of it's congregants with religious sounding messages, I would agree. But if the message of salvation through faith in Christ alone is being preached (even if the rest of the messages on "life-skills" etc. may be a bit off) and thousands of people are gaining eternal life because they are hearing the gospel at that venue, I for one am going to rejoice (even while I am praying that the pastor's messages improve in other areas)

4 posted on 11/07/2003 7:52:50 AM PST by ZGuy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]


To: ZGuy
The reviewer repeatedly makes the point that church is a quality vs. quantity issue; that quantity in fact, doesn't matter at all. This is foolishness. It may sound good, but to think that God would say "I'd rather have a "pure" church of 30 Christians rather than a "less-than-perfect" church of 15,000 Christians; and the other 14,970 people can go to hell." (literally), is absurd.

If getting people "out of hell" and "into heaven" were all there was to it, and if "quality" was somehow optional for the process, then I could see your point. But you set up a false dichotomy by saying since we can't get perfection, we shouldn't bother trying to get better.

The Great Commission does not command us to "go ye therefore and make converts of all nations". It commands us to make disciples. Disciples do more than learn how to make more converts. If your theology teaches that Christians shouldn't "polish the brass on a sinking ship", you probably discount or avoid other ship-related disciplines as hull & sail repair, mastering sea-sickness, and simple navigation. What good is it to ask people to repent and convert, and not prepare them for how to live afterwards?

The gospel's content is more than just "get out of jail free" instructions, and the proper response is more than the empty-headed repetition of a prayer. There is far more that the Church is called to do for it's members than to just to be "seeker-sensitive" and count converts.

7 posted on 11/07/2003 11:05:44 AM PST by Alex Murphy (Athanasius contra mundum!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson