2009-04-08

Myopia




Does your church make long-term mistakes in doctrine & practice for short-term payoff?


Don't expect them to be around much longer. Especially when they call killing off the next generation 'a blessing'!!!
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4 comments:

Sara said...

The link was interesting. In a way I agree. But, there are those of us who don't just want to hear words that re-enforce what we already believe. Or maybe I'm just weird. I think we called on to examine ourselves constantly, otherwise our faith is worthless.

A world without men would be horrible, I would have to get a job!

Wed Apr 08, 07:52:00 PM EDT
Chris Larimer said...

Sam,

Here's the point: None of us believe the truths of the Gospel on our own. Our hearts are predisposed against us. They are exceedingly wicked and full of deceipt, apart from the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

If the Holy Spirit has truly regenerated someone, they wont settle for a lie. And they will love their neighbor enough to tell the truth.

The problem with Americanity is that it has inoculated so many people that they think they believe the Gospel, even though every demonstrable evidence is against that thesis. Thus, they go on their merry way thinking "I know this Jesus stuff...now to the exciting world of Hinduism!" or "That Jesus sure was a cool cat - too bad his disciples and the 'church' thinks he was the Son of God and got up from the dead."

Those are people who haven't been regenerated - they've been inoculated by a false gospel, which is no gospel at all because it leaves them dead in their sins and under the wrath of a holy and righteous God.

As for a world without men...well, look at the mainline church. It's been hemorrhaging men for the last three decades.

Wed Apr 08, 08:08:00 PM EDT
Sara said...

It is really discouraging to see all of the women who come to church without their husbands. How does the church reach out to the men it has lost? We had this discussion in Session. Women will come with or without husbands, men rarely come without wives.

Re: Your point. Between the Holy Spirit and listening to people like you, I should see that I have been deceived? I definitely don't think I've got it all figured out. (I hope that doesn't read sarcastic, it isn't meant to be)

Have a blessed Maundy Thursday.

Thu Apr 09, 05:25:00 AM EDT
Chris Larimer said...

Heavens no...don't listen to me. I'm ONE voice. Listen to the voice of the whole church - which you'll find in the creeds and confessions. I'm not a pope - or a bishop. Too many "Reformed Christians" think that the definition of protestant or reformed or Christian is whatever their pastor said - or their mother - or their Sunday School teacher.

BALDERDASH.

The Christian faith is historic and global - and has always sought to reach agreement on the major topics of doctrine by coming together in Councils. So read the confessions, read the councils, read the creeds. But don't just take my (or anyone else's) word for it.

As for men - we crave vision and clarity. If your church isn't articulating a compelling vision of why they exist (and he should get out of bed in the morning) and what they really believe (what's this all about), then don't expect men to show up.

CLL+

Thu Apr 09, 06:23:00 AM EDT

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