Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: HiTech RedNeck; Alex Murphy
The distinction between Reformation and evangelical churches is, IMHO, artificial.

I think you are right. We share a common faith grounded in the 5 solas, however, after that there are some big differences. It would be nice if the Reformed churches made an effort to recognize how much of the flawed Roman system they brought with them, but at the core we share a common faith and I know I would be comfortable in any of the Reformed churches excluding the Lutheran church.

10 posted on 11/06/2013 7:43:03 PM PST by wmfights
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies ]


To: wmfights

It’s not easy.

I have come to a place where I recognize and actually see working a Christ that is bigger than any human church organization. Now I might get a lot of disagreement for what I’m about to say, but people in even the most bizarre worship arrangement that still call on Christ by name, will in fact get Christ. Now the errors grieve God greatly, and the fewer the errors are the closer God will get (and conversely, the approach of God will purify the individual worshiper from the errors). This is what makes it possible to get a very godly Roman Catholic, for example. That person may in fact be ignoring most of the official doctrine and going along with the actual gospel.

Evangelical worship groups should use their freedom in order to embrace a better set of doctrines as God enables them to. God wants that. However they don’t need to get it perfect in order to be effective. They only need to have the perfect Christ, who is a real supernatural being, not something that men conjured up by having just the right doctrines in hand.

And so I affirm Christ and His power.

Personally, I’ve gone to a bible church for most of my believing years. I’m attending a Southern Baptist congregation currently. I like the relative freedom in both of those milieus, while still noting the places they could improve.


11 posted on 11/06/2013 7:59:06 PM PST by HiTech RedNeck (The Lion of Judah will roar again if you give him a big hug and a cheer and mean it. See my page.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies ]

To: wmfights
wmfights: I would be comfortable in any of the Reformed churches excluding the Lutheran church.

Lutheranism differs from "reformed" -- the former was founded through Martin Luther, the latter from Jean Cauvin or Zwingli

Would you be comfortable in the other groups that arose our of the reformation? Like the Mennonites or the Unitarians?

20 posted on 11/06/2013 10:29:24 PM PST by Cronos (ObamaÂ’s dislike of Assad is not based on AssadÂ’s brutality but that he isn't a jihadi Moslem)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies ]

To: wmfights
Not so sure about modern Eveangelical churches. As recently as 40 years ago I would have agreed. Today the term has become so mushy you can't really pin down what it means. Sure there is a corner of Evangelicalism that is solid, but then you have Osteen and Benny Hinn classified as "Evangelical," so that term is out the window, IMHO

I once lived in a community where Lutheran was the only real option to hear Christ preached. Then the pastor changed out and that was pulled out from under us too.

22 posted on 11/07/2013 5:42:20 AM PST by Gamecock (Many Atheists take the stand: "There is no God AND I hate Him.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | 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