The Beginning of the Reformation's End?

The Wall Street Journal ^ | 2/26/10 | Charlotte Hays

[Marysecretary]

It’s nice out that way. My son went to school in Missouri. It’s a lot different terrain than I’m used to here.

[Nosterrex]

Christianity is a religion. Unless you are going to redefine the term, religion, in an unconventional way. Once that happens, we no longer have a language that conveys meaning. It is a religion that is founded upon belief in a Triune God. A non-denominational congregation is by definition one that is totally autonomous. It has no institutional supervision. When you say that most are under authority, you did not say to whom or to what they are under authority? Do you even know what your non-denominational congregation believes? Yes, we are all accountable to Christ, but how does that prevent false teachers, preachers, and prophets from misleading people? A person that is deceived does not know that he is deceived. He believes that what he believes is the truth even though it may be a lie. How do you know that you are not being deceived?

[editor-surveyor]

"Christianity is a religion. Unless you are going to redefine the term, religion, in an unconventional way."

No, Christianity is the one and only way to God. Christianity is defined by God, not man.

Religion, as used in the Bible, is everything but Christianity. Religion is defined by the men that create it.

Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, and whatever, are all as defined by men. Christ defined his church, and based it upon himself, the Rock cut without hands, the "Head of the Corner" (as in the top of a pyramid).

The only real church is thus non-denominational, and its many congregations hold only the name of its creator, Jesus Christ. Their members test their beliefs by God's written word, by prayer, and by 'testing' the spirits, as revealed by the Apostle John in his epistle:

1Jo 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

"Yes, we are all accountable to Christ, but how does that prevent false teachers, preachers, and prophets from misleading people?"

By prayer, and by believing God's word, not the fallible constructs and traditions of men. If it cannot be found in the word, it is not from God. - Be a Berean!

Acts 17:
10: And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11: These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

[Marysecretary]

Thank you. E-S. Good job....

[Marysecretary]

Read the Word yourself and rely on the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to you. Religion is what leads people astray, such as the Catholic Church and all of its extra-Biblical teachings. Draw close to Christ Himself, not to man’s religious efforts to reach God.

[Nosterrex]

That sounds nice, but that is a formula for heresy and schism. There are many that read the Word for themselves and rely on the Holy Spirit only to be deceived by cults and sects. What distorted definition of religion are you using? I suggest that you buy a dictionary and trying looking up the term. Do you seriously believe that you are not promoting a religion or religious view?

[Marysecretary]

And there are many who rely on MOPIOS for their misguided interpretation of scripture. Take your pick.

[Marysecretary]

And there are many who rely on MOPIOS for their misguided interpretation of scripture. Take your pick.

[Nosterrex]

Christianity is a religion. Buy a dictionary and look up the term. Does not the Bible tell us to practice religion? In my Bible it does. Christianity is a term created by man, or do you not know this? Look in your Bible and try and find the term, Christianity? Everything that you have stated is based upon the authority of some person that has told you what to believe. You do not seem to be aware of this. There is no theological difference between a non-denominational church and a denominational church. It is only one of polity. Everything that you believe comes to you from other denomination. Name me something that you believe that you cannot find in some other denomination?
Reading the Bible is no guarantee that you understand it or interpret it correctly. If it did, every Christian would believe the same thing.

[Nosterrex]

I do not know what MOPIOS is.

[Marysecretary]

No, Christianity is a relationship with the Lord. It’s a way of life. Religion is a system of do’s and don’t’s, trying to work yourself to God. I trust the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide me into all truth.

[Marysecretary]

Magisterium’s own personal interpretation of scripture.

[Nosterrex]

You have created your own personal definition of the term, religion. That is what religion means to you, but the rest of us have to live in the real world in which the meaning of terms is determined by convention. The Bible uses the term religion, deisidaimonia, as belief in God with the implications of corresponding behavior, and religion is understood as something good. Jesus was a very religious Jew, and he observed all the religious customs and requirements. I bet he would be surprised to learn that religion is a bad thing.

[Nosterrex]

I am not Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox so we do not have an official magisterium. Every denomination or congregation has its own magisterium whether it is officially called that or not. Usually it is the pastor or preacher. People look to some human authority to interpret the Bible for them. Even in those congregations that claim not to follow the teachings of men, they in fact do just that. They simply refuse to admit it.

[editor-surveyor]

Sorry, but religion is an impostor to christianity.

Everything that I have stated is based upon the authority of the word of God. I claim nothing that is not therein written.

There are “theological differences” even between individual congregations of each denomination. I believe nothing that cannot be found written in the word of God. That is the only reliable authority on Earth. I care nothing about what any denomination may or may not believe.

Your words offer only dark confusion from your Father, the Devil. To follow your reply is to give him comfort.

[xone]

ph

[wmfights]

I live in a very Catholic area ..guessing maybe 75% RC by birth..But I would also guess that the percentage of practicing Catholics is less than 50% of that number.. In my neighborhood kids see the inside of the church when baptized, then they go to CCd at around 7 so they can make their 1st communion.. after that maybe they will be there for their wedding or funeral.

I live in the same situation and have observed the same thing. Also, both of my sons went to RC High Schools and the lack of Scriptural knowledge is comparable with the secular world.

Membership can be very misleading. I am a member of a church that has 1,800 listed members, but every Sunday we have around 4,000 in attendance. About 25% of our membership are ex-RC's. If that stat is a constant we have another 550 RC's attending every Sunday that haven't become members and are being counted at their old RC parish.

[RnMomof7]

Religion is external practices not internal regeneration

[Marysecretary]

That nails it perfectly!

[RnMomof7]

I try :)