| Author | Message | ||
| Gregkleinig Registered user Username: Gregkleinig Post Number: 36 Registered: 12-2010 |
G'day all. I am finding the book Pagan Christianity to be up there as the best book I have ever read on unraveling where Christianity departed from NT Christianity. Denominationalism was never part of Jesus plan; He prayed that we all might be one. Have other FAFers read this book? What are the thoughts? Should FAFers be aiming more down the home fellowship road? Which I think this forum goes a long way to in a modern global sense. (All Christian forums etc.) Jim02. This book goes a long way in addressing the bigger issues that I think are behind your recent postings. Thankyou for your openess, i have followed the discussion with great interest. My heart has been warmed by the responses and caring for you. This caring contrasts with a letter from an SDA doctor in NZ to the RECORD a few years ago (SDA publication for the Australia, NZ, Papua area). She poured her heart out in honest pain. Not one single response of any sort was published. I watched for months. The slowly getting educated aussie. | ||
| Ric_b Registered user Username: Ric_b Post Number: 975 Registered: 7-2004  |
I found the book more interesting than actionable. Home fellowships can be very positive, but some of the most abusive and heretical situations I have seen were also home fellowships. It is not a panacea. I have seen some respond to the information in the book with the notion that it is critical to get rid of all traditions. It is interesting to know the historical roots of a tradition, but in many cases these traditions have a completely new cultural meaning. The church transformed the tradition more than the tradition transformed the church. Yet it is also important to realize the difference between traditions and Scriptural doctrines. I have mixed feelings about the whole arguments surrounding denominations. And frankly non-denominationalism has essentially become it's own denomination too. Most of us recognize that we are in fact one. My Baptist brothers and sisters are just as much part of my family as my Lutheran brothers and sisters. I also have to wonder whether we can really believe that a sovereign, all-powerful God really let His bride abandon His path. Denominations certainly didn't take an all-knowing God by surprise. Could it be that God actually uses the variety that exists across denominations to promote further study of His Word and proclamation of His Truth? Enjoy the book. Learn some lessons from it. But be careful about throwing the baby out with the bathwater. | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 2818 Registered: 8-2004  |
Denominations? Pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, dollar bills, $5s $10s, $20s . . . they're different denominations, but they're also all money! Who is to say that God doesn't use the various Christian denominations to get His work done much like different parts of the body do different functions (and sometimes very similar functions) but are all part of one body? | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 12557 Registered: 12-2003  |
I agree with you both, Rick and Mary. The real issue is the gospel, God's word, the Trinity...where do you put Jesus and the cross? People can have Christian fellowship if they are born of the Spirit and believing in the Lord Jesus for their salvation. The secondary issues are not THE issue and should not divide. Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail against His church; denominations have not denatured the body of Christ. Submitting to Scripture and surrendering our lives to the Lord Jesus for His glory are our marching orders. We are to participate in the body of Christ—there's no such thing as a "lone-ranger Christian"—and offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God. Colleen | ||
| Indy4now Registered user Username: Indy4now Post Number: 1038 Registered: 2-2008  |
We have this book at home. My husband has read it, but I haven't. I agree with everyone. From our discussions, I think the potentially dangerous reasoning that can come from this book is that instead of using Christ's gospel as a standard for discerning where we fit into the body of Christ, it looks at traditions. If we use "traditions" as a way of discerning which church we do or don't join, we will lose sight of Christ's gospel. If you look at Christian music, you'll find there are many styles of Christian music. Anywhere from rap to traditional styles of music. God uses all styles of music to reach different people. If a person loves "screamo" type of Christian music, God will use that style of music to reach them even though I can't stand to listen to it. It's the message that counts. When it comes to choosing how we want to serve and worship God within His body, we need to consider the question that Colleen asked, "Where do you put Jesus and the cross?" and as she said secondary issues should not divide the body of Christ. Focusing on traditions can be a method that Satan uses to take our eyes off of Jesus. vivian |
