It distresses me that any controversy between Protestants and Catholics should have arisen here. And I don’t write this because I don’t trust any of you to come to an understanding on your own, but because I don’t know who else might be reading. And because I think the devil slaps his knees and laughs out loud when we go at it with each other.
There are Protestants who don’t recognize Catholics as fellow Christians, and vice versa. There are Protestant denominations who don’t recognize other Protestant denominations as fellow Christians. Within the same denomination, there are those who don’t recognize the members of the church across town as fellow Christians. I very much doubt this pleases God; but He has had to live with it for a long time.
I come from a mixed-religion family. My grandfather’s generation had rough sledding because of it, but the next generation, my mother’s, had to learn to live with their differences so that the family wouldn’t fall apart. This they successfully accomplished by the time my generation came along. I pray our blog family can do the same–and that it won’t take three generations!
Meanwhile, God has richly endowed us with real enemies throughout the world. Some seek our blood; others seek to separate us from our Savior and destroy our souls. And who can count the churches and congregations that have dived headfirst into outright apostasy?
Amalekites and Philistines everywhere you look! And we’ve got time to be feuding with each other? To believe and pass around bizarre urban legends about each others’ churches?
With accredited seminaries teaching Feminist Theology, etc., that seems a downright frivolous luxury.
In the 19th century, Europe was full of Christians who believed that Jews performed human sacrifice with Christian babies. It was called the “blood libel” and it wasn’t true. Even Russia’s Tsarist secret police testified it wasn’t true. Nevertheless, many Christians believed it. Possibly some still do.
We have much provocation, these days, to believe in conspiracies and all that.
But I think we ought to save our faith for God Himself.
I was raised in an environment where everyone not in our particular denomination (no, I won’t say which) was looked at as being doomed to judgment. It took me many, many years to develop a way of looking at things which allowed me to see things differently, but I’ve managed to do so.
Quite simply, I look at all people as being responsible for what they believe and I look at all people as being properly motivated in their search for God. Most importantly, I do not look at one’s denomination as an end unto itself. The various denominations have come into being because someone took exception to what was happening around them and plotted their own course.
However, the course of truth and faith is something our hearts seek. We may choose a denomination based upon our upbringing, a choice we make as individuals, or because we marry into one. but that is just a denomination. What really matters? When Lazarus died, speaking to Martha; 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.[d] Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” John 11:25-27. No denominations are mentioned. It is our individual faith in the salvation offered through Jesus which allows us to gain God’s favor.
Among my friends, are people of several different denominations. In some cases, I have significant disagreements with the beliefs some friends hold, but that is between myself and God. I pray that everyone’s eyes, including my own, are fully opened to the entire truth of God’s word. That is not to say that I am not ardent in my beliefs, but I realize that I have limitations in my understanding.
Lee, First le me say – see my response to Phoebe’s comment yesterday. Second, let me say that just because one person believes a thing and another doesn’t, that doesn’t automatically make that thing a conspiracy, and it doesn’t automatically make one person a conspiracy theorist (a term inflicted on us by the CIA to cause division, which appears to be a success), and the other the authority. I’m sorry that there’s been so much misunderstanding here lately, and I think, at least for me, it’s time to take a break. I love all of you in the Lord. Peace and blessings. God bless everyone.
Let me leave you with this (I wish I could give proper attribution but I don’t know who wrote it):
“Be Kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about”
Nobody wants you to leave, Linda. I certainly don’t! Please reconsider.
I agree. You are an integral part of the community.
When George Washington left office he warned Americans about forming political parties, and look what we have today. When St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians he warned them about forming sects, and look at the church world today. I love the part in Jesus’ prayer as our High Priest in John 17:23 when he prayed, “I in them, and you in Me – so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know you sent Me…” When will the world know Jesus was sent by God the Father? When the church comes into unity of the faith.
Love the cartoon! I’ve often thought that life would be much easier if we could all be sanctified together at the same rate…but, of course…that wouldn’t be very sanctifying!
God must have decided it wouldn’t work.
I’m curious if your theological background is more Reformed brother Lee.
Oh and not an attack by the way.
Not in the least–I don’t mind answering.
Dutch Reformed: I was brought up and confirmed in our local Dutch Reformed Church, which has now shed its affiliation and gone all squishy liberal–so for me there’s no going back. I did try once, years ago, and gave it up after the new pastor warned me to “beware of Bibliolatry” (aka taking God’s Word seriously) and offer an opinion that “adultery is no big deal.” *sigh*
Oh man…that pastor sounds like a hot mess
Fresh out of what they laughingly call the seminary
More like fresh out of the cemetery with a wicked view like that!
So even some of the Dutch Reformed have gone all Kum-Ba-Ya and drinkin’ the Kool-Aid.
What they’ve done is write themselves out of existence in this country, merging with the Rob Bell Reformed Church in America.
Them and Hillary. :’