I think one of the biggest changes in Christianity over the years and ages is the acceptance of different sins. There in lies most of the division in Christianity.

 

I look at the differences between Christians to be like if we were all trying to climb a mountain. All of us would not take the same path, some would go with nothing but a canteen of water and a walking stick while others would use the latest mountain climbing gear and technology available. But regardless of the path chosen or the method used we all have the same destination and will all end up reaching the top of the mountain. Who am I to tell the other guy that he climbed the mountain wrong, if he arrived at the same place I did?

 

That kind of comes back to the "one true path" problem I spoke of before, in that in your example, the proponent of each different path is sure theirs is the only correct one, and all the others will go hurtling off the side of the mountain. That's where my disconnect with organized religion comes from.

The only answer I can give is to not put your faith in humans or what they tell you. As a people, we have shown a knack for screwing things up, even when our intentions are good.

 

If we want to follow God/Jesus, then we need to first establish what the authority is for learning how. I believe with my every being that the Bible is that authority, that it is the inspired word of God, and that is has been preserved for us in perpetuity. So, if I am seeking truth, then my source is God's word, and that will be my guide. I may seek advice, help in understanding and counsel from others, but I have to see that for what it is, another man's understanding. If I wan't to know the truth then I must read His word, follow what is taught and seek His will for me. The answers are in there.

 

Well, I'll confess that my Bible study has slipped in recent years, and it's something I've been meaning to address. I will say my faith hasn't been shaken by my disdain for organized religion in general and especially the most hypocritical proponents of such. I may have many questions for God, and perhaps what many would see as whacked-out ideas with reference to his nature. That doesn't mean I ever stopped believing.

 

I get the impression you have at least some degree of disdain for the distorters of His Word that seem to dominate the face of Christianity's many sects, albeit not as extreme as mine.

That kind of comes back to the "one true path" problem I spoke of before, in that in your example, the proponent of each different path is sure theirs is the only correct one, and all the others will go hurtling off the side of the mountain. That's where my disconnect with organized religion comes from.

I look at it differently. Each has their own path to the same destination. I don't think Baptist or Catholics or Pentecostals are going to go flying off of the mountain, they just may be taking a slightly different path than I am. But I do feel we will all be together on the summit.

That kind of comes back to the "one true path" problem I spoke of before, in that in your example, the proponent of each different path is sure theirs is the only correct one, and all the others will go hurtling off the side of the mountain. That's where my disconnect with organized religion comes from.

 

I agree. I had a member of the Church of Christ tell me that the only people going to Heaven were people that belonged to his denomination. He gave me several reasons why his church believed that way but I don't remember them.

I look at it differently. Each has their own path to the same destination. I don't think Baptist or Catholics or Pentecostals are going to go flying off of the mountain, they just may be taking a slightly different path than I am. But I do feel we will all be together on the summit.

Agree with you 100%! :thumb:

Well, I'll confess that my Bible study has slipped in recent years, and it's something I've been meaning to address. I will say my faith hasn't been shaken by my disdain for organized religion in general and especially the most hypocritical proponents of such. I may have many questions for God, and perhaps what many would see as whacked-out ideas with reference to his nature. That doesn't mean I ever stopped believing.

 

I get the impression you have at least some degree of disdain for the distorters of His Word that seem to dominate the face of Christianity's many sects, albeit not as extreme as mine.

I am not a fan of religion. I do think that too many Christians and so-called Christians have had the misguided mission of being self-appointed judges. In doing so, they have been more interested in pointing fingers and throwing out accusations against others than they have been in actually sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and trying to lead others towards salvation. A lot of bad has been done in the name of religion and unfortunately that has cost the true cause of Christ a great deal.

 

I am a fan of Jesus Christ, and I believe that anyone who accepts him upon the terms of the gospel will be saved. I believe Jesus is the son of God, and He gave up his equality with God, came to Earth and ultimately was sacrificed and shed his blood as redemption for the sins of the whole world. But death could not hold him and he arose from the dead to go back to Heaven and prepare a place for me and you where we can go to Him and spend eternity with Him. I believe the Bible teaches us that anyone who hears this good news and believes it, repents of their sins and is buried with him in baptism for the remission of those sins shall receive the gift of eternal salvation.

 

That is what I see as the matter of first importance. The Bible does not address denominations, creeds or "religions", and therefore those things are of no concern to me. I guess you would put me in the "Christian Only" group, as that is the only label I want. I am not interested in judging anyone, but I have a deep desire to share the gospel with anyone in hopes that they will find salvation and receive the same gifts that I have received.

 

Perhaps this has been an oversimplification, but my view has come from a long time of personal study and I am willing at any time to go through the Bible and share and study it with anyone so that they can decide for themselves if they agree with what it teaches, and hopefully they can discover God's will in their own life.

 

I am still learning daily and my walk with God is a fluid, evolving relationship. I do not have all the answers and I struggle with my sins. I am glad that I have the peace that surpasses all understanding, the hope that comes with the blessed assurance of being a child of God and knowing that if I remain faithful I will be in His kingdom and will spend eternity with Him in Heaven.

I agree. I had a member of the Church of Christ tell me that the only people going to Heaven were people that belonged to his denomination. He gave me several reasons why his church believed that way but I don't remember them.[/QUOTe]I am a member of a congregation of the church of Christ and I do not share that same view. It would be extremely narrow minded of me to assume that God's grace is limited in that way. I know that the church of Christ has been its own worst enemy at times in the past. They are sometimes known for being narrow minded and judgmental and I am sorry you were told what you were. Not everyone shares that view and I hope you will not hold every church of Christ member in the same light as the person who told you those things.

 

In my last post I shared my view of salvation. I believe that anyone who obeys the gospel on the terms that are outlined in the new testament will be forgiven their sins and will receive salvation. When Christ established his church, he did so only once, he did not create divisions in it.

I am a member of a congregation of the church of Christ

 

Non-instrumental?

Non-instrumental?

Yes, our congregation is non-instrumental.

Yes, our congregation is non-instrumental.

 

We were on vacation in Florida several years ago & stopped at a church in St. Pete that was non-instrumental. Though I very much prefer instruments, it was a special song service.

I am a member of a congregation of the church of Christ and I do not share that same view. It would be extremely narrow minded of me to assume that God's grace is limited in that way. I know that the church of Christ has been its own worst enemy at times in the past. They are sometimes known for being narrow minded and judgmental and I am sorry you were told what you were. Not everyone shares that view and I hope you will not hold every church of Christ member in the same light as the person who told you those things.

 

It is interesting how two Church of Christ Congregations in he same towns can be soooooo different. There are some Church of Christ preachers/pastors on the radio in Louisville who believe all outside of Church of Christ are damned. Alabama Larry used to call them all the time and get hung up when he was able to disprove their views with scripture. LOL. I miss him.

 

I think Southern Baptists may vary even more. In Louisville you could find one that that approaches God Hats (Gays) almost and then another where the pastor has a gay partner.

^ This. I love when WASPs talk about "the one true church" while ignoring that there are 50 million different stripes of Protestantism out there. Well, which is it? Old Regular Baptist? Freewill Baptist? Missouri Synod? Church of God of Prophesy?

 

Why just WASPs? I am pretty sure there are many black churches who feel they teach the truth and others are flawed to some degree.

Alabama Larry used to call them all the time and get hung up when he was able to disprove their views with scripture. LOL. I miss him.

 

:lol2::lol2:

 

Why just WASPs? I am pretty sure there are many black churches who feel they teach the truth and others are flawed to some degree.

 

I'm dealing with those who drive the discussion in Ky, and it ain't any black churches. It's WASPs. Get out of the Ville's Catholic blanket and travel to the hinterlands if you don't believe me.

Do we choose or are we chosen? That's the question. The Bible says you're predestined.