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Church Doctrine
Dave in Tenn:
--- Quote from: Lupac on January 24, 2010, 06:58:04 PM ---I can't stand church (in)doctrine(ation). As for being baptized, I was when I was a baby. According to the church system I grew up in, baptism was/(is?) a sign of the covenant, and when a baby is baptized, he/she becomes a member of that covenant (cult? heh heh.) Anyway, I don't think they thought it had any significance to whether you would go to hell, if you died as a child, (They determined that as whether your parents were Christians in the church system at the time. (Sick, I know.)) but it was just a sign. In the church I grudgingly (Although, unknown to my parents.) attend, the parents make vows on behalf on the child. Just about raising him/her in the ways of the church, basic stuff. I don't know what I'm going to do once I have kids.
Also, my church has been putting questions from the shorter catechism in the back of the bulletin, for the church members to study in their own time. It's up to #10 now, and this is possibly to most un-scriptural list of questions and answers I've seen. (The Heidelberg Catechism is much worse, and my church also believes it.) I was thinking, what's the most basic problem in the church? The teaching of eternal hell is one of them, but I don't think it's the biggest problem. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the biggest problem in the church is the mistranslation of Genesis 1:26-27. Everyone believes Adam and Eve were created in the image of God, perfect, immortal, etc. Mods, please tell me if this is too close to teaching. I just wanted some input. Thanks.
--- End quote ---
No, Lupac. I wouldn't call it 'teaching' at all. You know by now, though, that when we express opinion here we open up to correction. Most of us appreciate that and I see here you are inviting it as well.
To me, the tangle is so dense and the disagreement even in babylon so convoluted that it takes the Mind of Christ to unravel it all. It's important that my whole house (built on the sand) fall...the greater the fall the better...so I'm not trying to patch things up but begin anew building on the sure foundation of Christ, as and who He is.
Lupac:
Oh, I agree. The thing is, there's nothing we can do, or should do. I guess one thing, that's hard for me, is I've always been taught that the "persecution" we as Christians face always comes from the world. Now I see that most of it comes from a place I used to call home...
Dave in Tenn:
Lupac, we can study to show ourselves approved, and be ready to give answer for the Hope within us. Paul rejoiced in some that persecuted him, because they were at least preaching Christ. I don't regret the time I spent in Babylon--not most of it at any rate. I learned the milk of Doctrine, and was given opportunity to excercise that nascent faith we all started with. I met a lot of nice people and made a lot of the closest friends of my youth. I grew in grace and knowledge to a certain extent. A lot of what 'we' believed wasn't really 'wrong' doctrinally...we just really didn't believe it. Jesus came to save sinners (except those who would not allow Him to save them)...stuff like that. And I still think most people in Church are morally better in most measurable ways than I am.
Most importantly, if I hadn't been IN her, I couldn't be coming OUT of her.
Here's an opinion that might get corrected with a sledge hammer, but I think while we are yet carnal, what we experience as 'persecution' comes from God. He scourges every son that he recieves. A lot of that comes from within as He humbles us in various ways. Some of it may come from without and, yes, it may come from our families and 'church families'. But we know that all is of God, and all for our ultimate benefit. That's why and when the joy we are 'commanded' to experience springs easily from our hearts. Otherwise it's work, and not 'sabbath'.
God loves us while our minds are enmity against Him. That's what we are called to return to our 'enemies'.
bambam:
I am not out of her yet. I want to be. It's a slow process for me I guess. Are we to at all try to convince anyone that what the "church" is doing and teaching is wrong? Is that what "casting your pearls before swine means"? I am married to a man deeply involved in our church, and discussion on these matters have begun, but I think he is just trying to convince me I am wrong.
He says to go to the pastor, but I think it would be futile. No one knows how I feel and I feel like a hypocrite sometimes. When I leave-I think it will hurt many and I hate hurting people.
I think I am just seeking encouragement today where ever I can get it!! :-\ I have hit a rough patch this week. But these posts about church doctrine and other things are helpful-thanks!! :)
Roy Coates:
Bambam,
I was a deacon in the church. I plowed the snow and mowed the grass and any other thing that was needed. I led a prayer service early Sunday morning. I struggled with the thought of leaving for some time. I felt led to service work and they would need to plan for replacements. I wrote a letter(under testimony and pray look for "my resignation letter") to the Senior Pastor basically left it at I will continue until I can be replaced, that God is calling me else where. I was bombarded with why from all directions. They came to me for the reasons. When I told them they always had one reason or another that I was wrong. The pastor had once told me that as long as I was honering the call of God he would not object. When he found out I was not enlisting in another "church" he turned. The conversations got abrupt and he forwarded our emails to the elders in the church so he could say "see" Long story short is that it was hard for all the reasons you think it will be and some you haven't thought of. Some tried to understand but quickly gave up as it was not meant to be. I think of them and pray for them still. God will sustain you.
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