Posted on 03/24/2006 8:28:46 AM PST by Blogger
I know. They just don't have a clue, do they. Sad, cause news reporters need salvation, too.
"Actually Church of Christ has been categorized as a cult, I forget by which organization, but a reputable Christian one."
You obviously have very selective memory. And by the way, which CoC was supposedly placed in that category?
"They do not allow instruments to be played because of some Psalme that says "raise your VOICES"."
First the word is psalm. Second, no psalm has anything to do with the non-use of instrumental music in the CoC. You again show that you have no idea of what you are talking about.
"It is also the denomination of Pepperdine Unviersity."
Pepperdine University is composed of colleges, not denominations. Futhermore, it is a university which has no affiliation with the CoC. You ignorance concerning the CoC is continuing to be demonstrated.
In short, you are runing off at the mouth sir and have no idea what-so-ever of what you are talking about.
"The CoC believes you have to be baptized to be added to the church, for remmission of sins and to be saved (Mark 15:15-16)"
For the Bible teaching on this subject please read Acts 2:40-41.
REPOSTED DUE TO AVOIDANCE BY C of C'ers TO ANSWER
Keep reading and you will find your absurd accusation answered and yourself shown to be no more than an ignorant blowhard.
"you wrote: "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved. He that believes not shall be condemned.""
No, that would be Jesus who said that( Mark 16:16) so take your argument to Him.
Why do you insist in potraying your ignorance?
you've got freepmail!
"...but what is really dispicable is how your church preaches that the serial killers go to heaven if he is one of you, and repents, YET his innocent victims "go to hell" simply because they were not a member of your cult, even tho they may have lived an honest life?!...try asking some tough questions of your messed up church, instead of being brainwashed"
As the late Ronald Reagan said to the idiot Jimmy carter, "there you go again."
"Greta says she will have "new details" on Mary Winkler"
Greta always claims this but very seldom has any new details. It is her standard teaser.
"Pepperdine University is composed of colleges, not denominations.
Futhermore, it is a university which has no affiliation with the CoC."
The second sentence will come as some suprise to Pepperdine University.
Or else they wrote the first line of the second paragaph in error.
http://www.pepperdine.edu/welcome/about/history.htm
OK, if you meant Pepperdine U. was "COC in name only", you might have
a bit of an point...comparing it to the COC-affiliated schools in flyover country.
Let's be transparent. Institutions like Pepperdine U., Lubbock Christian,
Abilene Christian U., OCUSA, Harding, etc. are affiliated with the mainstream COC.
But NOT run by any sort of centralized COC "convention" or "board" as there
is not any such creature.
And it should be noted to the general public that these affiliated schools
have staffs that have a modest number of COC members (e.g., Pres.
Andy Benton of Pepperdine) ranging all the way to being nearly fully staffed
with COC members.
Well, the position of the churches of Christ as to the sounding of the trumpet when Christ returns is what the scripture says. But that has nothing to do with music in the "worship" assembly. Christ's return will not, IMO, be a "worship" assembly.
Churches of Christ do not utilize mechanical instruments of music in the worship assembly because the New Testament is void of any direct requirement, or even a passive example of such use by the first century church. In fact, a study of history will show that all church music was acappella (defined as "in the manner of the church") until about the 4th century when it was introduced by the Catholic church. And even then, most churches did not use same for many more centuries. The Bible only references vocal music in the New Testament.
The main purpose for singing is found in Colossians 3:16 wherein the Apostle Paul instructed the church to "teach and admonish one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts toward God." So, singing was to be another form of teaching and admonition for the early Christians. You cannot do that with a piano or organ. You only do that with your "singing". The other reference is found in Ephesians 5:19 where Paul said "speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord". Kind of hard to do that with a piano or organ or guitar or whatever mechanical instrument.
Music in the worship of the church is another tool or method for teaching and admonition. That is the purpose. It also serves a praise purpose...but the primary one is for teaching and admonishing each other. The words of the psalms and hymns and spiritual songs are the important part. You teach therefrom...not from a piano.
"What is wrong then with using a piano or organ, etc...to just accompany the "vocal teaching and admonition, some might ask"? Well, again...there is no New Testament example of that accompanyment. The only instruction is "sing". And further, there is no example of accompanyment...therefore, the churches of Christ take the position that unless it is commanded, or we can find New Testament example for an act, we will err on the side of caution and not practice said act.
It is my hope that this will clarify the issue for some that have wondered.
"...and one last point, i do not think that churches should be tax exempt...why should non-religious people have to pay a higher tax rate, since churches are exempt...let the members pay"
Members of churches do pay taxes. Churches do not operate at a profit. The minister pays taxes as do all other enployees of the church. The balance of the money is usually given away to people like you. Maybe it is time that you started counting you blessings instead of castigating others.
Her "details" was an interview with someone from the school. She spoke of Mary's first day of substitute teaching, how she was on her cell phone a lot, and how she (Mary) said her daughter misbehaved. They also mentioned how the dog barked all day Wednesday.
"...and no i don't think i am going to hell, any more than you are, since i don't think hell or heaven even exist"
Good luck my friend. If, as a Christian, I am wrong I loose nothing, but if you are wrong you loose everything.
"...I was only laughing at Geraldo's gaffe. It's been
interesting to watch a bunch of reporters try to get a clue about
the mainstream Churches of Christ and not confuse them with simliarly-named groups"
Geraldo has been chasing around Tennessee for several days now trying to get interviews. I have a close personal friend who is also a close personal friend of Mary and Matthew Winkler. Because he is a Marriage and Family theorpist, Geralso has been salvating for an interview with him. To this date he has sucessfully avoided Geraldo. And no, he is not friends with Matthew and Mary in his official capacity.
tenn2005: I cannot imagine living without the hope of Heaven in the next life. It is the knowledge that there is Heaven waiting for the faithful, that helps me make it through this life. The promise of eternal "life" in the presence of the Lord, with my Christian family is the reason for which I live.
"What doe the CoC say about the references to oral sex in Song of Solomon? ;-)"
Some people have a mind aborbed with immorality. Thus a stupid question by a person devoid of understand of the Bible. The CoC has no position on oral sex, nor should it.
"Why not the Old Testament?"
Same reason we do not follow the Koran, and aren't you glad?
I have a very good understanding about the teachings of the Bible. There is no Biblical basis for the CoC to ban dancing; and the CoC is not alone in that regard. There is no reason any church should take a position on dancing. It is a very healthy and appropriate activity for Christians if you do the kind of dancing I do.
"I have always wondered what is the CoC position on the sounding of the trumpet when Christ returns."
We believe that it will be the sounding of a trumpet. Why should we believe otherwise?
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