Are denominations *always" wrong?

[Guest]

Hi Aaron,

You wrote:

You can disagree with denominationalism if you wish but the fact is that it's just natural that those of the same views congregate together.

Actually, if I read the first four chapters of 1 Corinthians correctly, Paul says only carnally minded people and spiritual babes divide themselves up that way. Denominations need not (and in my mind should not) be based on secondary theological views. As someone else pointed out earlier, preferences in meeting structure, worship style, and mere proximity may be valid reasons for different groups to form, but I find no biblical support for theologically based sectarianism. Wherever you can find a place to go for true Christian fellowship and freedom to exercise your gifts and callings, I think is profitable to go there.

Having said that, we do currently live with the reality of sectarianism so it’s kind of up to each of us to decide our own level of tolerance for it and find gatherings of Christians that are suitable in spite of it. I have visited a great many different churches in the past couple of months and, although I'm beginning to narrow it down, it's been great to experience the variety and I've made new friends along the way.

I personally find variety gives me a deeper appreciation for other Christians that don’t believe or worship as I do, but love the Lord just the same. This forum, for instance, has greatly softened some of my former dogmatic leanings and have helped me relax a little on some of these issues that now seem very inconsequential. I personally think it’s quite healthy to break out of the “my church – your church” mentality and just be “the church”. What do you think?

Lord bless.

[Guest]

Hi Aaron,

You wrote:

You can disagree with denominationalism if you wish but the fact is that it's just natural that those of the same views congregate together.

Actually, if I read the first four chapters of 1 Corinthians correctly, Paul says only carnally minded people and spiritual babes divide themselves up that way. Denominations need not (and in my mind should not) be based on secondary theological views. As someone else pointed out earlier, preferences in meeting structure, worship style, and mere proximity may be valid reasons for different groups to form, but I find no biblical support for theologically based sectarianism. Wherever you can find a place to go for true Christian fellowship and freedom to exercise your gifts and callings, I think is profitable to go there.

Having said that, we do currently live with the reality of sectarianism so it’s kind of up to each of us to decide our own level of tolerance for it and find gatherings of Christians that are suitable in spite of it. I have visited a great many different churches in the past couple of months and, although I'm beginning to narrow it down, it's been great to experience the variety and I've made new friends along the way.

I personally find variety gives me a deeper appreciation for other Christians that don’t believe or worship as I do, but love the Lord just the same. This forum, for instance, has greatly softened some of my former dogmatic leanings and have helped me relax a little on some of these issues that now seem very inconsequential. I personally think it’s quite healthy to break out of the “my church – your church” mentality and just be “the church”. What do you think?

Lord bless.

1+.

I always remind myself that the body of Christ is made out of flesh and blood human beings, not brick and wood buildings.

[Guest]

I do not think that it is a good idea to go to different churches at different times. You may go to one that teaches that you can lose your salvation, tithes are for today, sanctification is a definite act of grace.
Then on Wednesday go to one that teaches OSAS, tithes are ceased, and that sanctification cannot be fully attained.

Then doctrinally you could become so twisted up and mixed up about what you yourself believe and you could become double minded in your theology. I don't think there's anyting wrong with an occasional visit to a church with different doctrines, but to constantly attend 2 or more different denominations can really mix you up and divide your loyalty between 2 or more belief systems.

I go to a Church of God (headquartered in Cleveland, TN) and I have on occasion visited an Assembly of God which is nearly identical except for some sanctification differences. That was not a huge step away from my beliefs. If I were to go to a reformed baptist church on Wed. and my church on Sunday and was uncertain to my beliefs and not watertight on every subject, I could easily be carried off into a wrong theology.

It's just something you'd want to be prayerful and careful about.

Hi Aaron,

I have never got my views on scripture from a church. I always study and all that good stuff while at home. I go to church to fellowship, not get my doctrine. I get that from studying and praying. However, you make a valid point. But the churches I attend rarely ever shame someone for believing one thing or another. Granted I probably wouldn't speak in tongues at the Baptist church(I do not have this gift as of yet.)lol

Hi Brody,
That's true. I understand you, for example ,are someone that studies the Bible, prays about how to interpret it, seeks knowledge and wisdom from God.
Sadly, many Christians do not do this and may become easily confused by differing doctrines at different denominations.

Good thread though, Brody,

God bless ya
Aaron

Thanks Aaron.
I just try and demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit when fellowshipping(?is that a word?)with other Christians. I rarely flex my theological muscle when at church. I find that it always ends up making me look stupid. Either they have no clue what I am talking about, or just nod in agreement to shut me up. lol.

Keep the esentials of the faith at hand, and keep the rest in your wallet.

[Guest]

Go to 2 different churches if you wish. Heck, go to 10 of them, doesn't matter to me, and I'm not trying to say it's a sin to go to different churches.

I'm just saying it's much more of a stable thing to be able to find a church that is full of the love and Spirit of the Lord, and that teaches truth and to remain there.

I love my church. I look forward to each service and to seeing my church family, all of whom I feel a bond with. That's not always easy to find.

In my opinion that it's the best possible scenario. Didn't mean to ruffle any feathers, I was just stating my humble opinion

Aaron,
The questions I posed weren't because my feathers had been ruffled.
As I attempt to do with all posts, I read yours with discernment and responded with dialogue.
One of the reasons I appreciate this forum is because it is a great place for fellow Christians to voice opinions and disagree, all within the unity of the Spirit. Doesn't always happen, but it is the overall feeling.

Remember, disagreement isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Its good to have you here.

Dave

[Guest]

That's cool Dave
I just think that if you have several different church denominations in your area and you are looking for one that fits your viewpoint, it's best to be able to go there, stay there, work for the Lord's people in that Church (within your calling), etc., etc.
But I can imagine there are some people in some places that do not have a big variety of choice in their area and maybe their beliefs line up more along the lines of Pentecostal and the only Churches there are Presbyterian and Reformed Baptist. If you choose to go to one of those Churches it might be based more upon the group of believers with whom you would be fellowshipping than upon the doctrine.
I, myself, would feel quite uncomfortable in some groups because of their beliefs. However if I were to go to, say, a Church of the Nazarene. Although some of our doctrine is different I wouldn't feel as uncomfortable as I would going to a Presbyterian congregation for instance.

I feel like I'm just rambling here - hopefully some of that made some sense

Aaron

[Guest]

Hey Brody,

I feel rather foolish for asking this, but what does "1+" mean?

I'm obviously dating myself and exposing my ignorance of chat language here .

I get the sense it's a good thing, but I'd like to know what it means and where it comes from (I'm just kind of funny that way).

[Guest]

Hey Brody,

I feel rather foolish for asking this, but what does "1+" mean?

I'm obviously dating myself and exposing my ignorance of chat language here .

I get the sense it's a good thing, but I'd like to know what it means and where it comes from (I'm just kind of funny that way).

I'd like to know what you mean when you say you're "dating yourself"..I thought you were married, but even if you weren't I don't understand how you'd date yourself.

[Guest]

I agree with the sentiments expressed in here.

Brody, I would like to know too. I am young but I am still in the dark on what 1+ means.

Aaron if you are serious (the laughing face throws me off) he means he is showing his age by not knowing this "new lingo".

[Guest]

Hey Brody,

I feel rather foolish for asking this, but what does "1+" mean?

I'm obviously dating myself and exposing my ignorance of chat language here .

I get the sense it's a good thing, but I'd like to know what it means and where it comes from (I'm just kind of funny that way).

Hi Chris!

It simply means "I give the "one up" to your statement. In other words, I agree whole-heartily with what you were saying. I am terrible with words, so I will often use the easiest method of getting my point across. Peace In Christ.

[Guest]

I agree with the sentiments expressed in here.

Brody, I would like to know too. I am young but I am still in the dark on what 1+ means.

Aaron if you are serious (the laughing face throws me off) he means he is showing his age by not knowing this "new lingo".

I wasn't serious. I knew what he meant. Just thought that it was funny that he was dating himself, that's all.