Saturday, March 24, 2012
IS IT POSSIBLE?
Is it possible, that what we call 'Christianity', is really the greatest enemy of Christ?
From, at least Constantine’s era, it seems that what professes to be “Christianity”, has come to an ever broadening understanding that it is simply a matter of substituting a continuing, and wider range of religious thinking and systems, with the attendant rules and regulations, for what the Scriptures reveal is truly Christian.
There has been this consistent desire for what is perceived to be another and better way of doing things to replace what is considered an undoubtedly bad one.
It would also seem, to me, that a large number of people think that it is only, or mostly, a matter of authoritative order, technique, and development of form, tradition, and endless busy-ness.
The erroneous logic used is that, if we returned to what is perceived to be the "New Testament" form or order of churches, everything will be fine and dandy.
The Scriptures do reveal the characteristics of the churches of New Testament times, and the principles by which they functioned, yet we certainly do not have a clear, indelible blueprint according to which churches are to be set up or formed!
With all our sincere desires and efforts to have a “New Testament church”, is it possible that all we are actually achieving is the development of a myriad of other systems, or sects, with differing sets of legalistic rules, traditions, and regulations, sectarian bigotry, and remaining as spiritually lifeless as those we have left behind in the trash-can of our experience of searching for the church that suits our imaginings or tastes.
There is only ONE Church, the one Jesus is building, which is a dynamic living organism, from which rivers of living water flow. Its source is ONLY in the person of Jesus Christ. And built upon the cornerstone of His practice and completed work.
His church is totally dependent on Him through the working of His Holy Spirit in its members.
So! Back to the question: Is it possible, that what we call 'Christianity', is really the greatest enemy of Christ?
10 comments:
That is the key, the Scriptures show us the character of the early church more so than the form. A house church can be just as tradition bound as an institutional church if the characteristic of the church, like community, love, service, are missing. I find myself eager to fix the form sometimes while missing the underlying issues.
Aussie J,
This...."With all our sincere desires and efforts to have a “New Testament church”, is it possible that all we are actually achieving is the development of a myriad of other systems, or sects, with differing sets of legalistic rules, traditions, and regulations, sectarian bigotry, and remaining as spiritually lifeless as those we have left behind in the trash-can of our experience of searching for the church that suits our imaginings or tastes....may be as powerful [and true] a statement as I've read on ANYONE'S blog.
May that truth be "shouted from the housetops" in this day of deadness.
Arthur,
Thank you for visiting my blog and your comment.
It seems that we all have too "eager to fix the form".
Paul,
Thank you for your encouraging input, and the wise comment of your own blog.
authenticity, every member functioning, deliverance, healing, genuine caring for one another and the poor, social justice impact, lifting up christ... all things that can happen in a variety of forms. A house may facilitate every member participation but then a large auditorium may facilitate certain forms of teaching and preaching. If we can see how balance is only seen from a birds eye view of the body of christ, not focusing on any single expression, I think believers would fight each other less.
Yes... but following a system of beliefs is so much safer than following a person. Relationship with a living (invisible) Lord is much more complex, with unpredictable results. :)
Good thoughts. I need to follow your blog more often.
Eli,
Thank you for your comment. Having spent most of my life of 72 years, preaching and teaching, I can see what you are saying, but Jonathan has nailed what I began to understand during the latter 20 years or so..
Jonathan,
Thanks for calling in. The systems of belief and their documents bind believers to the system and its distinctive features, thus militating against against freedom to follow the Holy Spirit, and "the unpredictable results"
Interesting and insightful point. It is pretty obvious that the Church that Christ established in His mortal ministry and following His resurrection, with living apostles and prophets, is different from much of what we find in Christianity today. But I think that it would be a wrong conclusion from that to say that there cannot be any Church of Christ or that it is not needed. Christ and His apostles went to great length to establish His Church and to nurture it. The question for us must be where can we find it today?
Wayne,
Thank you for dropping by, and for your comments.
You ask a question, which I have attempted to answer in my next blog.
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